Hey Techcurve,
Glad to see so many talented folks following your situation.
Sorry about the difficulty you have had regarding Microsoft Memory Diagnostic and MemTest86.
I've been spending my time researching for an alternative method for testing, and it seems that none is readily available for use at this time.
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So we have few options.
Please read through my entire recommendation before beginning to attempt any of it.
What we can theorize, is that your machine is suffering either from RAM Memory fault, or from a device Driver that is corrupted.
The following involves working inside your computer tower case.
If you are not already familiar with Electrical Safety and Electro-Static precautions, please read:
http://forums.whatth...howtopic=103649
Option #1.
You can physically remove all-but-one of your RAM sticks.
Boot your machine with that single stick of RAM and evaluate performance.
(note: Most likely your machine will run "slower" but we are only looking for a condition under which you no longer receive the Error Warnings.)
Rotate through your other RAM stick(s) until you have tried each of them alone.
If one or more function successfully, while one or more cause the error warnings, then you have isolated that a RAM fault does exist for specific RAM stick(s)..... Replace the faulty ones, and keep the non-faulty ones.
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Caveate.... and this is a "big" consideration.
"If" the problem is a faulty Device Driver, then the above rotation of RAM sticks will tell us nothing, because the Error warnings will continue no matter which one or combination of RAM sticks you have installed.
Therefore we need to try to identify any Device Drivers that may be faulty..... first.
Go to Device Manager
here's how:
Start - Control Panel - System - Click on Hardware - click on Device manager.
Inspect the list of Devices and their Drivers.
If there are any Red/Yellow/or Black (!) warnings, please report back here in your next reply.
Now, we know from your report already that the Optical CD Drive is not performing properly.
It may or may not be the culprit.
And since it is not functional anyway, lets take it out of the diagnostic picture.
In device manager, Double-Click on
DVD/CD -ROM Drives (yours may be only CD/RW ROM
Next:
Click on the actual Device listed.
A panel similar to the one below will appear
Please notice at the very bottom of that panel: Device Usage
Click on the Down-Arrow and Select: Do not use this Device (disable)
Click OK
Now Shut down your machine in the ordinary manner from Start - Shutdown.
Next:
With appropriate Electrical Safety, unplug the main electrical wire from the source or from the back of your Computer.
Next:
"Press" the Start Button on the front of your machine and hold it for 10 seconds
(Obviously the machine is not going to Start, but it will drain any capacitors that held charge on the Motherboard)
Next:
With appropriate Electrical Safety and Electro-Static caution,
1. Unplug the power molex connector to your CD ROM
2. Unplug the IDE ribbon cable to your CD ROM
Leave both unplugged.
Put the panel back on the side of the machine.
Reconnect the power cord.
Start your machine
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Are you still receiving the Error Warnings?
If not, then the CD ROM may have been the problem
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If yes, you are still getting Error Warnings, then perform the steps of booting your machine with individual Sticks of your RAM, as described above.
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Let us know if you have any questions before you launch these recommendations.
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