My computer crashes often at startup. However, once it makes through the startup process and i enter my password, it stays stable. When i shutdown, it also crashes. The startup is usually ok when i take my RAM out and put it back in, so i think its my RAM that is causing the problem, yet i ran a RAM test and there seems to be no problem with my 2 Kingston 128mb Rambus sets. This is why i suspect it could be my mother board causing the problem, but i still think its my RAM.

If the RAM is bad, taking it out & putting it back in again wouldn't fix anything - bad is bad! How did you test your RAM? Did you use Memtest86 & run it from a bootable floppy? http://www.memtest86.com/#download0 Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz 768MB PC3200 Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit Gamer Edition WinME/WinXP Pro

Is that the correct type of RAM for that motherboard? Go to Crucial.com to use their wizard to find the correct type of RAM. HTH Bryan

Bryan, Crucial does not stock Rambus Ram Go to Kingston...they have configurtor too

Thanks, No i am certain my RAM is suitable for my motherboard. My machine is 4 years old. It takes me several restarts to get my computer working, but once i take my ram out and put it back in, it works the first time every time- which is why the situation is so peculiar. I used a memory test that i found on google - http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ It runs from a software not a bootable floppy. I would run Memtest 86 but recently i have also discovered putting a floppy in my computer causes me to crash as well -__-. However, this program claims to work well.

It appears the memory testing program you have runs from Windows. One of the advantages of memtest86 is that it runs from DOS off a bootable floppy (or CD). That leaves Windows out of the equation & the test concentrates solely on the RAM. I suggest you download the memtest86 file, use it to create a bootable floppy, then boot off it & let it runs it's course. One complete series of tests takes about 30 min +/-. If you get any errors, the RAM is probably defective. No errors would suggest your RAM is fine & the problem lies elsewhere.... Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz 768MB PC3200 Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit Gamer Edition WinME/WinXP Pro

BTW, did you check the contact pins on the RAM for discoloration? It wouldn't hurt to clean them. A pencil eraser carefully rubbed across the contacts should should clean em up "real good" Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz 768MB PC3200 Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit Gamer Edition WinME/WinXP Pro