Can a ddr2 memory go bad?

[gmargittai]

My question is more related to computer DRAM memories in general. I have a PC that started to behave eratically and started hanging anytime I used more than 1.2G of memory. (Checked it on the task manager). Disk seems OK. Switched the 2 banks of memory and it had trouble to boot. Cleaned contacts and all, it seems consistent. Switching back I could boot but keeps failing when the computer is loaded above 1.2G. Does this happen that a mem bank just becomes defective? Computer is about 2 years old.

Thanks

 

[buwish]

Indeed, memory can go bad. I recommend running something called "memtest86" on the RAM and it should tell you if any of the sticks are bad. If so, remove the culprit and see if acts any better.

 

[gmargittai]

Can one use just one of the sticks? I thought they always need to be in pairs.
Thanks for your reply BTW

 

[buwish]

Yes, you can use one stick at a time.

 

[lostandwandering]

Can one use just one of the sticks? I thought they always need to be in pairs.
Thanks for your reply BTW

You'll lose the dual channel mode, but it will still boot and run. That's usually one of the quickest test to determine if a memory stick is bad. Pull one stick, boot and put it under load. If it runs fine, replace it with the other and repeat.

 

[gmargittai]

Best answer selected by gmargittai.