Peter C. Wallace drunkenly mumbled...
> 
> 	If you are installing memory in previously unused slots, I've seen
> this happen a lot. The pins in the MB slot have been plated with 8-9 years
> worth of smog, crud and general corruption.

the guy i got it from filled it with 14 memory modules, but it's hard to say
how it was previously configured (for most of it's life) without asking him
since he is a reseller, but my guess would be that it didn't have full memory.
it did pass a memory test at his house, but then it traveled some distance,
so it very easily could have jiggled dirt loose.  a good cleaning should fix
it.  (i'm convinced of this)

> 	What I do is dip the bottom edge of the memory module in 99%
> isopropanol alcohol, and while wet, insert and remove it several times

will do, have to run out and get alcohol though, i'm out.

> This usually solves the problem. Oh and wait until the alcohol has
> evaporated before powering up the system, dont want to explode...

i definitely don't want this to happen. :)

thanks for the advice.

-b