Laptop shuts down during memory tests

[FrankRabbit]

Let me cut a looooong story short. Ultrashort.

My laptop, a Samsung R509, appeared to be much slower than the laptop of my sister with the same basic configuration (2GHz, 4GB, Vista Home Basic, both current on maintenance). I could take the usual suspects off the list, such as the msconfig boot list (which I keep lean), viruses/malware (Panda and Malwarebytes) and the BIOS power setting, so I took a look at the hardware.

It appeared that while it had 2 x 2GB installed according to the BIOS and Windows, Windows' System Information reported that although 4GB was indeed installed, the total physical memory was only 3GB. (That differs from the available physical memory, which depends on the amount of RAM used by the OS.) Belarc Advisor PC Audit tool confirmed this discrepancy, stating that only 3GB was usable.

I therefore ran the Windows Memory Diagnostic(s) test. The laptop shut down during the test, at some 25% of the total test. Thinking it might be a poor Windows tool, I tried the Memtest 86+, latest version, using the CD boot method. Only to see that the same thing happened! I tested the sticks one by one with the Memtest, in their own sockets. But the shutdown happened on both occasions. Without any automatic consecutive normal boot, which the test tool(s) should do after the test is done.

The processor temperature was some 50C, and after the tests the normal boot process -- after taking the boot CD out and switching the device on with the power button -- was uneventful. What would be your thoughts on the cause of this?

 

[digitaldoc]

While Vista basic did come in both 32 and 64 bit versions, it sounds like you have the 32 bit version, and have run into the 3 GB limit on RAM.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_GB_barrier

With a cpu temp of 50C, it should not be a thermal issue. Try running with only RAM stick and see what happens. Then reverse it with the other stick only installed.

 

[FrankRabbit]

Thanks for trying to help. I had already done that, test the sticks separately, and in their own sockets. But on both occasions the laptop shut down during the test. (I updated my OP accordingly, but probably after your reply -- I still had this window open without refreshing it, so I didn't see your reply.)

However, come to think of it, I have had a Power Option problem for quite a while. Even in High Performance, the device goes into standby after some 10 minutes, while all settings in that mode are 'Never'. I never have it in High Performance, that's why I forgot, but could that cause the shutting down during the tests, even though the OS has not started yet?

Anyway, I found a work-around for shutting down. I took one stick out again, booted the device normally, and checked the System Information. Now the numbers of installed and total physical memory were equal -- both 2GB. And rebooting with only the other stick in (its) place, the same thing! 🙂 That strongly suggests that my memory problem is indeed caused by the 3GB barrier.

Which leaves me nonetheless with two questions:

1. Samsung suggested that I should try to upgrade to Win 7 64-bit, although they couldn't guarantee that it would cure. Would that, do you think? The device indeed runs Vista 32-bit, and the processor is 64-bit-ready, as an Intel diagnostic utility reported.

2. Have you ever heard of that barrier principle limiting the maximum speed at which a processor may run as well? The said Intel utility also suggested that it was, at some 50% of its capacity...... :-(

 

[ffg7]

don't think it is a software but a hardware issue because when you test the sticks separately, it shuts down the laptop. see if can do a memory test in safemode to see if passes test or it shuts down. check in the bios to see if there is a memory test option.

 

[digitaldoc]

I don't think upgrading to Win 7 64 bit will solve your issue.

I have not heard of this barrier principle either.

 

[ffg7]

that is why I think it is a hardware issue as I'm running 4gigs of ram using win7 ultimate 32bit tho my other computer is using the 64bit version with same amount of ram.

 

[FrankRabbit]

I don't think upgrading to Win 7 64 bit will solve your issue.

I have not heard of this barrier principle either.

I had the same feeling regarding the upgrade to Win 7 64 bit. With respect to the capping of the processor speed, that appeared to be caused by the power setting, or in part. Not the BIOS but the Windows power setting. Even in High Performance, under Advanced Power Settings it appeared that the Processor Power Management > Maximum Processor State was set at 50%.

Changing that to 100% made the Intel tool report that it was now at 1.3GHz, from 1GHz. Samsung probably set it that way default because of the notorious overheating problems of the R509 series. Which indeed occurred -- at reboot, the temperature skyrocketed to 85C in a few minutes time, with a minimal msconfig boot list. (I'll start a new thread to see if I can improve the fan operation.)

A poor product, all in all, and the problem is not solved, but at least I know now what causes what. Thanks for now, guys! 🙂

 

[digitaldoc]

Thanks for the followup, and typical Samsung sending you in the wrong direction, and distracting you with an OS issue that has nothing to do with it.