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The family PC started flaking this morning. It would boot usually and maybe run for an hour or two, but then reboot at random without warning.
Windows 7 even diagnosed the problem as probably memory related, and offered to run a memory test, which it rebooted into (in character mode video). It didn't find anything after about 15 minutes of testing (2 passes and it gives up).
Just in case it ever comes up, Windows 7's memory test is worthless. We DID have bad RAM, and Good Ole' Memtest86 found it in about 15 seconds. Narrowed it down to one DIMM, out of 4 identical 1GB Crucial sticks bought at the same time as 2G pairs. Now to get an RMA.
And if you ever need to test memory, use Memtest86, just download the free ISO. I imagine it'll work fine on Macs too, though I've never tried it.
FWIW, I did run Memtest for about 6 hours when I installed the RAM a few weeks ago. Apparently this is a case of infant mortality.
EDIT: Got the RMA. Part of Crucial's RMA process is to go download Memtest86 and run that, so you might as well get it over with.
Windows 7 even diagnosed the problem as probably memory related, and offered to run a memory test, which it rebooted into (in character mode video). It didn't find anything after about 15 minutes of testing (2 passes and it gives up).
Just in case it ever comes up, Windows 7's memory test is worthless. We DID have bad RAM, and Good Ole' Memtest86 found it in about 15 seconds. Narrowed it down to one DIMM, out of 4 identical 1GB Crucial sticks bought at the same time as 2G pairs. Now to get an RMA.
And if you ever need to test memory, use Memtest86, just download the free ISO. I imagine it'll work fine on Macs too, though I've never tried it.
FWIW, I did run Memtest for about 6 hours when I installed the RAM a few weeks ago. Apparently this is a case of infant mortality.
EDIT: Got the RMA. Part of Crucial's RMA process is to go download Memtest86 and run that, so you might as well get it over with.
