80 replies to this topic

[Lee]

Good call Doug

[techcurve]

thankyou to everyone, I'm appreciating the support. ok, my current situation is: Just crashed,(everythings goes off except for the blue wall, no restarting, nothing like that just the blue wall. this time error message was STOP: 0x0000000A (0x000000F4,0x0000001C,0x00000000,0x804FCC2a) I like what your saying doug. I just need to backup myself, and process what your saying. I'm happy to do the tech stuff, i'm just unfamiliar with it, so I need to make sure I'm following instruction carefully. I tried the device manager, but I'm finding no colour coding, is it because I'm running xp? I've just disabled the dvd/cd writer. I'm gonna restart and look through the next set of instructions. Lee suggested a little diagnostic tool. I'll give that a go too. be back soon, techcurve

[techcurve]

dvd writer, disabled and disarmed. i'll carry on as normal. if the blue wall comes up, i'll make a note or the error code and post it. then i'll go through the ram process, doug mentioned, and i'll post what happens. techcurve

[techcurve]

I've had a visit from the blue wall again- stop:0x0000008E(0x0000005,0x7FD3BBEB,0xA8856C78,0x00000000) I'll go through the ram procedure and report back techcurve

[Doug]

Please be sure that you have completed the portion related to the CD component before the RAM procedure. 1. Be sure CD ROM is "disabled" in Device Manager 2. Physically disconnect molex power connector from CD ROM 2. Physically disconnect wide ide ribbon cable from CD ROM ____________________ Are there any other "extra" devices attached? You may benefit from disabling and disconnecting any of the following if present: 1. Sound Card 2. Internal dial-up modem 3. and USB devices (printer/webcam/external devices) 4. and extra Hard Drives Then proceed with trying one RAM stick at a time.

[techcurve]

doug: no worries, cd rom was disabled, using device manager. I physically disarmed it too, removing ribbon and molex. the only thing that looked like sticks, were two stick things, in slots, with 512mb on them. i've pulled one out, carefully excercising electrical and electro static awareness. it's now on, and yes a little slower. i'll carry on for a while to see if the blue wall re visits? techcurve

[Doug]

Techcurve, I compliment you on your patience and diligence in taking these steps carefully. Keep us posted. Best Regards

[Lee]

techcurve, when removing or replacing RAM modules (or "sticks"), you might benefit from having a look here.
http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_ram.htm

Cheers,
Lee

[techcurve]

ok. i havn't seen the blue wall for a while, running slower, but no blue wall. hmmmm! i'll stay with it and see how it goes. the RAM stick i took out, may well be the problem, in which case what should i do, i guess it needs replacing. is this straight forward?is it pricey? is it worth me beefing it up? good to have it running more stable. techcurve

[Tomk]

Remember... I'm not a tech.. but if it were me.... I'd try to see how things run with just the "bad" stick installed. If things go "gunny-bag" right away... then you've definitely proven that the memory stick is at fault.

[Doug]

Remember... I'm not a tech.. but if it were me....

I'd try to see how things run with just the "bad" stick installed. If things go "gunny-bag" right away... then you've definitely proven that the memory stick is at fault.

Yes.

Please test performance in all possible configurations with one single stick of RAM, and then with combinations.
"I think" you have two sticks of RAM, 512mb each. I suspect they are either PC2700, PC2100, or PC3200.
"I think" there are (2) two module sockets into which these RAM sticks can be installed.
Are there more than two? Sticks of RAM? module sockets?

It is always possible that it is the "module socket" that is defective, and all RAM Sticks are "good".
Therefore, when testing, test with the good RAM in first one of the sockets, and then again in the other(s) socket.

We also want to be able to "replicate" the problem.

Therefore, if the machine is running fine with one "good" stick of RAM, you should swap that one out and replace it with the "bad" stick of RAM.
Presumably, the Blue Screen Stop Errors would return when running with the "bad" RAM stick(s)


As to Purchase...

You've indicated this is a Dell 510

I don't find a Dell 510

There is a Dell 5100 and a Dell e510.

What exact machine is it -- Brand/Model

As to exact RAM, that will have to wait until you report the Brand/Model, or perform your own RAM configuration Scan
--- Good scanner that will tell you "exactly" what you have and "exactly" what replacement/upgrade options your machine can accommodate...
can be found here: Crucial System Scanner Tool

You don't have to buy from Crucial, but do the scan to see what your options are.

Note: If this is regular DDR PC2100, PC2700, or PC3200, it is beginning to become more expensive, because it is no longer being produced for new machines.

Good places to shop:

TigerDirect.com
NewEgg.com

Let us know what you discover, and we may even be able to help you find the best deal.

[Lee]

Dell E510 : Type: 400-MHz or 533-MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM.

[Doug]

Hi Lee, Not sure where you got that. And you may be correct! But let's see what the Crucial Scan has to say.

[Lee]

Dell E510 specs (there is no 510):
http://support.dell....n/sm/specs1.htm

[techcurve]

Lee: thanks lee. Dell dimension 5150/E510 (apologises for not being clearer) tomk: that makes good sense to me. As i've seen no blue wall, it makes sense to remove the current functional stick, and replace it with the possible faulty one to see what happens. doug: yes i do have two sticks of RAM each are 512MB (The number at the top say-512MB 1Rx8 PC2-4200U-44-12-D3) Yes, there are (2) two module sockets, to recieve the sticks. I think i get what your saying-because a socket could be faulty, we need to check for that first, with the good RAM stick, before testing the other stick of RAM. I'll do that now, and report progress. techcurve