Memory randomly stops being read, can't figure out the exact cause

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Jack Nitro

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First let me post my specs from SIW:

SYSTEM SUMMARY

Property Value
Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Family
Product Name Studio 1735
Serial Number *******
PC System Type Mobile
Machine Type AT/AT COMPATIBLE
Infrared (IR) Supported No
DMI System UUID *******************************
UUID *******************************

Windows System Assessment
CPU Score 4.90 (Calculations per second)
Memory Score 4.50 (Memory operations per second)
Graphics Score 5.70 (Desktop performance for Windows Aero)
D3D Score 4.90 (3D business and gaming graphics performance)
Disk Score 5.30 (Disk data transfer rate)
Windows Experience Index 4.50 (Base score)

Disk Space Disk C: 49 GB Available, 287 GB Total, 49 GB Free
Disk D: 2005 MB Available, 10240 MB Total, 2005 MB Free

Physical Memory 3582 MB Total, 2132 MB Free
Memory Load 40%

Virtual Memory 9653 MB Total, 7925 MB Free

PageFile Name C:\pagefile.sys
PageFile Size 6144 MB
In use 106 MB
Max used 106 MB
Registry Size 70 MB (current), 340 MB (maximum)

Profile GUID {***************************}

The system clock interval 15 ms




MOTHERBOARD

Property Value
Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Model 0YP950
Serial Number *********************

North Bridge Intel PM965 Revision C0
South Bridge Intel 82801HBM (ICH8-ME) Revision C0

CPU Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5750 @ 2.00GHz
Cpu Socket Socket P (478)

System Slots 1 PCMCIA

Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None

Warning! Accuracy of DMI data cannot be guaranteed



MEMORY

Property Value
******* (Dell Inc. Studio 1735)
Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None
DRAM Frequency 332.5 MHz
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Device Locator Slot 1
Manufacturer Hyundai Electronics
Part Number HYMP125S64CP8-Y5
Serial Number ********
Capacity 2048 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed 333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies 200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2008, Week 24
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

Device Locator Slot 2
Manufacturer Hyundai Electronics
Part Number HYMP125S64CP8-Y5
Serial Number ********
Capacity 2048 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed 333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies 200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2008, Week 24
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No




A few months ago, one stick of RAM stopped being read - On startup, I got the "amount of system memory has changed" message. It has happened about five or so times since then, and each time I was able to get it to read again by removing the RAM and reseating it (most times, though, it takes multiple tries). I tried switching the sticks a few times to find that it still worked or didn't work about the same. It's never both though - only one that doesn't read. I think that it's a faulty slot, but I'm not sure.

Can anyone recommend any troubleshooting tips, short of switching out the entire motherboard? I really don't think that's much of an option for me. Thanks in advance.

PS - If any other system info needs to be posted, just ask.
 
It sounds like your ram could be failing. Try running memTest86 and see if you get any errors. If possible run the memtest while all of the ram is recognized.

It's possible that your motherboard slots are bad, but usually if the ram can register at all then this isn't the problem.

The simplest thing you could do is replace the ram... DDR2 ram is ridiculously cheap.
 
1 gig stick of DDR2 667 ram on newegg for $12.
2 gig stick (same type) $20

Yea, it's a generic brand, and it doesn't have a heatsink on it or anything, but he could replace all his ram for $40 + shipping.


Not really sure where you're shopping, but 4 gig stick of DDR3 1600 $24

Unless you are buying the highest priced name brand fastest ram on the market then it's not that expensive.
 
8GB of DDR3 is ~$40

What you said, $40+ shipping

More for your money.

I'd really get one with heat spreader. You ever feel how hot your RAM gets when in use?
 
I absolutely have heat spreaders on mine, but I have DDR3 1600 which run very hot. (I used to think they were overrated, but then I burned my fingers after switching some ram out)

It's odd that DDR3 would be cheaper, but for Jack Nitro I assume it's not an option unless he also replaces his motherboard.
 
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