Bad memory?

[Miles Teg]

So, I'm pretty sure I got some bad memory, but I thought I'd run it by the board before I RMA'd the stuff.

1st problem: Memory will not operate in a Dual Channel configuration. System almost boots, but display is entirely garbled. If I install the memory any other way (single stick, both in on two different channels, the system will appear to boot normally and start loading the O/S installation.

Then, when trying to install WinXP, the install will get past the first part (loading all the drivers) just fine, but once I start the actual install (setting up partitions and beyond) the display get's garled (gibberish line noise, etc.).

I tried then installing Linux (Slackware 10.1), and the kernel will actually boot, but the display (text mode) is similarly garbled.

Now normally I would say Video card memory is bad given the symptoms, but this is an Intel board with an integrated 950 Intel graphics chip, which uses main memory.

EDIT: Once the Windows install starts copying files, the process will go ok for a while, but I always get a BSOD before the file copy gets done, with varying STOP messages.


Any Thoughts?

Miles Teg

[Pu-239]

Try Memtest86+ http://www.memtest.org/

[DarkSilver]

funny, I just came across this same problem, and yes, it was a RAM chip problem

try swapping out the RAM, and it'll fix the problem I'd bet.