dead ram? and some memtest86 questions.

[mecharmor25]

All this had to happen after the warranty is over. I ran memtest86 and as it checked one of my 2 SDRAM modules it concludes with: 986 errors. This I got from the ram summary. On the other hand my comp freezes when RAM usage is high.

But the readme for memtest86 says that errors can be caused by some other hardware malfunction? I thought it was only suppose to check the ram?
memtest also gave me a whole list of memory address that are malfunctional.

So far I have detected that my comp has the following patterns:
1) High mem usage: # lockups goes up.
2) Low mem usage, i.e. surfing the web, opening one app at a time: # very few lockups.

comp spec:
Xp 2200+ athlon
128MB SDRAM (no flaws detected)
512MB SDRAM (memtest detected flaws)
fx5200 128MB geforce
sound blaster live value
56k modem
20gb masterHD
40gb slaveHD
floppy drive
50x cdrom
ECSk7s5a pro
cpu temperature at maximum load: 60 C
system overall temp at maxium load: 46 C
365W enermax psu

Finally my point is that, once memtest86 detects memory errors, it is SURE to be the RAM ONLY right? cause the readme mentions that other hardware my cause it to but I when I use Prime95 full system scan, it found nothing.

Does anyone know a computer store in Canada,toronto where you can get cheap 512MB DDR @266MHZ for canadian dallors ?? I'm asking this because mines broke RIGHT AFTER the warranty..

[n_w95482]

Well if you get lockups when you put a heavy load on the RAM then it is probably the problem. As for stores in Canada, I can't remember any right now.

[mecharmor25]

Whats the lowest price has anyone got for 512MB DDR @266MHZ ? It seems that it is stuck at $119cdn everywhere.

[Raqia]

What you ought to try is swapping banks or pulling out a dimm. I've found using only one slot on your motherboard often increases stability by quite a bit and memtest results clear up. You also shouldn't mix and match if you're dead set on using 2 memory banks. The size and make of the modules should be identical so timings don't get complicated. There isn't a speed boost for using 2 dimms with your SDRAM so stick w/ one stick unless you're dying to have more than 512 mb.