memory corruption after updating my lappy to 2gb? was: pagefile usage

[urlwolf]

Guys,

My laptop is acting up... some programs (R particularly) do weird things, and stand by/ hibernation often fails...

A member of the R-help list suggested memory corruption. How can I test for this/fix this?
Here is copy/paste of the thread, in case it helps...

Thanks!

------------------------
Interesting; I upgraded my laptop to 2 gigs. and from that point on, it sometimes fauls to hibernate (just hangs). Maybe this is related? I installed an XP patch to solve hibernation problems with laptops over 2 gigs...

Maybe it didn't work?

-Jose
Re: Rogue c code: I was running library(Matrix), which is a pretty complicated piece of code and surely has c code...
>

> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm finding a very strange error.
> > For no good reason my R console (Rgui.exe, R 2.5.0, under win XP) stops 
> > producing anything meaningful, and just returns:
> > Error: bad value
> > to _whatever_ I enter. It starts doing this after a while, not immediately 
> > when launched.
> >
> > I have to restart R when this happens.
> > No idea why. I didn't change anything in the R config that I remenber.
> >
> > Any thoughts?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > 
> Hmm that message comes from deep down inside SETCAR() and friends. I
> can't see other reasons for it than memory corruption. Are you running
> some rogue C code? Is the machine flaky in other respects?

[Mark0]

You can try some memory test, for example GoldMemory.
That way you at least will be able to rule out some hardware memory issues.

Bye!

[steeladept]

Another tiny app that would do the same thing is MemTest86+.  It is all of about 40kb or something like that, but it does need run from a bootable media from a shutdown.  You can get precompiled versions here.

[f0dder]

Definitely run memtest86 if you suspect memory corruption.

Perhaps deleting the hibernation file (might require turning off hibernation, rebooting, the deleting) to have it recreated might help. And a "chkdsk /f" while you're at it, too.

Did you *add* a memory module, or replace the current one with a 2gig module? Hopefully it isn't some flaky compatibility issue.

[urlwolf]

I added a second module. It could be a compatibility issue, thanks F0dder.

I ran goldenMemory and it got two errors. So I think I'm returning the damn memory stick. I only have problems when I use R (incidentally, that can take up quite a lot of memory) or when hibernating.

Thanks to all who helped!

[f0dder]

Do run memtest86 as well... GoldMemory is shareware and I've never heard about it before, so I'm more inclined to trust memtest86

[Carol Haynes]

I added a second module. It could be a compatibility issue, thanks F0dder.

I ran goldenMemory and it got two errors. So I think I'm returning the damn memory stick. I only have problems when I use R (incidentally, that can take up quite a lot of memory) or when hibernating.

Thanks to all who helped!

MEMTEST86+ is the benchmark for memory testing.

One word of caution about memory though - if you are using 2 sticks of DDR memory the best advice is to purchase them as a pair. There are know issues when you you mix brands of DDR memory or different size sticks. Even 2 sticks from the same manufacturer can exhibit problems if they come from different production lines.

Another rule of thumb is never buy generic memory - it usually is at the lower end of tolerances. Go for a well known brand - both Corsair and Crucial have guaranteed compatibility and lifetime no quibble warranties.

[Lashiec]

Carol is speaking the truth, and if you want to go Dual Channel is even more important.