Added some RAM, and now issues

Today I added 256 MB of ram to my computer, doubling it.

When I turned on the computer, I got a message saying the one of the Registry files was out of place, but was successfully found on a backup location.

I called a friend who's computer savvy, and he said that that wasn't particularly unusual after a new hardware install.

I was checking my email, and I got a windows error report that there was a driver problem with new hardware. I sent the error report to Microsoft.

I emailed the company that sold me the Ram- they said they don't have drivers, and that it could be an incompatibility issue with my Motherboard.

So then I booted up Guild Wars:

Let me say this- the ram helped alot. I've previously died during big fights because my computer couldn't process everything going on and it would freeze up long enough for me to die.

But Guild Wars crashed twice. Odd thing was- neither time was it a big deal. Once was after my team lost a PvP arena match (the new RAM made me confident enough to try PvP), and the other was after I logged out of PvE.
Both times Guild Wars itself requested I send an error report.

Any suggestions?

Most importantly, what operating system? Have you checked windows update lately to see if your drivers have an update? And who manufacturered the system?

It's Windows XP, but I haven't been having problems like this before.

(Note: When I turned on my computer just now and logged onto Windows, the computer immediately reset. Then it was fine, but I got an error message

This is the error message I got from Windows:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/response...df6e908&SID=10

The ram is "d400-256Dxx" "Generic High Density 256 MB DDR PC3200 DDR400 184-Pin DIMM Memory"

I built the computer myself, I don't know the manufacturer or number of the motherboard, or how to look it up.

Just checked- I have the most recent Windows drivers.

Well I once had a problem like yours with Star Wars Galaxies. I had 1gb ram and due to some conflict with nvidia cards the game would crash. So i had to go in and turn it down to 512mb ram. Do this...

Crap i forgot, lol but theres a way to go to C:\boot.ini and put in a parameter that sets your ram down, then you have to restart

but thats probably not the problem, (eventually the people at SWG fixed the issue) try taking out the ram, and switching it with the other one.

I can only think the ram is mismatched. Is your original ram 3200, and if so, by which mamnufacturer? Is it 3200?

How would I find out the 'number' of my original ram?
(I'm starting to suspect RAM mismatch is the problem, since I didn't research my new RAM very thouroughly.)

BTW, it crashed again, here's the error report:
*--> Crash <--*
Exception: c0000005
Memory at address 0009000b could not be read
App: Gw.exe
ProgramId: 1
Build: 10762
When: 5/12/2005 23:46:01
Flags: 0

*--> System <--*
Name: (Edited Out)
IpAddr: (Edited Out)
Processors: 1 [AuthenticAMD:6:6:2]
OSVersion: 5.1

*--> Thread 0xfffffffe <--*
eax=22517eb0 ebx=00e80000 ecx=00000000 edx=00090007 esi=22517ea8 edi=22517e68
eip=7c910f2b esp=0128fba4 ebp=0128fbb0
cs=210246 ss=001b ds=0023 es=0023 fs=0023 gs=003b efl=00000000

*--> Code <--*
7C910F0B 8b03008a 46052410 a8108847 050f8592 ....F.$....G....
7C910F1B 0000008b 4e0c8d46 088b1089 4d0c8b09 ....N..F....M...
7C910F2B 3b4a0489 55140f85 ea0f0000 3bc80f85 ;J..U.......;...
7C910F3B e20f0000 5653e84e fcffff8b 45148b4d ....VS.N....E..M
7C910F4B 0c3bc189 01894804 74388a46 05a8040f .;....H.t8.F....
7C910F5B 85a98b03 000fb70e 8b451001 080fb70e .........E......

*--> Trace <--*
Pc:7c910f2b Fr:0128fbb0 Rt:7c910d5c Arg:00e80000 08080125 0128fc68 00000000
Pc:7c910d5c Fr:0128fc84 Rt:004ab2c2 Arg:00e80000 00000000 22517e70 00e85c78
Pc:004ab2c2 Fr:0128fccc Rt:004010ba Arg:22517e70 0065d119 0128fd1c 0128fd9c
Pc:004010ba Fr:0128fce8 Rt:00659821 Arg:00000021 00427320 0128fd9c 0042257f
Pc:00659821 Fr:0128fd34 Rt:00516c94 Arg:00000034 0128fd9c 00000000 35e193ac
Pc:00516c94 Fr:0128fd64 Rt:005183eb Arg:0128fd9c 00000000 0128fddc 00f4a998
Pc:005183eb Fr:0128fd88 Rt:0050b3a5 Arg:00000000 0221192c 0000000c 3d08b65e
Pc:0050b3a5 Fr:0128fda8 Rt:0050a5b4 Arg:00000002 00f4a7d0 0128fe74 00000000
Pc:0050a5b4 Fr:0128fde8 Rt:00504b6e Arg:00f4a7f4 02211920 00000004 0128fe74
Pc:00504b6e Fr:0128fe54 Rt:0050489c Arg:00000004 00f4a998 00000000 006aa0eb
Pc:0050489c Fr:0128fe78 Rt:005044ae Arg:0128ff20 0128ff1c ffffffff 00000002
Pc:005044ae Fr:0128ff14 Rt:004cade2 Arg:00504330 00000001 00000002 ffffffff
Pc:004cade2 Fr:0128ff34 Rt:004cea8b Arg:0014ad40 00e953a8 00e953f0 00369e99
Pc:004cea8b Fr:0128ff68 Rt:004c8a06 Arg:00000002 7c913d00 00e953f0 00e953f0
Pc:004c8a06 Fr:0128ff80 Rt:006bf1ee Arg:00e953a8 7c913d00 ffffffff 00e953f0
Pc:006bf1ee Fr:0128ffb4 Rt:7c80b50b Arg:00e953f0 7c913d00 ffffffff 00e953f0
Pc:7c80b50b Fr:0128ffec Rt:00000000 Arg:006bf18f 00e953f0 00000000 01360000

*--> Stack <--*
0128FBA4 00e80000 22517e68 00000000 0128fc84 ....h~Q"......(.
0128FBB4 7c910d5c 00e80000 08080125 0128fc68 \..|....%...h.(.
0128FBC4 00000000 00e85c78 22517e70 160d9878 ....x\..p~Q"x...
0128FBD4 02080000 00000007 15d40780 00e80178 ............x...
0128FBE4 00000000 1028b1d0 46e632b6 15d40788 ......(..2.F....
0128FBF4 00000000 15dc19a0 80000000 0d547398 .............sT.
0128FC04 383dcbc4 104cd798 00000006 00000020 ..=8..L..... ...
0128FC14 0051545d 473b8000 00e801f8 0d5473a0 ]TQ...;G.....sT.
0128FC24 00000040 46e632b6 46aca608 3faaaaab @....2.F...F...?
0128FC34 0128fc44 00515393 0128fd1c 0000000a D.(..SQ...(.....
0128FC44 0128fd1c 00000034 00e80000 46e632b6 ..(.4........2.F
0128FC54 eb36527b 00000006 00000000 00000000 {R6.............
0128FC64 01010000 00000008 0128fbc8 0128f7c8 ..........(...(.
0128FC74 0128fcbc 7c90ee18 7c910570 00000001 ..(....|p..|....
0128FC84 0128fccc 004ab2c2 00e80000 00000000 ..(...J.........
0128FC94 22517e70 00e85c78 22517e70 160d9878 p~Q"x\..p~Q"x...
0128FCA4 00747ea0 00747f08 00000000 0128fce8 .~t...t.......(.
0128FCB4 0049d636 0128f7c8 0128ff04 004acbfc 6.I...(...(...J.
0128FCC4 006eec38 ffffffff 0128fce8 004010ba 8.n.......(...@.
0128FCD4 22517e70 0065d119 0128fd1c 0128fd9c p~Q"..e...(...(.
0128FCE4 00000034 0128fd34 00659821 00000021 4...4.(.!.e.!...
0128FCF4 00427320 0128fd9c 0042257f 11377e08 sB...(..%B..~7.
0128FD04 02a02980 00517a1d 00000000 15740920 .)...zQ..... .t.
0128FD14 15740928 02242d40 0000000a 00000034 (.t.@-$.....4...
0128FD24 02a02984 00000180 80000000 00000000 .)..............
0128FD34 0128fd64 00516c94 00000034 0128fd9c d.(..lQ.4.....(.
0128FD44 00000000 35e193ac 00000004 00000034 .......5....4...
0128FD54 00000008 0128fd58 0128fd51 02242d28 ....X.(.Q.(.(-$.
0128FD64 0128fd88 005183eb 0128fd9c 00000000 ..(...Q...(.....
0128FD74 0128fddc 00f4a998 00000000 0128fd9c ..(...........(.
0128FD84 00000034 0128fda8 0050b3a5 00000000 4.....(...P.....
0128FD94 0221192c 0000000c 3d08b65e 00f4a998 ,.!.....^..=....
0128FDA4 0128fde8 0128fde8 0050a5b4 00000002 ..(...(...P.....
0128FDB4 00f4a7d0 0128fe74 00000000 00000002 ....t.(.........
0128FDC4 00000004 0128fde4 00f4a998 00000001 ......(.........
0128FDD4 00000000 00f4a8f0 0221192c 00f4a7ed ........,.!.....
0128FDE4 00000000 0128fe54 00504b6e 00f4a7f4 ....T.(.nKP.....
0128FDF4 02211920 00000004 0128fe74 00f4a998 .!.....t.(.....
0128FE04 006aa0eb 00f4a7d0 006aa0ca 00f4a8f0 ..j.......j.....
0128FE14 006aa0ca 004c71b7 00000000 00f4a7d0 ..j..qL.........
0128FE24 006aa0ca 0050982d 00000000 00f4a7d0 ..j.-.P.........
0128FE34 00504c13 006aa0eb 00f4a7d0 00f4a8f0 .LP...j.........
0128FE44 00000000 0128fe48 0128fe49 00000002 ....H.(.I.(.....
0128FE54 0128fe78 0050489c 00000004 00f4a998 x.(..HP.........
0128FE64 00000000 006aa0eb 00000002 00f4a7d0 ......j.........
0128FE74 00000021 0128ff14 005044ae 0128ff20 !.....(..DP. .(.
0128FE84 0128ff1c ffffffff 00000002 006aa0eb ..(...........j.
0128FE94 00000064 00000068 00000000 00000000 d...h...........
0128FEA4 ffa3b360 82e2a888 82e2a901 00f4a984 `...............
0128FEB4 00000014 00000001 00000000 00000000 ................
0128FEC4 00000010 00000000 00000000 82e2a888 ................
0128FED4 7ffde000 7ffda000 00040000 0128fec8 ..............(.
0128FEE4 0128fe94 00f4a7d0 00000001 00000000 ..(.............
0128FEF4 000490c4 7c80a42b 0128fe80 0128f7c8 ....+..|..(...(.
0128FF04 0128ffa4 004acbfc 006f3df0 00000000 ..(...J..=o.....
0128FF14 0128ff34 004cade2 00504330 00000001 4.(...L.0CP.....
0128FF24 00000002 ffffffff 006aa0eb 00000002 ..........j.....
0128FF34 0128ff68 004cea8b 0014ad40 00e953a8 h.([email protected]..
0128FF44 00e953f0 00369e99 00000000 eb1ceaee .S....6.........
0128FF54 00000006 006a9f26 006aa0eb 00000064 ....&.j...j.d...
0128FF64 00000068 0128ff80 004c8a06 00000002 h.....(...L.....
0128FF74 7c913d00 00e953f0 00e953f0 0128ffb4 .=.|.S...S....(.
0128FF84 006bf1ee 00e953a8 7c913d00 ffffffff ..k..S...=.|....
0128FF94 00e953f0 c0000005 0128ff8c 0128f7c8 .S........(...(.

*--> LogQueue <--*
(0) Prop tag 0000 not found (map=58)
(0) Prop tag 0000 not found (map=58)
(0) Prop tag 0000 not found (map=62)
(0) Prop tag 0000 not found (map=62)

*--> DirectX Device Info <--*
VendorId = 0x10de
DeviceId = 0x0253
Version = 6.14.0010.4403
Description = NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200
Compat = 0x00a00001
VidMem = 128 MB

Well there's a few possibilites: One thing to note is high density memory is cheaper for a reason.

1, i think (most likely) your motherboard is not compatible with high density memory. Infact, depending your chipset, i'm surprised it boots if its not compatible. With most motherboards, its a crapshoot whether it will work. (also just because its compatible in the hardware, doesnt mean the bios will work right with it)

2, bad memory. This probably isnt whats going on.

4, the 2 sticks arent playing nice with eachother.

Hi,

I had a share of memory problems too (but not with GW, fortunately).

If you run the two sticks in a dual channel configuration (some nForce2 boards had a dual channel memory controller) there can be compatibility issues.

First, download and run Windows Memory Diagnostic . This microsoft diagnostic program and if it shows any errors you can (to be exactly sure, you can even download and use memtext x86 memtest x86 too) :

a) try to move the memory around - ususally there are three banks (slots) where the memory can be installed, try to swap it and retest
b) "underclock" the memory - run it slower than it is supposed to run - this does not impact performance too much and improves stability if the issues are caused by faulty RAM modules

"High density" is just a label, so don't worry. If you would post precise specs of your system, we could either help you better or at least try to direct you to a site, where you could find more suggestions (for nForce related problems, there's nothing better than the forums on nforcershq.com !).

Part of my problem is that I don't know how to find out the specs of my system. Is there a way to find that out from the computer interface?

Memory compatibility.

nForce 2 architecture, I think from the hex (could be wrong, but it's an AMD, so likely choice.

If you want two sticks in pretty much any AMD system, buy two matched sticks, and check with your board manufacturer first to see if they're compatible.

It's XP SP2 with .net 1.1 installed, so you should be fine. I think it's not bad memory but rather incompatible manufacturing processes (different type PCB).

Try this simple, free test program to see if the memory is defective:

http://www.monkey.org/~chester/loki/

Loki for Windows.


There is also the possibility that the clock cycles don't match (CL2/CL4 mismatch) will force the memory to operate at the slower rate and possibly cause errors in the faster sdram.

http://www.download.com/3000-2086-10018691.html


SANDRA Lite 2005.SR1

i just helped a handful of other people in this forum so chill out

i'm not asking anyone to be a computer genious, as a grandmother of 90 can figure out how to upgrade RAM.

This kid needs to take his computer to BestBuy or whatever similar store is near him and have them look at it.

Empathy is always best when trying to help, rather than belligerance.

So I ran Windows Memory Diagnostic and it said there weren't any errors (to be sure, I had it run several times while I was out running some errands.)

And nobody's answered my question yet:

Is there a way to use the Windows Device Manager or other application to find out the properties of the existing RAM? (This would be much preffered to trying to dig through all my paperwork for hardcopy of my RAM specs.)

Look for a program called "CPU-Z" it will tell you exactly what processor and which memory sticks are installed in your computer. If they are the same, you should have no problems. If they are different, you should take the ram you've recently purchased back, and find ram that matches what you currently have. CPU-Z can be found easily on google.com

Here's the link, I forgot about it, and even carry it on my thumb drive tool kit

http://www.cpuid.org/cpuz.php


And try PC Wizard too.

No, use the programs I linked to download to find out.

I booted up the computer just now with only the new ram, and it seems to be working fine, so I'm guessing that the RAM and motherboard are compatible.

No errors so far with just the new RAM.

Now I'm going to try it with the new RAM in the primary slot and the old ram in the second slot (the opposite of my original configuration.)

If both sticks of RAM work by themselves, but crash when you put them together, you have mismatched RAM. Take the one bought back and get a stick that matches your original, or get another stick of what you just bought. Some computers are really fussy about mismatched RAM.

I'm certain it's mismatched ram.

Since I can't find the documentation for the original, I think I'm just going to buy RAM to match the new one.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Did you run any of the programs I listed?

The only one I ran was Windows Memory Diagnostic.

So here's an update:

I was running the computer using JUST the new ram and it worked fine. No issues or anything. As I said above, I bought new ram to match the new one.

It arrived today, I popped it in, and started up my computer. Instant problems- restarting, windows crashing. I started guild wars, and got the same error as before- Memory error.
So I ran Windows Memory Diagnostic- and there were lots of errors!

So how is this possible? My computer likes Ram A and Ram B alone, but not A and B together (but no MemDiag errors), but B&B is even worse!

(The two RAM chips are the exact same part, the exact same manufacturer. And it works fine on its own!)

You can try this program to see RAM information (it reads this information from a memory stick ROM, just as BIOS does that to configure motherboard settings etc.)
http://www.heise.de/ct/ftp/ctspd.shtml
I'm not sure if it gives an information in a readable format or it just shows a memory dump.

Try to test your memory for errors with a memory testing program
http://www.memtest86.com/

Got the exact same problem
had one sitck of 512 2700
and have added another 512 3200
Now i get crashing in guildwars.

some motherboards are very picky about what ram you put in them. Turn the computer off and then take both sticks of ram out of the pc and look at them. Are they the same manufacturer? Are the chips aligned the same on the sticks? Is the chipset number the same on both? If not, you very well may have problems with it. Many motherboards will work with mismatched sticks, my gf's compac will even use different sticks of different speeds, but my sli board will only use exactly matched sticks of ram. When I first built it I didn't notice that one of the sticks had a slightly different chipset number, same manufacturer, but it caused blue screens and reboots. It worked fine by itself, but not with the other sticks so I had to take it back and exchange it.

I would bet this is what is happening to you (I also don't believe you should see any error messages for simply adding one more stick of ram, that is not normal in the pc's I have built or repaired)

I would take both sticks of ram back to the store (the one you bought and the one you already have) and explain it to them, they might be able to match one of them and exchange the other so you have matching sticks.

Some stores won't do this, but the small family owned computer stores I buy from always go out of their way to help me out (I have spent over 6K there and referred more than 10 people to them, so they greet me by name now )

good luck!

What do you mean "chips aligned"?

They are literally the exact same part- bought from the exact same (online) retailer.

Hey Wil, I just joined in on this one, but it seems that your problem is that you're using RAM your motherboard doesn't support.

Just to clarify:

You have two 256mb sticks of PC3200 on the board right now and it isn't working? I would be willing to bet your motherboard isn't happy with the PC3200. This type of memory error won't always prevent the computer from running, it'll just cause it to hang on a regular basis.

Any clue what speed your original stick of RAM was? Or maybe which motherboard you have?

No on either. It's an Athlon processor.

But for awhile I was using one stick of PC3200- I don't see why that wouldn't cause any problems if it's incompatible with my motherboard.

If you go to Crucial's site, you might think twice about buying generic memory. I know I won't any more. Not all 3200 is the same. I also won't buy ECS motherboards anymore since they are fussy about what memory goes in them, I am going Abit next time.

Well, I couldn't be sure without tinkering with the system myself. I don't ever really run into RAM trouble, but I know a lot of people who do.

I pretty much just stick to Kingston, because I've never had the stuff betray me. -shrug-

The best advice is to:

1.) Check the motherboard specs and make sure that it is technically supposed to work with the RAM you've got in it.

2.) Take the RAM and try it in another box to see if the RAM is borked.

There is always the possiblity that it's both 1 and 2, of course. But that would mean you've got more inconsistencies in your machine than just the RAM though.

According to CPU-Z:

CPU:
AMD Athlon XP
Palomino
Socket A

Motherboard
Manufacturer: Abit
Model 761-686B (KG7)
Chipset AMD-761
BIOS Brand: Award Software International INC

Oh!

The KG7 is only rated to run with DDR200/266 RAM.

Good to know!

So- why has it been running on one chip of the 3200 so far?

And will buying this be a mistake?:

http://www.acmicro.com/PPmain.asp?It...Mostrar&msk=PD

RAM is funny that way, it won't always cause a total system failure. I've seen high-end RAM do okay in a low-end motherboard before with absolutely no explanation as to why. I guess it's due to inconsistencies on the manufacturer's end.

All I can tell you for 100% certain is that the tech docs for that KG7 have it as running on DRR200/266. If you find a stick of 3200 that for some reason works, heck, you may as well use it.

What the hell does "Major Brand" mean, anyways? For all you know they're giving you a Hostess Swiss Cake Roll in a static bag.

Save yourself the trouble and go for: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141002

It's a bit quicker, it's a bit cheaper, and most importantly: It's a well-known and trusted brand. (New Egg is a really great company for computer parts BTW, if things don't work returns are usually cake.)