FS2004 freezes up after adding RAM

[Nick75]

I had a few problems a while back with my old graphics card whereby when I added RAM (i.e. increasing it from 256MB to 512MB), FS2002 would freeze up at the 'Create a flight' menu. However, after disabling the graphics card I had at the time, FS2002 would run fine even with the newly installed RAM.
So, I figured that there was some kind of conflict with adding more RAM & the particular graphics card I had, with the graphics card being the prime suspect for causing the problem.
Anyway, Ive recently bought myself a better graphics card (NVidia GeForce 5200FX) in the hope that this would solve the problem. After installing this AND having the added RAM installed at the same time, FS2004 has been working like a dream, and it seemed at first that I had been right about the old graphics card, but even so, FS2004 will STILL freeze up from time to time, the advantage is that at least Im able to run it for a few hours at a time before it does! Now I cant understand why it now lets me run it for such long periods with everything running fine, improved framerates, limited stuttering, etc. etc. then all of a sudden everything just completely locks up...I cant even shut the system down by pressing ctrl alt del!
Can anyone offer any ideas as to what I can do?

[draky]

May sound silly but I'd take a peak at your cooling and make sure it is running efficiently and that the fans/ducts and vents are clean, at least this would eliminate overheating which can cause such troubles after long game play periods.

I had a fan with the rotor fouled by a cable long time ago but I'll never forget all the things I tried before taking a look inside the covers mate. You never know until you check it out, the fans get really dirty after time and that affects their efficiency.

Dave

[rockyboy]

When you upgraded from 256 to 512Mb RAM did you install 1 x 512Mb or add 1 x 256Mb. If you added 1 x 256Mb make sure the 2 RAMs are the same "speed". This can cause conflicts Tony

[Nick75]

Thanks for the replies guys. Dave - it seems that if I revert back to having just 256MB of RAM as before, I dont get any screen lock-ups, so I honestly believe it's something to do with the added RAM/graphics card combination, but I'll definitely have a look to see if overheating may be part of the problem like you suggested.

Tony - I added a 256MB stick of RAM which was identical to the one I already had installed, so Im pretty sure there isnt a problem there. I only have two memory slots on my MOBO, and Ive tried swapping both the sticks around as well, but still no joy..

It basically seems like my particular system only accepts more than 256MB of RAM if I just have the on-board graphics chip enabled & no additional graphics card...I can add a graphics card, but I run into problems if I then increase the RAM any more than 256MB...and with both graphics cards Ive always made sure the onboard graphics chip was disabled in 'System Properties->Device Manager'. Incidentally everything locked up again this morning when I was on the internet..I hadnt even had the computer switched on for long...

Anyway, for what it's worth I'll give my system specs, and if anyone else has any further suggestions I'd be most grateful. Thanks.

E-Machines 150DVD
LM810E MOBO with Phoenix BIOS (On-board Intel 82810E graphics chip disabled)
1.2GHz Celeron processor - (100MHz system bus)
512MB SDRAM (two identical PC133 256MB sticks)
40GB Western Digital hard drive
PNY Verto NVidia Geforce FX5200 128MB (PCI) using latest 50.03 drivers (same problem also with using previous drivers)

[Waltm]

Nick,

Have you tried running a RAM analysis utility? Sounds like you've already confirmed that it's a RAM issue, however I had a similar problem on a laptop and I traced it to a faulty RAM socket on the motherboard.

-- Walt

[rpowers46]

I had the same problem when I added another stick of 512.I got it from my computer shop and it was supposed to be the same but I had problems so they gave me another stick.Then I would lock up for no reason.Thought it was something I downloaded. Was ready to reformat and start over.Decided to pull out the ram first. Ran a month with no problems. They gave me yet another stick and now everything has ben fine.Hope that helps,Ron

[prowler]

This will sound really stupid, Nick...but have you also checked to be sure the stick is seated in the slot well?

What do you show for installed memory in your BIOS?

Vic

[rockyboy]

Good suggestion Nick, it could also be a faulty RAM stick they sold you... Tony

[OzzieOzzieOzzie]

This is just a test post.

Richard

[TCLeics]

Sounds like it is a faulty ram stick, I had exactley the same problem.

I tested each stick of ram with Memtest-86, and 1 was faulty, replaced it and all seems well.

You can find Memtest-86 by going to www.google.com and enter it in the search.