PCI cards causing PC to crash

[joddle]

I have a Dell Optiplex 755 and have had a nagging problem for about a year now - it all started when I installed a PCI fire-wire card. At first there was no obvious problem but when I hibernated the PC it would crash out with a blue screen and a memory parity error. The same would happen at times when my son was playing a specific game. Eventually I removed the PCI card and hey presto all was well again so assumed I simply had a faulty card - but now I have tried three other cards, all different makes etc and in either of the 2 PCI slots but the effect is always the same - the PC will appear to work fine but then will crash with the same memory parity error if I try and hibernate it. Otherwise it appears to function OK apart from occasional crashes on my sons one game.

 

I have run the Dell diagnostics several time and there are no errors on that. I have removed and replaced the memory sims and that makes no difference - what else could it be? - do I have faulty motherboard or am I missing something? And how can I tell where the problem really is? Its not the PCI cards - all have been tested on other machine and all work fine. Its not the memory - the sims have not only been swapped and replaced but also thoroughly tested using not one but 2 memory testers - even after several hours there are no issues with either the old or the new sims. In desperation I installed a brand new HD and complete reloaded the operating system and all the PC drivers and as before, it all seems to be working perfectly - So what does that leave? How can the cards make that difference?

:mad:

[RandyL]

I wish I knew. You seem to have tried everything I can think of.

 

I assume this is XP and you have 2Gb of RAM. Is that correct?

[joddle]

Yes this is XP pro SP3 - I have tried running with 1 gb, then 2 gb then 4 gb and always the same issue

[Jelly Bean]

This maybe the cause:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/101272

 

Check the Memory

 

Remove any extra memory modules that are in the computer, leaving only the least amount that is required for the computer to start and run Windows. Restart the computer to see whether the error messages persist.

 

If the error does not reappear, the issue is isolated to one or more of the RAM modules that you removed from the computer. Continue to remove and replace the minimum amount of RAM required, using the memory modules that you removed. When the error returns, you have isolated the individual memory module that is responsible for the problem.

 

This process may require you to restart your computer several times to pinpoint the specific memory module that is not working correctly.

 

Test each RAM stick individualy.....

Solution

 

Replace the defective RAM module.

 

Microsoft has released a software memory diagnostic tool, Windows Memory Diagnostic. Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. To download this tool, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

[joddle]

Hi and thanks for the advice - however I have tried that - I even bought new ram and replaced the old but to no avail. I then downloaded some memory tests and left them running for several hours but the memory always passes all tests - all sticks both new and old in fact. - the issue only happens when a PCI card is installed - the PCI cards appear to run OK but the error then appears on hibernation or during one of my sons games. With nothing in the PCI slot there is no problem at all.

[Jelly Bean]

Strange........The paritory error normaly points to memory....Or a faulty slot.....

 

Download and install:

 

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

 

I need you to monitor the temps,do not adjust anything.....Monitor during game play and also once the computer has been running for a few hours....

 

Now I am not sure if you are familiar with the BIOS,however as you have fitted new RAM I guess your familiar with the computer internals.

 

Power off the computer and remove from wall outlet.

 

Open up the computer and locate the BIOS battery.Remove the battery count 20 and replace....

 

Do you know how to enter BIOS via your F1,F2 OR Dell key onstartup?

 

Restart the computer and on the black screen it will say to enter setup press ?...?Is either F1,F2 or DEl key.

 

Once in BIOS under advanced tab,Power Management.

 

Make sure these items are disabled.

 

Power up on PCI device.

Automatic power up.

AC power loss restart.

Power on PS/2 MOUSE.

Power on PS/2 keyboard.

 

This error is possibly a BIOS setting....