A long story as short as I can ...

A while back, I thought I'd treat my PC to some high-spec Corsair DIMMs ... a while after that, started having hard-core BSODs that seemed to point to the network adapter so I replaced the mobo - no joy. In the process of eliminating the problems, I put the old 2x1Gb DIMMs back in and viola! problems gone. Then the HTPC started doing the same thing so I bought the old memory in the HTPC and bought 4Gb of 2x2Gb DIMMs of the same brand - UMAX.

All worked good for a while, then I had the non-genuine windows issue and now, I'm getting almost the same problems as before - lock-ups, major slowdowns and crashes. Can't boot unless I do startup recovery first and if I try to boot straight into Windows, I get "Unmountable Boot Volume" BSOD ...

I'm going to try to fix the BSOD with chkdsk and I'll probably just bite the bullet and buy a new GENUINE windows disc ... $500 for an OS ffs!

Question is, why is my PC rooting memory? Bad PSU? I thought the mobo regulated the voltage? Too hot in my office - faces the sun all day (40'C outside) with no ventilation? Lightning strikes?

ummmm . . .

because your PC hates you? :dunno:

Rule out the simple stuff first.... check for bum memory.

How to Run the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 7

or a 3rd Party like MemTest86+ (open source).

ATB,
Sam

At least I'm not the only one with puter issues..........I've had non-stop issues with my pc since I built it. Thought that by rebuilding it in a way better case and cooler that if I upgraded from vista to windows 7, that I'd finally have a worry free system. I just spent a week fighting to get my sound card to install properly, one of my disc drives is frozen shut and to top it off I got a message today to activate my windows upgrade that I thought was accepted during install. When I inputted the license key, I got a message saying that my code was invalid. Upon searching for a solution all I come up with is responses telling me to spend more money on another copy....sorry for the rant:embarrased:

One thing that maybe you might have done is to try and copy some of the stop codes you are getting from the BSOD and google search them to see what the issues could be. Otherwise agree with running the memory tests!!! Good luck to ya, I'm not really great with the more technical side of computers so forgive me if this didn't help.

Shaggs

Had the same problem shaggs - got ripped off on eBay cos the #@%$#!TARDS in retail and at MS offices here don't know their jobs

Had to video the monitor to get the "Unmountable ..." stop code :ticking: it came and went too fast.
Problem is getting into windows ... when I can, it runs real slow and lags a lot. I've been playing around with putting different DIMMs in different slots. Oh now I see there's a boot disc version :D have trouble getting to that too though!

Sigh. I'm pretty convinced it's a hardware problem ... I got a pile of DIMMs sitting next to my desk that are annoying me by their very presence!

Hey I've got a SoundBlaster Audigy 2 if you want it ... and I'm thinking about pulling out my X-Fi Fatality and just using on-board sound too ... and a spare Asus P5K mobo ... crikey I could build another PC with all the left-over crap I got!

If you got a video card it might be having memory issues. My advice would be to pull all non essentials addon cards, etc. and boot up with only mobo, processor, memory, network card(if you have to), and HD. If possible find a spare PSU to rule it out.

sounds like a power problem. What cpu do you have? and are you able to try a new mobo? If you've got a newer processor then the memory controllers have moved on die :/ but at least the main vr is on the mobo.

CPU is a Core2Duo E6850 and the mobo is an Asus P5Q IIRC - that's the mobo I got to replace the P5K but still had the same problems until I swapped out the memory ... PSU is the same. I could understand intermittent faults with the PSU but constant not being able to boot into windows feels more like memory again to me ...

Haven't got a spare video card :-/ but do have a spare PSU ... but what a PITA to swap out!

If it is memory, the question remains - why would my PC be eating memory?

PS. Memtest failed a set of Corsair memory last night ... testing the replacement stuff today. Long-ass test that!

I assume you haven't overclocked. The if the mch voltage goes above 1.65 you'll have big problems.

I started programming on Tandy TRS-80's back when state of the art data storage was done on analog music tapes. (Around the early 80's)

Kept up with most of the DOS/Windows iterations until I was about 30.

Bought a Mac when they went Intel and never looked back.

Since then... no defragmenting, no virus programs to update, no quirky hardware issues, no impossible-to-find driver frustrations, no all-night hard drive re-formats, no Genuine Licensing voodoo....

Buying a Mac is a lot like buying a Flysurfer and never becoming nostalgic for your LEI hand pumps. Of course, Flysurfers costs more and so do Macs, but the convenience is worth saving my sanity for.

-joedy

Guess if I was in your situation Kami, I would install one compatible stick of ram. Put it in the slot closest to the cpu.

Boot into the bios, usually tap on the delete key after the mobo beep. One beep is what you want, more = code for problems.

Select,, Load Fail safe Defaults save and exit and then see how it goes. I know its a new board but had to do this with a new build recently. Seems stupid but sometimes it helps.

I'd guess windows being corrupt or a failing hard drive.
Seen one hard drive cause crazy things and just keep going, where 9 out of 10 usually just crap out all at once.

joedy - I game a lot in winter so don't want a Mac ... also, I can't cope with just one button on the mouse :D

Hard - Set BIOS to defaults and have tried all the slots that'll take just one DIMM - A1 & B1. Testing the memory to see if it's bad at the moment.

Not overclocked and I even underclocked the system to see if that helped ... didn't.

Hmm, hard-drive ... is less than a year old. The drive with XP on it is identical and much older. If I could just get to a DOS prompt so I could run CHKDSK ...!!!

Have downloaded Win7 recovery disc ISO - will try that out.

My money is on the Hard Drive or RAM. I would beg, borrow, or steal another hard drive and fresh install windows with RAM you're certain that works. I work in IT and I've seen more BSOD due to hard disk read/write errors than anything else. Also, bad ram will sometimes cause bad hard drive writes which can result in a BSOD even after the bad RAM has been removed. Format the hard drive.

Remove hard disks and run memtest

Format hard disk and fresh install with good ram

Got some data on that drive I'd like to get my hands on ... Could I just drop in another primary master and re-install Windows on that?

WOW you guys have my head spinning. I think I understood about 5 words in that whole thread.
I know who to contact if my pudder craps. Oh yeah I wouldn't be able to!!!

"Got some data on that drive I'd like to get my hands on ... Could I just drop in another primary master and re-install Windows on that? "

That would work too, just make sure to format it and scan disk if you can.

And make sure that you don't accidentally wipe the wrong drive!

I hope it's not the Corsair memory. My brother in law is the VP of Sales and Marketing. We live close to them now and had dinner and a movie with them last night.

@Roc, I've built a computer, swapped out mother boards, installed hard drives and memory and done HD formats and reinstalls. I was lost immediately with all the acronyms.

"I hope it's not the Corsair memory. My brother in law is the VP of Sales and Marketing. We live close to them now and had dinner and a movie with them last night. "

I hope it IS the Corsair RAM, they have a lifetime warranty! Corsair is a great product, I use their RAM and Power Supplies when my budget allows.

Quote:

Originally posted by by Kamikuza Haven't got a spare video card :-/ but do have a spare PSU ... but what a PITA to swap out! If it is memory, the question remains - why would my PC be eating memory? PS. Memtest failed a set of Corsair memory last night ... testing the replacement stuff today. Long-ass test that!

Physically swapping out a PSU shouldn't be that bad.... if you have a gazillion peripherals and such, disconnecting, connecting and nesting all the connections can be a bit of a pain.

Only reason I can think for a PC to be eating/trashing memory is if there is actually a short in the motherboard memory sockets.... that would be a one in blue moon type problem.

MemTest is probably taking a long time because it's stress testing the memory but literally beating the ever living cr@p out of it. :o

ATB,
Sam

Oh really, life-time warranty on Corsair? I tested 2 DIMMs last night and both failed with errors ... of course, getting replacements in Japan will suck ass. And anyway, they are 1Gb DIMMs and I got 2x 2Gb now ... I'd rather have another couple of 2Gb DIMMs ... think I should mail Corsair? :D

Have 1.5Tb on 3 drives in the PC and I think Win 7 is on the newest one. Was thinking about getting another as I'm starting to run outa space on my Documents drive ...

Re-routing all the wiring is a massive PITA and I'd rather not :D used to build PCs for a living too, and would come home with cuts all over my arms and hands. Hmm maybe I could take the time to build a clear acrylic case ...?



Update ... the Umax Pulsar memory I got to replace the Corsair passed Memtest fine. I booted to XP disc and ran chkdsk and it fixed a few errors. Then did fixboot and had to boot to Win 7 disc and repaired the installation.

So now I can get into windows, but it's still doing the hanging/waiting thing with the case I/O light stuck on. I'm uninstalling my AV software as it seems to be a bit borked and then I'll reinstall the OS ...

clear acrylic case ...? you got me started now. We have 2.

Buy one. Just saw them somewhere online at 44 bucks with out power. They look pretty cool with the blue light fans and stuff.

The problem I have with these is that the mobo attaches to the right side. So when you change a drive you have to take out the board also or at least far enough to get at the drive screws. Solution, just put the screws on one side of the drives.
Other problem, you see the dust after a few months. Thinking about adding a 120mm fan to the side of mine.

I'm building an aluminum plate stand. Like you Kam,, I have enough crap left over to put one together so might as well.
Have drilled and tapped it for the mobo. m3 screws. freaking small but managed. No fans, just open air cooled. If it works out might put my new Gigabyte board on it.

Maybe I can get some pics. The Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition I put in hers is bad arse. The heat sink has copper tubes running thru it.
Made to OverClock, but she won't let me. Although I did install AMD Overdrive software on it so I could play around while she's gone.


http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CLRCAS-3LED-N&ca...

I like the CPU on hers

Mine with basic fan and heat sink

mine,,, ours look the same but her's has a little more kick.

we both need to upgrade video cards

Like
Dunno about seeing all the dust though ... that'd mean I'd have to clean it :ticking:

Just noticed, I haven't got my mirrow under it. Cut one to fit under the base,,, was better than trashing a good piece of mirrow anyway.

Yea the dust will come and looks nasty if it gets built up. Gona try and keep em blowed out this go around.

The lights have to go at night, mine is in the bedroom. Hers,,, windows 7,, shuts down everything when idle for a spell,, XP never woke up right so I turn it off.

Some good vids on the tube with Linux. so sick

Ubuntu is an ongoing project,,, seperate drive.. Check out this desk top with Linux and Compiz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4wB3GUemVw&feature=relat...

Sorry but 1 more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8gWP_CGTpA&feature=relat...