Demands and settings
Read onscreen messages that reveal memory failures of a particular type
or at a specific location. Consult with the support desk for your laptop or
memory maker for advice on resolving this sort of problem. It may indicate a
problem with the memory itself, with the motherboard (more difficult, if not
impossible, to economically repair), or with the system BIOS.Have you made manual settings under Windows for managing virtual memory?
In general, you’re better off leaving it up to Windows to control memory use
in place; that is the operating system’s default setting. If you’ve made manual
settings, try disabling them and going back to Windows control to see if (at
least this once) Microsoft is smarter than you are.Check your BIOS. If expanding the memory beyond its previous limits, you
may be exceeding the previous capabilities of the system BIOS. Consult
your laptop maker to see if an updated BIOS is available for your mother-
board; following the instructions very carefully, download and install the
new BIOS.Does the problem occur in other specific situations such as when the com-
puter is picked up and moved from one location to another while running?
This could indicate a problem caused by electrostatic discharge or a flaky
connection.Dirt, grime, and odor
Remove and ensure the pins are clean and the connector isn’t blocked by dirt
or debris. Don’t use a chemical solvent on the pins unless oxidation(rust or
discoloration caused by exposure to air) or dirt is evident; if you must clean
the module, use a special-purpose electronics solution such as Flux Off, avail-
able at electronics or computer equipment stores. Reinstall the modules.Ensure a good power supply. A failing supply is a bit less likely with a laptop
computer than with a desktop model, but still possible. Try to determine
whether the problem occurs when the machine is running on battery power
without an AC adapter attached (this may indicate a failing battery or internal
electrical system) or whether it only happens when the AC power is attached
(which might indicate a problem with the adapter or with the charger circuitry).
The charger and battery can be easily and relatively inexpensively replaced;
the circuitry within the laptop case is a more complex and expensive repair
ordinarily addressed by a professional repair service.Getting a Boost from BIOS ..........................................................................
If you stop and think about it, one of the great mysteries of computer life is
this: How does a stone-cold, unpowered, piece of plastic and silicon become100 Part II: Explaining What Could Possibly Go Wrong