Computer trouble

[ManDownUnder]

2 suggestions (not sure if they've been made yet - just jumping right in)

Memory. If you've changed it recently or had the lid off you machine recently it might have done something stupid. See if you can borrow some, that's known to be good and swap it in. Any corrupt bits etc in memory will be removed temporarily and the problem will go away.

Sometimes you can take out one, or other stick of RAM but some memory insists on being installed in matching pairs. If in doubt get someone knowledgeable to take a looksee.

Service packs. Install the latest... again... Refresh any links/drivers/ etc etc etc.

I have my money on #1 (memory) being the problem, #2 is easiest to fix... and try that first!

Good luck

[hospitalfood]

I think it is the ram. take it back, get your money back. check all the details for specified ram in your machine and start again.
or hit the machine with a truck.

[limbimtimwim]

Yep, test the memory. Here is that memtest86 program mentioned: http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.3.iso.zip

Burn the ISO in there and boot the computer off it. If the computer doesn't boot off it, go into the BIOS and find where you set what is usually called 'boot priority'.

If the lower half of the screen starts filling with lines of stuff, you have a problem. Try both sets of ram. It's a boring test, and might only show up when the computer is warm. Start it before you go to work or whatever and check on it later. It loops endlessly.

Before swapping around memory, check there are no lights on the motherboard on. Plugged in at the wall but switched off at the wall is the best way of doing it.

Memory can be finicky shit sometimes. You may have a hard time convincing the supplier it is busted because they'll stick it in another computer and test it and it'll be fine. If someone has had a fiddle with the memory timings on your computer it may not be treating it right. See if there is an option in the BIOS to restore some sort of boring factory default, rather than performance defaults.

[Fox Rider]

So did i get this straight, you removed the memory again and it all ran sweet, but a bit slower?

As has been said it s posssible the memory types are incompatible with each other or the motherboard, for example some machines wont run ecc and non ecc memory at the same time, even if you switch off ecc in the BIOS.

Some machines require memory to be added in specific configurations, such as only in pairs and/or specific slots etc

It is not uncommon for new memory to be faulty, you could look for a product called memtest86. It is pretty good for testing memory and the price is right.

Did whoever added the memory increase the size of the page file?

I took the 2gb out and put the old 512 in and it ran perfectly, but i dont want 512.. I want 2gb so thats where the problem lies.
They are the right sticks for the motherboard and everything is compatible.

Unsure if they increased the size of the page file Shall find that out.

Could it not be something else?.. Like the processor having a fit because its being over-worked? Its running at 100% for a good 10 seconds everytime a program runs and then the program dies and it goes back to normal

[Fox Rider]

Will give that memtest thing a try

[Fox Rider]

I think it is the ram. take it back, get your money back. check all the details for specified ram in your machine and start again.
or hit the machine with a truck.

Hitting the machine with a truck sounds mighty good... If all else fails........

[The Stranger:Me]

I took the 2gb out and put the old 512 in and it ran perfectly, but i dont want 512.. I want 2gb so thats where the problem lies.
They are the right sticks for the motherboard and everything is compatible.

Unsure if they increased the size of the page file Shall find that out.

Could it not be something else?.. Like the processor having a fit because its being over-worked? Its running at 100% for a good 10 seconds everytime a program runs and then the program dies and it goes back to normal

It's fairly usual that the processor usage jumps to max when you open an application - depending on the machine and OS. I wouldn't worry about that, provided it is going back close to zero once the app has started.

Seriously, the simplest explanation is usually the best. If it has only happened sinse you added the memory and goes way when you remove it, that is the simplest explanation.

You aren't running one of those memory recovery programs are you? If you are gt rid of it. Likewise any product from Symantec will slow anything but the latest hardware to a crawl.

[cowboyz]

I took the 2gb out and put the old 512 in and it ran perfectly, but i dont want 512.. I want 2gb so thats where the problem lies.
They are the right sticks for the motherboard and everything is compatible.

Unsure if they increased the size of the page file Shall find that out.

Could it not be something else?.. Like the processor having a fit because its being over-worked? Its running at 100% for a good 10 seconds everytime a program runs and then the program dies and it goes back to normal

I am going to try really hard not to be offensive here but chances are I will fail.


You have a memory problem. On one hand you are saying that if you take the 2gb out then it runs fine and on the other you are saying that the 2gb is compatible with your system. Its not rocket science. Page file (swap file/virtual memory) whatever you want to call it will not cause your system to fall over. Set it to zero for all I care (although you will find some programs will run slower cause they are programmed to look for virtual memory)
Did you buy quality ram or some POS stuff? Quality like kingston will have a lifetime warrenty so return it for some more stuff and see how that works. Some motherboards (cause you problem is definitely a ram-motherboard combo not liking each other OR simply faulty ram) simply dont like some brands of ram especially if it is cheap shit.

You should be listening to Dhunt.stranger and MDU cause their advice is closest to getting your computer working how it should again.


I hate computers.

[Deviant]

Incompatible RAM- try using the new RAM without the old if you haven't already.

Otherwise I'd say it's just not compatible with your motherboard. It could be faulty, but that's unlikely. Try testing it on someone else's PC and if it works, sell it and replace it with something compatible.

[SPman]

I had the same trouble - OK with 512, the minute you upgrade, windows crashes! The ram was good quality and matched, didn't matter. The RAM worked fine on everyone elses computer!!!!
In the end I gave up because it is now a spare, but, have you tried a BIOS update?
I'm about to, when I get around to it, but, there are 5 computers in the house and environs, so I haven't been rushed......after a year.......

[Lias]

As others have said, its the RAM.

The new RAM could be faulty. (least likely unless you didnt take static precautions with it)
The new RAM could be incompatible with the motherboard in your system.
The new RAM could be incompatible with the existing RAM if you are running both. Even if its the right specification some motherboards just dont like some brands of RAM. Especially HP & compaq computers. A bios upgrade MIGHT fix this.

What brand of PC is it, if its a major brand (ie hp etc) what model is it. If its a generic PC what model motherboard is it. Can help troubleshoot.

[Fox Rider]

It's fairly usual that the processor usage jumps to max when you open an application - depending on the machine and OS. I wouldn't worry about that, provided it is going back close to zero once the app has started.

Seriously, the simplest explanation is usually the best. If it has only happened sinse you added the memory and goes way when you remove it, that is the simplest explanation.

You aren't running one of those memory recovery programs are you? If you are gt rid of it. Likewise any product from Symantec will slow anything but the latest hardware to a crawl.

The processor never declines... It sits at 100% until the program crashes.
I have no programs from symantec so cant do anything there.

It does make sense to blame the memory, I just dont see how it could be considerring it is the correct stuff for the machine. So it would have to be faulty going by what you guys have said.

[Fox Rider]

I am going to try really hard not to be offensive here but chances are I will fail.


You have a memory problem. On one hand you are saying that if you take the 2gb out then it runs fine and on the other you are saying that the 2gb is compatible with your system. Its not rocket science. Page file (swap file/virtual memory) whatever you want to call it will not cause your system to fall over. Set it to zero for all I care (although you will find some programs will run slower cause they are programmed to look for virtual memory)
Did you buy quality ram or some POS stuff? Quality like kingston will have a lifetime warrenty so return it for some more stuff and see how that works. Some motherboards (cause you problem is definitely a ram-motherboard combo not liking each other OR simply faulty ram) simply dont like some brands of ram especially if it is cheap shit.



You should be listening to Dhunt.stranger and MDU cause their advice is closest to getting your computer working how it should again.


I hate computers.

RAM is from www.dove.co.nz, pretty sure its not cheap shit. Correct, I take the 2GB out and it runs fine (With the 512) and then put the 2GB in and the programs crash.

[Fox Rider]

As others have said, its the RAM.

The new RAM could be faulty. (least likely unless you didnt take static precautions with it)
The new RAM could be incompatible with the motherboard in your system.
The new RAM could be incompatible with the existing RAM if you are running both. Even if its the right specification some motherboards just dont like some brands of RAM. Especially HP & compaq computers. A bios upgrade MIGHT fix this.

What brand of PC is it, if its a major brand (ie hp etc) what model is it. If its a generic PC what model motherboard is it. Can help troubleshoot.

RAM is compatible with the Motherboard (Have made sure through many people)
Both sticks of RAM are exactly the same and both new.
RAM being faulty sounds like the best option there.

It is a ViewSonic (Unsure of exact model) Unsure where to find all the details and crap... AMD Athlon help?

[cowboyz]

viewsonic would be your monitor. AMD athlon thats running DDR400 is pretty generic really and really doesnt make any difference.

PC works with other RAM
PC no work with new RAM
RAM at fault. (whether it be damaged or faulty or incompatible (incompatible means exactly that no matter what your friends mates dog told you about DDR ram being all the same)
So run memtest86 on it cause if you send it back then that is exactly what the shop will do and if it passes they will most probably send it striaght back to you and say bad luck. I havent had anything to do with Adata RAM cause it is not a "quality" brand.

Thinking if you want to delve into something more technical then jump into the bios (hit del (usually says on very start of turning machine on might be f10 or f1 or f2) and check if CAS setttings can be set in BIOS. IF they can set it to auto.