Member Avatar for jack13

Ok. So my cousin took his computer to the shop because of an error that made it fail the POST so it just sat at that first screen. It ended up getting its RAM changed.
Two days later, he brought it to me to remove a virus. Half way during a second virus scan, I get the Physical Dump Error and then the computer, again, fails the POST.
I removed one of the RAM chips and voila! It works! But...I'm kind of stumped as to what is causing his RAM to die out and not work. So now thats TWO RAM sticks dead on two separate occasions with the same way. Coincidence? I think not.

I've asked someone and they said that happened to them before and it was their HD that was dying out and they replaced it. <-- almost sure its not that; although I'm hoping it is because I have a couple spare HDs.

I then asked one of my buddies who has worked with computers for a long time and said it might be the motherboard. If it is..would flashing the BIOS fix the problem?

Sooo I'm stumped! :icon_neutral: I'm scared to turn it on again because it might kill his last piece of RAM.
Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Maverick223

Dani AI

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Repeated "physical dump" or POST failures on the same machine usually point to hardware or firmware issues rather than malicious software. reported repeated memory failures on one system; 's suggestion to check for malware is reasonable for system stability, but software alone does not physically destroy DIMMs. Likewise, a failing hard drive can cause crashes and data corruption but is an unlikely direct cause of repeated, permanent RAM failures.

Recommended diagnostics (do these in order to protect the last working stick):

  1. Test each DIMM in a known-good machine (or a spare motherboard) to confirm whether modules themselves are faulty.
  2. Test a known-good DIMM in each slot on the suspect motherboard to identify a bad DIMM slot.
  3. Run an extended memory tester such as MemTest86 (multiple full passes, overnight) to catch intermittent errors.
  4. Visually inspect the board for bulging/leaking capacitors, scorched traces, bent pins, or corrosion.
  5. Check power stability: read PSU rail voltages under load (multimeter) or substitute a known-good PSU.
  6. In BIOS, ensure memory settings are default/auto (no overvolts or aggressive timings); only consider a BIOS update if the vendor changelog explicitly lists memory or stability fixes.

Notes and cautions: flashing the BIOS can fix memory training/compatibility bugs but carries risk; only use the official vendor utility, ensure uninterrupted power (preferably a UPS), and follow the vendor instructions precisely. Because electrical faults (bad VRMs, shorted slots, bad PSU) are the most common causes of repeated module failures, avoid repeatedly powering the suspect system — move the suspected DIMM to another machine for testing and consider swapping PSU/motherboard if problems persist.

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Member Avatar for holmes008

I think you should post questions clearly (not explanation) ya your fear is right that it will kill the ram so the solution is that to update your virus and if ti fails format is the final solution! If it still remains mail me i will take care of you!

Member Avatar for jack13

Sorry, I thought my question was implied..Although there is one in there. My bad.
Not exactly sure what you mean by update my virus? My AV? Was using ESET NOD32 and it auto-updates..his computer is clean now. (The second scan was just to check if it didn't catch anything the first time).

Anyway, I tried showing my cousin about the dead RAM but it "magically" started working again with the 2 pieces of RAM originally thought dead (by me AND the shop).
I ran some tests on them and didn't recieve any errors..I reset the CMOS with the jumpers and it worked. So if it happens again I'll just replace his mobo or make him a new computer. (It's a bit out dated anyway!)

So yeah..A mod can lock this thread and add the "Solved" to the title.
=)

Member Avatar for Maverick223

In response to: "So yeah..A mod can lock this thread and add the "Solved" to the title." You can flag as solved, scroll down to the bottom, should be a "mark as solved" link beside the reply button. P.S. you will probably never read this...lol

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