pop-up "Your computer has a memory problem"

[Josh0610]

My computer frequently displays the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH stating memory problems; refuses to allow updates stating "memory error"; and I ran the memory diagnostic (by powering on and entering the diagnostic menu by pressing F2) and memory test fails. I've tried restoring to a previous point, fails due to "memory error". Any suggestions?

[banhien · Accepted solution]

---

@Josh0610 wrote:

.... F2) and memory test fails. I've tried restoring to a previous point, fails due to "memory error". Any suggestions?

---

Hi,

That means RAM failed. You have to replace RAM, restore back to the previous point won't help.  What is your ENVY23 ? Please check its label at the back.

Regards.

[Josh0610]

Well dang, thank you for the info. Do you know if I could have done something to accord this failure? here is the service tag info:
Product # H5P56AA#ABA
Model No. 23-d284

[banhien]

Hi,

RAM can fail by it own (like a light bulb/globe) even very rare. The following link shows specs of your computer:

    http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03835355

Currently it has 8GB in two slots (2 pieces, 4GB each). It supports up to 16GB max (8GB + 8GB)

Memory upgrade information

• Dual channel memory architecture
• Two DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin) sockets
  • PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333)
  • PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600)
• Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
• Supports 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB (8 GB only available on systems using Ivy Bridge processors) DDR3 SO-DIMMs
• Supports up to 16 GB on 64-bit PCs (16 GB only available on systems using Ivy Bridge processors)
• Supports up to 4 GB on 32-bit* PCs
  *32-bit PCs cannot address a full 4.0 GB of memory.

Probably one piece failed and you don't know which one. Please try the simple test: pull one out and try only one then swap, you can work out which one failed and go out to buy the same one to replace it.

Regards.

[Josh0610]

Awesome, thank you for your support 🙂

[banhien]

Hi,

You are welcome and have a good weekend.

Regards.

[mdklassen]

> Please try the simple test: pull one out and try only one ...

Disconnect the AC power.

Pull out one RAM chip.

Reconnect the AC power.

Startup the computer and select "HP Diagnostics", and run the "RAM memory test",

i.e., no need to waste your time by booting your computer into Windows.

If the RAM "fails", you have found the "bad" stick.

If the RAM "passes", then shutdown, cut the power, pull the stick, insert the other stick into the RAM slot that the "good" stick occupied, connect the power, boot into the RAM-test.

The above testing used just ONE of the TWO slots for RAM.

It might be prudent to insert the "good" stick into the OTHER slot, and rerun the RAM-test,

just to make sure that the *SLOT* is not causing the problem.

While the "Van Allen" magnetic belts around the planet block most radiation from the sun, it's always possible that some neutrios from the sun may have "hit" your stick of RAM, and "zapped" it.  Bring on the tin-foil hats.  :-))))

This is a real problem, should there ever be a manned expedition to Mars, which has no such belts -- lots of radiation-exposure during the trip to Mars, and more when "outside" on the surface of Mars.