SDRAM troubles

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bluesphere

1) Windows 2000
2) Motherboard VT6x4
3) Pentium III compatible (600Mhz)
3) --> 256MB, 133Mhz, SDRAM (Infineon) <--

As soon as i upgraded the PC memory:
(128MB module replaced by 256MB as above)
the OS got a little unstable. Every now and then i
get this Message Box

"The instruction at 0x77f8f113 referenced memory
at 0x3f3f3f3f. The memory could not be written"

This happens randomly when i CLOSE a window,
usually by clicking the X at the top-right corner
These applications caused the error on closure
AcroRd32.exe, rundll32.exe, taskmgr.exe,
msimm.exe, and so on. The memory locations are
ALWAYS the same -> 0x77f8f113 and 0x3f3f3f3f.

Just on a few occasions the system crashed by
rebooting. (NO message box) The ram was really loaded.

I tested the SDRAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic
No error found after PASS 1. I didn't go on checking.

Any clue?
 
And lemme add to what "Bob I" had to say.
Test it for a minimum of 6 hours.
1 pass ain't gonna get it done.
 
bluesphere said:
I ran memtest86 for more than 3 hours (3:26)
6 passes and "0 errors" ! Not enough?
Click to expand...

this appears to be related to memory, but the diagnostics are saying
otherwise, which either mean the diagnostics are inadequate, or its another
problem.

After doing some research on ABIT's site, i noticed a bios update improved
the DRAM stability (8-28-2000 release notes), so if bios is older than that,
might want to update it.

I'm also concerned about the processor. What is a Pentium III Compatible? Is
it or is it not a Pentium III?

Do you get the errors when you put the 128MB in place of the 256MB? After
you figure out what's going on, why not have both of them in the PC rather
than just one, you got 2 other slots that appear to be empty.

Did you use proper ESD gear and techniques when installing the DIMM? Might
have zapped a chip you touched inadvertendly during upgrade.
 
this appears to be related to memory, but the diagnostics are saying
otherwise, which either mean the diagnostics are inadequate, or its another
problem.
Click to expand...

My last test says: mem86 ran for 9 hours and 20 minutes 16 passes, 0 errors
The PC watched me sleep!!!
I wonder what windows dll mapping includes the 0x77f8f113 address.
Maybe SHLWAPI, Shell Light weight APIs, who knows? The problem
is always about the SAME location 0x3f3f3f3f. But i close the message box
and i can go on working. Rarely, when the virtual memory is heavily
stressed,
the PC crashes and i cannot check whether it's related to 0x3f3f3f3f.

After doing some research on ABIT's site, i noticed a bios update improved
the DRAM stability (8-28-2000 release notes), so if bios is older than that,
might want to update it.
Click to expand...

I'll check it out

I'm also concerned about the processor. What is a Pentium III Compatible? Is
it or is it not a Pentium III?
Click to expand...

I mean it's not a PIII by Intel
Do you get the errors when you put the 128MB in place of the 256MB? After
you figure out what's going on, why not have both of them in the PC rather
than just one, you got 2 other slots that appear to be empty.
Click to expand...

128MB always worked.
It seems that i can't have both. I tried. (reboot or crash)
I have 3 slots each of which holds up to 512MB
I have the impression that if one slot is not completely
loaded i cannot load the others.
Did you use proper ESD gear and techniques when installing the DIMM? Might
have zapped a chip you touched inadvertendly during upgrade.
Click to expand...

Would you believe me if i told you how the ram was kept and handled at the
shop? ;)
 
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