Memtest Error - RMA? How is Corsair with RMAs?

[teddyv]

Hi Folks,

Brand new system:
ASUS P8Z68V-LX
Intel i-2500k (no GPU, using onboard)
Corsair Vengeance Series 8GB DDR3-1600 2x4 Kit (Z8GX3M2A1600C9B)

It went together like a breeze and has worked fine for a couple hours. Just after getting it all together I ran the new v4.2 Memtest86+ for a single pass without error.

I have had it running for about 4 hours when I decided to convert a few movie clips to MP4. I loaded them up in AnyVideoConverter and went out to run some errands. When I got back I checked in and there was a notice on the screen that the computer had recovered from a BSoD. I ran Memtest again and this time I got an error the first pass. Right now I am on the second pass and no new errors yet.

Soooooo....
1. Does a single error mean the ram is bad? Might be moot as I am still running Memtest.
2. How is Corsair with RMA's?
3. If I file for an RMA should I mention I ran memtest and the failures?
4. If I RMA, should I send both sticks back (bought in set of 2) and ask for 2 new ones in return?
5. Will I get "reconditioned" or such RAM back or new sticks?

Thanks folks!

Ted

 

[Zap]

1) Maybe. Also mobo and CPU problems can cause memory errors too. Are you running the memory at the right voltage? Have you enabled XMP?
2) Generally they are good.
3) Yes.
4) Up to you. Last time I RMA'd to Corsair, they told me they recommend sending both back because "they are a matched pair" but ultimately they left the choice up to me. (somewhat lousy experience but whatever)
5) It doesn't matter. Working memory is working memory - doesn't matter if it is new, used or "refurbished." Mine came back brand new.

 

[bryanW1995]

I had to RMA some memory with ocz last year, they made me send it all back. Apparently corsair has better memory AND better customer service than ocz...

 

[razel]

Try running memtest86 4.0a which is the original memtest. It got updated October to better handle and test how multicore processors can run RAM faster. Memtest+ hasn't been updated in about a year. I used to recommend Memtest+ over memtest86 since memtest86 wasn't updated in a long while. Now it looks like the original is back in action.

 

[teddyv]

Thanks for the comments folks. It finished 6 passes without any further errors. I shut it down and restarted, it completed another pass with no errors. I will download and try the original Memtest86 and see where that gets me.

Any ideas on how many passes I should make?

One thing to note, I poked my way through the Corsair online RMA process and it actually has as one of its troubleshooting choices "I ran Memtest and there were errors", when you select that it takes you right to the final form (which recommends sending in both if purchased as a pair.)

 

[d3fu5i0n]

I bought a 650D from an E-tailer [online retailer] and after a couple of uses, the front I/O section of the front bezel/panel broke off after several uses.
Corsair trusted my word when I E-Mailed them, and sent me a whole new front panel free of charge, no questions asked, directly from the Netherlands with UPS postage to the UK.
Absolutely stunning - customer service who are actually "techies" for once, will answer your questions, and be helpful 99% of the time.
E-Mail RamGuy: ramguy@corsair.com
He should be able to help you.

EDIT: Sorry, I left the window open for a long time before writing my reply - seems you went through RMA fine. But yeah, I can highly recommend contacting them by E-Mail for enquiries.

 

[teddyv]

Howdy Folks - I downloaded and ran Memtest86 (no "+"). The first time I ran it I went to run some errands, was gone for maybe 2 hours, and when I got back the top three lines still showed the test being run but from those three lines down was just gibberish characters all in white with a blue background. I tried to refresh the screen, no luck. So I rebooted and ran it again. This time I stayed close through the first pass, no errors, but walked off to take a phone call and when I got back, maybe 30 minutes later, same thing with white characters repeated below the third line, So again I rebooted and this time I sat and watched for an hour and fifteen minutes or so while it did three complete passes, all with no errors and no screen oddities. I immediately rebooted into Windows 7 Ult-64 and checked temps, CPU was 40 and board was 30 or so.

Not sure what is going on with this. Could this be caused by a new machine?

 

[teddyv]

Searching Google I found a screenshot someone else had put up with this problem, the thread had no real conclusion. Anyone else see this?

 

[razel]

It's clear that something is up with the RAM. Did you try running it with default SPD timings? No overclock. Check what the default SPD timings are for your RAM and when in the BIOS or when running CPUID, see if it's running at those specs.

Also once you have it at default SPD, try increasing the timings or lowering the RAM speed to see if it's stable at all. However, once you know the default SPD timings and it can't run at that speed, I'd also try swapping position or a different DIMM slot. Best of luck.