Bad memory?

[nezzari]

My new computer has been crashing from time to time with "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL", "MEMORY MANAGEMENT" and several other BSOD errors. A few other programs have also reported crashes due to memory management errors.
I ran memtest and it found 2 memory problems within the first 30 minutes. I restarted the test twice and it was unable to find an error after 5 hours.

Could the initial memtest error just be a fluke or is there something wrong with the ram? I usually go a few days without a single crash. However, once it does crash, the computer then crashes every 2-4 minutes unless I leave it off for a few hours. I know for a fact that it is not temperature related. Does anyone have some advice/comments?

[AngryArtichoke]

This error is also caused by faulty drivers. It may be a good idea to update your current drivers. I had this same BSOD on my 680i SLI board. Turns out, it was caused by an Nvidia network manager.

Also, pay attention to the hex code it gives you when it blue screens. You'll want to do a google search of that and see what some other users have had problems with.

[nezzari]

It was a fresh install with the latest drivers. A memtest error + random program reporting crashes caused by memory + Vista reporting errors which have been linked to bad memory makes me think that it is the memory... I will reinstall Vista with new ram and see if the errors still persist. If they do, I'll put the old ram in, return the new one, and go from there.

[Serra]

Make a memtest live CD. No need to have the OS in, it'll just confuse things. Run the test off the CD for a good while. It could be that your errors were heat related as well, so assuming they pass normal memtest off the live CD, give Orthos a test as well it's pretty good at warming up a system.

And, obviously, if you have an alternative OS disk, that would be good for troubleshooting as well.

[nezzari]

Make a memtest live CD. No need to have the OS in, it'll just confuse things. Run the test off the CD for a good while. It could be that your errors were heat related as well, so assuming they pass normal memtest off the live CD, give Orthos a test as well it's pretty good at warming up a system.

And, obviously, if you have an alternative OS disk, that would be good for troubleshooting as well.


I think you misread my post... I already ran memtest and I am sure it is not a heat issue... But thanks, I will try Orthos.

Right now I have the new ram installed. Going to leave prime95 and a few other things on overnight. If it crashes, I'll know it isn't the ram.