Re: Installing new RAM

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Thanks for the suggestion I will try that.
I hope that the virus doesn't come back because since posting my
message I re-installed with 7 CDs but I will try it anyway.

Thanks for the advice

Since the problem started when the new memory sticks were installed
Download Memtest86+, create a Memtest boot disk or CD.
See: http://www.memtest.org/

Install the new memory back into the PC and then using the boot disk
or CD run Memtest, this should eliminate or confirm if your new
memory sticks are good or defective.

Let Memtest run for as long as you can,
2,4,6,8 or more hours, if no errors by then your ram is OK.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"Jean-Claude" <mydisplayname@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message news:00E46400-6F35-4836-B793-91794B0D7E36@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have any unusual question:
A client got me to upgrade his computer and brough new RAM with
him, after installation everything worked fine for one day, he
brought me back the computer in question and after trying to
analyse with Kaspersky Anti-Virus the computer would spot a virus
and crash, I then procedeed to analyse again
but this time the clock indicating the amount of time it would take
to analyse kept increasing till after it got to 12 hours I stopped
it and proceeded to go to Microsoft's web site to analyse with free
scan of Live OneCare, the system would crash, I next tried Panda's
site to analyse, it crashed again. After rebooting I proceeded
again to go to another site for analysis but explorer would crash
again and reboot.

The computer is a Compaq Presario SR1000.

My next move was to re-install Windows XP2 with Compaq's recovery
disks, after reformmating it then tried to install but I would get
an error on every
file that it was trying to install.

Out of despair I then opened the computer and took out both Ram
sticks and low and behold the installation proceeded OK.

Has anyone ever heard of a VIRUS installed on such a stick, my
question might seem odd considering that it contains volatile
memory.

The sticks in question were made By Infineon and 256MB, DDR, 400,
CL3.

I've seen odd events over the years but this one sure gets me.

Thanks for any comment or suggestions.
--
JCB Consultant

It does not appear that you had a virus. It appears that you had
incompatible RAM sticks, static-blown RAM sticks, wrong voltage RAM,
wrong timing RAM, malfunctioning RAM sticks, or improperly installed
RAM sticks amongst a whole host of other possibilities.
But you do not get rid of a virus by pulling out RAM sticks.
And you did not get a virus from RAM sticks that you put in the
machine right out of their packaging.
RAM sticks would not carry a virus. The could go bad, but they
cannot carry a virus. Pulling the RAM sticks simply allowed current RAM
to begin to function properly and support the system.

One should never, ever take RAM from anyone for any machine without
first investigating to be sure it would be compatible with the machine
AND the RAM that is already present in the machine if it's additional
sticks, which it must be because you said you "pulled" them and all was
fine.

The events are not odd, but your apparent understanding of the situation
is, shall we say, less than complete? If you didn't observe proper
static procedures during the opening and installation of the RAM it's
even likely that you caused the RAM problems yourself. Static you can't
even see of feel can easily destroy RAM chips; until they are installed,
they have zero protection against external voltages from mishandling.

These points were all alluded to by other posters, but you seem to have
missed them, so I thought I'd point it out at least one more time.

What kind of consultant are you? Not for compters I assume? If you are,
you are still in serious need of some training and education in the
repair of PCs. There are many good sources on the subject and hundreds
of good books available. At least learn static management so your
clients don't go home and three weeks later have something go kablooie
due to something you caused.

Twayne




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