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[John-117]

Make sure the sticks are firmly seated. Start up system with only 1 GB at a time (one stick), and do this for each stick. Load optimized defaults in the BIOS. Run the Win7 built-in stress test (the one that grades your system from 1 -10).

Unless you've done these things already, IDK. Good luck!

[Totemo Oishi]

I just found a guy who is describing the exact same problem I'm having, and his fix was that his processor was bad. This would suck for me if true, since there is no way in hell I can afford another processor at the moment, and since I used a 3rd-party cooler (as any sane person would), I voided the warranty. Balls.

[Totemo Oishi]

I just ran a new driver-cleaner, and it seems to have helped, but based on what I've been through so far, I'm not holding my breath.
The Event Log yielded no answers, and I can't find the stress test you're talking about.

[John-117]

Win7 has this built in feature that rates your hardware between 1 and 10. IDK where it is because I only got to mess around with the OS for about a week before I went back to Iraq. How does an aftermarket cooler void a CPU warranty? I mean, it's not as if you physically alter the CPU itself, yes?

Which socket is your mobo/processor?

[Totemo Oishi]

It's AM3, and if you read the CPU manual, it clearly states that using any cooler or thermal paste other than the joke they package with it, you void the warranty. I'm sure that I could coat the other one with dust and put some stock thermal grease on it and they couldn't prove I used a different cooler, but so far things are running smoothly. Who knows, I might have a functional OS again.

[John-117]

Eh, most of the time you're going to RMA it to the retailer, not the manufacturer and they usually won't inspect your return unless it's a high dollar item. I remember I unscrewed the fan off of my old video card, one of two that was in SLI. It fried so I removed it from the case and did an inspection of my own to see which component had gone bad. I remember cursing myself after I realized I made noticeable marks on the screw heads---anyone could've seen a screwdriver had been used there. Guess I didn't press down hard enough and semi-stripped the screw heads. I took my chances anyway and returned it. No problem, got a brand new one back in the mail a week later. Never could see which component shit the bed because they were way too small on the PCB.

If there is a hardware issue, RMA that sumbitch. But it seems like things are okay now?

[Totemo Oishi]

Ah, I'm still having problems, but I think that I've identified what it is.
I'm pretty sure the drivers for the onboard sound card are incredibly unstable. It's a shame, because when they're working the sound quality is superb.
It also might be Windows 7 attempting to install its own drivers on top of the good ones.

[John-117]

Whatever sound driver Win7 has, like AC97 or whatever the standard is now a days.....disable it. Also, disable the mobo's audio in the BIOS if you're able. Two hardware systems competing for resources can greatly affect a PC's performance.

[Totemo Oishi]

Well, I'm using the mobo's audio. I don't have a separate sound card.
It may also be the video card, since it is old and I don't trust NVIDIA's retro-drivers. though I am kind of impressed that they made Windows 7 64-bit drivers for 7-series cards.

[Totemo Oishi]

Problem still not solved. My latest suspect is the RAM (again), since I have read that this particular kind of RAM tends to be temperamental about the voltage it's set at. Indeed, it's advertised voltage settings are 1.7-1.9v, but many people have stabilized it at 1.6v, and it won't even boot up if I set it above 1.75v I've run one type of memtest at various settings, and sometimes, I get over a dozen errors before I even get to 3% coverage, and sometimes I can let it run to 1,100% coverage without any errors. I'm going to run a proper memtest tomorrow and see what that turns up. If I am satisfied that it is the RAM that's the issue, I'll be calling Kingston for a replacement.

[John-117]

Screw Kingston! Get urself some of dat dem der Mushkin or Corsair. 

[CorporalAris]

Mushkin>Corsair>Shit>Kingston

[John-117]

 

[Totemo Oishi]

Once upon a time, Kingston had an excellent reputation. What happened to that?
Also, I would go to Mushkin or Corsair (or G.Skill), but a promised career-change hasn't happened yet so I'm stuck with Kingston for now.

[CorporalAris]

Kingston Hyper simply isn't as good as Corsairs XMS line, or Mushkin.  OCZ and G.Skill are also way up there.

[John-117]

I used to be an OCZ fan back when I had their DDR 3200 (yeah, old school right there). Ever since they released their DDR3 stuff, I've seen so many bad reviews clogging not only Newegg, but their own forums!

I got a bad vibe, so I went with Corsair on my latest machine, which was a recommended 'combo buy' to be paired up and optimized for my mobo...and it worked out titz.

I've heard and seen only good things about Mushkin. I like companies like OCZ, Mushkin, etc., where they will still honor your warranty when you OC their stuff.

[Totemo Oishi]

So, damn, Mushkin RAM is expensive. I trust that its worth it, though?

Also, the EggXpert forums are talking about a RAM shortage this year. Apparently manufacturers are backed up on replacing systems or some such and there will be shortages of RAM modules.

Also, I was under the impression that NVIDIA was out of the running for the time being in the video card arena. Yet here is a video of them pimping their next card, the GF100 in a FarCry2 benchmark against a GTX 285.

engadget

[John-117]

Nvidia? Aw, hell naw. They are very much still in the biz. It's just that ATI just released the next sherrif in town, so we've yet to hear from Nvidia's answer back. That's the way it's always been, though. It's a tug of war, always.

Eh, I don't think you have to worry about finding good RAM. I was just kidding about buying Mushkin. Yes, Mushkin is probably the best, but you only get that stuff when you're putting together the monster rig, and all your other componenets are top shelf stuff as well. I would probably go with Corsair or OCZ, and you don't have to go with top of the line stuff, just their middle of the road product lines. Bottom line, you want a company that stands behind their product with lifetime warranties, such as those companies. OCZ's online tech support is second to none.

[Totemo Oishi]

Well, my motherboard is one of the best out there right now, and I'm probably going to upgrade to an Phenom II X4 3.4GHz Black Edition fairly soon, as well as getting a Radeon HD 5870 or something, probably all within the next 6 months.
If all goes well.

[John-117]

Kudos and good luck. Hope you get that stuff.