Weird RAM problem

T

teahatter

New Member
It seems highly unlikely, but twice now Windows update has made 1 or both of my RAM sticks to burn out. About a month ago, windows updates were restarting the computer and the bios beep code went off three times, signaling a RAM failure. I went out and bought new RAM. This fixed the issue. Yesterday night, my computer automatically restarted in the middle of the night to install windows updates. The error beep code in the middle of the night woke me up. One of the RAM had been fried. Why does my computer keep frying out RAM?

(I have a Gateway GM5424 running Windows Vista Ultimate (32 bit) with Service Pack 1)

Some possible questions that I anticipate:
Q: Do you turn on and off your computer frequently? Does the RAM issue take place just when the computer restarts?
A: I set my computer to hibernate after 30 minutes. I have, however, restarted it within the past month several times and this has not happened.
Q: Did you reseat the RAM and all that?
A: Yup. One is fried this time, both last time.
Q: Do you use a surge protector?
A: Yup.
Q: Did you buy the correct RAM after the first time it went out?
A: It’s the right kind purchased from Best Buy.
 
the only thing i can think of would be a voltage fluctuation from the power supply, causing the ram to fail. those power supplies from box computer companies have a terrible track record. i could be wrong though... still i don't think there is a correlation between windows update and ram failure.
 
My guess is your RAM is being fried when Windows Update is utilizing it to update your computer. If that is the case, double check what RAM you are using.

For your system, you should be using PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs 533MHz
 
It doesn't make sense that Windsows update is frying RAM. It might coincidentally happen when you run updates (maybe something load based?) but the update process itself can't directly damage hardware
 
Ok, so things still aren't working. I've realized that this happens when the computer restarts, not just on windows update. I went out and bought a new set of RAM (exchanging the now defunct ones) and it worked once. When I restarted it, it did the beep code and stopped working. Spike, I am using the ones Best Buy recommended. They're 5200, but they downclock to 4200. Ethan, if it is a voltage fluctuation, how can I test that and how would I fix it?

Thanks!
 
Best to obtain a power supply test kit, take the tower to your local PC technician as he/she will have the appropriate tools to test the supply....i reckon Ethan3.14159 is right on the money.
 
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