So many types of memory. So many terms used to describe it. EDO, DRAM, BEDO, etc, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!?
Use this handy list of memory specific definitions below to help you understand what it all means.
Here are some of the most common terms you will here, be sure to click READ MORE below to view the entire list.
NON-ECC/Non-parity — Most desktop and laptop computers take NON-ECC or Non-parity memory.
ECC/Parity — ECC or parity modules look for errors in data and are most often found in servers and other mission-critical applications used by large networks and businesses.
Unbuffered — Most PCs and workstations use unbuffered memory which is faster than registered memory.
Registered/Buffered — Registered or buffered modules delay all information transferred to the module by one clock cycle. This type of memory is primarily used in servers.
Fully buffered — Designed for next-generation servers, features an advanced memory buffer.
CL — CAS (column address strobe) latency, which is the number of clock cycles it takes before data starts to flow after a command is received. Lower CL is faster. Modules with different CL can be mixed on a system, but the system will only run at the highest (slowest) CL.
Component configuration — (For example: 64Meg x 64) Indicates the size of the memory chip components on the module.
Voltage — For example 2.6V. Indicates the power used by the module. The lower the better.
What does memory do, how does it work and why do I need more?
Memory Swapping: This is why the more RAM you have, the more things you can execute faster in your computer. But what happen when you want to open an application that takes more memory that your RAM can support? Memory swapping happen. Lets say you have a total of 512 megabytes of RAM. And you open an application that needs 1014mb of RAM to fully operate. Theres a problem, now your computer will take 512mb’s of data at a time, sends it to the CPU, wait to get it back again, sends it back to the harddrive, retrieve the OTHER 512mb’s that have remained untouched, sends to the CPU, wait to get it back, and re-send it to the harddrive. He will make that again, and again, and again until your application has closed. Due to the harddrive read/write speed memory swapping will greatly slower your system. The solution? Get more ram. The advantage of having more RAM is that you can execute multiple applications before going into a memory swapping situation.
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HI BRAD my computer desktop is a dell amd with the Windows XP Pro installed on it and it always works so good except that now i get the following error when i try to run the computer?
“we apologize for the inconvenience, but windows did not start successfully. a recent hardware or software change might have caused this” “If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known good configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked”
“If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the power or reset button was pressed, or if you aren’t sure what caused the problem, choose start windows Normally”
safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command Prompt
last known good configuration(your most recent settings that worked
starts windows normally
Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
but now when i try and select anything no matter what it is on the list that it lets me pick from i get the following error:
[b]”STOP: c0000218
The registry cannot load the hive(file):
\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
Beginning dump of physical memory.
Dumping physical memory to disk:”
then i get a windows count down timer that starts at 99 seconds. then the screen goes black and it all starts all over again the same way each time and i can only stop it from doing this by pulling the plug out from the wall why is it doing this?
TopiCato - Des Moines
RESOLUTION:
Well Topicato, it sounds to me like you have a very frustrating problem. I hope I will be able to assist you.
You will need a Windows CD, preferably the same that you have installed on your system. If you do not have a CD, borrow one from someone, you will not be copying any software onto your computer from it so do not worry about pirating.
You will need to be able to boot from a CD on your system, if it doesn’t already do that, you will need to go into your BIOS and look under a section called “boot” or “boot priority” or something similar. Make sure that your FIRST boot device is CD or CD/DVD or something similar.
Here are the steps for you to follow Topicato, it is very important that you do them precisely the way I have them and in the order listed. good luck!
1. Insert the Windows XP Professional CD into your CD/DVD drive and restart the computer. 
2. Your system may ask you to “strike any key to boot from CD” make sure you do that in time.
3. Once the Win CD has finished loading, it will offer you a setup screen. From this screen you need to select “Run Recovery Console”
4. Now you should be in a DOS like atmosphere: black screen, white letters, etc. you will now need to type the following,
(do not type the [SPACE] or [ENTER], they are there to guide you) (If your Windows drive letter is not C: make corrections)
5. md tmp [ENTER]
6. copy C:\windows\system32\config\system [SPACE]C:\windows\tmp\system.old [ENTER]
7. delete C:\windows\system32\config\system [ENTER]
8. copy C:\windows\repair\system [SPACE] C:\windows\system32\config\system [ENTER]
9. RESTART the computer.
If it still doesn’t boot, or if it has some different error, do the following.
Boot to recovery console again and type the following lines:
1. md tmp[ENTER]
2. copy C:\windows\system32\config\software [SPACE] C:\windows\tmp\software.old[ENTER]
3. delete C:\windows\system32\config\software [ENTER]
4. copy C:\windows\repair\software [SPACE] C:\windows\system32\config\software [ENTER]
Now, with any luck, your computer should be able to boot into Windows. Hope this helped you Topicato. GOOD LUCK!
PROBLEM: Windows will not load due to registry error.
SOLUTION: Use Recovery Console to repair system.
RESPONSE:
okay that did the trick and it all works great now thanks a bunch TopiCato Des Moines, IA
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Hi Brad, I have a problem and have not yet been able to solve it. In fact, I have already given up a month ago, but now I see your Q&A thing here and I am hoping you can assist me.
I CAN NOT INSTALL WINDOWS! ANY VERSION OR ANY CD!
I have disconnected my soundcard, modem, ethernet card and even my video card (just using the onboard VGA). then I tried to install windows xp home from the original disk, i could not 
install it. I get the error at 29% completion "the file" whatever "was not copied correctly" then it lets me hit escape to skip the file or enter to retry. Naturally I assumed that my disk was bad, I borrowed my neighbor’s disk and had the same problem, so I purchased a new Windows XP Home from Wal-Mart and brought it home gleefully expecting to be back up and running an hour later…. 29% = same problem. so I called Best Buy and they assured me that it was my DRIVE that was bad, that made sense to me so I ran to BB and purchased and new DVD/CD drive. brought it home and i still had the same error at the exact same spot, windows could not copy the following file to the darn hard disk drive. as usual if i click escape to skip that file and the remaining 30 some files once the install is done i get a blue screen with white letters telling me to kill microsofts butt.
sorry.
So then I call Com-USA and they tell me that it is my motherboard, then they sell me a new motherboard for $150, they "suggest" to me that I purchase a new CPU as that has probably failed as well, but I decline.
They did convince me to get a brand new hard drive though, 320 Giggerbites!
Brad, I am so upset just writing about this again. after all that, it did not work. there is no change at all! new windows CD, new hard drive, new dvd/cd drive, new motherboard! all that new hardware that I do not need. okay. last thing. I tried to bring the board and drive back to compusa and the windows disk and other stuff, no one would accept them back. so i thought heck George, I am in it this far, why stop now, so i went to COMPUSA again and bought the CPU they originally suggested and guess what happened this time when i tried to install windows? the exact same thing. please please please tell me what my problem is!
RESPONSE:
Hello George, sounds like a VERY frustrating situation you have there. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you are going to have to make ANOTHER purchase : )
From the symptoms you describe to me, my first suggestion would be to change the IDE cables (or SATA? you did not mention the type of system) BUT I assume that when you purchased the new drive, it would have come with shiny new cables and you would have used them, I assume.
My next suggestion, would be THE MEMORY. If you have two or more memory modules, (sticks) remove one, try to install, if that doesn’t work, replace the other with the one you just removed and attempt to reinstall again. I belive, based on the symptoms you described that you will find the install will run SMOOTHLY now. if you have only one memory module in your system, you will have to purchase another and replace it. frankly George, it should never have been suggested to you to exchange all that other jazz. In my opinion, you have spent more for parts then it would have cost for a new computer AND you now have almost enough parts to make a new computer. pick up a nice CASE / power supply from www.TigerDirect.com , throw in all the extra parts you just bought and you will have a new computer for the kids. : )
Here is a nice memory checker from Microsoft: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
If you need to buy memory, this site will tell you what you need and how much $$ www.crucial.com
Please let me know how things go!
UPDATE FROM GEORGE 2 DAYS LATER:
Brad Brad Brad! Your the man! I had 2 512MEGABITE chips in my motherboard, I removed 1 of them and tried to install win xp and IT WORKED!!!!! no error! thank you thank you thank you!
PROBLEM: Windows will not install properly, even with different disks and different hardware.
SOLUTION: replace memory modules.
Do YOU have a computer or tech related question? SEND your questions to cheapest PC repair!
Memory Swapping: This is why the more RAM you have, the more things you can execute faster in your computer. But what happen when you want to open an application that takes more memory that your RAM can support? Memory swapping happen. Lets say you have a total of 512 megabytes of RAM. And you open an application that needs 1014mb of RAM to fully operate. Theres a problem, now your computer will take 512mb’s of data at a time, sends it to the CPU, wait to get it back again, sends it back to the harddrive, retrieve the OTHER 512mb’s that have remained untouched, sends to the CPU, wait to get it back, and re-send it to the harddrive. He will make that again, and again, and again until your application has closed. Due to the harddrive read/write speed memory swapping will greatly slower your system. The solution? Get more ram. The advantage of having more RAM is that you can execute multiple applications before going into a memory swapping situation.
