memory and BSOD

[J Lunis]

XP SP2
Recently I have had a number of crashes (BSODs).
Culprit is IRQL_NOT_EQUAL_OR_LESS_THAN, IOMDISK, or none noted.
The error code is often 000000c4.
Sometimes the BSOD occurs when the PC is not in use.
Often I get a BSOD when accessing the internet.
Every app that causes BSOD during use has the capability of accessing
the internet.
Whether related or not, my PC now takes 7-8 minutes to boot up as
opposed to the normal 1-2.
In looking at the 'Stop' messages each generate, they all have numbers
similar to 88A7EF98 and 804E5619.
In Device Manager I notice the memory range beginning at 80000000 is
associated with PCI Bus. So here are my questions.
Are the numbers generated by the stop message memory locations?
Could this imply bad memory?
If so, is there a way to isolate the bad memory from use?

 

[Plato]

Did you buy generic ram or real ram?

XP SP2
Recently I have had a number of crashes (BSODs).
Culprit is IRQL_NOT_EQUAL_OR_LESS_THAN, IOMDISK, or none noted.
The error code is often 000000c4.
Sometimes the BSOD occurs when the PC is not in use.
Often I get a BSOD when accessing the internet.
Every app that causes BSOD during use has the capability of accessing
the internet.
Whether related or not, my PC now takes 7-8 minutes to boot up as
opposed to the normal 1-2.
In looking at the 'Stop' messages each generate, they all have numbers
similar to 88A7EF98 and 804E5619.
In Device Manager I notice the memory range beginning at 80000000 is
associated with PCI Bus. So here are my questions.
Are the numbers generated by the stop message memory locations?
Could this imply bad memory?
If so, is there a way to isolate the bad memory from use?

 

[paulmd]

XP SP2
Recently I have had a number of crashes (BSODs).
Culprit is IRQL_NOT_EQUAL_OR_LESS_THAN, IOMDISK, or none noted.
The error code is often 000000c4.
Sometimes the BSOD occurs when the PC is not in use.
Often I get a BSOD when accessing the internet.
Every app that causes BSOD during use has the capability of accessing
the internet.
Whether related or not, my PC now takes 7-8 minutes to boot up as
opposed to the normal 1-2.
In looking at the 'Stop' messages each generate, they all have numbers
similar to 88A7EF98 and 804E5619.
In Device Manager I notice the memory range beginning at 80000000 is
associated with PCI Bus. So here are my questions.
Are the numbers generated by the stop message memory locations?
Could this imply bad memory?

Yes. Memory issues are a frequent cause of BSODs. But there are other
possibilities, such as a failing hard drive.

Memory can be tested with memtest86. The hard disk can be tested with a
tool written by the manufacturer of the drive. Seatools from Seagate
will work if you can't find the manufacturers tool.

If so, is there a way to isolate the bad memory from use?

You mean, without replacing the offending stick? Not really. On many
athlon systems, it is possible to set the Front Side Bus in the BIOS,
arbitrarily. You can reduce the frequency of memory writes that way,
And it may bring a marginal RAM stick in to line. But, you are *much*
better off replacing the offending stick.