RAM Problem

tnor_fo_tkcab

Hi y'all

Just added 512MB SDRAM to an old PC to boost the existing 256MB SDRAM. Everything seems to load ok and according to various sources on the PC the new memory is visible.

Only problem is as soon as anything a little resource heavy runs, i.e. malwarebytes the PC freezes and i've got to turn it off at the power outlet.
Other security programmes create the same problem.

Is this likely to be the RAM and if so what's the best solution ? Do I just take it back & try a different brand or do I need to alter any settings ?

I've attached a HJT log if this helps. PC is Philips Multimedia, XP home edition, SP3 & is about 5 yrs old.

Ta, Jac.

edit: I'll try attaching the HJT Log this time eh ?

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 15:16:58, on 04/07/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16850)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\LaCie\Ethernet Agent\LaCie Ethernet Agent.exe
C:\Program Files\NETGEAR\WPN111\wpn111.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bbc.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LaCie Ethernet Agent Startup] "C:\Program Files\LaCie\Ethernet Agent\LaCie Ethernet Agent.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Google Updater.lnk.disabled
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk.disabled
O4 - Global Startup: NETGEAR WPN111 Smart Wizard.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Bonjour - {7F9DB11C-E358-4ca6-A83D-ACC663939424} - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\ExplorerPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1199547017506
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1199546992693
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
--
End of file - 4697 bytes

thirascule

Did the 512Mb come from a known working pc? maybe it is a bit flaky!

Try Memtest it could spot a problem. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe having more RAM than pagefile may cause issues. Don't really think so but I'll have a look around.

aliEnRIK

Id guess the 2 ram chips are probably incompatible (Some older computers NEED the exact same spec chips to work properly)

Take out the 256 and see how it is then

AirCooledHeaven

Unmatched, incompatible memory modules for sure. Buy another identical 512Mb module and ditch the 256Mb one. It must have been hellish slow with only 256Mb?

tnor_fo_tkcab

I'm gonna give these chips a little longer to prove themselves as i've cleaned out the slots for them (one slot has never been used in 5 yrs so was pretty dusty)

So far it hasn't frozen whilst running a malwarebytes scan, just trying it now with spybot S&D so fingers crossed.

The other problem i'm having is i can't seem to connect to the internet with this PC. What i've got is virgin broadband into a netgear router which feeds my (wired) main PC which the man from virgin set up. From the router, which is wireless, i easily connected two laptops but can't for the life of me remember how to connect this older PC to the existing network.

This older PC has an ethernet cable connecting it to the router and it can see documents on the LaCie storage. I can work on them, print them, re-save them etc so the local network seems to run but I can't figure out how to connect to the internet ??

So .... what am i missing to enable me to connect a wired PC up to an existing wired/wireless network to allow it to see the internet ?

Ta, Jac.

ps. did the HJT Log look ok ?

Edit: Froze with spybot, have removed 256 MB RAM, so far so good.

aliEnRIK

Hijack log is fine

As for the internet ~
Try turning the modem, router and computer off
Turn on the moden...wait till it settles
Turn on the router....dito
Turn on the computer (Wired via ethernet)

tnor_fo_tkcab

512MB seems to ok at the mo. Has now run Spybot S&D no problems.

I'm off to shut everything down & re-start in correct order to see if that sorts it as suggested. (seems to obvious rik which is my only excuse for not doing it earlier !! )

aliEnRIK

Id suggest buying another 512 k to match it (Or a single 1 gig)

Goto CRUCIAL to determine what you CAN get as a max

tnor_fo_tkcab

No joy, turned everything off & back on again. Local area connection status connected. According to Netgear router PC is connected. All wires secure.... but no internet.

Should ethernet cable connect directly to PC from router or is something else needed?

DCFC79

tnor_fo_tkcab wrote: »

No joy, turned everything off & back on again. Local area connection status connected. According to Netgear router PC is connected. All wires secure.... but no internet.

Should ethernet cable connect directly to PC from router or is something else needed?

nope the ethernet goes from router to pc, its how i have mine setup, what do you use to access the internet on the 1 that dosnt wnat to connect

tnor_fo_tkcab

DCFC79

Router connects via wireless to 2 laptops & via virgin mans cable to working PC. Virgin mans cable looks like ethernet & goes via EZ connect USB. Another ethernet cable links router to non working PC which allows all computers, NAS, printer etc to talk to each other but for some reason this particular PC wont connect to the internet.

Ta, Jac