Frequent "memory read" "memory write" errors !

[Pivert]

Hi all,

WinXPSP1a - 1024 MB DDR-PC3200 RAM. PIV-2.8GHz-FSB 800 - ASUS P4C-800E
Deluxe Mobo

Getting more and more frequent error messages mostly with explorer.exe or
iexplore.exe, sometimes other apps ( Acronis TrueImage for example), with
adresses varying. In explorer this happens mostly when right-clicking or
performing files operations ( copy / move /, ....).
This never hangs the PC, just restarts explorer. But once happened, the
phenomenon appears almost at each operation of explorer, thus have finally
to reboot.

MoBo Temp is 32 °C, far below danger.
PC T° is 38-40 °C, also far below excess Temp.
HD T° is also normal.
( T° controlled with Asus Probe, SpeedFan and Motherboard Monitor)

Memory swapped between slots A+C to B+D ( dual memory MoBo) : no change.
Tested each 512 Mb memory on each slot : no change.
Goldmemory tests, MemTest86, Micrososft's Memory Diagnostic, DocMemory all
show memory errors.

Bought new RAM : same problem.

Question :
1 - is it most probably harware related ( no change since day 1, one year
ago !) : thus MoBo malfunctionning ( but cost about $ 200 - ? or
other hardware ???)
2 - or could it reasonably be only software problem ?
Have tried booting with no programs running at all ( except WinXP
istself) : no change.
Could Win XP repair help ?
Should I do a clean install ? ( but that's not an small job to do,
since many progs installed for my professional activities !)

Please give soem infos to decide what to do !

Thanks !

 

[Guest]

Hi

Do you get the same problems if you use Safe Mode?

Regards
Dan

 

[Pivert]

Never tried.
Will try. However, phenomenon is not constant, but frequent, and I cannot
( I think at least) run many programs in safe mode, so not sure I can use
the PC long enough to have the trouble happen.
What infos would this test bring us ?
Thanks for the reply !
Phil

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi all,

WinXPSP1a - 1024 MB DDR-PC3200 RAM. PIV-2.8GHz-FSB 800 - ASUS P4C-800E
Deluxe Mobo

Getting more and more frequent error messages mostly with explorer.exe or
iexplore.exe, sometimes other apps ( Acronis TrueImage for example), with
adresses varying. In explorer this happens mostly when right-clicking or
performing files operations ( copy / move /, ....).
This never hangs the PC, just restarts explorer. But once happened, the
phenomenon appears almost at each operation of explorer, thus have finally
to reboot.

MoBo Temp is 32 °C, far below danger.
PC T° is 38-40 °C, also far below excess Temp.
HD T° is also normal.
( T° controlled with Asus Probe, SpeedFan and Motherboard Monitor)

Memory swapped between slots A+C to B+D ( dual memory MoBo) : no change.
Tested each 512 Mb memory on each slot : no change.
Goldmemory tests, MemTest86, Micrososft's Memory Diagnostic, DocMemory all
show memory errors.

Bought new RAM : same problem.

Question :
1 - is it most probably harware related ( no change since day 1, one year
ago !) : thus MoBo malfunctionning ( but cost about $ 200 - ? or
other hardware ???)
2 - or could it reasonably be only software problem ?
Have tried booting with no programs running at all ( except WinXP
istself) : no change.
Could Win XP repair help ?
Should I do a clean install ? ( but that's not an small job to do,
since many progs installed for my professional activities !)

Please give soem infos to decide what to do !

Thanks !

What is the exact wording of the error messages you are getting?

As a general rule messages that contain the words ".... the memory
could not be read" or ".... the memory could not be written". are the
result of programming errors. The read errors tend to be situations
where a program variable is being read without that variable having
been assigned an initial value or having a value written to it. The
write errors tend to be situations where program design is inadequate,
such as saving an 11th item to an internal table that was defined as
having only 10 items in it.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Pivert]

If I understand you well, you would first think software ( programs or
drivers thus I imagine) rather than hardware issues ?
I will note all exact error messages I get in the next days, to give more
info on that topic.

As to the question of repair install, do you think it is worth to try, or
most probably useless ( in other terms would you personnaly try it, or clean
reinstall the whole thing ?)

Thanks !
Phil

 

[Pivert]

Here first run of error reporting as requested :
****************************************************************************
***************************
ERROR 1 - July16th, 2004- 22:03GMT+1

While using Winrar to compress several files

EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Instruction at "0x773d698a" use memory adress "0x032ce504". Memory can not
be "read".
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Again directly after OK
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Instruction at "0x032c82b0" uses memory adress "0x032c82b0". Memory can not
be "read".
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Clicked Ok. Nothing happens. Work continues. No explorer restart, but opened
folder views auto-closed.

Winrar finished task normally.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------

ERROR 2 - July 16th, 2004 - 22:05

EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Instruction at "0x773d6983" uses memory adress "0x00e1220c". Memory can not
be "read".
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message again same message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message once again same message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Now Microsoft Internet Explorer
An internal error has appeared in Internet Explorer.
IE will shutdown.

If you experience further problems, please reboot your computer.

Clicked OK

Explorer.exe - Application error
Instruction at "0x77f5f00f" uses memory at "0xea20d057". Memory can not be
read.
blabla

Explorer shuts down and restarts

END first run of errors at July 16th, 2044 - 22:11

Not bad ))))((((((((((

Phil

Will continue to record errors that w
****************************************************************************
***************************

 

[Pivert]

----- ERRORS 2 sequence July 16th, 2004 - 22:25
Right-click a file - cut - change folder - right-click TO paste => error
appears

Explorer.exe- App error
Instr. at "0x01861042 uses mem. adr. "0x01861042". Me. cant be "read".
BlaBla

Clicked Ok.
Explorer shutsdown "longly". After 3 minutes ctrl-alt-del -> start new
task -> explorer
Quicklaunch doesn't function anymore ( button reacts, but app does not
start). Start buttion neither.

Will have to restart PC.
Send you this before.

July 16th, 2004 - 22:29

 

[Incognitus]

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Here first run of error reporting as requested :
****************************************************************************
***************************
ERROR 1 - July16th, 2004- 22:03GMT+1

While using Winrar to compress several files

EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Instruction at "0x773d698a" use memory adress "0x032ce504". Memory can not
be "read".
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Again directly after OK
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Instruction at "0x032c82b0" uses memory adress "0x032c82b0". Memory can not
be "read".
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Clicked Ok. Nothing happens. Work continues. No explorer restart, but opened
folder views auto-closed.

Winrar finished task normally.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
--------------------

ERROR 2 - July 16th, 2004 - 22:05

EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Instruction at "0x773d6983" uses memory adress "0x00e1220c". Memory can not
be "read".
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message again same message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Just after clicking OK message once again same message:
EXPLORER.EXE - Application Error
Exception "Unknown software exception ( 0xc015000f) has happened in
application at 0x77f5fca7.
Click OK to cancel.
Click Cancel to debug.

Now Microsoft Internet Explorer
An internal error has appeared in Internet Explorer.
IE will shutdown.

If you experience further problems, please reboot your computer.

Clicked OK

Explorer.exe - Application error
Instruction at "0x77f5f00f" uses memory at "0xea20d057". Memory can not be
read.
blabla

Explorer shuts down and restarts

END first run of errors at July 16th, 2044 - 22:11

Not bad ))))((((((((((

Phil

Will continue to record errors that w
****************************************************************************
***************************

 

[Incognitus]

Sorry, I didn't read where you already tried this until I read your post the
second time.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Snip

 

[Pivert]

Thanks to snip with me ! {:->()}

Sorry, I didn't read where you already tried this until I read your post the
second time.



Snip

 

[Alex Nichol]

Memory swapped between slots A+C to B+D ( dual memory MoBo) : no change.
Tested each 512 Mb memory on each slot : no change.
Goldmemory tests, MemTest86, Micrososft's Memory Diagnostic, DocMemory all
show memory errors.

Bought new RAM : same problem.

Question :
1 - is it most probably harware related ( no change since day 1, one year
ago !) : thus MoBo malfunctionning ( but cost about $ 200 - ? or
other hardware ???)
2 - or could it reasonably be only software problem ?

If Memtest is showing errors then you certainly have some hardware
problem. It might have been only a matching problem with two modules
bought at different times: but two new ones bought together should not
suffer from that. One thought to try is to look in your BIOS setup and
see if you can give the memory more relaxed (and hence slightly slower
but safer) settings - especially in CAS latency to 3T if on 2T

 

[Guest]

Hi again

Have you run a full up to date virus scan?

Regards
Dan

 

[Pivert]

Will give it a retry and note down settings.
Have functionned with Auto settings for memory and detect
by SPD.
I know I already have tried to "downclock" memory
settings, without apparent benefit, but have downgraded
several parameters at the same time.
By the way the first two modules had also been bought same
time, same reseller, same brand ( Apacer 512MB / same
speed / same banks).

 

[Pivert]

Thinking after sending !
Will try BIOS changes as suggested, but doubting, since
all has worked OK for about 8 months since I have
assembled my PC.
Memory is new, thus 'a priori' sane.
Should I incriminate the MoBo ? ( Asus P4C800-E Deluxe) ?
Memtest and Goldmemory and MS Memory Diagnostic all giving
errors ( thus no windows drivers / software loaded) MUST
it be hardware or CAN it still be software ( IMHO should
be hardware, thus if DDR new / OK, only MoBo can be
cause , or am I wrong ? )
Pivert

 

[Pivert]

New error :
July 18th, 2004 - 21:35
explorer.exeapp error
0x7729502b - 0x053e0cbc - read error
exception "unknown software exception" 0xc015000f in app at 0x77f5fca7
explorer restarts when clicked OK
Had not worked on PC July 17nor today earlier. This error happened abot
15mins after booting, when right-clickin a folder to copy it to a shared
folder

 

[Pivert]

Full NAV scan ( installed), BitDefender online scan, CAI online scan.
SpySweeper scan, AdAware, Spy-Bot S&D.
All are neg.
Repetively.
Thanks,
Phil

 

[Guest]

Hi Phil

I see you have tried isolating the memory aswel as installing new memory. Can I ask if the new memory was identical, same manufacturer?

If the new memory was identical you could be looking at a compatability issue and would be adivsed to try another make of memory.

If the memory was from a different manufacturer then it certainly looks like your motherboard is at fault. You should be able to get it swapped over from the retailer (it's in warranty isn't it?) and give the new board a try.

Regards
Dan

 

[Pivert]

No, not same maker.
I thinks I will try changing the MoBo.

Hi Phil

I see you have tried isolating the memory aswel as installing new memory.

Can I ask if the new memory was identical, same manufacturer?

If the new memory was identical you could be looking at a compatability

issue and would be adivsed to try another make of memory.

If the memory was from a different manufacturer then it certainly looks

like your motherboard is at fault. You should be able to get it swapped over
from the retailer (it's in warranty isn't it?) and give the new board a try.

 

[Pivert]

Thanks !

Cool, let us know how it goes.

All the best
Dan

 

[Pivert]

Have tried Safe Mode : surfing / reading mail / explorer intensive usage :
no problems for about 6 hours working.
How does it help further ?
What should I check next ?

I know we also thought of changing MoBo, but warranty is over !
So trying to really "exclude" as much as can other problems.
Thanks for your help !