Quick one -> BIOS problems

JasX

Basically: Can a bad RAM stick cause issues in BIOS?


Background:
So my 3 month old laptop had started repeat BSODing (MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGED_AREA, )kind of thing.....

So Far:
Windows reinstall failed as it was BSODing on me during windows install from different RETAIL win7 dvds

BIOS seems very 'buggy'. it hangs on 'save changes and exit' and sees multiple copies of devices in the 'select boot order' menu.

A BIOS reflash seemed to clear up the BIOS issues briefly but they came back within 3-5 reboots.

memtest86+ is showing a heap of RAM errors, all in the <2 gig range (6 gig RAM total installed)

The 'warranty void if removed' sticker prevents physical access to RAM sticks.


For the moment I have a RMA number and am sending it off next week but anyone know if a bad RAM stick could be causing the BIOS issues or am I likely looking at more than one problem?

mj12_2

It is most likely a faulty RAM module as you suspect - the errors you are getting are addressing/access faults when something tries to read/write the memory.

It is vaguely possible that the BIOS itself is broken and therefore the motherboard controller isn't actually communicating with the memory properly but its far more likely to be broken memory.

Hammyman

JasX wrote: »

The 'warranty void if removed' sticker prevents physical access to RAM sticks.

No it doesn't. Test cases in the early 2000's proved that such a sticker is completely and utterly worthless as a PC is a modular computer (including laptops) and designed to be upgraded and by placing the sticker on that computer, you are denying the customer usability and function.

In short, the only way they can refuse a warranty claim if you've had the lid off is if they can prove what you did damaged the computer.

aerostar

Download memtest86 iso and make bootable cd from it, then boot of the cd and let it run, it will test your memory and report any faults.

Leave it overnight to run, so that any faults that occure with temperature will show. If your computer cannot record from an iso file then download magiciso trial, the trial version will make the cd.

http://www.memtest86.com/download.html

http://www.magiciso.com/download.htm

dixiebb

Basically: Can a bad RAM stick cause issues in BIOS?

^^in a word - yes ! try replacing with a new stick - or if dual memory sticks then try swapping them around .

S0litaire

It's defiantly the first stick of memory that's duff!

Depends on how the memory is configured (3 x 2Gb sticks or 1 x 4Gb stick and 1 x 2 gb stick)

Best thing is to try them one at a time with memtest, once you know which is the duff one, get it replaced.