Technical > PC Hardware Discussion/Reviews > Computer Memory failure

Computer Memory failure

heat, its loose, cheap brand, natural flaw that gets worse over time, overuse, power surge.

nothing last forever, some last longer than others. many different reasons it can go bad

the good news is its easy to fix. and its cheap compared to replacing the MB

The dimm slot could also go bad...

reply to Thane_Bitter
Not sure how relevant this is, but lead free solders can whisker and cause a short.

reply to Thane_Bitter
And also electrical ripple can damage devices. If the mainboard power circuitry was pumping out a strong ripple voltage it could wear out the RAM, which means it could happen again. This goes inline with a defective RAM slot, same end result (ruined RAM) is possible.

Usually, ripple is a problem from the power supply itself, but RAM gets its power through the motherboard, so I don't suppose the supply could be the issue then, though others here will know more on that than me.
--
Join Teams Helix and Discovery. Put that fancy computer to good use helping to find a cure, your mom will love you for it. »Team Helix »Team Discovery Please pray for Colin.

Well, some people feign helplessness in order to get support from others. They overdo the ploy of being tech inept, all the while being very smart in other areas. I see through that but never give anyone a hard time, I allow it/put up with it, it's a copout for some people who are just too lazy or busy to put any effort into things themselves and want things done for them.

What you have to watch out for is that such people will sometimes try and take major advantage of you, having zero guilt. I had a woman in the area here try to get me to set up a wireless system for her trailer park. I sought help on what I didn't know myself and made effort to help her, and she then went behind my back and tried, on her own, to do something and it blew up in her face. I didn't care too much because after a couple days with her I sensed that she was that kind of person. She ran her mouth about religious stuff and I smelled a rat because it all came off insincere.

Don't get in too deep with people like that, because they will stick you with a responsibility that can end up ruining your own happiness. Don't get me wrong, I still build systems for friends, help bail them out of troubles, and the like, but I am more careful with doing it. Through some excellent opinions in this forum I threw together a system for one guy that he is extremely happy about. As he helps us in other ways, like bringing us firewood, it pays to be kind, and what I do is worth more to him than what he does for us.

When I put together his system I had him participate because I wanted him to know what it was all about to help me help him and to cover my ass. He now knows enough to do some things his self. They call that computer evangelism in some circles. Leo Laporte is like that, a tech evangelist. I've talked to him online once, long ago, he's a nice guy. We shared a common interest (guinea pigs) as he had one named "freckles John" (if I recall correctly) that was very cute.

When helping people insist on their participation, it will cover your butt and reduce their dependence on you while keeping you in the loop.
--
Join Teams Helix and Discovery. Put that fancy computer to good use helping to find a cure, your mom will love you for it. »Team Helix »Team Discovery Please pray for Colin.

I know what you mean about those types, this lady, aside from checking email, surfing the net has little interest in toying around with a system, to her the technology is transparent until it breaks down.

reply to Thane_Bitter
I have to ad: The fellow I recently built a box for is a nice guy and really appreciates the help. Since I can't afford a nice new system myself, it is a nice, vicarious experience to feel the newness of a build I did, even if for someone else.

I really love helping people. In fact, I used to volunteer (where I used to live) doing computer stuff for strangers, to raise money for a local charity. For me, it was rewarding, even though it affected my ability to have the time for work and such. I would take donated parts and make working systems for people, help people with scientific equipment, and the like, all donated stuff that people would donate "for", if you will.

I'm not a cynic, in fact, my problem is that I trust people too much and hope when I shouldn't do so. I try to not view the world through rose colored glasses as I used to. But whatever I've tried to do for others has come back to me manifold. There are many guys here that have done incredibly kind things for me that has made my life happier. My shame is that money has been so tight a thank you card cost money I didn't have until it was way too late.

But I tell ya, I'd rather give and give than receive, it feels better. I've walked up to homeless people and done things for them, since I have been homeless a few times, and it is very gratifying to see in their eyes the result of treating them kindly.

So please don't get me wrong! Helping people is a real joy, but if you are like me, you have to watch out for wolves, so to speak. They see you coming and will tear you apart to feed themselves. So be careful who and how you get involved with, some people will hold you financially responsible, even if things are their fault. I've seen plenty of selfishness. When I volunteered at food giveaways I saw both sides in people.

Nevertheless, I see the good in humankind and have hopes that one day we will have a world that is egalitarian like that world in Star Trek. But then again, these days I am a reborn progressive, so...
--
Join Teams Helix and Discovery. Put that fancy computer to good use helping to find a cure, your mom will love you for it. »Team Helix »Team Discovery Please pray for Colin.

reply to Thane_Bitter
I've had it happen before. They certainly won't last forever, so they have to fail sometime.

reply to Thane_Bitter

reply to signmeuptoo
ripple is still an issue it gets smoothed out more but its still there if the PSU had BAD ripple to start with the mobo can only do so much
that + crappy / cheap ram = dead ram