[Inactive] Windows Update won't update and a series of related items.

[Hoov]

Also I need to get a look at your event viewer logs so I can see what the errors are. Please download and install Event Log Explorer . You will also have to get a license by clicking the get license button. The you can double click on application and system on the tree on the left. That will open the log in the right. Click on the tab so that the log is displayed, then click on file up at the top then save Log as, then select Save Event Log (Backup). Save both the System and Application log to your desktop. Then zip them up and attach them to a response.

[Trish]

I finally got the disk burned and ran the memory test.  When I booted and hit F2, my choices were to run Vista or to run a Window Memory Test.  I selected Memory Test.  It started running and said that I had a hardware problem that I would need to contact the manufacturer to diagnose and fix (or something like that).  It also said that the computer would reboot after the test and that there'd be a report after the boot.  It rebooted, but I couldn't find any report.

What next?

[Trish]

I ran the event log and zipped up the files.  They are too big to attach.

[Hoov]

I have sent you a PM on what to do with the logs. About the memtest, was the memory test actually running, or did it fail to even start testing the memory?

[Trish]

The memory test ran, turned off the machine and rebooted, like it said it would.  But I didn't see any results.  Were they supposed to be a popup or a file?

[Hoov]

DO a search on your harddrive for memtest.log. But if the test ran and it found errors, then you have at least 1 bad stick of memory. If you can find the log file, zip it up and attach it to a response.

[Trish]

Nothing there.  Could the program be blocked on startup and therefore not creating the log?

What do I do about bad sticks of memory?

[Hoov]

It could be blocked on startup. Do you have a digital camera?

About the memory, how familiar are you with the inside of your computer? What is the model number of your Dell?

[Trish]

No digital camera, but I have a camera on my phone.  It's a laptop, so it's never been opened, but I have played with the inner workings of my previous desktop.  I'm somewhat comfortable with the idea of opening up this computer.

It's an Inspiron 1720.

[Hoov]

Getting to the memory on a laptop is even easier that getting to it on a desktop. But it also means that simply reseating the memory could solve your problems.

I will have something for you in the morning. I want to run memtest and get some screenshots so you can tell me what it says.

[Trish]

So, is there anything I should be doing now?

[Hoov]

Sorry I did not get back to you.

Is there anyway you run memtest again and take a picture of the failure screen and post it here?

[Hoov]

There is a video here on how to access the memory cards. If you remove them and reinstall them, that may be enough to fix the failure problem.

[Hoov]

Trish, do you still need help?

[Hoov]

This thread is being closed due to inactivity. If you need it reopened send me a PM. This applies to the originator only. Anyone else please start a new thread.