memtest86

[richardd43]

I have an Acer Aspire 5101 laptop with a problem. Because it is glitchy and freezes up I decided to run memtest86. It took about 5 minutes for it to fail so I took it to the shop and we swapped new/more memory into it. After 5 minutes I had the same failure.

The failure address was all zeros so I was thinking the memory buss was not working properly.

I called Acer and the tech was in agreement with me and had me RMA the laptop.

I just received it back from Acer with a note indicating that this computer will not run 3rd party memory testing software and that there was nothing wrong with the computer. It is still failing memtest86.

I was wondering if anyone here has an Acer laptop and will it run memtest?

[NicksFXHouse]

No expert here on Acer however assuming the memory is good it sounds like you may be dealing with 2 issues. The memtest error could very well be because of a BIOS issue specific to Acer where certain memory addresses are not marked as reserved and cause some type of conflict between the BIOS and memtest, meaning the memory is fine but the software may not work on Acer as tech support said. I am not sure of that. Assuming that is true, tt sounds strange that Acer did not follow standards on BIOS development or they may have an issue with the BIOS they are not announcing publicly. If it were me I might even try a BIOS change (downgrade) to see if the symptoms change. A BIOS flash can be dangerous though.


As for the instability... thats a tough one. I would assume at this point with a memory change there may be somthing else wrong. Freeze up is a good sign of a memory issue but it can also be driver related or even Windows power managemnt problems with the BIOS. I assume there is no blue screen to diagnose?

[richardd43]

I talked to the techs at my local computer store and they told me that some of the Acer laptops will in fact not run memtest86 and that it is very frustrating to them when one comes in for repair.

I had flashed to the latest BIOS and that did not help.

And no BSOD, the computer just hangs.

The memory and the hard drive were both upgraded for better performance and that did help the overall operation of the computer.

I can't have as many apps open as I am used to, and will just have to remember it is not my main computer. I am fairly new to laptops but I am learning.

My wife has an HP laptop but it is big and heavy and I hate to have to carry it anywhere.

BTW I like the picture you have in your signature.

[NicksFXHouse]

It sounds like Acer made a boo-boo in the BIOS.

So you are saying the problem really does not happen unless you are multitasking?



I have had that picture without the M$ editing for years... it never ceases to crack me up and until recently I had not come up with a good use for it  ;D

[congo]

What about using other stress programs to test the memory from windows? Super PI full test http://www.xtremesystems.com/pi/

[NicksFXHouse]

[quote]

It sounds like Acer made a boo-boo in the BIOS.

So you are saying the problem really does not happen unless you are multitasking?



I have had that picture without the M$ editing for years... it never ceases to crack me up and until recently I had not come up with a good use for it

[richardd43]

As soon as I get a chance I will run the other tests, was a good idea, ty.

I think my biggest problem was working on a fullup high-end computer and thinking the lappy would do the same thing.

A 1.6G processor and built in graphics is not quite a 2.5G processor with 79XX graphics boards.

But it really does look like Acer goofed with this one.

[congo]

At least if you see applications in windows failing, it gives you more leverage in negotiating a fixup plan with your supplier.