COMMON MEMORY PROBLEMS

When you have a problem with memory, the cause is usually one of three things:

Improper Configuration: You have the wrong part for your computer or did not
follow the configuration rules.
Improper Installation: The memory may not be seated correctly, a socket is bad,
or the socket may need cleaning.
Defective Hardware: The memory module itself is defective.

The fact that many computer problems manifest themselves as memory problems
makes troubleshooting difficult. For example, a problem with the motherboard or
software may produce a memory error message.
The following basic steps apply to almost all situations:
1. Make sure you have the right memory part for your computer. At the
manufacturers Web site you can look up the part number. Many memory
manufacturers have configurators, which indicate the compatibilities of your
module. If not, phone the memory manufacturer, consult your computer manual,
or phone the computer manufacturer.
2. Confirm that you configured the memory correctly. Many computers require
module installation in banks of equal-capacity modules. Some computers require
the highest capacity module to be in the lowest labelled bank. Other computers
require that all sockets be filled; still others require single-banked memory. These
are only a few examples of special configuration requirements. If you have a
name-brand computer, visit Kingstons Web site (www.kingston.com) or use our
upgrade manual to look up configuration rules specific to your computer. You can
also contact technical support for your memory or computer manufacturer.
3. Re-install the module. Push the module firmly into the socket. In most cases
you hear a click when the module is in position. To make sure you have a module
all the way in the socket, compare the height of the module to the height of other
modules in neighboring sockets.
4. Swap modules. Remove the new memory and see whether the problem
disappears. Remove the old memory, reinstall the new, and see whether the
problem persists. Try the memory in different sockets. Swapping reveals whether
the problem is a particular memory module or socket, or whether two types of
memory arent compatible.
5. Clean the socket and pins on the memory module .Use a soft cloth to wipe
the pins on the module. Use a PC vacuum or compressed air to blow dust off the
socket. Do NOT use solvent, which may corrode the metal or prevent the leads

from making full contact. Flux Off is a cleaner used specifically for contacts. You
can purchase it at electronics or computer equipment stores.
6. Update the BIOS. Computer manufacturers update BIOS information frequently
and post revisions on their Web sites. Make sure you have the most recent BIOS
for your computer. This applies especially when you have recently installed new
software or you are significantly upgrading memory.
COMMOM HARD DISK PROBLEMS
When a functioning drive fails or begins returning read or write errors, there are
many possible causes. Take the following steps to isolate the cause of the problem:
1. Before proceeding, note that a failing drive can become a failed drive at any
moment. Insofar as is possible, while the drive is still functioning, copy the
important files to another hard drive or an optical disc. If you succeed in
copying all of the files you need, copy them again. A particular file may be
corrupted on one copy but readable from another. If you get a read failure
error while copying a file, choose the Retry option several times until you are
sure it won't succeed. At that point, choose the Ignore option to continue
copying other files. Sometimes, a file that refuses to copy despite repeated
retries on one pass will copy successfully on a subsequent pass, so don't give
up too early.
2. If read/write errors occur only after the system has been running for a while
particularly during warm weather or if you have recently added a fast video
card or other heat-producing component it's possible that the drive is
overheating. Remove the case access panel and use your finger as a
temperature probe. The hard drive should feel warm (perhaps quite warm) to
the touch, but not so hot that it's uncomfortable to press your finger against it
for several seconds. If the drive is very hot, leave the side panel off and point
a standard house fan directly into the case to cool the drive. If the read/write
errors disappear, it's very likely that overheating is causing the problem.
Install a hard drive cooler (available from any online or brick-and-mortar
computer store) and/or add supplemental cooling fans to the case.
3. One of the most common but little-known causes of hard drive read/write
errors is a marginal power supply. Power supplies may begin failing
spontaneously and non-obviously, so this problem is always possible. But it's
even more likely if you've recently added components to your system;
particularly a hot new video adapter or some other component that draws a
lot of power. You can eliminate the power supply as the cause of the problem
by temporarily (or permanently) replacing it with a high-quality, high-capacity
unit. Although it doesn't completely eliminate the power supply as the cause a

power supply can be failing rather than simply being marginal for the load you
can try reducing the load on the current power supply by removing
components temporarily; for example, by temporarily reverting from that hot
new video adapter to the embedded video or an older, slower video adapter.
4. If the hard drive temperature seems reasonable and the power supply is not
the problem, you may have a cable problem. Power down the system and
replace the data cable with a new or known-good cable. Also, remove the
current power cable and use a different one. (Power cables seldom fail, but
we have seen it happen.)
5. Connect the drive to a different interface. Although it's uncommon for a
motherboard interface to fail spontaneously, it does happen rarely. If the drive
is the PATA primary master, leave it configured as master, disable the primary
ATA interface in BIOS Setup, and connect the drive to the secondary
interface. For an SATA drive, disable the current SATA interface in BIOS
Setup, and connect the drive to another SATA interface. (Don't forget to
change the boot device priority.)
6. The drive circuit board may have failed, partially or completely.

For a PATA drive configured as master, the circuit board serves two independent
functions: acting as the disk controller for all devices connected to that interface,
and communicating data between that specific drive and the motherboard. The
disk controller function may fail, but the data communication function continue to
work. To test for this possibility, reconfigure the drive from master to slave, and
connect the drive to an interface that already has a master device present, on the
same or another computer. If only the disk controller function of the circuit board
has failed, you will be able to access the drive as a slave device and copy the
data from it to another drive or optical disc. If the problem drive still cannot be
accessed, it's possible that its circuitry has failed completely or that the head-disk
assembly (HDA) is physically damaged.

For an SATA drive, any circuit board failure makes it difficult to access the drive,
because every SATA drive acts as its own disk controller. Even if the data
communication function of the controller is working, the drive cannot be accessed
if the disk controller function has failed.
7. If you have not already done so, remove the problem drive from the current
system and install it in another system. It is possible, although unlikely, that all of
the motherboard interfaces have failed in the original system. If so, the drive is
not the problem, and it should function normally in the second system.

DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ASSIGNMENT # 2

FITZ GERALD M. VILLEGAS

MS. MARY LOU TEOSO

BSCpE / O3A

SEPT. 22, 2016