Is this an indication that it is bad ram? I am trying to install windows xp pro onto a machine with an ECS K7S0M motherboard, which has onboard sound and graphics, so the ram is the only thing that has been plugged into the motherboard. I keep getting all sorts of STOP errors, the pc keeps restarting etc. I finally managed to get XP installed after about 4 failed attempts, but it is so unstable, there must be something wrong.

Thanks for any help.

256 - 224 = 32
Sound like the onboard video is using that amount

I would suggest you change for another stick of memory, if these are eBuyers DDR, chances are they are bad.

HTH

looks like dodgy ram.

buy some good quality branded ones if you're planning to use Win XP.

I've just bought it yesterday from my local computer shop, but it is unbranded. I think I'll try downloading the newest drivers for the motherboard etc, see if that makes any difference.

Try using memtest (http://www.memtest86.com/) and see if you get any errors to see if it is the RAM.

I think Duffy hit the nail on the head. On-board gfx will use system RAM. I think your safe as far as dodgy RAM goes. (If it was dodgy, it's a little too coincidental that it's lost exactly 32Mb)

the ram still needs replacing as win xp is not very stable on shoddy cheap ram.

I have now installed all the devices, onboard audio, video, usb controller etc, and they are all recognised as working properly by windows. Now I only seem to be getting problems on startup and shutdown. If Windows actually decides to load, then it runs ok, but if I shut down, more often than not, it's straight to BSOD. If it manages to shut down, then it is a guaranteed BSOD when I restart. One error I had was "PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA" which was apparently caused by the file win32k.sys. Another error was "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL". Would replacing the win32k.sys file with the one from the Windows cd make any difference I wonder?

The annoying thing is, the errors and blue screens seem completely random, there is no pattern to them. If it was the same error all the time, the problem would be easier to pinpoint.

Have you tested/ replaced the ram yet?
In your bios setting you will have 32mb allocated for on board graphics as said above so this is normal.
But your still just gonna go around in circles unless you buy good ram.
Crucial, kingston, samsung.

it's onboard for sure

What do you mean onboard? A problem with one of the devices?

no, it means your videocard is like built into your motherboard, so its using the ram

Yeah, that's what I meant, a problem with one of the onboard devices?

I doubt if its a problem with your on board graphics.
Yes it is normal for it to use 32 mb as alraedy said.
And yes again you will have problems with unbranded ram with certain motherboards full stop. buy decent ram and you will get less blue screens.
Even if you didnt have on board graphics using 32mb you will probably still have blue screens with the ram you got at present. Branded ram aint that much more money. check out crucial ram prices.

All sorted now, thanks Guys. It turned out that it was the ram after all. This is a system I am building for a friend, he bought all the parts. In my own system I have Twinmos ram, which I tried on his, and it worked without a glitch. I agree with all the comments about generic ram, I did recommend to him to get branded ram, but he wanted to save a few pennies cos he was buying it under protest from his wife.

Thanks all.

Glad you got it sorted philmeehan
Nothing worse especially when your doing a favour for someone else :)

Yeah, too right. I told him, "Bring it round to my house, and it will be built and have Windows installed in a couple of hours". He brought it round at 6pm on Saturday night, and it was ready at about 9.30 pm last night!