RAM problem or something else?

rhcp

I’ve been having problems with my computer in that web pages crash or don’t display properly, programs don’t work saying that there is a corrupt file and on another day work fine, and the computer itself crashes, with the BSOD, and I get the following error messages:
PFN_LIST_CORRUPT
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
RESTORATION_IMAGE_CORRUPT
MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGED_AREA

I checked my memory using memtest86+ and found that there were errors recorded. I bought some new memory and, when I tested this, it comes up with the same error. The error is in the Modulo 20, Random Pattern section.

So, now I have 4 sticks of memory that all have the same problem whichever slot I put them in, so I am unsure whether it is a ram problem or something else, as I seems hard to believe that they all have the same problem.

I updated my drivers, but this hasn’t changed anything.

Is there anything else that I should be looking for, as I don’t want to just buy more ram and find out that it wasn’t the problem.

I am using windows xp.

kwikbreaks

Well googling each those in turn points more to driver issues than hardware. Presumably that's what you've done and why you mention updating drivers.

I'd suggest you download a live linux distro such as Ubuntu and find a linux memory tester - if that also comes up showing errors then it points to memory issues if it doesn't then the ball is firmly back in XP's court. Given the fact that XP support was withdrawn some time back it may well be safer to run Ubuntu, Mint, or similar anyway.

stator

If memtest is showing errors then it won't be a software issue. It must be either the RAM or your motherboard.

Try the sticks of RAM one at a time and see which stick or slot is causing the problem. The performance will be worse if you don't use a 'matched pair' as I guess you know, but you should be able to run memtest with just one stick.

rhcp

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Well googling each those in turn points more to driver issues than hardware. Presumably that's what you've done and why you mention updating drivers.

I'd suggest you download a live linux distro such as Ubuntu and find a linux memory tester - if that also comes up showing errors then it points to memory issues if it doesn't then the ball is firmly back in XP's court. Given the fact that XP support was withdrawn some time back it may well be safer to run Ubuntu, Mint, or similar anyway.

When I started having the problem, I thought it would be a good time to get rid of xp and replace it with linux. I've tried mint and ubuntu but unfortunately I can't get them to work. I did get zorin to download, but the browser firefox that came with it crashed every time I tried to use it. It appears that firefox no longer works on my computer. I uninstalled it when having problems with it, but it now won't download again!

The memtest I used came with linux mint.

stator wrote: »

If memtest is showing errors then it won't be a software issue. It must be either the RAM or your motherboard.

Try the sticks of RAM one at a time and see which stick or slot is causing the problem. The performance will be worse if you don't use a 'matched pair' as I guess you know, but you should be able to run memtest with just one stick.

I've done each test with one stick in one slot, so eight tests all giving the same results.

Another error message I get is 'system CMOS checksum bad'

SnowTiger

I had a similar problem with a PC about eight years ago. Constant crashes, freezes and the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (or similar) was common.

Over the course of a few days I swapped everything out but the problem persisted. It got to a point where the only original part remaining was the case. Well, almost. The one thing I hadn't considered was a faulty power supply. And, yes, you've guessed it. That was the problem.

Strider590

You haven't mentioned where this PC came from, but the above suggestion could well be valid, an unstable power supply will cause all sorts of crazy problems and unless your building one yourself, most PCs have cheap/nasty power supplies.

windup

The price and design of a psu, and the installed ram has no connection with a IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, it's caused by shoddy drivers or software.

OP needs to try a new cmos battery followed by a chkdsk and windows reinstallation, before considering any replacement hardware. Having said that, anything running xp is going to be a little long in the tooth now.

Big_Graeme

windup wrote: »

The price and design of a psu, and the installed ram has no connection with a IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, it's caused by shoddy drivers or software.

But it can be a symptom of hardware not responding correctly too.
I'd guess it was the memory controller that was duff so either motherboard or cpu depending where it is.

Fightsback

rhcp wrote: »

Another error message I get is 'system CMOS checksum bad'

Alarm bells, do what Freddy said and replace the battery.

enfield_freddy

Fightsback wrote: »

Alarm bells, do what Freddy said and replace the battery.

I might have thought it , but I never said it? ,



:j:j:j

Fightsback

enfield_freddy wrote: »

I might have thought it , but I never said it? ,



:j:j:j

Oh yes, it's windup. Your both flying the flag on your lawn