[notchus]

I have recently started getting BSOD screens with all sorts of error codes. I thought it would be a driver issue but it seems to be something to do with the ram. Originally there was 4 x 2gb ram installed. If i run any 1 of the 4 sticks of ram in any of the 4 slots, no BSOD occur. As soon as i add more than 1 stick, the BSOD happens again! I am totally baffled. Any suggestions anyone??


OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor, AMD64 Family 16 Model 4 Stepping 3
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 1790 Mb
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4200, 256 Mb
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC., M4A785T-M

[crjdriver]

What pw supply do you have installed?
I would boot the system with a memtest disk and check the ram.
http://www.memtest.org/

[notchus]

I ran memtest on all the sticks with no problems.
My system is a Mesh that came with a 300W PSU...

[crjdriver]

If you ran memtest without problems [on ALL ram chips ie all installed at the same time] then that points to a windows/driver/resident app problem.

Do you know how to check your temps and voltages in the bios? If so, post those here ie cpu temp, system temp, 12V, 5V, and 3.3V values.

[notchus]

CPU temp is 48C, MB temp is 41C

3.3v is 3.31, 5v is 5.12, 12v is 12.03, vcore voltage is 1.36

I don't know if these values are good or bad, just read them out from the bios!

[notchus]

I have also reinstalled windows from scratch.......

[notchus]

If it was an app or driver problem, why does the system run ok on one memory chip??

[Snagglegaster]

Originally Posted by crjdriver

If you ran memtest without problems [on ALL ram chips ie all installed at the same time] then that points to a windows/driver/resident app problem.

Do you know how to check your temps and voltages in the bios? If so, post those here ie cpu temp, system temp, 12V, 5V, and 3.3V values.

I'll disagree and say that no memory diagnostics are 100% reliable, and the only way to test RAM accurately is by replacing it. If your machine runs fine with a single module installed, and all of your modules are OK so long as they are run singly, then I would expect that either the MOBO is defective, or that there is a compatibility problem between the board and the RAM; with the RAM being the more likely problem. Sometimes, you can tweak the voltage upward a bit and get the RAM working, but generally you are better off returning the memory and trying a different brand. It isn't too unusual to find glitches with RAM and motherboards, and some modules that don't work in a given board may perform just fine in a different board.

[crjdriver]

Your temps and voltages are ok. Did you run memtest with all of the ram installed or just a single ram chip installed?

You do need to run memtest for a minimum of 1~2hr to see if there are any errors.

[notchus]

Thank you both for your help!

I ran memtest extensively, both on all 4 modules installed and individually. I didn't get a single error.
As for being an incompatibilty problem between ram and motherboard, seems unlikely as these are the original modules that came with the Mesh desktop and they had been running perfectly for well over a year.

I suppose the next step is to try new ram, just seems strange that they all run ok individually...

[zGreenGhostz]

I've had very similar RAM problems. I solved mine by loading BIOS defaults. A possible remedy that doesn't cost anything to try.

[notchus]

I will try that zGreenGhostz. As you said, worth a try...

[notchus]

Well, put the four modules back in after updating and resetting the bios...... had 2 bsod within two minutes!
Tried Snagglegasters suggestion of tweaking the ram voltage a touch and guess what, been running for now for several hours with no trouble.

I don't know if this will be a long term fix but thanks again Snagglegaster for your help!

[crjdriver]

Glad you were able to get it working. If the ram ran fine before at default voltage, I would tend to think something is starting to fail. Either the board or one of the ram chips; possibly the memory controller on the cpu as well.

[Snagglegaster]

Originally Posted by crjdriver

Glad you were able to get it working. If the ram ran fine before at default voltage, I would tend to think something is starting to fail. Either the board or one of the ram chips; possibly the memory controller on the cpu as well.

Couldn't argue with you there. I think most weirdness of this sort is generally due to RAM problems rather than other causes. Sometimes what looks like a Band-Aid lasts the life of a machine, though.