Memory cannot be "read" error

[Guest]

Why do I keep getting this error and how do I fix it?

The instruction at '<address>' referenced memory at '<address>'.
The memory could not be read.
Click OK to terminate the program.

I saw the support article, but it referenced windows 2000. I have windows
xp with the SP2 already installed when I purchased the laptop.

Thanks!

 

[philo]

Why do I keep getting this error and how do I fix it?

The instruction at '<address>' referenced memory at '<address>'.
The memory could not be read.
Click OK to terminate the program.

I saw the support article, but it referenced windows 2000. I have windows
xp with the SP2 already installed when I purchased the laptop.

although much of the help for win2k is also valid for XP...

I'd run a memory test before doing anything

google for memtest86

 

[Peter Foldes]

If the Error reads as below

Application Error
The instruction at xxxxxxxxxxxxxx referenced memory at xxxxxxxxxxxx
The memory could not be read.

Then you have a infector\Malware. Run your AV and some other ones that are online and also Spybot,AdAware,CW Shredder and etc

 

[Guest]

I downloaded the memtest86, but I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with
it. Do I HAVE to put it on a floppy (who has these anymore?) or CD to run
the program? How should I install it?

Thanks!

 

[Malke]

I downloaded the memtest86, but I have no idea what I'm supposed to do
with
it. Do I HAVE to put it on a floppy (who has these anymore?) or CD to
run the program? How should I install it?

First of all, you should be using the most recent version of Memtest86+
which can be gotten from www.memtest.org. You have the choice of
downloading a file for either a bootable floppy or a bootable CD.
Obviously, if your machine doesn't have a floppy, you don't want that
one! You want to click on the Download Pre-built & ISOs link and then
choose the pre-compiled bootable .iso in the .zip format. Then extract
the .iso to your desktop and burn it - and you will need third-party
burning software installed to burn an .iso since XP's built-in
applicable will not do it - and now you'll have a bootable CD.

Boot with the CD and Memtest will run immediately. Let the test run for
an hour or two - unless errors are seen immediately. If you get any
errors, replace the RAM.

Malke