RAM issues or OS?

Hi, hopefully someone will be able to help me verify that this is in fact a RAM problem and not another issue!

For a while now, my D630 would sometimes lapse into "mini-hangs" in Windows Vista SP2 Beta where I'd click (esp. in an Windows Explorer window/save-open file dialog) on a portion of a window and it would fade out and i'd get the spinning teal wheel over that part of a window I could still interact with other programs, but sometimes was unable to click on the taskbar in any way due to it being a part of Explorer. I'm usually forced to shut down.

But in general, Windows Vista's been acting flaky, i've been getting some sluggishness in the OS and I've been holding out on doing a reinstall until the end of the semester at school. (a few weeks away)

This all comes up to this weekend, on Saturday night I experienced several BSOD's in Windows Vista, in one case it occurred shortly after I logged into my user account, and others happened after I opened a few programs or switched windows or clicked on anything after having programs open for a while. All but one BSOD (2) were IRQL Not Less or Equal errors-indicating a driver problem, but I haven't installed any new software recently or new hardware. All BSOD's performed a memory dump and I wish I would have thought to grab my camera or at least write down the messages. I gave up (Each BSOD happened to occur as I was in the middle of downloading Ubuntu) and rebooted into Windows 7. I had no issues there.

On Sunday, I tried Vista again, this time though I tried to log on and Windows Vista threw up an "system restore" error, and a black desktop that contained only the watermark left by SP2. Clicking OK on the error eventually loaded the desktop, but it BSOD'd later. That's when I remembered that BSOD's are usually caused by suspect memory, so not having a copy of MemTest handy I booted into Windows Memory Troubleshooter. After running the scan, it told me that it would tell me the results after I logged in at next restart. I logged in and at first it didn't show me any errors. Annoyed at that, I tried Dell Diagnostics which did do several memory tests-and found an error:



I figured that the memory needed to be reseated, so I opened the door to slot B on the bottom of the laptop, removed the RAM, and reseated it. I booted into Windows 7 only to find this message on my screen:


By rickhamilton620 at 2009-04-05

So now I think that it's a RAM issue but there's one niggling issue. It never crashed in Windows 7, in fact I'm typing this post in 7 right now. (since Vista's practically inaccessible ATM) I was wondering just what could cause it to do this only in Vista? Did I seat the RAM correctly when I opened up the laptop to check it? (I remember having to use some force when adding RAM to desktops, but this RAM fit very easily almost with no force at all... ) I suspect that it has something to do with the way Vista's memory usage compares to Windows 7, but just want someone else who's way smarter about hardware than I am ( ) to look over this and see if I'm overlooking anything before I call Dell.

Also, If I remove the RAM from Slot B in order to use the laptop for class tomorrow (I have notes, MS Office and other school stuff in Vista and reliability is critical-I can't have it BSOD in the middle of a fast-paced lecture) where should I place the stick I removed so that it doesn't get damaged-I'll probably have to send Dell the bad stick if I call and they determine the same thing.

Thanks, Ricky

 

So... maybe I missed it, but did you try running memtest or any other memory diagnostic? That should pretty much confirm whether or not you have a memory fault...

 

I didn't get a chance to run MemTest yet, but I did run Windows Memory Diagnostics as well. I did pull out the Dimm from slot B and ran Dell Diagnostics again. I thought I would be in the clear, but it also found an error with the Dimm in slot A!?! Is it common for both batches to go at once?

 

Usually one memory card dies at a time. If both were dead, than your system wouldnt turn on.
The problem may not be your memory card. It could be the physical sodimm slot. I have heard about the port causing problems. The only way to know is to run memtest with each individual card in each memory slot.

I am questioning whether it is a hardware issue.
You mention that Windows 7 runs fine, but vista has problems. This may be some kind of software conflict, spyware, etc.

Run memtest and see what comes of it.
You should run memtest to at least 100%, which can take about 45 minutes or so depending on module size

K-TRON

 

Hmm... I sure hope it's not a socket thing, if so I'm screwed since this is how I take notes and really need the machine to be rock solid until the end of the semester and I didn't bump myself up to At-Home service! I guess I'll need to try and make it through two classes with the thing tomorrow. I have to find my MemTest disc, and won't have time tonight. (sleepy) I'll run the tests after I get back from class I guess, and let it just run while I'm at work later in the evening.

I'll keep you all posted, and thanks to everyone for the advice so far

Ricky

 

Perhaps you were hit by a VISTA infecting virus, I'm using Vista right now.. I didn't even think that a virus could screw it up. This virus is spread via USB, maybe you have the same virus as mine since it is screwing up with win. explorer and giving you memory issues..

 

Nope, no viruses, ran a scan with Avira and Spyware Doctor and came up clean. Thanks for the suggestion though

UPDATED: Ok, I ran MemTest on the Dimm in Slot A (under keyboard) from about 3:30 this afternoon to 9:30 tonight. It didn't progress very far, (not even past one pass) but I need help deciphering the info that I have:

Pic 1:

Pic 2:

Pic 3:

Pic 4:

I had planned to place the stick from slot B that I removed previously into Slot A, and run MemTest a second time, and vice versa after that, but had a hard time getting the keyboard screws off-only the center one would come out, and I was afraid of either putting too much force on the Mobo, or stripping the screws which was already happening with the door on the bottom for Slot B. I guess I needed a smaller screwdriver, but with it being almost 10:00 at night and me not eaten yet and just got off work, I just wasn't up to the task of driving around looking for a screwdriver small enough, so I put it back together.

I'm probably going to take my chances and have an online chat with Dell tomorrow, If it takes them two tries to fix the problem (e.g. it's bad sockets and the mobo has to be replaced but they send me new memory at first) then oh well.

Also, should I keep using my laptop in this state? I have only two weeks of school left and basically everything I need for school is on this thing, in my Vista partition. I use it to take notes but can print out the past notes and switch to pencil and paper if necessary. I'd have to bring my old desktop to school though-even though we have computer labs, I'd rather work in my room plus my work schedule reduces the time I have to go running to a lab.

On the bright side, I was able to take notes today using Vista, but on 1 GB of potentially faulty RAM, it's dog slow and behaves quite oddly in some cases. Now I truly know why people despise it so much.

Once Again, to CommanderWolf, K-Tron, and stevezachtech, thanks and +Rep (CommanderWolf I owe you one-it seems i've given out too much in 24 hours! ) for the help so far.

 

Honestly, dont mess with it. If you break it you are completely out of luck. School is priority.
Get into windows and do a daily backup of everything. Worse comes to worse you are going to need either two new memory cards, or a new motherboard.
If you force it and break it than you are completely out of luck. Use your laptop sparingly and it should run for 2 weeks.
You can contact Dell and see what they say. I do not know your coverage plan, but in some cases they fix the system on the spot, or they take it and send it back to you later. It all depends on which warranty you bought.

Memtest is usually quite fast. It should have gotten to 500% or more in that duration of time. I think that memory card is defective.
In last resort, check Dell's website for a teardown, maybe it locates a screw you are missing

K-TRON

 

UPDATE: I contacted Dell today via online chat. Apparently from the Dell Diagnostics error code, they will need to take the computer back to the depot in order to have both the motherboard and the memory modules replaced, so I think your diagnosis was correct K-Tron. (although the agent didn't say what was specifically wrong though)

The most sucky part is that I'll be without a computer during the critical last few weeks of the school semester, unless I drive home and bring up my old desktop, or find time to head to the computer lab.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out,

Ricky