note: I have posted this problem before few days back but wasnt able to try what was suggested including install Linux which I did now. See this http://computing.net/windowsxp/wwwb... Hello guys, Again I have some trouble with PC that was never experienced before. All I have done is formatted the PC and upgraded RAM and filled in extra RAM slot on mother board. Now I have 1256MB RAM on my PC. I have still left the side covers on tower/cabinet open I can start the computer without any problems but suddenly it just crashes down. Just black screen on my monitor. I am sure about compatibility of RAM with my PC. Networkid

What MOBO do you have and what RAM do you have? Are there any beeps? By "start computer without any problems" what exactly do you mean? Does it boot to the OS? Life's more painless for the brainless.

I start computer and am able to use it for sometime. Regardless what I do on my computer after sometime it crashes itself. (not a typical windows shutdown) Motherboard is SiS661 and I checked the compatibility on website and also took old RAM to vendor to ensure compatibility While I am posting I have removed the old 256*1 RAM and just left 1024*1 in slot. Computer hasnt crashed yet but may crash anytime. Networkid

Memtest is what you need to start with. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

Hi networkid83, Did Ubuntu Live 7.10 worked for you? Do this way to reset BIOS.(read and understand before attempting to do drastic things said herein) http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bio... - Begin disassembling extrnals/internals:- 00) SWITCH OFF 0)Remove all peripherals - Main Power cable, Monitor, USB accessories, KB, Mouse 1)Remove all RAM/ PCI / AGP cards 2)Remove all connections to CD/DVD/HD 3)Remove CMOS battery or at least 30 minutes. If you have Jumpers to clear the CMOS, do so before removing CMOS battery. ================================ To begin rebuilding follow this:- 1] Attach power connctions to CD/DVD/HD 2] Attach all RAM/ PCI / AGP cards 3] Put CMOS battery (***making sure that Jumper setting is set to NORMAL, and NOT to CLEAR) 4] Wait 5 min or so. 5] Connect external peripherals (keyboard, mouse, and monitor)(DO NOT Connect printer or USB drive or web cam yet). 6] START computer. You should be able to get into BIOS SETTING (you may neeed to press F8 or F10 or F11, or F12 key). 7] http://tinyurl.com/36xrya (goes to Dell site) ****Read this HOW TO REMOVE PARTITION USING DEBUG SCRIPT****THIS WILL USE BIOS INT13 call to remove store BIOS setting (which you may have removed by removing CMOS )battery 8] INSTALL WINDOWS A} Alternatively, try using only one RAM. You have either 1024 or 256MB. I try 256MB RAM first to see if it resolves the issue. If it fais, ry 1024MB. If nothing solve, I think of no better solution than to exchange bad RAM, or motherboard. ############################### Make sure you do not have static electricity if living in dry northern states. Floor carpets will electrify with static electricity so fast you would not realize that even a slight 15KV/`1-2pA electric discharge can ruin the RAM, graphic card, or CPU. RAM precedence order is 0, 1, 2nd slot. B} Also try leaving hard drive to CS (Cable select) and not Primary. C}Make sure your HD cables are not worn out which could also spell your BIOS failing to recognize HD properly. ############################### Touch metal that is properly grounded to remove static charge.

"I can start the computer without any problems but suddenly it just crashes down. Just black screen on my monitor." Sounds like the same symptoms I saw, when my video card died. The strange thing was, I had no problems under Ubuntu or DOS, only under Windows would it suddenly produce a black screen. I tried replacing drivers, but no luck. Eventually, I replaced the video card and all was perfect again. Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.