Window PC memory problems, how to diagnose
Having memory issues on
Windows 7 Ultimate, upgraded from Vista Home Premium, SP 2
HP, Model a6600f
Processor Intel Pentium Dual CPU E220 @ 2.2Ghz
4.0 GM RAM
Just recently started to use hotmail and skydrive, then just started using IE-9 for most windows, then memory would go to 100% soon thereafter. I watched it closely and with nothing much running, I opened two IE windows and several tabs, and it zoomed up to 100% CPU all from iexlporer.exe.
I switched to IE for most windows for several reasons:
- it seemed cleaner than Chrome or FF
- Chrome keeps crashing ("Shockwave has crashed") (but I fixed it with these instructions)
- FF also had issues, like "Shockwave has crashed", but a little different, I forget what, something that says "not responsive" or such
Before my upgrade to Windows 7, I battled the PC on memory issues, and all is settled down now, I get BSOD once a week or less, that's manageable. But the memory situation is still dogging me, and I can't see to find the right browser to work with my PC.
I had plenty of research and trial and error recently, here and here.
I have an underlying memory issue that I've never been able to resolve, although the PC generally runs great and it's workable. When fixing my PC from the above EE posts, I did replace one of two memory sticks, that also seemed to work ok.
I did memtest-86, but as I recall it would say I have a memory problem but I never took any action from that, but here's one result. Now HP Diagnostic tests mostly look good, just a memory warning..
Here's my upgrade to Windows 7 post, not too much takeaway from this, I was able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, so didn't have to wipe the machine.
I'm also considering upgrading to Windows 8, but should probably get this memory situation fixed before doing that.
Suggestions ? My issue still remains a memory issue, as best as I can determine.
Windows 7 Ultimate, upgraded from Vista Home Premium, SP 2
HP, Model a6600f
Processor Intel Pentium Dual CPU E220 @ 2.2Ghz
4.0 GM RAM
Just recently started to use hotmail and skydrive, then just started using IE-9 for most windows, then memory would go to 100% soon thereafter. I watched it closely and with nothing much running, I opened two IE windows and several tabs, and it zoomed up to 100% CPU all from iexlporer.exe.
I switched to IE for most windows for several reasons:
- it seemed cleaner than Chrome or FF
- Chrome keeps crashing ("Shockwave has crashed") (but I fixed it with these instructions)
- FF also had issues, like "Shockwave has crashed", but a little different, I forget what, something that says "not responsive" or such
Before my upgrade to Windows 7, I battled the PC on memory issues, and all is settled down now, I get BSOD once a week or less, that's manageable. But the memory situation is still dogging me, and I can't see to find the right browser to work with my PC.
I had plenty of research and trial and error recently, here and here.
I have an underlying memory issue that I've never been able to resolve, although the PC generally runs great and it's workable. When fixing my PC from the above EE posts, I did replace one of two memory sticks, that also seemed to work ok.
I did memtest-86, but as I recall it would say I have a memory problem but I never took any action from that, but here's one result. Now HP Diagnostic tests mostly look good, just a memory warning..
Here's my upgrade to Windows 7 post, not too much takeaway from this, I was able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, so didn't have to wipe the machine.
I'm also considering upgrading to Windows 8, but should probably get this memory situation fixed before doing that.
Suggestions ? My issue still remains a memory issue, as best as I can determine.
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Upload the dmp file for analysis.
c:\Windows\minidump
Ded9
c:\Windows\minidump
Ded9
ASKER
TG-TIS - good idea, I think I will do that. do you have any suggested sites to purchase from ?
ded9, never knew about this, here it is . . .
011713-28017-01.dmp
ded9, never knew about this, here it is . . .
011713-28017-01.dmp
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ded9, wow, interesting. I have a VGA connection and the white VGA-type connection. So it's not really going into a graphics card driver (which I know nothing about). So my three "open slots" in the back, none are being used. Is "reseating" the graphic card like a memory card ? It's not the same as I understand it.
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nobus, ok good tips. will look at this more tomorrow. definitely plan on buying two memory modules, do you have suggestions on a good supplier?
ded9, sounds good. yes, it's onboard graphics card, I've never done anything with these cards, so will be cracking up something new for me. Will look at updated drivers (NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i (Microsoft Corp. - WDDM) )
ded9, sounds good. yes, it's onboard graphics card, I've never done anything with these cards, so will be cracking up something new for me. Will look at updated drivers (NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i (Microsoft Corp. - WDDM) )
ASKER
updated new drivers, very slick from GeForce, http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/49948
will re-boot now and then see what happens tomorrow.
will re-boot now and then see what happens tomorrow.
ASKER
ded9, >>Also just make sure the cpu clock speed and memory clock speed match if you are using DDR3 memory module...also make sure the settings are correct in bios.
- how do I do that ?
- how do I do that ?
ASKER
nobus >>a known problem with many video cards is that often the sytem POWER supply is not beefy enough, you can calculate the power you need here
- looked at that link, not sure of all the components I have (motherboard, CPU Socket, CPU Model, etc.)
- looked at that link, not sure of all the components I have (motherboard, CPU Socket, CPU Model, etc.)
sure; buy from a well known brand : Kingston, Corsair
use their memory selector tool to find what you need for your pc
william; about the video card, i also posted : or post your specs
you can find your parts with siw easily : http://www.gtopala.com/
use their memory selector tool to find what you need for your pc
william; about the video card, i also posted : or post your specs
you can find your parts with siw easily : http://www.gtopala.com/
On your system case, dell has a tag with the Service Tag on it. Take that tag and loog up your system on Dell's site. Check for the proper memory chips to upgrade memory. You can also call them.
Find out what chips are available. You can buy chips from Dell or anyone else, just make sure they are the correct ones.
Also, from dell, I suggest updating your system with the latest Bios and device drivers. Using your service tag, you can look them up and find all of them. Sell support can also help if you are unsure which apply to your system.
Find out what chips are available. You can buy chips from Dell or anyone else, just make sure they are the correct ones.
Also, from dell, I suggest updating your system with the latest Bios and device drivers. Using your service tag, you can look them up and find all of them. Sell support can also help if you are unsure which apply to your system.
Since its a HP computer you do not have to worry about the clock speed and Ram issue.
Follow rindi first post and replace the ram if it fails in the test.
Ded9
Follow rindi first post and replace the ram if it fails in the test.
Ded9
ASKER
nobus, ok on suppliers, thank you. nice on gotopala.com as well, will check that out.
TG-TIS, thanks for the tips, but it's HP :-)
ded9, thanks, I think I'll just get new RAM.
I'm good for now, will set a game plan and let you know. I'll leave this open for a day or two, but thanks for all the help.
TG-TIS, thanks for the tips, but it's HP :-)
ded9, thanks, I think I'll just get new RAM.
I'm good for now, will set a game plan and let you know. I'll leave this open for a day or two, but thanks for all the help.
>> I think I'll just get new RAM. << if you have only one stick, yes, but please test it, to be sure
and if you have multiple sticks, test with each one in each slot - just to be sure it's not a faulty slot either
and if you have multiple sticks, test with each one in each slot - just to be sure it's not a faulty slot either
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everything seems quiet, so I think the video drivers definitely helped. I will see how it goes and definitely look at a memory upgrade.
There is one little nuance . . . every so often (once every 15 minutes) both monitors just go black . . . then they come right back. So something is out of sync for about 1, maybe 2 seconds, then it comes right back, and I don't see any issues beyond that.
Will close out shortly, thanks again for all the tips.
There is one little nuance . . . every so often (once every 15 minutes) both monitors just go black . . . then they come right back. So something is out of sync for about 1, maybe 2 seconds, then it comes right back, and I don't see any issues beyond that.
Will close out shortly, thanks again for all the tips.
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well - one thing to remember : you should have NO Bsod's; if you have one, look for the cause and fix it.
ASKER
nobus, re:
>> if you have only one stick, yes, but please test it, to be sure and if you have multiple sticks, test with each one in each slot
- so you're referring to memtest86 ?
- yes, the goal is NO BSOD !
rojosho, thanks for the tips, better late than never . . . I can usually feel the BSOD coming, everything locks up, can't move around, so I try to close things down, then BAM. Rarely does a BSOD come out of the blue (when things are running smoothly).
ded9, ok on checking graphics card / on-board driver / bios. I've never fiddled with graphics cards, so maybe now is the time.
>> if you have only one stick, yes, but please test it, to be sure and if you have multiple sticks, test with each one in each slot
- so you're referring to memtest86 ?
- yes, the goal is NO BSOD !
rojosho, thanks for the tips, better late than never . . . I can usually feel the BSOD coming, everything locks up, can't move around, so I try to close things down, then BAM. Rarely does a BSOD come out of the blue (when things are running smoothly).
ded9, ok on checking graphics card / on-board driver / bios. I've never fiddled with graphics cards, so maybe now is the time.
ASKER
really helpful, thank you everyone.
Williampeck,
You are welcome and thank you for the points and the feedback :)
Take care...
Rojosho
You are welcome and thank you for the points and the feedback :)
Take care...
Rojosho
ASKER
Frosty555, thanks, didn't know about resource monitor, so that's nice to know. Good suggestions on memory and monitoring.
jcimarron, great, I'll look at them.
will pick this up tomorrow