Can RAM suddenly go bad?

[pstokely]

 I think the RAM on my laptop has gone out. My BIOS shows over 2GB of RAM but I think Memtest is detecting errors on only one of my sticks of ram (4 X 512). I'm getting the 0x0000008E code on the BSOD. I can still boot into safe mode in Win XP. Could it be the motherboard or hard drive and not the ram? How long is RAM supposed to last?

[mrbasehart]

If it goes past it's sell byte date, then yes...

[bettertomorrowamy]

It depends on if EWE is always whining, and won't shut up.  If EWE is always criticizing RAM, how is RAM to stay sane.

[RVR II]

I think the RAM on my laptop has gone out. My BIOS shows over 2GB of RAM but I think Memtest is detecting errors on only one of my sticks of ram (4 X 512). I'm getting the 0x0000008E code on the BSOD. I can still boot into safe mode in Win XP. Could it be the motherboard or hard drive and not the ram? How long is RAM supposed to last?

Yes. RAM can go bad; either by age, or something as simple as like a type of software that 'accidentally' corrupted it.
I am never sure about RAM issues, and I have had friends with much more expertise than I to have them check it out to make sure.

[AmandaGal]

Like RVR said, RAM can fail but a more common cause of failure is some kind of corruption.  Sometimes corruption can be fixed.

If memtest is detecting errors, it is likely a bad stick (not fixable), but not always.  I'd have to see it and play with it to tell you for sure.

Dust can cause ram to act corrupt.  It may help to blow out the RAM slots, etc.  Not likely to help, but I once encountered a PC that had been in a house fire and they had cleaned the outside up really good, but the inside was caked with soot.  Of course, it blue screened.  I would too. I'm told that's a fairly common thing (dust messing with the connectors).   My PCs are pretty dusty and never had problems

[RVR II]

My PCs are pretty dusty and never had problems

You just 'jinxed' yourself now...

[mike5150]

It depends on if EWE is always whining, and won't shut up.  If EWE is always criticizing RAM, how is RAM to stay sane.

[bettertomorrowamy]

It depends on if EWE is always whining, and won't shut up.  If EWE is always criticizing RAM, how is RAM to stay sane.

Baaaaaahhhh!

[mike5150]

It depends on if EWE is always whining, and won't shut up.  If EWE is always criticizing RAM, how is RAM to stay sane.

Baaaaaahhhh!

now I know why they call them ewe......

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe!

[jewishcarpenter]

Leave it to BTA to exploit nature. You sick bastard.

[mike5150]

I just hope in some small way, that all of this has helped pstokely fix his laptop:)

[bettertomorrowamy]

I just hope in some small way, that all of this has helped pstokely fix his laptop:)

Me too!

[AmandaGal]

Probably forced him to destroy it and give up the Internet all together.

That works too.

[bettertomorrowamy]

I help people!  I'm a helper.