pfn_list_corrupt blue screen in Windows XP

[mjdamico1]

I recently purchased a 512 MB memory module (CMSS512MB-266SOD) for my Dell Inspiron 5100. The upgrade replaced one of two 128 MB DIMMs that were originally installed in the laptop, bumping the total memory to 640 MB. Ever since the new memory was installed, I've been regularly receiving blue screen crashes in Windows XP (SP2). The most common is the PFN_LIST_CORRUPT error, and they occur at the Windows login screen. Booting in safe mode produces the same result. I wiped the hard drive clean and installed a fresh version of Windows XP w/ SP2. Upon booting for the first time, I encountered another PFN_LIST_CORRUPT error, however subsequent tries worked OK. This morning, Windows crashed to a blue screen upon booting twice in a row. I removed the Corsair memory module and replaced it with the original 128 MB module that the system shipped with, and it booted OK.

 

I downloaded the Windows Memory Diagnostic program from Microsoft, and it detected no errors in the memory. I also ran a full system diagnostic from Dell, and it reported no errors. Despite this, it seems apparent that the memory module is to blame. The problems didn't begin to occur until it was installed, and removing it seems to have fixed the problem.

[RAM GUY]

Please make sure that you have the latest bios and then with just our module installed please run http://www.memtest.org on the module. If you still have problems we can try and replace the module.

Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!