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Conference noted::ibmpc-95

Title:IBM PCs, clones, DOS, etc.
Notice:Intro in 1-11, Windows stuff in NOTED::MSWINDOWS please
Moderator:TARKIN::LINND
Created:Tue Jan 03 1995
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3023
Total number of notes:28404

2968.0. "Memory cause motherboard problems?" by ALFSS2::MITCHAM_A (Andy in Alpharetta (near Atlanta)) Fri Mar 28 1997 11:34

    Is it possible for bad memory to damage a motherboard?
    
    Short problem description:
    I put some new memory into my machine and it experiencing multiple
    problems.  Removed this new memory and now still having problems.
    
    Long (rambling) problem description:
    I recently purchased 32mb (two 16mb simms) of memory to compliment an
    already 32mb set of simms on my 486/dx4-120 system.  After installing
    this memory, I began experiencing lots of exceptions, strange actions
    such as rebooting and failing memory tests.
    
    Beliveing that I had bad memory, I removed the simms and brought my
    system up with no apparent failure.  I contacted the vendor with whom I
    purchased this memory and he suggested I should try their memory in my
    system by itself (remove my present memory) in order to determine if
    there was an incompatability between memories (makes sense).  So, I
    did as instructed and the system began failing once again.
    
    Ever since replacing my simms (temporarily) with their simms, I have
    had nothing but problems.  When I tried bringing up the system again
    (with mine), it started failing in the same manner it had before.  I
    first tried both simms, then each individually.  I found that I was
    able to boot successfully with one of my simms, so I left the system on
    for a period of approx. 36 hours in order to see if it would reboot/
    hang/exhibit some of the other symptoms I'd seen earlier.  It did not.
    
    I then put my other memory simm in the next expansion slot in order to
    see if my system would, again, start acting up -- it did.  Using this
    as basis for deciding I apparently had a defective memory simm (I had
    no diagnostics), I removed the 2nd simm and attempted to bring my
    system up.  It would not boot successfully, failing with XMS errors or
    other sundry errors.
    
    Deciding I needed to do some testing, I removed both simms and took
    them to work, placed them in another pc (by themselves) and ran
    diagnostics.  Both simms test perfectly well, and ran without failure
    for some time.  Took both simms back to my home pc and still cannot get
    the machine to run.
    
    The errors I am presently getting when trying to boot Windows 95:
    
    There is not enough memory to load the registry or the registry is
    corrupt.  {there may be more to this screen of info, but the screen
    blanked and displayed the following}
    
    Drivespace Alarm #16
    
    A program has corrupted memory belonging to Drivespace.  Further disk
    activity could result in the loss of some or all of the data on your
    drive.  Therefore, Drivespace has halted your computer.  For more
    information, consult your on-line help or documentation.
    
    I am not running drivespace on either of my hard drives -- I have used
    it on occasion for my zip drive (to increase storage capacity) but this
    is rare.  I also REM'd out the line in my config.sys relating to 
    drivespace (is this where it is loaded?) so I do not know why this is
    happening.
    
    Also, I have booted the machine and gotten XMS errors indicating I had
    bad memory.  If I press <f1> to continue, I get messages stating there
    were errors detected on line 21741 (or similar -- in the 21k-range)
    of my config.sys; my config.sys file has 3 lines, all which are now
    REM'd out.
    
    Tried running diagnostics -- created a bootable diagnostic diskette
    with QAplus/pro on it -- and it failed with the following error when
    trying to load:  Internal data allocation error (didn't get the rest --
    the screen blanked and went back to A: prompt).  Tried running again
    and got:  run-time error M6111: MATH  -floating-point error: stack
    underflow.
    
    Thanks for any suggestions or direction anyone can offer,
    
    -Andy
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2968.1SMURF::PBECKWho put the bop in the hale-de-bop-de-bop?Fri Mar 28 1997 12:448
    I suppose an electrical short in a SIMM could affect the MB
    circuitry driving the memory.
    
    Keep in mind that any files written while the bad memory was in the
    system were in memory before they hit the disk. So there's some
    possibility that your problems are with corrupted files, not a
    damaged motherboard. (I'd probably consider that a higher
    probability, but I've only got gut reactions to go on.)
2968.2ALFSS2::MITCHAM_AAndy in Alpharetta (near Atlanta)Fri Mar 28 1997 14:066
    The XMS errors from HIMEM, the fact I can't run diagnostics from
    floppy, etc. are reasons why I feel my motherboard may be damaged.
    
    I'm open to anything, however.
    
    -Andy
2968.3One of the mags says use correct speed simms.SSDEVO::FIALAMe, I'm just a recycler.Fri Mar 28 1997 14:588
I have heard seen but never experienced issues when the 
speed of the simms is greater or less than that required.
ie: According to PC mag [or was it PC computing??] if
the MB says "70ns" you had best use 70ns. 80ns and 60ns
could cause problems. The slower case seems obvious,
the faster case is apparently due to refresh not being
done fast enough. If it were not a PC I'd be sceptical.
:^)
2968.4assumptionsGRANPA::JKINNEYFri Mar 28 1997 15:016
    An asumption.......CMOS set corectly,ns are the same on all
    simms,original simms were put back in original slots,original
    simms were also tested okay,motherboard can handle total amount
    of memory in the configuration that was stated,memory slots are
    free of debris,dust,etc,Simms are seated correctly?
    
2968.5ALFSS2::MITCHAM_AAndy in Alpharetta (near Atlanta)Fri Mar 28 1997 15:3138
    > An asumption.......CMOS set corectly
    
    Yes.  Each time after changing memory configuration I go into cmos,
    view what it sees, save changes and exit.
    
    > ns are the same on all simms
    
    Yes.  And problem occurs with even one simm.
    
    > original simms were put back in original slots
    
    Yes & No.  Original simms put back into original slots, though order
    may have been reversed (we're talking two simms).  Regardless, problem
    occurs even with one.
    
    > original simms were also tested okay
    
    Yes, I covered this in my original note.  I tested the original simms
    in a system here at work.  I'm not about to put the new simms in a
    system here -- may cause problems here as well.
    
    >motherboard can handle total amount of memory in the configuration 
    >that was stated
    
    Yes.  Motherboard can handle 64mb memory.
    
    >memory slots are free of debris,dust,etc
    
    Yes.
    
    >Simms are seated correctly?
    
    Yes.
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    -Andy
2968.6skylab.zko.dec.com::FISHERGravity: Not just a good idea. It's the law!Fri Mar 28 1997 15:339
As .4 implied, I would look carefully at the SIMM sockets, especially the
little wire or plastic piece that latches the SIMM in place.  Also examine the
pins on the SIMMs and on the sockets carefully to see that there is nothing
bent (in the socket) or covering or shorting pins (both).

My experience is that motherboards are VERY resiliant to, eh, misadventures :-)
Not to say that it is impossible for it to have a problem.

Burns
2968.7ALFSS2::MITCHAM_AAndy in Alpharetta (near Atlanta)Fri Mar 28 1997 16:0812
    Thanks for the feedback.  Actually, I have done quite alot of checking
    out the simms and simm sockets.  I have found nothing that, visually,
    appears out of the norm.  
    
    I am primarily concerned with the possibility that the memory I
    purchased may be responsible for the problems I am now dealing
    with.  I appreciate the suggestions -- it helps to review what has
    been done to ensure I have not overlooked anything.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    -Andy
2968.8WRKSYS::THOMASStop, look and listenFri Mar 28 1997 16:145
    I doubt that the new memory caused the problem. I suspect a connection
    loosened up somewhere while you had the box open. I'd check and reseat
    everything including the cables and the CPU.
    
    /Rich
2968.9Just in case...NEWVAX::PAVLICEKStop rebooting! Use LinuxFri Mar 28 1997 17:107
    re: .0
    
    Just on a lark:  check the memory wait state in the memory CMOS
    settings.  For fun, set it to the maximum wait state setting (I think
    it is "2 WS" on my 486).  See if the problem persists.
    
    -- Russ
2968.10ALFSS2::MITCHAM_AAndy in Alpharetta (near Atlanta)Thu Apr 03 1997 16:428
    Well, I have since found that the diagnostics run (and pass) if I first
    boot to the command prompt from my hard drive, then run the diagnostic
    from floppy.  So it does not appear to have been a hardware failure
    after all.
    
    Of course, it did trash my Windows 95 software, though... <sign>
    
    -Andy
2968.11All is not clear...ALFSS2::MITCHAM_AAndy in Alpharetta (near Atlanta)Mon Apr 07 1997 12:3013
    Well, the saga continues.  I checked my system Sunday to look for new
    email and found it locked up solid.  Tried to reboot and started
    getting the now infamous "Drivespace Alarm #16" error.  Rebooted and
    tried to come up in Safe Mode and started getting the the same
    "HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory" error again.
    
    I rebooted again, ran QAPlus/Pro and went through 3+ rounds of testing
    memory -- no errors.  Rebooted and got the same thing.
    
    I have Win95 on my Drive D as well (different disk).  Tried booting 
    this and got the same XMS errors.  So, I'm getting really baffled...
    
    -Andy