OS or Memory fault?
 

I'm getting a number of applications crash under Windows XP (SP2) operating on an Athlon 64 system. The error message is to the effect that the Memory at XXXXXXXX (address varies) could not be written. Anyone know if this is a symptom of duff memory, or teething problems with XP (32-bit) operating on 64-bit Mobos??

TIA

Phil

Probably bad ram, or it might be incompatible software, or a service running in the background causing it.

Run memtest86 a bootable diskette anaylsis tool on your RAM overnight, n see if it flags up any errors.

Btw your mobo isn't 64bit the cpu is :)

And no there are no issues running Amd 64's on 32bit XP.

Were running AMD 64 CPUS on XP (32-bit) at work, no issues as to mention. Also worth doing a scandisk/chkdsk on your hard disk as well, as it could be a problem with the swapfile "pagefile.sys" as when you run out of a RAM it has to swap programs over to the Hard disk. How much/ what type of RAM have you got?

On another tack - I used to have random crashes with an AMD chip. Took the chip out, cleaned out the heat sink and fan, put it back together and had no further problems! Might be worth checking that your cooling is working properly if all else fails!! :)

Thanks Guys. 1Gb RAM in 2 units, type unknown (?DDR400??) as I haven't taken it to bits yet. Same application produces same failure at same address in some instances, so I suspect overheating is less likely than some other possibilities.

I stand corrected, of course, Bioforger. I take it memtest86 is freeware?? I'm about to search for it, anyway!!

Thanks

Phil Harrison

Hi mate I do tech support as my job best bet is to try the microsoft memory checker @ http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

but if your competent its 99% unlikely that both sticks of RAM are faulty so run one at a time and see if the fault re-occurs if it does you know which stick is faulty if no error then more than likely a hdd or OS issues

pffft memtest is the daddy, u should know that zynrxiatech ;)

Phil yeh its free n here if u havet found it yet;

http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip

It's an ISO, to make a bootable floppy.

yeah possibly but a mem tester is a mem tester isnt it? no need to use one though as the quickest test is :)

"99% unlikely that both sticks of RAM are faulty so run one at a time and see if the fault re-occurs if it does you know which stick is faulty if no error then more than likely a hdd or OS issues"

Yep, got memtest86 v 3.2, made a bootable floppy and ran 6 passes without failure of any sort. I'll give the Windows test a go.

Cheers

Phil

6 passes is not enough to be sure. You need to run it all night.

^^^ the easiest, quickest and most reliable way to tell if your RAM is ok !

Hmmm. Windows Utility showed no faults either. While checking my pagefile size (1536Mb) I can across a thing called DEP, which says (AIUI) that it puts certain memory locations 'out of bounds'. Don't suppose it could be this, could it?

Phil