Help - PC freezes on running memory diagnostics

[Ramkumar Ramaswamy]

Hi:

I have a Pavilion 7955 with 768 MB SDRAM in two DIMM slots - 256+512.

I ran the memory diagnostic programs memtest86 and Windows memory
diagnostic off a bootable CD-ROM. With memtest86, the PC freezes on
test #4. With Win Mem Diagnostics the 8 standard memory tests go
through completely over multiple passes and there are no memory errors
reported at all. On the first pass of the extended test, there were no
errors reported till test #14 and then half-way through test #14
(ERAND) the PC freezes up completely!

Could this be a RAM problem or is it more likely to be a problem with
the BIOS (PhoenixBIOS 4.0 rel 6.0)? I doubt if overheating of any sort
could cause this problem because this happens if I run these tests
first thing in the morning whereas on other occasions the PC does not
hang up though I run it the whole day and often overnight.

Any pointers would be much appreciated!

thanks - Ram

 

[meow2222]

Hi:

I have a Pavilion 7955 with 768 MB SDRAM in two DIMM slots - 256+512.

I ran the memory diagnostic programs memtest86 and Windows memory
diagnostic off a bootable CD-ROM. With memtest86, the PC freezes on
test #4. With Win Mem Diagnostics the 8 standard memory tests go
through completely over multiple passes and there are no memory errors
reported at all. On the first pass of the extended test, there were no
errors reported till test #14 and then half-way through test #14
(ERAND) the PC freezes up completely!

Could this be a RAM problem or is it more likely to be a problem with
the BIOS (PhoenixBIOS 4.0 rel 6.0)? I doubt if overheating of any sort
could cause this problem because this happens if I run these tests
first thing in the morning whereas on other occasions the PC does not
hang up though I run it the whole day and often overnight.

Any pointers would be much appreciated!

thanks - Ram

Simple enough to find out. Run Memtest86 with only the 256 stick, and
run it with only the 512 stick. From the 3 results you'll know exactly
whats going on.


NT

 

[Ramkumar Ramaswamy]

Just after I posted this I also found out that while RAM problems per
se should not cause a FREEZE of the diagnostic tools (especially
considering the Win Mem Diagnostics Standard suite runs perfectly
well), some BIOS settings can indeed cause a freeze. (Search for
"memtest86 legacy USB" in Google groups and you will see that Legacy
USB enabled in BIOS can cause such a freeze. ) I tried disabling this
and a whole lot of other things in BIOS (audio, ports, onboard LAN
etc.) but this does not solve the problem.
-Ram

 

[USR]

There can be any number of reasons for a computer freezing in a memory test
and yes, improper BIOS settings can be one of the possible reasons. Hence,
make sure you're not overclocking the processor or memory. If that's not
the case, try changing power supply if possible. Next, hook up a UPS and
run the test again.