is this normal or possibly bad ram?

[Guest]

when i boot the computer something in the initial screen says: "memory
testing 983040K OK + 64M Shared Memory". I have about a GB of RAM. Is "64M
shared memory" a normal thing to appear, or could it mean that my RAM is bad
and maybe the computer isn't recognizing it?

FYI i am trying to install a fresh XP on a brand new drive, and the computer
keeps shutting off unexpectedly. so i am trying to figure out if it could be
bad motherboard, RAM, or power supply.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

when i boot the computer something in the initial screen says:
"memory testing 983040K OK + 64M Shared Memory". I have about a GB
of RAM. Is "64M shared memory" a normal thing to appear, or could
it mean that my RAM is bad and maybe the computer isn't recognizing
it?

FYI i am trying to install a fresh XP on a brand new drive, and the
computer keeps shutting off unexpectedly. so i am trying to figure
out if it could be bad motherboard, RAM, or power supply.

Sounds like your 'video card' uses system memory (is likely integrated onto
the mainboard without dedicated memory of its own.)

 

[Guest]

any ideas on why the unexpected shutting off? thanks

 

[Shenan Stanley]

when i boot the computer something in the initial screen says:
"memory testing 983040K OK + 64M Shared Memory". I have about a GB
of RAM. Is "64M shared memory" a normal thing to appear, or could
it mean that my RAM is bad and maybe the computer isn't
recognizing it?

FYI i am trying to install a fresh XP on a brand new drive, and
the computer keeps shutting off unexpectedly. so i am trying to
figure out if it could be bad motherboard, RAM, or power supply.

Sounds like your 'video card' uses system memory (is likely
integrated onto the mainboard without dedicated memory of its own.)

any ideas on why the unexpected shutting off? thanks

No - because you either have not tested anything or presented those tests
here.

You can test the memory with many products found on the Internet.
You can check the event logs for clues on why the system is shutting down.
You can check the BIOS logs to see if it might be temperature related.
You can verify you are connecting to a clean power source (UPS with AVR is a
decent start.)
You can give us more specs on the system.
Update hardware drivers (chipset form the motherboard manufacturer, video
card from the video card manufacturer, network card from the network card
manufacturer, sound card from the sound card manufacturer, etc...)
Run a full CHKDSK and then DEFRAG.
Check for spyware/adware.

 

[Guest]

I can't do these tests without an operating system or computer that boots. I
mentioned that i'm starting a fresh wipe- new drive, new XP CD, and the
computer shuts down when i am trying to format the drive. I've got two 512
sticks, a VIA vt8237 motherboard, amd athlon processor, and a 400watt power
supply. something must be bad, but i dont know what.

 

[Guest]

if the only thing you have changed is the hd, I wouldn't suspect the power
supply, nor RAM nor Motherboard. You only mentioned changing out the HD, so
what else did you change?

 

[Guest]

what i've changed is i got a new 160GB western digital drive, a new CDrom
drive, and I bought a windows XP professional CD. I am trying to start the
very basic procedures of installing windows, which first involves formating
the new drive. During even this process, the computer will just shut itself
off.

 

[Spikey]

what i've changed is i got a new 160GB western digital drive, a new CDrom
drive, and I bought a windows XP professional CD. I am trying to start the
very basic procedures of installing windows,

Does the bios need upgrading?

 

[Lil' Dave]

Tell us what the jumper setting is at on the WD hard drive.
If the cdrom is on the same cable move it to the secondary, if ide.

Hope you got a new 80 wire ribbon cable for the WD hard drive, if ide.
Dave

 

[Guest]

not sure. how would i know, and can i do this with no operating system?

 

[Guest]

jumper setting is at the default setting (pins 1 and 2). should i try getting
a new cable? cdrom is on a different cable than drive.

 

[DL]

You can run a memory test without using/needing win
www.memtest.org
You should ensure all your components are seated firmly.
Are you using the winxp cd to partition/format?

 

[Sandeep Kulkarni]

Tell us what the jumper setting is at on the WD hard drive.
If the cdrom is on the same cable move it to the secondary, if ide.

Hope you got a new 80 wire ribbon cable for the WD hard drive, if ide.
Dave







- Show quoted text -

One more thing you should know is you can not install Original Win XP
(w/o any SP) on 160 GB HDD.
Which version of XP you are using to install? You need the SP2 to
install it properly on 160 GB HDD.
Original XP supported drives only upto 137 GB. It can destroy your HDD
also.

Sandeep

 

[DL]

No; you can install, without problems, its simply that only 137gb will be
recognised

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

One more thing you should know is you can not install Original Win XP
(w/o any SP) on 160 GB HDD.
Which version of XP you are using to install? You need the SP2 to
install it properly on 160 GB HDD.
Original XP supported drives only upto 137 GB. It can destroy your HDD
also.

Sorry, but this is *not* correct. You can indeed install original
Windows XP on a drive over 137GB. Nothing will be destroyed and it
will work just fine. The only issue is that you will not be able to
use more than 137GB of the drive.

Moreover, you don't "need the SP2 to install it properly on 160 GB
HDD." You need a copy of XP with *either* SP1 or SP2.

And since you brought up the issue, let me add that you need one more
thing for a drive over 137GB: A motherboard with a BIOS and controller
that supports 48-bit LBA (or alternatively, an add-in controller card
that does).

 

[Jim]

not sure. how would i know, and can i do this with no operating system?

Using the computer that you are now using to post to the net, you check for
updates from the maker of the motherboard and BIOS for updates.
Jim

 

[Guest]

i have sp2. i'm taking the computer to a repair person to check the power
supply, motherboard etc as i do not have the equipment or know-how to see the
problem.