Wonky Ram

[leichaolan]

Hello all! I've recently have had some weird problems (computer not starting, spontaneous reboots) and I've isolated it to the RAM. I've got 512 of pc 133's but I don't know if it is the actual ram chips themselves, or the ram slot in the mobo. Is there any way to test out which one is at fault without having to go get Ram from a friend and substituting it into my mobo? Usually, when it is really in a bad mood, it will not start at all. No post screen, no ram check, nothing. Just black. When I open the case, I just shuffle the ram around the slots and PRESTO!! it's working again. Any ideas?

[mjc]

Sorry, other than having some pretty serious test gear, the only way I know to test the RAM is to play the slot shuffle and beg/borrow from another machine or a friend...

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[no-mbr]

What about using one of those "memory-testing" programs. They walk all the memory addresses and check for data corruption, eh don't they?

[mjc]

no-mbr, they work well for certain kinds of memory errors, but if it is an error that is preventing POST from occurring or a problem caused by a faulty voltage in the slot they aren't really all that helpful...because they won't be able to run!


leichaolan,

One other thought, what about the psu?


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.