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8GB crashes computer
Hi everyone, I’ve got a very perplexing problem that I hope some of you more experienced with computers in general (and I’m no computer noob) can “connect the dots” and help me with. I’m tearing out my hair.
Here’s my story: I have a Sony HDR-SR12 AVCHD cam and edit that footage on my system: Intel mobo (S975Xbx2), Q6600 Quad core (not overclocked), 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon dual-DVI-I board, running XP Pro x64 (the 64-bit version of XP). All current drivers.
I’ve edited lots of footage from this cam on Vegas Pro 8.1 (their 64-bit version) but also on 8c. No probs with crashing to speak of UNTIL I tried to add 4 additional gigs of memory (to total 8GB), so I could take full advantage of XP Pro x64’s ability to actually use 8GB, which also gives me more RAM for the “dynamic RAM preview” feature, etc. Then the problems started! AND, I never got to the point where I increased the dynamic RAM preview setting, either (so that’s not the problem).
My system would crash anywhere from just after I logged in, to 15 minutes after logging in–but usually pretty soon after logging in (like, the first 2-3 minutes). The crashes didn’t coincide consistently with any action, mouse movement,keyboard stroke, or which version of VPro I was using. Every crash was the same: Both screens go black (never a BSOD), can only full reboot (CNTL-ALT-DEL does nothing). The memory added is the same part # as the original 4GB of Patriot memory. I even tried 8GB of Kingston RAM, same problem. Remember, I never even got around to increasing the dynamic preview RAM setting.
When I go back to 4GB RAM, everything’s stable as a rock.
Though this problems happens even when Vegas isn’t running, I’m hoping someone can help because it’s really put a kink in my editing aura! Seriously, I am desperately in need of help here…
THANKS in advance for any help anyone can offer!
–john
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4 Replies
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Just a guess but did you check the timings on the new RAM in the BIOS? Many times the BIOS guesses wrong and you have to set the timings manually. Also be sure they have the proper voltage too.
Also are you using RAM slots that weren’t used before? Could be a fault motherboard. (I assume when you swapped out for Kingston RAM you proved that it wasn’t faulty RAM).
~jr
http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com -
Appreciate your response!
Timing – RAM timing is these Patriot chips (PC2-6400 / 800mhz), is 5-5-5-12 but on my particular mobo (the S985Xbx2, which is the server version of the more-common Intel D985Sbx2), there is limited BIOS accesss to changing settings; you can’t overclock, and on the memory, you can only change the “-12” parameter, as I recall. However, the BIOS did read the timing correctly.
Memory voltage – Memory voltage is not adjustable in BIOS in the “S-” version of this mobo that I have. However, even though the four Patriot memory sticks bear the same model #, some time separates the two in manufacture (approx a year). Interestingly, all four are marked identically EXCEPT that one pair says “1.8-2.0V” and the other pair says simply, “2.0v”. According to the Patriot tech support guy, this makes no difference (I have no way to know if this is the case).
Possible defective memory sockets – There are two sets of sockets you can use for the RAM (blue set, black set). With a 4GB configuration (using 2GB sticks, which is all I’ve ever run in this machine), it doesn’t matter which sockets I put the two sticks in, they work fine, even when intentionally “mis-pair” the “1.8-2.0V” and “2.0V” sticks in the same color socket. (i.e. computer operation is solid as the Rock of Gilbralter).
You can see why this is such a pain in the donkey!
–John
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When a PC fails at random times, I suspect a heat issue.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
Thanks, Steve. The inside of the case is well-cooled, but the memory sticks are fairly close to each other, because they have integral heat sinks. I’ll put a fan on them and see what happens…
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