PFN_LIST_CORRUPT - Vista BSOD HELP!

[Dr. V]

A few searches on the web say it could be a memory problem. So I ran memtest86 v3.3....by the 5th test I had over 500 errors, and no passes...I have no idea what the hell is wrong. This is BRAND NEW Mushkin DDR800 RAM...I mean put in my system less about 18 hours ago. Yes, that means I have still left my 30-day direct replacement guarantee from CanadaComputers so if it's defective I'm fine...but could this be altered?

For example, I was having an unworldly amount of issues with Vista until I just did a repair from the disc. Now it's running like a dream (problems other than the BSOD were occurring, too...they're gone now, and I haven't got the BSOD again yet but you never know), and I'm thinking of running memtest again, just because I have this odd feeling it will bring different results...but I doubt it...right?

So it seems to me if the memory really has all these errors and things wrong with it, that would be the source of the BSOD...or would it?

Also, is it possible that memtest is flawed? I had every single thing an error - not one pass, but the BSOD happened maybe 3 times, and hasn't happened since (it's been about 10-15 minutes...before it would've already happened).

Thanks in advance guys!

[qazwsx]

its probs bad ram, those bad sticks can make it through sometimes. its odd how vistas not been playing up again though.

have you tried any 'in windows' memory tests like superpi?

[Dr. V]

Good idea. I'll run superpi sessions and see what comes up.

[Dr. V]

The very first test I ran with 16K, it was successful. Right after that, every number I tried I'd get some kinda error. Something about not round, or not convergent, things like that.

[qazwsx]

sounds like youve got some bad ram there. better get it returned I think.

[Dr. V]

You think I should wait to see if it happens again? I mean the BSOD...?

Overall the computer does feel faster than my old 2GB of 667MHz...so it must be doing something right...

In any case, if SuperPI and memtest86 are both screwing up on me, then I guess the RAM is bad?

I'm not sure with RAM, because I've had 2 kits that didn't do well in memtest, but NEVER gave me ANY problems.

[Elysium]

I'd return the kit and get some new RAM. Sounds like you got some bad
RAM. You might want to try downloading and burning a new MemTest v3.3 disc to be sure. Oh, and this is good RAM also: Canada Computers - Memory > DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz + : Crucial Ballistix (BL2KIT12864AA804) DDR2 800Mhz PC2 6400 2GB Kit (1GB x 2) 240-pin .. Get some!

[Dr. V]

That's my all time favourite RAM actually - they had none in stock so I got this.

I think I'm gonna go for that, or if I don't have enough funds to add, I'll grab the 667MHz version because those things overclock like champs. The 667MHz version is 4-4-4-15 - raise the timings, make it 800MHz it flies - that's almost fool proof as I've done it to 4 kits of the 667MHz version!

[One4yu2c]

If your kit of RAM is spitting out errors in Memtest, then I'd RMA it right away. Don't wait for more symptoms to show up, get yourself a non defective kit.

This of course assumes that you're running the correct latency and voltage settings in the BIOS for your current kit.

[Dr. V]

Yes, I am. Originally, it read it as 5-6-6-18, but I corrected it to 5-5-5-18.

Also, I made sure that I manually set the RAM to 800MHz. So that's all properly configured.

I took the RAM out and am using my old Corsair Value set that I haven't sold yet, which is 100% error-free by the way, and am returning the kit on Tuesday more than likely for a Crucial Ballistix set, or a Corsair XMS2 set.