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91 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Name 3 RAM sticks we use today.
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1 SIMM
2 DIMM 3 RIMM |
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RAM form factors are also called _____.
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Packages
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SIMM = ______
SIMM sticks come in either __-pin or __-pin layouts. |
Single Inline memory modules
30 72 |
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30-Pin SIMMs put out _ bits of data on the data bus at one time, which makes them _ bits wide.
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8
8 |
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30-Pin SIMMs have a capacity of __MB to __MB
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1
16 |
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__-pin SIMMs are 32 bits wide & are available up to __ MB.
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72 pin
64 |
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DIMM = _____
Name the 2 popular variants used in laptops. |
Dual Inline Memory Module
1 SODIMM (Small outline Memory Module) 2 MicroDIMM |
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DIMMs have either ___ or ___ pins, are __ bits wide, and range in capacity from _MB to ___MB.
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168 184
64 8 512 |
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MicroDIMM comes in ___-pin packages.
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144
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SO-DIMM variant come in __ and ___-pin configurations.
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72
144 |
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What is the difference between the 72 pin & 144 pin versions of SO-DIMM.
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The 72 pin is 32 bit
144 pin is 64 bit |
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RIMM = ____
RIMM is better defined as____ |
Rambus Inline Memory Module
RDRAM (Rambus dynamic RAM) |
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RIMM sticks come in capacities up to ___ MB and look like DIMMs but have ___ pins.
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512
184 |
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RIMM sticks usually have a ____ ____ shield that dissipates the heat generated.
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heat spreader
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When should you attempt to remove the heat spreader shield from RIMM sticks?
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NEVER
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Name the 2 types of RAM. What is the main differences?
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1 SRAM (Static RAM)
2 DRAM (Dynamic RAM) SRAM is faster not needing to be refreshed & more costly |
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The interval of time (usually nano seconds; ns) it takes to refresh DRAM is called a _____ _____.
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Wait State
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SRAM is usually used for what kind(s) of memory.
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L1, L2, L3 caches
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DRAM is used for ______ memory & needs to be refreshed every few nanoseconds (ns)
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system
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EDO = _____
EDO RAM is sold in __-pin SIMMs and ___-pin DIMMs and has access times of __-__ (ns) |
Extended Data Out RAM
72 SIMM 168 DIMM 50-60ns |
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SDRAM = _____
It delivers data in ____-_____ bursts. |
Synchronous Dynamic RAM
High-speed |
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EDO is asynchronous, meaning it runs at a speed independant of the system clock speed. (T/F)
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True
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SDRAM runs at the speed of the system bus and has access times in the __-__ ns range.
SDRAM is rated in ns or Hz? |
8-10 ns
Rated in MHz |
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Manufacturers label SDRAM with both nanosecond & a megahertz rating. (T/F)
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True
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SDRAM is rated according to what...?
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The hightes speed data bus it runs on. Such as 66, 100, 133 Mhz.
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What special chip do the SDRAM DIMMs have that identifies its size, speed, and other information.
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SPD = Serial Presence Detect (chip)
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What is the most common form of SDRAM?
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A 168-pin DIMM
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SDRAM for laptops comes in 2 reduced-size varieties, __-pin & ___-pin SO DIMMs & MicroDIMMs.
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72
144 |
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DDR SDRAM = _____
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Double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM.
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DDR SDRAM comes in designations ranging from ___MHz to ___ MHz.
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266
433 |
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DDR SDRAM comes in a ___-pin ____ package for desktops or either a ___-pin SO DIMM or a ___-pin MicroDIMM for laptops.
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184 DIMM
200 172 |
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RDRAM was developed by what company, and uses what kind of special channels to transfer data at a 800 MHz.
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Rambus Inc.
special Rambus channels |
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If you double the channel width of a regular Rambus channel, what is the new transfer speed?
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normal is 800 MHz
doubled is 1.6 GHz |
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DDR SDRAM = _____
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Double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM.
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DDR SDRAM comes in designations ranging from ___MHz to ___ MHz.
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266
433 |
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DDR SDRAM comes in a ___-pin ____ package for desktops or either a ___-pin SO DIMM or a ___-pin MicroDIMM for laptops.
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184 DIMM
200 172 |
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RDRAM was developed by what company, and uses what kind of special channels to transfer data at a 800 MHz.
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Rambus Inc.
special Rambus channels |
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If you double the channel width of a regular Rambus channel, what is the new transfer speed?
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normal is 800 MHz
doubled is 1.6 GHz |
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DDR SDRAM = _____
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Double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM.
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DDR SDRAM comes in designations ranging from ___MHz to ___ MHz.
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266
433 |
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DDR SDRAM comes in a ___-pin ____ package for desktops or either a ___-pin SO DIMM or a ___-pin MicroDIMM for laptops.
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184 DIMM
200 172 |
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RDRAM was developed by what company, and uses what kind of special channels to transfer data at a 800 MHz.
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Rambus Inc.
special Rambus channels |
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If you double the channel width of a regular Rambus channel, what is the new transfer speed?
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normal is 800 MHz
doubled is 1.6 GHz |
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VRAM = _____ and is used for _____ cards, not system memory.
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Video RAM
Video |
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VRAM is a very fast type of DRAM that is ____ ____ meaning that it can be read from & written at same time.
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Dual Ported
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WRAM = ______ and is what type of RAM.
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(window)RAM
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Which is a faster dual ported RAM, VRAM or WRAM? Why?
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WRAM, because it can access large blocks (windows) of memory.
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ECC = _____ and what is it?
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Error Correcting Code, a type of Parity RAM.
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Parity RAM or ECC do what?
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Use special circuitry to detect & correct error in data.
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How did the Parity RAM work in older systems?
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It used a parity chip mounted on the RAM stick that added an extra bit (parity bit) to each byte of data
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______ ___ was useful in older systems when DRAM had a relatively high failure rate.
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Parity RAM
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ECC RAM works on-the-fly to detect and correct data errors without interrupting the system processes. (T/F)
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True
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RAM was never originally installed on the mobo. (T/F)
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False, it was originally, but it took up too much room.
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Most mobos that are designed for parity or ECC RAM can be configured in BIOS to disable error checking... why?
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Allowing you to install RAM that is not parity or ECC RAM
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CPUs read data how?
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1 byte at a time
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MFGs arrange memory slots on mobos in electronic groups of __, __, or __. These groups are called what?
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1
2 4 Memory Banks |
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Memory Banks match the width of the ________'s data bus.
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Processor
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Banking RAM enables the processor to....?
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Access as much RAM as it can handle at one chunk, making data transfers as efficient as possible
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What is the basic rule of banking?
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You need to fill a bank completely with the identical type & speed of RAM.
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To determine the # of RAM modules needed to complete a bank....
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Divide the width of the external data bus by the bit width of the RAM.
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Can unused RIMM sockets be left empty? If not, why?
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No
They need a special RIMM terminator called a "Continuity RIMM" (CRIMM) |
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Memory banks should either be _______ ______ or _______ ______.
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completely filled
completely empty |
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What is the minimum banks needed to boot your Pc Properly?
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At least 1 bank, no banks results in a non-booting system.
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How should RAM be handled?
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By the edges, and avoid touching the contacts or circuits.
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If you are installing RAM on a portable PC, you must also remove the battery. (T/F)
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True, just as you unplug a desktop to prevent the constant charge on the mobo.
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After the RAM is installed, what should you do?
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Confirm that your PC recognizes it by booting up and checking the RAM count message
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Older systems may require you to _____ RAM amount after you have installed/upgraded the RAM.
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Confirm
(performed in the BIOS) |
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Name some errors that can mimic RAM errors. (5)
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1 Page Faults, 2 Exception errors, 3 Blue screen of death, 4 system slowdown/freeze, 5 sudden reboot
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The false RAM errors could be caused by what?
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Badly fragmented hard disk
An overtaxed CPU Faulty application or driver Overheating, dead power supply |
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Name the first 2 geniune RAM error symptoms according to pg 135.
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1 Boots, followed by a loud, repeating beep
2 Boots, but CRT is blank |
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Name the second 2 genuine RAM error symptoms according to pg 135.
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1 Boots, but misreports RAM
2 Boots, reports memory or address error |
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A Genuine RAM error is usually the result of what 3 things.
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1 RAM configuration error
2 RAM installation error 3 Faulty RAM component |
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A RAM configuration error typically means that...
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It's the wrong type or speed of RAM, not following banking/terminating rules, incompatible mobo with RAM
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Why might the system's mobo be incompatible with the newly installed RAM?
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Incompatible because of the hardware or BIOS.
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What is the term for a BIOS configuration where the contents of BIOS are copied into RAM for quick access?
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RAM Shadowing, can cause Memory errors or system lockups.
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer won't start, accompanied by beeps. |
Probable Cause
Configuration, installation, faulty/damaged RAM |
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer won't start, accompanied by beeps. |
Confirm RAM configuration is correct, Check RAM for proper seating/termination, Replace RAM
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer Starts, but screen is blank. |
Probable Cause
Configuration or Installation |
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer Starts, but screen is blank. |
Confirm RAM configuration is correct, Check RAM for proper seating/termination, check other components' seating
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer starts but misreports the amound of RAM. |
Probable Cause
Configuration |
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer starts but misreports the amound of RAM. |
Confirm RAM configuration is correct, check installation by banking rules, Update BIOS
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer reports a "Memory Mismatch" error as startup. |
Probable Cause
Configuration |
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer reports a "Memory Mismatch" error as startup. |
Confirm RAM configuration is correct, manually confirm/enter correct amount of RAM in CMOS.
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer reports a memory error, (Memory Failure @ xxx) |
Probable Cause
Configuration, faulty/damaged RAM |
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer reports a memory error, (Memory Failure @ xxx) |
Confirm that all RAM is supported by Mobo, perform RAM maintenance or replace with known good RAM
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer locks up or spontaneously reboots. |
Faulty or damaged RAM or other
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer locks up or spontaneously reboots. |
Perform RAM maintenance or replace with known good RAM.
Check Power Supply, Disable BIOS shadowing. |
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer reports Registry Error |
Faulty or damaged RAM
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer reports Registry Error |
Perform RAM maintenance or replace with known good RAM.
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Cause
Computer reports general protection faults, page faults or exception errors. |
Faulty or damaged RAM or other
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RAM ERROR Symptom, Give Sol.
Computer reports general protection faults, page faults or exception errors. |
Restart PC. Uninstall any recently installed applications/drivers. Perform RAM maintenance or replace with known good RAM
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