PC issue

March 30, 2009 11:59 AM

I am working with a problem PC at work that keeps giving "memory cannot be read" messages (and it runs slowly). I have substituted another memory stick and have done a DOD grade wipe of the HDD. I don't have another SATA drive or I would replace it. any suggestions to help me avoid having to shoot the whole dang PC? please and thanks.
posted by rxbert to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

I recommend downloading the diagnostic software for your particular hard drive manufacturer and running the diagnostic tests to make sure it has no bad sectors.
posted by meta87 at 12:07 PM on March 30, 2009

Is this XP? Whats listed in the event log when this happens?
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:07 PM on March 30, 2009

"Memory cannot be read" is a software issue, not hardware.
posted by dhoe at 12:12 PM on March 30, 2009

Check the power supply. A faulty power supply can act like a little demon in the machine causing (seemingly) random errors.
posted by trinity8-director at 12:28 PM on March 30, 2009

If it's a memory issue, you can try using memory diagnostic software. Memtest86 is free and it's what I use. You burn the software image onto a bootable CD, bootup with the CD and run the software.

For me, usually a few minutes of testing is sufficient to determine if the problems lies with the memory. And I have gone through 2-3 sticks in succession that were all bad.

If this doesn't work or the memory tests come up fine, you'll have to look through your event log if the problem occurs consistently.
posted by liquoredonlife at 1:39 PM on March 30, 2009

It would be very helpful if you'd describe the problem a little better. What operating system are you running - Linux, BSD, WinXP, Vista, Machine LISP, BeOS? What circumstance does this happen in? What runs slowly? How slowly?
posted by koeselitz at 2:29 PM on March 30, 2009

Please let it be Machine LISP!
posted by koeselitz at 2:31 PM on March 30, 2009 [1 favorite]