Colonel Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 A few days ago I purchased 4GB of ram for my laptop from newegg. Yesterday I got it and installed it. Since then I've been experiencing weird errors and noises that I've never had before. Any sound that would usually be coming from the speakers is now just some garbled static and whenever UAC appears or i log out, the screen gets all these weird lines through it (see the screenshot below). Anyone think this might be bad ram, or could it just be Vista not liking the 4GB. I am on Vista x64, so I would think that it would be okay with the 4GB... If I reboot, it'll go away for a while, but about few minutes later, its starts back up again. Also, it happens right away if I put the computer to sleep mode, then wake it back up. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quackit Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I'd definitely say that it's related. In that case, not knowing that you recently installed RAM, I would ask if your video card in your laptop uses the system RAM. If it did, then your system RAM is the only concern imo. If it does not, then you have both to consider. Since, though, you recently installed more system RAM, it's way more likely to be the culprit. Let's just say that the last time that I ordered from NewEgg (not counting the previous 2 times which will take more posting space) was a complete disaster. The retail video card that I ordered arrived not even in a white box. It was simply the card in an opened NON-antistatic bag. No manual.. no connectors. Oh, and a minor point... some capacitors were broken off of the board. Yeah.. and the metal tab that you screw to.. nearly bent in half. I called them and they said that they would refund my account and send me a shipping label to return the item. They never sent the label after two weeks (no email or phone call) so I just tossed it in the garbage after stripping the fan off of it. Moral of the story.. don't order from NewEgg unless you want half-ass parts. I know there are some people who have never had a problem with them.. but after 3 times in a row, they can just go straight to hell. and let me tell you how I really feel about them... [EDIT] Oh.. is the RAM seated/locked properly? Have to ask. Not doubting ya, just double checking. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/#findComment-647799 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks for the advice, Quackit. Yeah, i've been learning that newegg isn't really all its made out to be. The ram i ordered wasn't in an anti-static bag either. Just in plastic packaging inside a cardboard box with packing peanuts inside. I did some research and stumbled upon Memtest86. Looks good.. I'll try to run the Memtext86 disk and see what that tells me. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/#findComment-647973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister_doodi Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Well Newegg dosent package the product, they just get it from the manufactor and package that in another box with peanuts. I ordered Corsair and G.Skills before and they were never in an anti-static bag. Did you see if your motherboard was compatable with your laptop? As in accepatble brands and speed. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/#findComment-648331 Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottath Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Download the iso of Memtest, then run test 5 or a while [up to 8 hrs] if you don't get errors, it isn't your ram, if you do get errors, RMA the ram Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/#findComment-648767 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quackit Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I've always had horrible luck with RAM testing software. I had a bad RAM stick that passed all software tests that I hit it with, but ended up always causing problems when it was in the machine under an OS. It's been a long while since I've had to worry about it. How good has the software gotten in the past 8-10 years? Are the apps worthy enough to actually detect bad RAM 90% or more of the time now? I'd be interesting to know, because I might actually use them again if they are. Hopefully I won't have to though. I always wanted a hardware test unit for RAM back in the day. Of course, with the technology changing so rapidly I could never afford to keep buying them Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/#findComment-648868 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Did you see if your motherboard was compatable with your laptop? I would hope that the motherboard that came with the laptop would be compatible with itself... Download the iso of Memtest, then run test 5 or a while [up to 8 hrs] if you don't get errors, it isn't your ram, if you do get errors, RMA the ram I ran the memtest CD for a couple of hours and got nothing. I think I'll try installing another OS just to see if it is Vista giving me problems, or the ram itself. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/90736-bad-ram/#findComment-650517 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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