PC Computer Guru's.....I need your help

[b727pic]

My Home PC has started blue screening on me on a fairly regular basis. I can plan on having to reboot at least 4-5 times per day!:whine:

This computer is 95% business use.....very little gaming. My son will ocaisionally play MS flightsimulator but it is pretty rare that he does.

I found a freeware RAM testor that found 17 faults @ approx 37% of the test before it bluescreened and terminated the test.

So aparantly I need some new RAM, looking for suggestions. Given my utilization I don't need the latest and greatest gotta have it gee whiz fastest stuff on the block:eek: I need stability!!!!

I am running the following:

AMD BARTON 3200 CPU
ABIT AN7 MOBO
1 GB RAM DDR 400 ( 2ea 512)

My mobo will support a max of 2GB DDR 400 or 3GB DDR 200/266/333

Do I need a matched pair?
what brands are best bang / $ ????

Any experts please chime in:-patriot:

[MacDogg]

if you have two ram chips, pull one out and run the computer for a while. if it doesnt BSOD, there's your problem.
Usually the BSOD gives a number 000000**, look that up on Google to see a good explination of what it might be,

[b727pic]

if you have two ram chips, pull one out and run the computer for a while. if it doesnt BSOD, there's your problem.
Usually the BSOD gives a number 000000**, look that up on Google to see a good explination of what it might be,

yes it comes up with all the zeros sometimes followed by an 80, sometimes a letter usually "A"

I was going to upgrade to 2 GB anyway as the system seems to be continually using 512 all the time,

I have done all I know how as far as cleaning things up....defrag, virus scans, and continually it seems getting rid of spyware...

[ddawson]

Did you use Memtest? It's free and one of the best.

You can download an ISO of it and create a boot CD rom to make it easy.

[M6GTO]

If you run memtest and find failures, then it's fairly certain the ram is bad. Although, that is not 100% conclusive. But it does point you in the right direction.

Memtest 86 is really the best software tool I've used for memory tests.

[b727pic]

Hey guys thanks for the help.

I downloaded memtest86 and let it run all night. came up with 46 errors during test 5.

I will isolate RAM sticks later today and see If I can isolate which one is bad. really don't mind getting new RAM just hate throwing parts at things until the problems go away.....

Thanks again....

[spacejunkiehsv]

Hey guys thanks for the help.

I downloaded memtest86 and let it run all night. came up with 46 errors during test 5.

I will isolate RAM sticks later today and see If I can isolate which one is bad. really don't mind getting new RAM just hate throwing parts at things until the problems go away.....

Thanks again....
I know of a site that where you can find the best prices on computer stuff. I used to use it when I was building computers for my friends and family. It's called Pricewatch.

You can get most things at about half the price of Bestbuy or local computer shops. I just checked and you can get 512 Mb of brand name DDR2 400 RAM for $34 per stick. That includes shipping! I don't know if you need DDR2-400 or just PC3200 DDR. Your motherboard manufacturer's website will tell you for sure. I've been out of the loop for 3 years and have let my current ram-speak slip! You know how fast computer stuff evolves. Here's the link to Pricewatch.

http://www.pricewatch.com/

You also may want to go to the AMD site for compatability tested RAM. Make sure you know if your motherboard calls for registered or unregistered memory. That is a BIGGIE.

[d L]

Price watch is awesome! I second the recommendation to look there.

re spyware: It is not normal to continually have to remove spyware. Here are a few simple steps you can do that will help alleviate that problem:


Use more than one type of spyware scanner. There are so many variations on this theme out there that most spyware scanners will miss one thing another might catch. I've always had good luck with an ad-aware / spybot combination.
.
Identify what each program in your task list does. This one requires a bit more leg work on your end, but will help you better understand how your computer works (and how to fix it) as well as increase your awareness of what sort of "grey" programs you may have running on it.
.
Don't use IE or Increase your security settings within IE Most people spend a majority of their time on the internet browsing the web. IE is the most ubiquitous browser (since it is included with every windows computer) and therefore has the best probability of being infected. You can achieve a small amount of security via obscurity in this situation. Run a browser like Firefox or Opera - avoid "front-ends" to IE like MyIE2 since they still use the same IE internals.

In many situations there is a necessary tradeoff between security and usability. The easiest to use and most compatible settings in IE make infiltration the easiest as well. Higher security will limit the browsers functionality (disabling Java, preventing you from downloading programs, etc.)
.
Use a software based firewall with MD5 application hashing. Your firewall controls all information you receive on your computer as well as all information your computer sends out. Your firewall also needs to identify which programs are legitimate applications, and which should not have access to the internet. An MD5 checksum or hash is basically a way for your firewall to "fingerprint" the application. This way if it is infected and modified (or relaced) your firewall will alert you and prevent the application from accessing the internet.

That should be a good start to a great computer experience. It is important to realize that in the world of computer security the user is generally the biggest security hole in the system! Don't expect your computer to be able to defend against bad decisions.

Don't install anything unless you understand everything that it will install. (KaZaA, bear share, precision time etc. are famous for bundling third party programs which will load you with spyware)
.
Don't open emails from people you don't know. (They may contain embedded files or scripts designed to infect your computer.)

That new setup you mentioned will be more than adequate for any business applications. Why not buy two more sticks of RAM to replace those currently in your computer and give that one to your son? This will keep him from installing things that might mess up your computer.

Cheers

[b727pic]

DL and space junkie thanks.....

I removed one of the RAM modules and the system was much more stable. ran the memtest with no faults found....that is the end of the good news.

I am now on my laptop due to a lapse of common sense on my part. I decided that since I was on a roll with the memory and all. went to the ABIT website as was suggested, and found that a BIOS update was available..... well I couldn't pass up a freebie....but I should have. downloaded the bios update using ABITS download tool on my computer, everything said it went good up until the reboot....now it wont boot at all!!! tried shorting the CMOS pins per the AN7 manual....no go. tried the rest of their troubleshooting tips to no avail. Of course I had to do this during a weekend without any support from ABIT!!

No I am so disgusted I just finished ripping the guts of the computer apart and will be going to Price watch to find a new MOBO and Memory:The_Villa

I think I am gonna stick with GTO engine rebuilding!!!

[ddawson]

Send the ABIT back for repair and they will replace the bios chip with a new one.

Never flash a bios on a system that's not stable.

There is lots of good hardware out there and while Pricewatch is good there are too many crappy resellers online. I only use Newegg and Monarch Computers these days. Zipzoom fly has been good as well.

I buy my memory directly from Crucial.

[spacejunkiehsv]

Send the ABIT back for repair and they will replace the bios chip with a new one.

Never flash a bios on a system that's not stable.

There is lots of good hardware out there and while Pricewatch is good there are too many crappy resellers online. I only use Newegg and Monarch Computers these days. Zipzoom fly has been good as well.

I buy my memory directly from Crucial.
Yeah. He's right. Pricewatch does have a seller rating now though. It tells you how many reviews they have had and how many "stars" they have out of five.

I have bought a lot of things from Newegg myself. I've never had a problem with them being slow to ship. I remember them being fairly quick with shipment. They have good ratings and are very often near the cheapest.

[b727pic]

I have used New Egg and Mwave for most purchases.

The only reason I went with the Bios update, was since I pulled one of the RAM sticks out, she was running great. had zero problems with memtest....but aparantly I jumped the gun!

I have spent the last few hours trying to find a ABIT AN7 replacement. seems the whole A socket archetecture is so old, very few choices out there, and can't find any except the NF7 S that have the same features, and although old the only ones I have found are around$100.00. So I guess I will take your advice and call ABIT Monday morning for an RMA .....

this stinks!!!

Thanks again guys.

[ddawson]

I have 2 NF7 S systems that I use as Person Video Recorders. Great motherboards but the technology is old.

The cost for a new MB and CPU isn't very bad these days. The AMD Sempron 64 2600+ is $64.00 and a MSI MB is about $50. Just add memory for a nice computer.

[b727pic]

I have 2 NF7 S systems that I use as Person Video Recorders. Great motherboards but the technology is old.

The cost for a new MB and CPU isn't very bad these days. The AMD Sempron 64 2600+ is $64.00 and a MSI MB is about $50. Just add memory for a nice computer.

How would that combo compare to the 3200 barton AN7 I had?
Dont know anything about the 64bit stuff. I was starting to lean towards the dual core stuff if I am gonna upgrade.

[b727pic]

Just a quick update.....

Still on the Laptop:cry:

As luck would have it, Mwave was only 10 miles from the machine shop I dropped my block off at on Monday, I will update that saga on a different thread!!

So anyway Spent Saturday and Sunday researching and figuring out what to do next. Its always the same ole story...for just a little bit more $$:D

So having grown tired of slow computing (probably due solely to the bad memory) I wound up with a new ABIT KN8 Ultra MOBO with an AMD 64 3700+ San Diego processor. Thinking I was just going to go home and be somewhat up to date for a little bit of $$ turned that thought into a pipe dream when I tried to install my ATI Radeon PCI video card, only to discover it is now PCI Express and my 18 MO old $200+ video wont work:mad: So back to the blogs and add's and all the millions of opinions out there, wound up ordering a new EVGA 6800GS video card.....so much for a cost effective upgrade.:sneaky:

Seems I can't keep a computer running much more than 18 months:madsign3:

[Razinhell]

Just a quick update.....

Still on the Laptop:cry:

As luck would have it, Mwave was only 10 miles from the machine shop I dropped my block off at on Monday, I will update that saga on a different thread!!

So anyway Spent Saturday and Sunday researching and figuring out what to do next. Its always the same ole story...for just a little bit more $$:D

So having grown tired of slow computing (probably due solely to the bad memory) I wound up with a new ABIT KN8 Ultra MOBO with an AMD 64 3700+ San Diego processor. Thinking I was just going to go home and be somewhat up to date for a little bit of $$ turned that thought into a pipe dream when I tried to install my ATI Radeon PCI video card, only to discover it is now PCI Express and my 18 MO old $200+ video wont work:mad: So back to the blogs and add's and all the millions of opinions out there, wound up ordering a new EVGA 6800GS video card.....so much for a cost effective upgrade.:sneaky:

Seems I can't keep a computer running much more than 18 months:madsign3:

Should have given us a chance to help out. I remember when intel and AMD started having their naming wars with each other. It was confusing because the names and numbers didn't even match the speed of the hardware. I could only imagine what people were going through who know nothing about computers. Sort of like trying to purchase a CAM for you GTO and not know a clue about cam's at all.

Ditto on the BIOS updates. Never update a computer bios unless you are having problems. In your case never update a bios til you are sure your memory problems are solves as the memory can corrupt the data, especially in a windows based bios flash. It is very hard to recover a motherboard bios without specific tools for flashing the actual chip or you will need another board. I've actually got lucky once and had 2 exact same Asus boards. One had a corrupt bios. I had to start up the good machine with the bios update. Pull the good bios chip while it was on, switch in the corrupt chip, flash it and return the good one. Both computers worked flawlessly.

[IBM/M6]

Just a quick update.....

Still on the Laptop:cry:

As luck would have it, Mwave was only 10 miles from the machine shop I dropped my block off at on Monday, I will update that saga on a different thread!!

So anyway Spent Saturday and Sunday researching and figuring out what to do next. Its always the same ole story...for just a little bit more $$:D

So having grown tired of slow computing (probably due solely to the bad memory) I wound up with a new ABIT KN8 Ultra MOBO with an AMD 64 3700+ San Diego processor. Thinking I was just going to go home and be somewhat up to date for a little bit of $$ turned that thought into a pipe dream when I tried to install my ATI Radeon PCI video card, only to discover it is now PCI Express and my 18 MO old $200+ video wont work:mad: So back to the blogs and add's and all the millions of opinions out there, wound up ordering a new EVGA 6800GS video card.....so much for a cost effective upgrade.:sneaky:

Seems I can't keep a computer running much more than 18 months:madsign3:


can you return the mb ? I may have a solution to your problem that wont cost you anything but shipping . I have an extra asus mb from someone that had to have the biggest and badest ... I also run the 3200xp with 1 gig of ram . the same mb i am talking about is just sitting in a box in my garage with a bunch of other parts . you can have it for free . also your old one if you can boot from a floppy ,you should be able to re-flash your bios .

[b727pic]

can you return the mb ? I may have a solution to your problem that wont cost you anything but shipping . I have an extra asus mb from someone that had to have the biggest and badest ... I also run the 3200xp with 1 gig of ram . the same mb i am talking about is just sitting in a box in my garage with a bunch of other parts . you can have it for free . also your old one if you can boot from a floppy ,you should be able to re-flash your bios .

IBM/M6 ...thanks for the offer.

I called ABIT yesterday, they were not altogether surprised of the issue I had when flashing the bios, seems its a fairly common issue. He offered to send me a new chip, or RMA the whole board. So I will see where that goes, if that turns into a bag of worms I'll PM yea and we can work something out.

[b727pic]

Should have given us a chance to help out. I remember when intel and AMD started having their naming wars with each other. It was confusing because the names and numbers didn't even match the speed of the hardware. I could only imagine what people were going through who know nothing about computers. Sort of like trying to purchase a CAM for you GTO and not know a clue about cam's at all.

Ditto on the BIOS updates. Never update a computer bios unless you are having problems. In your case never update a bios til you are sure your memory problems are solves as the memory can corrupt the data, especially in a windows based bios flash. It is very hard to recover a motherboard bios without specific tools for flashing the actual chip or you will need another board. I've actually got lucky once and had 2 exact same Asus boards. One had a corrupt bios. I had to start up the good machine with the bios update. Pull the good bios chip while it was on, switch in the corrupt chip, flash it and return the good one. Both computers worked flawlessly.

Yep....learned my lesson.

But I thought I had solved my memory problems prior to the Bios fiasco. I removed the bad DIMM and the system was rock stable (for a change) and memtest did not find any issues. I was not really even looking to update the Bios until a visit to the ABIT website showed an update was available.....

So as stated lesson learned....leave well enough alone!!

[IBM/M6]

IBM/M6 ...thanks for the offer.

I called ABIT yesterday, they were not altogether surprised of the issue I had when flashing the bios, seems its a fairly common issue. He offered to send me a new chip, or RMA the whole board. So I will see where that goes, if that turns into a bag of worms I'll PM yea and we can work something out.
no problem glad to help

[b727pic]

Got my new system all up and running:bubbrub
Seems a little faster, nothing to write home about though. Was surprised that Windows had to be reregistered, and of course my copy did not match up with what my computer thought I should have. Had to call in and get activated that way, was probably talking with India again.......should have asked.

So after all the driver installs, CMOS set ups....along a few screw ups:rant:
Note to self: don't set computer to "turn off" at a CPU temperature close to normal operating temperature!!!:slap: now clear CMOS and start over!!:cool:

virus scan, spyware scan, defrag, and ran memtest all night. after 24 cycles on memtest came back with zero errors:confused: My computer problems started with BSOD, which after initial runs of Memtest looked like a bad DIMM. apparantly it was not, as I am not a computer expert I am totally confused, but either the MOBO or the new processor seems to have solved my issue.

Here is a question for someone of expertise, I unwittingly had downloaded Windows service pack 2, several months ago....I am told that may have been really designed for 64 bit processors??? If true I wonder if that played a part in my issues????I was not having any BSOD issues prior to the download.

In any case, all it took was $$ to solve the problem. I am now thinking about the Zalman liquid cooling solution for a silent PC.....I am sure that will lead to more problems and probably another new PC after it springs a leak!!:huh:

Thanks for all the input.....for the time being (a very short time) I am a happy camper:angel:

[0xDEADBEEF]

Here is a question for someone of expertise, I unwittingly had downloaded Windows service pack 2, several months ago....I am told that may have been really designed for 64 bit processors??? If true I wonder if that played a part in my issues????I was not having any BSOD issues prior to the download.

You have been told BS.
Switch on Automatic Windows Updates, install SP2 and all the updates available. SP2 is a rollup of all updates (included in SP1 and released up until SP2) and firewall and bunch of other security features.

[imran]

in my experience with building pc's/fixing/repairing..........
ABIT seems to be the problem. I use to be a BIG abit fan, but i've had 2 boards that acted up after a little while.. so i say ABIT is/was your problem!

[b727pic]

You have been told BS.
Switch on Automatic Windows Updates, install SP2 and all the updates available. SP2 is a rollup of all updates (included in SP1 and released up until SP2) and firewall and bunch of other security features.

Well that is reassuring...thanks

[b727pic]

in my experience with building pc's/fixing/repairing..........
ABIT seems to be the problem. I use to be a BIG abit fan, but i've had 2 boards that acted up after a little while.. so i say ABIT is/was your problem!

Of course I installed another ABIT:banghead: :The_Villa

I guess I should mark the calendar now.....just plan on another board in 18 months:whine:

I did notice however this new processor is running a little cooler than my previous one....then again that could be just because it doesn't have furballs and dust on top of the heatsink! Lol

[Underarm_Attack]

I have an ABIT VH6-II board that's about 7 years old now and has never had issues.

[Razinhell]

I have an ABIT VH6-II board that's about 7 years old now and has never had issues.
Actually Abit is going through some serious financial problems. I'm not sure if the company has a future, i bought a board from them many years ago and never had a problem. They just fell behind and never caught up, and as prices of motherboards came down all of the high end companies started making really good boards at almost the same price. Abits always been out for the low to mid motherbaord market.

[Underarm_Attack]

Yeah, the board wasn't great, but it did the job with no issues. Only issue I ever had was a 230 Watt PS that had a Geforce FX 5600 load. That didn't fair well.