computer restarts when i turn it on

I downloaded the 'pre-compiled Memtest86 v3.2 installable from windows and DOS. Is it the right one? and how do i use it? its really complicated

U told me to disable somethings frm the msconfig startup. well i couldnt find these ones: –NVIDIA driver helper NVIDIA Corporation C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe –iPod Service Apple Computer, Inc. C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe –Creative Plugins Creative Technology Ltd C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTHELPER.EXE –Diskeeper Corporation C:\Program Files\Diskeeper Corporation\Diskeeper\DkService.exe I unintsalled the ipod thing as well as diskeeper (coz it was a trial)

Hi,

Today I was reading some topics that people have started and one guy had the same problem which I have. He gave u his PcPitStop results and he and I have the same Ip addresses!!! can that be possible???

another thing. In the same thread u've said this:

McAfee is a resource HOG. and is a major contributor to your lag/crash problems because of the ton of routines and processes it runs active in the background.

Your machine would perform much better with the (free) AVG AntiVirus (AVG has about 1/3 the load in comparison to McAfee) and would remain just as secure against virus/trojan infection

is that really true? even I have Mcafee and I think I should uninstall it and download AVG.

Hi Shan92, Yes McAfee is known to be a "resource-hog" on low resource machines. And AVG often performs better on low resource machines, without giving up any beneficial protective qualities. PCPitstop Tests report Internet Connection performance and does list IP in "blanked out" form to protect the owner/user identity. For example: External IP Address 212.116.xxx.xxx Internal IP Address 192.168.xxx.xxx Notice the xxx.xxx sequence "blanks out" any identifying information. Please post the link to the article that you were reading and I'll go take a look.

I downloaded the 'pre-compiled Memtest86 v3.2 installable from windows and DOS.
Is it the right one?
and how do i use it? its really complicated

Yes. That is the correct one for creating a bootable Floppy Disk to run MemTest86.

Here's the MemTest86 instructions for "unzipping" and creating the MemTest86 Floppy Disk:

After the file is downloaded an extract must be done to uncompress the file(s).
To extract right click on the downloaded file and select the "Extract All" option.
The extract option will let you choose where the files will be extracted to.
To build a bootable floppy go the the folder where the files were extracted and click on the Install icon.
The floppy disk will appear to be unformatted by Windows after the install is complete.

Maybe I can say it in easier words.
–The MemTest86 file that you should download is: "Memtest86 3.2 Release"
To Download it, Click on "Download - Pre-Compiled Memtest86 v3.2 installable from Windows and DOS"

Create a New Folder on your machine called C:\MemTest86\ (to make it easy to find)
SAVE the "Download - Pre-Compiled Memtest86 v3.2 installable from Windows and DOS" to your new C:\MemTest86 <—Folder

You will "probably" be given the options to "Open", "Open Folder", "Close"
Click on "open"
This will give you the option to "unzip" the saved file (memt32.zip)
SAVE the extracted results back into your new C:\Memtest86\folder

Next place an empty formatted Floppy Disk into your Floppy Drive.

Next - Double-click on the Install Icon item in your C:\MemTest86\ Folder.

This will open a DOS dialogue box which will ask you to "Enter a Target diskette Drive"
you should TYPE - "A:" without the quotation marks.

Next - The DOS dialogue box will direct you to put a blank formated Floppy into Drive A: and hit ENTER
Do so.

In a brief instant, the DOS Dialogue box will report: "Done!"

The DOS Dialogue box will then tell you to "To Run MemTest86, leave the floppy in Drive A: and reboot"

You can do that immediately or any time in the future when you wish to test your RAM.

——————————

I suggest that you take the Floppy out of Drive A: and Label it "MemTest86" so that you'll be able to keep it for future use, on this or any other machine.

When you are finished with any online work, or other work you may be doing, Insert the MemTest86 Floppy into your Drive A: and reboot your machine.

When your machine restarts, it will go immediately to MemTest86 without booting to Windows.
Allow MemTest86 to run for as many cycles as you wish and read the Results.

The Results will give you information about the functioning of your RAM.

Hope my step-by-step instructions are clear for you.
If not, post back with your question(s).

Best Regards

ure step-by-step instructions were crystal clear. . . Thanks for ure help.
it was taking a really long time for the test to finish (more than an hour) so I pressed ESC coz I had to do some other work. . . . I'll start the test again before going to sleep.

anywayz, here's the link of tht article……
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?show…=69089&st=0

I suppose I should have warned you about the "time element". Sorry. Overnight sounds good to me. I just ran MemTest86 on this old PIII 600mhz with 768mb RAM. It took 1hour and 57minutes just to complete the tests on L1 Cache. Best Regards

Hi doug, sorry for replying so late. anywayz, I ran the memtest. U said it took u about 2 hours. Well 11 hours had passed and it still wasnt complete!!! There were about 765 errors.

by the way, I downloaded and installed AVG and uninstalled McAfee. Thanks for your advice.

Will you please give us the information reported from Memtest86? Specifically, were these "random errors"?

Hi, Ill give u the results tommorrow coz today im a little busy…. How do I know when the test is complete??? It keeps on continueing even after 11 hours! :S

In the Folder you created to begin using MemTest86 you will find a file "Readme.txt"
Double-click on Readme.txt for general information about MemTest86.

Here is a brief excerpt that discusses length of testing:

The time required for a complete pass of Memtest86 will vary greatly
depending on CPU speed, memory speed and memory size. Memtest86 executes
indefinitely. The pass counter increments each time that all of the
selected tests have been run. Generally a single pass is sufficient to
catch all but the most obscure errors. However, for complete confidence
when intermittent errors are suspected testing for a longer period is advised.

MemTest86 repeats itself "infinitely". In other words, it never "completes", but just starts over and over and over. Or stated again, When a full cycle (pass) of MemTest86 reaches 100%, it begins its tests from 0%.

One cycle is generally sufficient to detect errors in your memory module (stick of RAM). Continuing to run Memtest86 will likely detect the same error(s) over and over, but may in some cases provide additional information if "random" errors are occurring.

So, What should I do?
MemTest86 has reported Errors in your memory.

possible causes:
1. Faulty RAM module.
2. The Slot where you have your RAM module inserted is faulty.
3. Faulty L1, L2 cache, faulty CPU, faulty MotherBoard

The "vast majority" of memory problems result from a bad stick of RAM.
Options:
1. Remove one stick of RAM and retest with just a single 128mb stick (your machine will run much slower)
Then test with only the other 128mb stick of RAM inserted.
2. If you have a spare RAM (compatible type) laying around, switch it in. Reboot and test
3. Buy new RAM

Your most likely remedy is to Buy New RAM.
We've already mentioned that 256mb RAM is a small amount for running XP and especially for using a DVD/CD burnner.

If/when you buy new RAM get as much as you can afford. (your machine can handle 2048mb total - 2 x 1024)

Go to this site "to identify" which type of RAM module is compatible with your machine.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM
Enter your machine's information in the progressive pulldown menu "3 easy steps" tool.
Write down the details of what RAM is compatible with your machine.

Of course, Crucial will want you to buy from them, but you can shop around.
I like:
www.newegg.com
www.tigerdirect.com
or you can shop at a local store nearby your neighborhood.

Please keep us posted with your progress.
At this point, it would help for you to Run a fress PCPitstop Full Test and post the fresh TechExpress link.

Best Regards

Hi doug,

Thanks for providing me with all the information. I really appreciate your help.

I know tht 256mb is a small amount of RAM and Iam definately going to upgrade it. Anywayz, I went to the site you told me about. Here's the link of my memory upgrade:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=P4S333-FX

Im thinking to buy the 512mb one. That way Ill have 640MB, right?

Take a look at these items, at TigerDirect to get the same product, but save alot of money:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/ca…c.asp?CatId=147

PNY 512MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
Ultra 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz CL3 Memory
Kingston 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory

Yes, you can remove just one of your current RAM sticks and replace it with the new 512mb stick for a total of 640mb.
Or even better, replace both with 512 sticks for a total of 1024mb.

There are "clips" at eack end of your RAM Stick slots.
Press on the clip to move it down and away from the end of you RAM stick.
Then with two fingers, one at each end, holding the edge, (not the flat surface) pull firmly upward.

To install, reverse the above, and close the lever clips to lock in your Ram stick into its slot.

Crucial, like most brand-name manufacturer's is proud of their product, and mark the price accordingly.
You need "more RAM" not expensively priced RAM…. even if the manufacturer is proud of their brand.

Best Regards

Edit: Be sure to have the power "unplugged". Be sure to touch a metal frame piece inside your case to discharge your body's static electricity before touching the RAM stick.