corrupted bios, or RAM?

[tfsmag]

I've tried re-installing xp about 4 or 5 times now, doing a full format
each time. Everytime I get xp installed, and install a few drivers I go
to start internet explorer, and it will crash, then cause the computer
to reboot. If I try to install spybot, or anti-vir it will let me
install, but when i try to run the program it will tell me the program
as changed and cannot be used. Tried to install firefox, it will not
start. Didn't try any other software from there. Windows functions such
as windows explorer, and that seem to work, but the computer will
reboot after a few minutes on it's own.

I thought perhaps there was something in the boot sector of the hard
drive, went and got a new hard drive, then tried to install xp again.
exact same problem came back. So now I'm down to it either being a RAM
issue or a BIOS issue. Has anyone else had similar problems?

 

[Guest]

Try downloading new drivers. I have had times in the past when the drivers
would cause all sorts of errors when they are bad. Driver Guide is a great
source for drivers and to find your exact model of hardware download Belarc
and it will tell you all of your current hardware. To test your ram download
windows memory diagnostic and create a startup disc.

Driver Guide
http://www.driverguide.com

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Good Luck,

Joe

Kemco Technician

 

[tfsmag]

The diagnostic tool looks like exactly what I'll need to test my
hardware. Thanks for the links and help!

as far as the drivers go, i doubt that is the case, it was doing the
exact same thing before the first reformat so I'm thinking that I've
encountered some sort of RAM/BIOS corruption/failure. Hopefully these
diagnostic tools will tell me if I'm correct.

 

[DanS]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

The diagnostic tool looks like exactly what I'll need to test my
hardware. Thanks for the links and help!

as far as the drivers go, i doubt that is the case, it was doing the
exact same thing before the first reformat so I'm thinking that I've
encountered some sort of RAM/BIOS corruption/failure. Hopefully these
diagnostic tools will tell me if I'm correct.

If it's just rebooting too, you have to un-check 'Automatically restart'.
Under 'My Computer' -> 'Properties' -> 'Advanced' tab -> 'Startup and
Recovery' section towards the bottom -> 'Settings' button.

You should now be able to see the error and diagnose further.

Regards,

DanS

 

[tfsmag]

It was a bad stick of RAM, i removed one of the sticks and now the
computer works perfectly... go figure.

 

[DanS]

It was a bad stick of RAM, i removed one of the sticks and now the
computer works perfectly... go figure.

Bad RAM is probably more common than you think.