Hi There,

I hope someone can help. My computer has completely died. I have been having trouble for a while and couln't work out why my computer kept crashing shortly after booting up, so i decided to take the cover off and check all connections were spot on etc. I swapped over my memory to the second slot (2gb on one card) and checked all connections were ok. when i turned it on it wouldn't boot up at all and was just beeping continuously - which i know is telling me there is no memory, so i swapped the memory back and it made no difference. after a swaping it back and forth and restarting my PC a few times and temporarily taking out the CMOS battery it eventually started OK - BUT will only stay on for 2 minutes before i get a memory dump and it crashes (windows shuts down). I can keep it running in safe mode but not in normal windows.

I know (well think) its either the memory which is knackered or the motherboard - but don't know which. Anyone got any idea's how i can pin the problem down.

P.S. I don't have another machine which is compatible with this memory so can't test it in another machine.

Thanks
Cellaman.

To test RAM; MemTest:

http://www.memtest86.com/

Choose Free Download.


I would first suspect the PSU from the symptoms you describe.


If you can run in Safe Mode check the Event Viewer via Administrative Tools.

Cheers, I'll try and download that tonight and see what happens.
I've had a look at the event viewer before but i don't really know what it is i am looking for - any tips?

Also is there any way of checking the PSU without getting a new one?

Thanks
Cellaman.

You can get a PSU tester in most electronics stores for $10 USD or so.

In the Event Viewer look for Errors that might coincide with crashes.

I'm inclined to agree with Jephree - if the PC can run for a while in safe mode, then that suggests that the motherboard, CPU and RAM are probably OK so I'd be looking for something else to blame like the PSU - when Windows is running in normal mode, it may be loading up more hardware / drivers or running it in higher performance settings which may place a bigger load on the power supply.