Computer Build RAM Issues

Posted by Michael • March 5, 2012

Well, I’ve encountered my first hardware failure with my aforementioned desktop computer build.

Last weekend the PC began experiencing random BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors in Windows 7 — sometimes during ‘net surfing, sometimes during gaming, and sometimes watching YouTube vids.

Suspecting a possible software issue because I’d recently installed a couple of things, I set about completing a Win7 restore operation. No go — restores would not complete.

Next check: hard-drive testing. Windows’ CHKDSK took a while, but completed normally.

And then: RAM testing. Rut ro … Windows’ memory testing application quickly reported back that the RAM had errors.

Turning to the ‘net for a bit of guidance, I performed a more thorough RAM test with Memtest86. With both Corsair RAM sticks installed, Memtest returned thousands and thousands of errors.

I removed one stick and retested — no problems.

Swapped that stick out for the other, and retested. Result: quadzillions of errors.

So there you go: One of my two Corsair 4g RAM sticks has crapped out ofter just over a month of use. I’ll be replacing the pair of RAM cards with a pair of 4gb sticks from Kingston. (I’ve had good luck with Crucial in the past, but Kingston can be had with free 2-day shipping thru Amazon Prime … and I do loves me some Amazon Prime.)

3 Responses to "First Computer Build: RAM Issues" ...

On March 5, 2012 @ 2:24 pm,
Paul wrote:

#1

Will the seller warranty and refund you ? I, 2 years ago bought 7 broken laptops on Ebay, repaired all 7, sold 5 plus my sons old one (working) and mine (broken) and got a no cost upgrade for 2 laptops 2 2 dell studios (15 and 17)

Now his is overheating and mine is a little slow (only dual core 2.2Ghz) so I am looking for next steps… I would like to build but I would want a full media center so Windows 8 + (tried a whole load of stuff like playon and digital media player, ended up with Roku, internet enabled DVD player, games console, Cable and a remote 6 port HDMI switch so I only have 1 cable to the TV. Wirelsss HDMI and audio is where I want to go next if I was going to build something.
On March 5, 2012 @ 2:54 pm,
Michael wrote:

#2

Everything was purchased thru Amazon, so yeah, I think I can return the RAM pretty easily. Just waiting for the new memory to get here first, and make sure it works.
On March 8, 2012 @ 8:46 pm,
Ed wrote:

#3

Sorry to hear about the RAM failure, that’s pretty unusual for Corsair. Nice system build by the way!

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