Memory dead? Please advise

GraemeUK · 23 Oct 2006 at 09:33

Hi guys,

I was using my pc last night no problems then when I try to boot this morning, I get a blank screen and 1 long beep.

I check all connections etc, reseat all the cards etc etc and all are fine.

I have 2xBallistix 4000 512mb sticks of RAM - not overclocked, 1t 2-8-8-10, 2.80volts 200fsb (If I remember correctly)

So I checked it with one stick of RAM in and boot fine. Then I swap the ram to boot with the other stick and same error.

So ive determined it must be the RAM but wanted to know if this was a common problem RAM just dying for no reason? It is about 2 yrs old but Ive never seen it happen before. The RAM had no errors on it when I did a memtest86 check before now.

Im a bit cautious to buy more RAM incase when I use 2 it doesnt work again or breaks again.

Cheers in advance for any advice

Tetras · 23 Oct 2006 at 14:28

Ballistix has a bad reputation but I thought it was limited to 1GB modules, in any case I'd RMA it, doubt it is your board. It isn't that common for decent RAM to die on you but there are always some faulty modules around (massive quantities produced after all).

Rroff · 23 Oct 2006 at 17:53

I've heard of a lot of 512 and 1gig Ballistix modules dying, seems they don't like much voltage...

If your going to be running a 200FSB I'd go for some OCZ Gold - can't beat 2-2-2-5 timings... tho they are a bit expensive.

One thing - what motherboard are you using?

GraemeUK · 23 Oct 2006 at 18:14

Hi thanks for the replies.

My mobo is a msi neo-plat 2. Its like 2 and a half years old now so im tempted just to build a new pc.

I am running the pc with just 1 stick of the 512mb ballistix ram at the mo, so its not ideal for what I use the pc for which is gaming.

postmanfw · 23 Oct 2006 at 18:50

Just had the same problem myself. Random restarts and bsod even during clean install. Removed ballistix and all is well again. Only 7 months old too!!! have heard that crucial are very good at rma's so will hopefully have a new pair before too long.

Rroff · 23 Oct 2006 at 19:09

Ah don't know of any problems with that board - had a similiar problem with a DFI board where it suddenly lost the manual RAM settings after a few months.