Help with BSOD's, probably due to RAM..

Srgt Maurice

Srgt Maurice

Srgt Maurice

Associate
Joined
28 Nov 2010
Posts
71
Location
Greenwich, London
Hi all. Been getting BSOD's since I got my PC last March, and having run MEMTEST86, it finds errors on test n#5. And having googled my mobo it seems that there are often issues with it and 1600mhz RAM. The BSODs have the stop code of "0x000000BE", which I've been told is to do with RAM. I've updated ATi drivers etc and other things.

So three questions:
1. How can I be sure that it's the RAM and not something else?
2. And if it is the RAM, what is the best (cheap) RAM to replace it? Was thinking of this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-183-OC
3. If I got some RAM from here, try it and find that it still crashes, can I return it easily?
 
Last edited:
If it has failed memtest then more than likely the RAM is the continuing problem. You will need to RMA the RAM to the retailer or manufacturer (Corsair) and they will send you replacement RAM. Good idea to get a screen dump or proof of failed Memtest86 too before you send it to them.

Have you overclocked you CPU or unlocked it?

In the BIOS - load default/optimal settings.

Make sure the voltage to the memory is right and timing are correct for what the RAM is rated to run at.

Try using just 2GB of RAM ie one stick and run an overnight memtest on each stick so you know which one is faulty.

Also run windows memory diagnostic tool assuming you are running windows 7 on each stick to confirm fault.

I would get the same RAM you currently have and when you get your replacement RMA 4GB RAM then you can double it up to 8GB personally, just as RAM prices are dirt cheap at th moment!

This RAM would be fine for a replacement I would have thought.

If it has been failing since March you should have sorted it out earlier. Assuming it has been less than 12 months since you bought it, contact the retailer for a replacement. Memory should carry a lifetime warranty.

From what I can remember test #5 is the most common Memtest86 test to fail with RAM. Should have nothing to do with the fact it is 1600MHz.
 
Last edited:
I just googled it (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ms...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) and it seems to be a fairly common issue. Nowt is overclocked.
2w7plwo.jpg
is the CPU ID thing
Turns out my RAM is ADATA but w/ corsair heatsinks, but I guess that I can still RMA that?
 
Last edited:
Do you have the model number of the RAM, or was it a prebuilt machine? as unless CPU-Z is incorrect, it should say Corsair there, if you bought corsair RAM. Was it from a reputable store?
 
As I said, it has Corsair heatsinks on ADATA RAM (don't ask...). I got it from a company which allows you to spec your own PC, and it turned out to be cheaper and easier than building one of the same spec, so I went down that route. The website seems reputable and a friend got his PC from there, and hasn't had any issues.
 
Last edited:
Srgt Maurice said:
As I said, it has Corsair heatsinks on ADATA RAM. I got it from a company which allows you to spec your own PC, and it turned out to be cheaper and easier than building one of the same spec, so I went down that route. The website seems reputable and a friend got his PC from there, and hasn't had any issues.
Click to expand...
Is it based in the uk? Should be easier enough to Rma, if they fail to reply just mention trading standards would be heading there way.
 
It is based in the UK, in Newcastle I believe.
I can't find much info on the site about returning single parts but have emailed support with the following:
"Hello.
I bought a PC from you last year in March and have frequent issues with it, such as BSODs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bsod) and other crashes. I believe that faulty RAM is causing the problem and would like to RMA the RAM or get it replaced. The PC should still be under warranty although it is hard to tell from your website what is covered and for how long. I have tried the usual graphics card drivers and other updates but to no avail. More info can be provided if need about the issues / component of the PC. I can attach a pic demonstrating the faulty RAM (tested using MEMTest86, a well know bootable utility that is very thorough http://memtest.org/).

Thanks for any replies."

Looks okay?
 
What is the normal thing to do when RMA'ing? Do I take the RAM out and send it to them or do they just send me the new RAM?

Sorry I've never done it before :rolleyes:
 
With the 2 RMAs I have done previously, I just packaged the faulty items up in their original boxes they came in and then some extra protective packaging on top to ensure they arrive without extra damage.

Once the faulty items are tested and confirmed faulty, the company should dispatch you a brand new item.
 
Well the PC was pre-built, so I guess I just find an appropriate box , put the RAM in and send it off to the appropriate address? And what would generally constitute faulty? Failing on MEMTest, or failing to POST?
 
The way most companies test for faulty ram is to run memtest on it. failing to post would be a more severe version of it.

It will go like this:
You email/phone them saying its faulty.
They reply telling you to try x things
You tell them you have already done them.
They give you RMA number/details
You post off/pick a day for courier pick up.
They test stuffs
They send you new replacement parts and reimburse you postage costs, if you sent them proof of postage.

They might ask you to do more troubleshooting steps, depending on the company and what sort of people they are used to dealing with, or if your providing a memtest screenshot/photo they may well just accept it straight off the bat and not even test it themselves (ive had this once, meant turn around was super fast). Because its pre-built depending on what voids their warranty they may even just send an engineer to you, or ask you if youd like one to come round (dell do this), or you might have to post off the whole machine etc.
 
Well as they were decently priced, unlike some (cough cough Alienware), I guess that most of their customers are fairly savvy. I sent and email (show above) to support@`companyname.com so I guess that's the best place. Is it worth getting the £36 RAM, listed above, to test if it is that? That way when I do send of my RAM I could still use my PC, although I do have others, and I can narrow the problem down to other things

One other thing. I tested my PC w/ OCCT and it came back with an error on one of the cores. Could this be caused by the RAM or is it the CPU? And could a fault w/ the CPU cause memtest to come back with errors?

EDIT: Just received a RMA form ;)
 
Last edited:
I know bad ram can make single threads on prime95 fail, so occt might be the same. CPU's tend to either work, or not work though, unless you OC them or they are too hot. A dodgy one shouldnt show any problems in memtest though.

You could get the RAM, but then it means once your RMA has gone through that you will have both, up to you tbh.

When you bought it, were you aware that it was ADATA RAM with corsair heatsinks on? Just wondering if they ripped you off or if it was an option to have some heatspreaders put on, and they happen to be corsair ones.
 
I knew that it was ADATA, just I put corsair heatsinks on as I had some lying around :cool: . CPU has always been stock so I guess nothing wrong with it. I have a 5770, and how can I ensure that that isn't causing more problems? It might be as the majority of the BSODs say that they have atikmpag.sys listed as going wrong. The drivers are the 10.12s so I hope that they are okay.
 
If your not getting artifacting or texture issues in gaming/furmark or something then I wouldnt suspect the graphics card. The video driver will be in RAM, and is something that will constantly be doing "stuff" so it will be sensitive to anything corrupt data. A lot of other software wont be so sensitive, or at least wont be being read so much so it wont show up as often.

Other ones you will get with dodgy RAM are
IRQ NOT LESS THAN OR EQUAL
Random Windows .dll or .exe crashing.
Normal software sometimes crashing
Random complete freezes and you having to hold the power button in.


Im personally having some issues with my RAM atm, but its confusing the hell out of me. crashes/testing errors with 4 sticks in, one pair shows fine on its own, other pair does, so I try it in other slots, then it works, so I try other pair in the other slot, and then that works, then randomly fails. Think its either heat on my NorthBridge or again with 2 dodgy sets from Corsair (these are both RMA replacements atm) Think I might just RMA it so they can do extensive testing to eliminate it.
Want to put 2x4GB sticks in but my board only supports 2gb sticks :(
 
I have gotten IRQ NOT LESS THAN OR EQUAL, but it's mostly things to do with pagefile or similar, something like that. Do you think that it's worth asking for 1333mhz RAM as 1600mhz isn't supposed to be great with my mobo? Using a program like whocrashed? it says that ntslkrnl.dll has caused it, i.e a random windows .dll. I haven't had any artifacts so I doubt that the graphics card has got anything wrong with it.
 
pagefile ones with most likely be "in a non paged area" or w/e it says.

Get the 1600Mhz RAM, you can simply run it at 1333Mhz if you have to, but with tighter timings, instead of 9.9.9.24 @ 2t you might get 8.8.8.20 at 1 or 2t.

Edit: Just realised when I send my RAM off, if only one pair is faulty im bound to get some 1.5v stuff back...Although the warranty does say they might give me purchase price back....Id LOVE that, £400 a pair lmao.
 
Yeah that was the pagefile thingy. I have 1600mhz RAM, is it worth trying it at 1333mhz, or is the error not curable by doing that?
 
Last edited:
it SHOULD run at rated speeds. while lowering speed, timings and as such then maybe voltage can cure it, or upping the voltage a touch while its at its rated speeds can cure it. It shouldnt have to be changed. Since you have memtest errors they are faulty modules and even if you "cure it" it may come back after a while if the modules degrade or something. Worst case, it turns out its only in your board, and your £5 out of pocket for postage. Best case, you get shiny new sticks and they work perfectly at 1600mhz, and maybe even overclock :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom