System Memory Failure and several BSOD.

Suze176,

 

The error message that you are getting points to failed RAM modules in your system.  The type of RAM is "DDR2 PC-4200" memory.  You can purchase it locally or through an online vendor such as ZipZoomFly.com, Newegg.com, TigerDirect.com or any of a number of other online resellers.  

 

Since the errors point to one specifc memory module, you can run the system with that memory module removed from your system.  Instructions on removing/reinstalling memory modules (RAM) for your system can be found at this link:

 

 

As for having to reformat your system hard drive and reinstall Windows, there is a good possibility that you will have to do this also.  Frequently, corrupt RAM will cause serious errors in data written to the hard disk drive.

 

Steve

Suze176,

 

Your system should operate correctly with the failed memory module simply removed.  Leaving the other 3 memory modules in place will not cause any problems with system functionality. 

 

The only things that will change are that the amount of total system memory will be reduced and that the system memory will not run at it's full efficiency.  You may or may not notice the change in system performance.  If you are a gamer, then you probably will notice the difference.  You can decide later to purchase a replacement memory module when you have money available and install it yourself.  You do not need to replace both 512MB sticks, but only the one failed memory module.

 

Your assumption is correct, before reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling Windows, you should remove the failing memory module.  You can do the format/reinstall with only 3 memory modules in your system.

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

       Thanks for your quick response. I was wondering whether reformatting the HD could possibly fix this problem or whether it is a case of getting a new memory module, I don't particularly want to spend money on a new one if it's not needed?! I have backed up my system onto an external HD and pray that it has worked when I reformat the system. You mentioned the system would still work if I remove the memory module (DIMM 4), I know that this may seem such a simple question to you but I just need to make sure before I do anything, it is better to remove the module, then reformat isn't it otherwise the corrupted module will continue to write corrupt data to the HD?!

Also, I've read a small amount (in between BSOD) about replacing the memory, have I got it right that you should have equal amounts of memory in a pair and would you recommend replacing two modules for 1 GB each instead of the 512 MB??

Thank you for your help, it's VERY much appreciated!!

Sue. :smileyhappy:

 

Hi Steve,

Sorry to trouble you again, but still got problems. I removed the corrupted memory module (DIMM 4) and was then going to reformat my system but I thought I'd run the Dell Diagnostics test first and this is what errors it came up with.....

This was running the test MATS

Code 652F:0119

System memory Failure

Read 00020000h, expected 00000000h at address 326AF004h

Suspected memory component DIMM 3

This one was running MARCH A TEST

Code 652F:0419

System Memory Failure

Read 00020000h, expected 00000000h at address 326AF004h

Suspected memory component DIMM 3

Am I getting these errors because I removed DIMM 4??

I didn't get these errors before so why is Dell Diagnostics picking them up now???

Any advice??

Thanks

 

Sue.

Suze176,

 

Removing DIMM 4 should not cause this error message.  Go ahead and remove DIMM 3 and try the format/reinstall again.

 

Steve