RAM memory check?
in [Windows XP]
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From: Antares 531 on 8 May 2010 15:22 Is there an easy, straight forward way to check the RAM memory sticks in my computer? This is an older computer, running Windows XP Pro with SP3 installed. The computer has a Gigabyte S-Series motherboard...GA-P35-DS3L with an Intel P35 Express chipset. I set it up with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, E6750l @ 2.66 GHz and two 2.67 GHz, 2.0 GB RAM sticks. From time to time, when I try to start this computer it will beep a series of beeps of about one second on and one second off. At this time the CPU cooling fan will start and stop in sync with the beeps. I can press the OFF switch and do a restart and this usually clears the problem for the time being, but it will show up again the next time I do a cold start. This may indicate a thermally related problem, but I don't know how to check this out. Sometimes, during shut-down, I see a very brief error message that doesn't last long enough for me to read, but it seems to be indicating a problem with writing or reading some RAM address. How is the best way to check the RAM out and verify that the problem is in the RAM sticks, before I go buy replacements? Thanks, Gordon
From: PaulM on 8 May 2010 15:34 Try here: http://www.memtest86.com/ -- Paul's XP and Vista Help ----------------------------------------- www.paulsxp.com --------------------------------------- Paul's Forum -------------------------------------- www.paulsxp.com/forum -------------------------------------- "Antares 531" <gordonlrDELETE(a)swbell.net> wrote in message news:ipdbu5lvqt13bi606dmaddu8vvqo4brlqb(a)4ax.com... > Is there an easy, straight forward way to check the RAM memory sticks > in my computer? This is an older computer, running Windows XP Pro with > SP3 installed. > > The computer has a Gigabyte S-Series motherboard...GA-P35-DS3L with an > Intel P35 Express chipset. > > I set it up with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, E6750l @ 2.66 GHz and two > 2.67 GHz, 2.0 GB RAM sticks. > > From time to time, when I try to start this computer it will beep a > series of beeps of about one second on and one second off. At this > time the CPU cooling fan will start and stop in sync with the beeps. > > I can press the OFF switch and do a restart and this usually clears > the problem for the time being, but it will show up again the next > time I do a cold start. This may indicate a thermally related problem, > but I don't know how to check this out. > > Sometimes, during shut-down, I see a very brief error message that > doesn't last long enough for me to read, but it seems to be indicating > a problem with writing or reading some RAM address. > > How is the best way to check the RAM out and verify that the problem > is in the RAM sticks, before I go buy replacements? > > Thanks, Gordon
From: Michael on 8 May 2010 15:36 http://www.memtest86.com/download.html -- "Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you." "Antares 531" <gordonlrDELETE(a)swbell.net> wrote in message news:ipdbu5lvqt13bi606dmaddu8vvqo4brlqb(a)4ax.com... > Is there an easy, straight forward way to check the RAM memory sticks > in my computer? This is an older computer, running Windows XP Pro with > SP3 installed. > > The computer has a Gigabyte S-Series motherboard...GA-P35-DS3L with an > Intel P35 Express chipset. > > I set it up with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, E6750l @ 2.66 GHz and two > 2.67 GHz, 2.0 GB RAM sticks. > > From time to time, when I try to start this computer it will beep a > series of beeps of about one second on and one second off. At this > time the CPU cooling fan will start and stop in sync with the beeps. > > I can press the OFF switch and do a restart and this usually clears > the problem for the time being, but it will show up again the next > time I do a cold start. This may indicate a thermally related problem, > but I don't know how to check this out. > > Sometimes, during shut-down, I see a very brief error message that > doesn't last long enough for me to read, but it seems to be indicating > a problem with writing or reading some RAM address. > > How is the best way to check the RAM out and verify that the problem > is in the RAM sticks, before I go buy replacements? > > Thanks, Gordon
From: Bruce Chambers on 8 May 2010 15:38 Antares 531 wrote: > Is there an easy, straight forward way to check the RAM memory sticks > in my computer? This is an older computer, running Windows XP Pro with > SP3 installed. > > The computer has a Gigabyte S-Series motherboard...GA-P35-DS3L with an > Intel P35 Express chipset. > > I set it up with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, E6750l @ 2.66 GHz and two > 2.67 GHz, 2.0 GB RAM sticks. > > From time to time, when I try to start this computer it will beep a > series of beeps of about one second on and one second off. At this > time the CPU cooling fan will start and stop in sync with the beeps. > > I can press the OFF switch and do a restart and this usually clears > the problem for the time being, but it will show up again the next > time I do a cold start. This may indicate a thermally related problem, > but I don't know how to check this out. > > Sometimes, during shut-down, I see a very brief error message that > doesn't last long enough for me to read, but it seems to be indicating > a problem with writing or reading some RAM address. > > How is the best way to check the RAM out and verify that the problem > is in the RAM sticks, before I go buy replacements? > > Thanks, Gordon You can use MemTest86 (http://www.memtest86.com/) It's free. Then you can check with the motherboard manufacturer for any additional diagnostic utilities. Additionally, the motherboard's manufacturer's web site should be able to tell exactly what that specific pattern (number and interval) of the "Beep Codes" means. Since you suspect a "thermally related problem," you should also check to ensure that all of the computer's airways are free of obstruction and that all of the cooling fans are working. Further, you should blow out any dust or debris that has built up inside the computer's case. Sadly, though, it it does turn out that you do have a "thermally related problem," you may well have to replace the damaged component(s); thermal damage is irreversible. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot
From: Bruce Chambers on 8 May 2010 15:40
Antares 531 wrote: > Is there an easy, straight forward way to check the RAM memory sticks > in my computer? This is an older computer, running Windows XP Pro with > SP3 installed. > > The computer has a Gigabyte S-Series motherboard...GA-P35-DS3L with an > Intel P35 Express chipset. > > I set it up with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, E6750l @ 2.66 GHz and two > 2.67 GHz, 2.0 GB RAM sticks. > > From time to time, when I try to start this computer it will beep a > series of beeps of about one second on and one second off. At this > time the CPU cooling fan will start and stop in sync with the beeps. > > I can press the OFF switch and do a restart and this usually clears > the problem for the time being, but it will show up again the next > time I do a cold start. This may indicate a thermally related problem, > but I don't know how to check this out. > > Sometimes, during shut-down, I see a very brief error message that > doesn't last long enough for me to read, but it seems to be indicating > a problem with writing or reading some RAM address. > > How is the best way to check the RAM out and verify that the problem > is in the RAM sticks, before I go buy replacements? > > Thanks, Gordon You can use MemTest86 (http://www.memtest86.com/) It's free. Then you can check with the motherboard manufacturer for any additional diagnostic utilities. Additionally, the motherboard's manufacturer's web site should be able to tell exactly what that specific pattern (number and interval) of the "Beep Codes" means. Since you suspect a "thermally related problem," you should also check to ensure that all of the computer's airways are free of obstruction and that all of the cooling fans are working. Further, you should blow out any dust or debris that has built up inside the computer's case. Sadly, though, if it does turn out that you do have a "thermally related problem," you may well have to replace the damaged component(s); thermal damage is irreversible. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot |