BSOD after upgrading my memory stick

BSOD after upgrading my memory stick

Hi Will Scarlet,

The blue screen is usually caused by a faulty hardware. Since you’ve just recently installed new RAMs, most likely that is the cause of the problem. However, to be certain, here are 10 things you can do to solve this problem. By the way, those file paths you sent doesn’t help. Those files are only available in your PC.

NOTE: Before touching the RAM for removal, insertion, or anything, ground yourself first. Static electricity can flow through our body and can also destroy electronic devices such as a RAM.

1. Insert Properly – Since this problem appeared when you installed new RAMS, first make sure that the RAMs are correctly inserted. Remove them and put them back in until you hear a “click” telling you that the device is properly inserted and locked in.

2. Clean the RAM’s contacts – One way practical way of cleaning the RAM is with an eraser. It removes the oxidation on the contacts and doesn’t generate static electricity being that it is rubber.

• Remove the RAM.
• Hold it on the sides and rub the golden contacts using an eraser.
• Rub it in the direction parallel to the contacts going towards the edge.
• Tap it or use an air blower/cleaner to remove any rubber particles left.
• Put it back properly as explained in #1.

3. Check your motherboard’s configuration for RAMs – It could be that some of the slots for RAMs are for DDRs only whereas all of your RAMs are DDR2s. Another is, the slots may be configured in a certain order like 1 2 1 2 or 1 1 2 2. Do different combinations with 2 and 4 RAMs. Also try to put the higher memory RAMs to the primary slots.

4. Test the RAMs – You mentioned that you tried to remove 2 RAMs. This time, try to remove 3 and have it run with 1 RAM. In other words, try them one at a time. If they work, then that means there is no problem with the RAM itself. Somehow they may not be compatible with each other or it’s due to the driver. So while you are running the PC with 1 RAM, you might as well install a driver for it.

5. Windows Memory Diagnostic – If you decide to do solution #4, it will be very helpful for you to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tests. Through this test, you will find out if you the RAMs you have are not functioning properly.

6. Recover data from bad sector – If the physical part of your hard drive has been damaged, you're likely to see errors like this.

• Restart your computer.
• Once it lights up, press F12 and keep pressing until you see the options where to boot.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• Welcome to Setup. Press R to enter the Recovery Console.
• Choose the Windows installation (1) and Administrator password if asked.
• When you reach the command line, type chkdsk /r and then press Enter.
• chkdsk scans your hard drive for any damaged sectors and recover them if possible.
• Eject the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

7. Sdbot Virus – There is a known virus that causes errors like the one that you are encountering. This virus creates a hidden process that closes system programs that are needed for diagnostic and configuration. This virus hides itself under different filenames and can restore them even if deleted. Follow the suggested steps from Microsoft Support to remove this virus https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/897079/a-diagnostic-program-may-immediately-close-and-you-may-receive-a-stop

8. Write a new partition boot sector – If the partition boot sector has become corrupt or isn't properly configured, you may receive this kind of error.

• Restart your computer.
• Once it lights up, press F12 and keep pressing until you see the options where to boot.
• Choose Boot from CD.
• When you reach the command line, type fixboot and then press Enter. The fixboot utility will repair any corruption in the partition boot sector and will undo any partition boot sector configurations that could be causing the problem.
• Eject the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

9. Repair Windows Installation – Aside from having bad sectors, there may be missing or corrupted system files. Those can be replaced using the Windows Setup CD.

• Restart your computer.
• Once it lights up, press F12 and keep pressing until you see the options where to boot.
• Choose Boot from CD.
• In the blue "Welcome to Setup" screen, Press Enter to Setup.
• Accept the license agreement.
• Choose the Windows installation and press R to repair it.
• Do not choose to boot from CD if asked Note: All your applications, files and settings will not be deleted. The Repair will only repair the system.

10. Change RAMs to same capacity – If the error persists and if you really think that it is the RAM causing the problem not the system files and configuration but still haven’t figured out what the root cause is, then it’s probably time to change the RAMs. This time, get one that is of the same capacity and specs with the one that you decide to keep.

I hope you were able to sort out the problem and find a solution from some of these 10 procedures. Good luck!