Lafite III bad ram?

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MichaelJones

Active member
We just got a new Lafite III 14" Win10, i5, 2x 8Gb RAM, 250Gb M.2 and 2Tb SATA SSD. While setting up the laptop we've had some errors. I don't have full details, as my wife was using it at the time, but she says that when using Firefox she got messages (BSOD) that said low memory, and it rebooted itself. I think she also said one message mentioned low resources. The laptop reports 16Gb ram installed and seems fine when I used it today. I will try and recreate the problem and record more details.

However, I ran the Win10 Memory Diagnostic Tool, and immediately it reports:
"Hardware problems were detected. To identify and repair these problems, you will need to contact the computer manufacturer."

The test eventually completes, but I cannot find the report in the system logs.

Before doing a full bug report and maybe having to return the laptop, I wanted to check a few things and ask for any suggestions from the community, for tests I could do now.

1) What's the significance of getting "Hardware problems were detected" immediately on starting the Memory Diagnostic Tool? Seems to me the test has picked up something simple right at the start?

2) Should I re-run the test removing one memory module at a time? I need to remove the keyboard to access the insides...

3) Any other suggestions before I formally go to PCSpecialist with a hardware/bug report?

Thanks.

PS: sent from my PCSpecialist Cosmos 17" Clevo W670RCW1 (2GB GTX-950M, i7-6700HQ) running Linux MINT: coming to 3 years old and still a great laptop !
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Whilst the Windows memory diagnostic tool isn't the best available you shouldn't be seeing failures with it.

If you are comfortable removing a RAM stick and testing each one separately then do. If you can positively identify a faulty RAM stick you'll probably find that PCS will simply replace it, avoiding an RMA.

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M

MichaelJones

Active member
I re-ran the memory diagnostic test and on completion and reboot of the laptop (I missed that the first time) got the following error code:
0xc000009a

So maybe not a RAM or hardware problem, but a Win10 systems problem?

So then is "Hardware problems were detected. To identify and repair these problems, you will need to contact the computer manufacturer." something worth worrying about?
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
If you even suspect a RAM issue you want to be testing it. The best tool for that is Memtest, get it from https://www.memtest86.com. You'll need some bootable media to write Memtest to.

If that's ok I would be doing a clean reinstall. I note that you had some issues with the initial setup? It's not unknown for the original 'out of box experience' setup to fail, sometimes in some puzzling ways. A reinstall is the only reliable solution to that.

If it were mine then I'd run Memtest first and reinstall if that runs clean.

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M

MichaelJones

Active member
Thanks for the advice. I ran memtest86 on the Lafite III.

As soon as the test started I was getting errors and then after about 10 seconds the test aborted because there were too many errors ....

I'll raise a ticket with PCSpecialist to find out what they want me to do next.

Many thanks again.

*** I'm still happy with my Cosmos from PCS, and if we sort out this RAM issue I'm sure my wife will like the Lafite ***
 
M

MichaelJones

Active member
Here is part of the error log --- the test aborted after about 10 seconds because of too many errors:

Test# Tests PassedErrors
Test 0 [Address test, walking ones, 1 CPU]1/1 (100%)0
Test 1 [Address test, own address, 1 CPU]0/1 (0%)2741
Test 2 [Address test, own address]0/1 (0%)1489
Test 3 [Moving inversions, ones & zeroes]0/0 (0%)6485
Test 4 [Moving inversions, 8-bit pattern]0/0 (0%)0
Test 5 [Moving inversions, random pattern]0/0 (0%)0
Test 6 [Block move, 64-byte blocks]0/0 (0%)0
Test 7 [Moving inversions, 32-bit pattern]0/0 (0%)0
Test 8 [Random number sequence]0/0 (0%)0
Test 9 [Modulo 20, ones & zeros]0/0 (0%)0
Test 10 [Bit fade test, 2 patterns, 1 CPU]0/0 (0%)0
Test 13 [Hammer test]0/0 (0%)0
Last 10 Errors
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C010F04, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C011904, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C011D0C, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C013314, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C058514, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFFEFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C05905C, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFFEFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C05DF9C, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C05E38C, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C05E394, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
2019-06-15 15:11:16 - [Data Error] Test: 3, CPU: 0, Address: 24C05E494, Expected: FFFFFFFF, Actual: FFBFFFFF
 
M

MichaelJones

Active member
I found a service manual for the Lafite III ( clevo N131BU/ N130BU ) which shows how to open up the case (keyboard needs to be prised off first... but other than that, its just screws that need undoing) https://radagast.ca/linux/galago-pro/clevo-n130bu-service-manual-20170407.pdf

Swapped the ram into the opposite slots and re-seated firmly --- still fails. So tried each on its own.

One stick of RAM is faulty --- immediately fails when used alone. Other stick works fine when used alone. Called PCSpecialist and they suggested we swap the faulty ram (rather than send back the whole laptop) .... isn't it great when the helpdesk / reception people actually know something about computers ! Most other places would have passed me around from non-tech person to non-tech person, each reading from a crib sheet asking if I had done basic things like charged the battery, plugged it in, put my pants on right way round... then blamed the weather or my internet connection.... :)

If PCS swap out this ram for me, then they still get my vote for good quality and value!
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Do let us know whether the replacement RAM solves your problems (I suspect it will).

When you've installed the new RAM stick I would personally do a clean install of Windows. The faulty RAM may have corrupted your initial setup....

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SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
MichaelJones said:
I found a service manual for the Lafite III ( clevo N131BU/ N130BU ) which shows how to open up the case (keyboard needs to be prised off first... but other than that, its just screws that need undoing) https://radagast.ca/linux/galago-pro/clevo-n130bu-service-manual-20170407.pdf

Swapped the ram into the opposite slots and re-seated firmly --- still fails. So tried each on its own.

One stick of RAM is faulty --- immediately fails when used alone. Other stick works fine when used alone. Called PCSpecialist and they suggested we swap the faulty ram (rather than send back the whole laptop) .... isn't it great when the helpdesk / reception people actually know something about computers ! Most other places would have passed me around from non-tech person to non-tech person, each reading from a crib sheet asking if I had done basic things like charged the battery, plugged it in, put my pants on right way round... then blamed the weather or my internet connection.... :)

If PCS swap out this ram for me, then they still get my vote for good quality and value!
Click to expand...

Well done, at least that’s a concrete test that exposes the issue in full.

I’m sure PCS won’t let you down. Keep us posted on your progress.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
M

MichaelJones

Active member
RAM arrived yesterday. I added in the new module this morning and its running Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool now --- no errors so far (previously it gave errors straight away). Off to work, so tonight I'll run memtest86, then do a clean re-install of windows.
 
M

MichaelJones

Active member
Memtest86 is a Pass! :)

Now I think I'll take the advice from UBUYSA and do a clean Windows install. I guess I'll need to download the recover image (rather than use the built-in re-install/re-build) so I get the right drivers. Will plan to do that this weekend.
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
MichaelJones said:
Memtest86 is a Pass! :)

Now I think I'll take the advice from UBUYSA and do a clean Windows install. I guess I'll need to download the recover image (rather than use the built-in re-install/re-build) so I get the right drivers. Will plan to do that this weekend.
Click to expand...
Yeah, best to use a current installation media otherwise you'll have to do in place upgrades which can cause issues. Best to download the latest image and install straight from that.
 
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MichaelJones

Active member
I downloaded the Win10 iso and Lafite III driver files from PCS, but ended up doing a Win10 re-install from the recovery partition. The only difference I see from original set-up is that some (nice) PCS information/branding (help desk links and telephone number) is absent from the system information section. I ended up with the same Win 10 Product ID --- it was partly worrying about this that made me use the recovery option rather than a clean fresh install. So far, so good.
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
MichaelJones said:
ended up with the same Win 10 Product ID --- it was partly worrying about this that made me use the recovery option rather than a clean fresh install. So far, so good.
Click to expand...
The product key lives on the motherboard, which is why you'd be able to do a clean install of Windows without needing to re-enter it. You can't wipe it by wiping the hard drive :)
 
B

benodo

Member
I am glad I found this thread because unfortunately I seem to have the same or almost identical problem. I bought my first PCS computer (Cosmos series laptop, Clevo N871EL) at the beginning of this month and a few days ago I got my first blue screen while the second one happened today. I also ran the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and immediatelly got the same message and the same report after the computer restarts. I've already written a message to PCS and I'm awaiting their reply.

In the meantime I found this thread and decided to give Memtest86 a go. The same thing as Michaeljones described happened. I saved the log file in case it is needed to prove the issue.

Should I reply to my own message to PCS with this updated info (the Memtest86 results) before I even get a reply or would that be a bit "spammy" on my part?

I am also not comfortable with opening my laptop and checking which RAM stick is problematic at the moment - never did something like that before. If someone could point me in the right direction on how to do that safely I'd appreciate it (maybe a thorough quality online guide). I'll try to find a manual for my laptop model and if PCS approves and suggests I try the same procedure as Michaeljones, I'll definitely do it (after being confident and knowledgable on how to do it :)).

Cheers!

Benjamin
 
M

MichaelJones

Active member
I would suggest you call or add to your original message to PCS. I found PCS very helpful, because they have technical people dealing with these queries, and they understand the problem.

I don't think you should worry about being 'spammy' --- PCS need all the facts to evaluate the situation. Also, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil (but I didn't need to squeak).

If you are not comfortable opening up laptop (probably need some small screwdrivers...), then maybe you know someone who can help? Else, it may be the case that you need to return the unit to PCS?

The Lafite is my second laptop from PCS, and even after this experience I'll still recommend them and most likely buy from them again.
 
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