Computer reboots

M

m_swm

New Member
I mentioned this in a reply to another thread but I didn't want to hijack that thread so anyway, here's my problem. My computer reboots itself before it get booted fully. If I take out either of the 512mb memory modules all is well. Is my motherboard the problem you think?

Thanks,
Mark
 
I think it might be your ram, do you know how to burn .iso? Google the program memtest86 and burn the version that scans your ram before your pc starts up fully. If it comes up with any errors after running 30minutes to an hour, then ya, replace your ram.
 
It sounds more like a mismatched pair of 512s there or one has developed faults. If you mixed brands you may mixed memory with different timings. Mixing types like having a single sided dimm installed along with a dual sided module will also stall a system. But the likelihood there if the memory has been used normally until this problem arose is a now faulty dimm.

Try a good run of memtest or another memory tester. For that you will need a floppy drive and for memtest let it run for several hours on each dimm. A faulty dimm will usually start seeing errors reported fast. http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html
 
Thanks guys for the input. I'll give it a try. By the way, the dimms are matched, they came with the computer bought new nearly 6 years ago. I hope it is just one of the dimms, that wouldn't be too bad.....
 
Being that they ran for a long time together you have to assume one is not so good. Another thought that keeps coming up is cleaning the insdie of the case good with an air cleaner including the dimm slots and reseating the memory after. A polluted dimm slot can also see problems from dust and debris.
 
Well, here's where I am with the problem. I had a problem making the memtest cd so I downloaded the Microsoft memory diagnostic and used it. I tested both dimms individually using the short test and they both passed. Then with the 2 together it gave 37 errors on one of the tests of the short test. It couldn't tell me which slot was causing the problem however. I tried each one again individually in different slots but they both passed. Then I ran the long test on one of them which just finished and it passed. It took about 19 hours for that test. I am going to run the long test on the other one now. The instructions for this program says that even if there is an error it just means that there is a problem with the memory system which consists of the memory RAM modules, the sockets, the motherboard chipset, the microprocessor, and the microprocessor cache. So I suppose I will just need to get a new dimm and hope for the best if the other dimm that I am about to test checks out good.

Oh yeah, I did blow the board and slots out with a compressor before testing.
 
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The other thought would be have been a possible bad slot but you saw good results when both were tried out. One thing here that saw a good number of errors and crashes in games and apps turned out to be an overheated cpu! That was seen on the last build when the fan on the cooler(Scythe) decided to quit. At first the temps of 74C were baffling while still being within tolerance for the older type cpu.

The fan appeared to be working then. Later when seeing the actual max temp of 85C reached after just buying new memory and having a new cooler(Zalman 7000b) on order. Suddenly eveything went dead. The cpu will now only run when the fsb is lowered down from it's normal 200mhz to 166mhz in the bios. This build saw a new case as well as a larger cooler(Zalman again CNPS 9500) with the same memory passing everything.

When first swapping the matched pair of Corsair 512mb performance dimms for the current 2gb of Kingston Value Ram memtest reported 573 errors on the new memory! Both sets tested on the current board saw 0%. You may hav have to start looking at other things besides replacing otherwise now seemingly incompatible memory. A corrupted or failing bios or weak battery on the board would be one thought. Once you get a pair of things going you can see a list of problems come up.
 
PC eye said:
You may have to start looking at other things besides replacing otherwise now seemingly incompatible memory. A corrupted or failing bios or weak battery on the board would be one thought. Once you get a pair of things going you can see a list of problems come up.
Click to expand...

I did replace the battery when this all started hoping to get lucky. I also had upgraded the bios which I downloaded from HP/Compaq's web site. It was an upgrade from several years ago, like '04 or '03. Since either one of the dimms works fine without the other I will probably hold off on trying to get a new board or processor or another dimm. It works fine as is but I was wanting to get into home recording of musical instruments and vocals, using it to mix down audio tracks and stuff like that and I know that some of those audio interfaces requires 750mb or so of memory, some a lot less. So that is kinda dissapointing.

The other dimm is still testing but hasn't had any errors found yet.

Thanks for the info.
 
Knowing what the older Socket A boards are like I could suggest two other things to consider like a problem with the board now being seen or the cpu is going to fail at some point. Have you been watching the overall system temps at all? As odd aa it would seem what seems like memory problems can be traced to something heating up. But that doesn't rule out two dimms eventually developing unseen faults where they each appear normal on their own. Forget about trying a newer model cpu. I still need a replacement for an Atholon XP3200 here and none to find. EBay? no thank you!

For a serious look at audio recording you will probably want to consider a newer build anyways where you can easily slap in 2gb of DDR400 unless going to an even newer model for DDR2 memory. The prices on AM2 boards and even some mid range AMD dual core AM2 models are seen for better prices during the summer months. A new case also allows for more options too.
 
PC eye said:
For a serious look at audio recording you will probably want to consider a newer build anyways where you can easily slap in 2gb of DDR400 unless going to an even newer model for DDR2 memory. The prices on AM2 boards and even some mid range AMD dual core AM2 models are seen for better prices during the summer months. A new case also allows for more options too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I think I probably will just look into getting something like that for the recording studio instead of relying on an old system like mine. It will be hard to convince the wife however as she hates computers. Since '96 we have bought 4 computers, 2 myself and 2 others, (1 each for my grown kids). There is a Fry's Electronics store here locally. They sell everything for pc's. Do most people go through a place like that or do they go online and order?

You mentioned if I have been watching the overall system temps at all. I wouldn't know how to do that.
 
A good and higher percentage of users these days actually build their own cases to the way they want them or at least what their budget allows. You gain some practical experience when learning each step along the way. For someone who has no time to learn or no aptitude for learning the way things fit together the prebuilt is the fast way.

Learning to look over specifications on boards and other hardwares before buying is the key to seeing a good working build. There you know what cpu, memory, video and sound cards, and other devices will be supported as well as deciding on the operating system you will be running. For Vista a good 2gb of memory will help. For temps there are several free and retail programs to look at.

For a freeware that usually works(not in some circumstances) well you can try out SpeedFan. That is free for download at http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php This will read voltages along with the temps for cpu, board, and even hard drives.

The top temp is for cpu with the one just under for the board usually. HD0, HD1, etc. is for hard drives with the cpu core temps seen just above those. Another place on most boards that goes strictly by the board's senosors directly is found in the bios setup. That is the board's own hardware monitor seen on most new boards out. The specifications for the board you have now would show if that was available there. Have the user manual? The make and model would be needed for a look on the support site.
 
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