A strange memory/ram problem....

[Max Burke]

When I boot my PC with the bios quick memory check disabled the bios reports
a memory fail error but still reports the full amount of memory available
and the computer still boots into XP OK.
I ran a diskette based DOS memory checker/tester and it always fails at the
381Mb mark with it's memory write/read pattern test not matching...
Total system ram is 512Mb in two 256Mb SDRAM DDR non parity/non buffered
modules.

I removed the second bank ram module and the bios no longer reports a memory
fail error; neither does the memory checker/tester...

So there is obviously a fault in the second ram module;

This is where it gets strange....
When the computer boots into XP it does not fail or report any errors; (no
BOSD's Stops, etc) Nor do any applications fail; XP reports the full amount
of memory is available; So does AIDA32, and several other system info
programs I have tried....

I play Sim City 4 quite a lot, and it uses nearly all of the free ram when
running and it runs OK as well; I have also started playing Railroad Tycoon
3 which also is a 'memory intensive' program...

I would have thought with a physical fault in ram I would be having (at the
very least) lots of program crashes, OS failures, etc.....
I have googled for info on ram errors, read up on mntce/repair in all my
books, and everything I read says the system should either not work at all,
or at least be very unstable...

The event viewer doesn't show any application, security, or system errors
either....

Anyone have any idea's why this is happening, or anything else I can check
before I use it as an excuse to upgrade/increase the ram in the system?

 

[Glen]

Download memtest you will need to google for the address. Evey memory fault
I have seen has made the computer unstable. Not sure why your comp is stable
but reporting errors unless there is a bug in the bios somehere.

Glen

 

[Bob Day]

This is where it gets strange....
When the computer boots into XP it does not fail or report any errors; (no
BOSD's Stops, etc) Nor do any applications fail; XP reports the full amount
of memory is available; So does AIDA32, and several other system info
programs I have tried....

Sounds like your memory error is in a place that doesn't
(usually) cause noticeable damage. You might download
memtest86 from http://www.memtest86.com as a
further check for your memory. Use Crucial's
memory configurer at http://www.crucial.com to find
compatible memory for your computer, in case you're
unsure what memory your computer takes.

-- Bob Day