ERROR MESSAGE ON STARTUP [The amount of system memory has changed...]

Question

Hello Everyone,   I am new to this so I will do my best to describe my problem in hopes that someone may share the solution.  I am only moderately computer literate, so please explain any technical jargon or commands when responding. :)   Here is the problem.  I recently installed Freedom software powered by Adelphia.  It warns to make sure all other anti0virus software in uninstalled or discable before installing.  I thought I had done this but apparently the computer had a number of anti-virus programs installed.  This may have been the beginning of the trouble, which was on start-up the computer said:   Memory write/read failure at 0C002810, read EF00E04 expecting EF00EF00 Decreasing available memory The amount of sytem memory has changed   Then it went through CHKDSK and eventually into Windows where I was taken into an old profile instead of my current profile with all my current settings and folders.  The old profile is there but the attributes now say read-only and it will not allow me to unset it to change the attributes back to normal.  I also was unable to successfully modify the user profile in the Computer Management screen using the instructions I found somewhere on the Internet.  Moreover, I suppose that will only be putting a band-aid on the deeper problem.   So I uninstalled ALL the anti-software problems and used all kinds of wizards to make sure all the files were gone, rebooted and still the same problem.  So I unseated and reseated the memory cards, same problem.  I also tried some instructions to clear the cache, I believe, through the BIOS Setup.  Anyway, I have been everywhere on the Internet and tried a whole bunch of stuff and the end result is this new message:   The amount of system memory has changed. Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.   Does anyone have any ideas about the cause of the problem?  What about a procedure to rectify the problem?  Please help me, I am at wits end.   Alicia   P.S. I have a Dimension 8100 running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional [5.00.2195] Service Pack 4.  The System Properties also state: Intel(R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU 1400MHz AT/AT COMPATIBLE 196,148 KB RAM

Majestic · Answer

Try clearing the NVRAM to see if that will take care of the F1 - F2 boot up scenario. Just follow the steps I have listed below to clear the NVRAM. After the NVRAM is cleared the system will take a fresh inventory of all the installed hardware and that should resolve the F1 / F2 problem.

Reboot system and enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2.
Turn on Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock.
Press the ALT and E keys at the same time.
NOTE: The system will emit a beep tone to indicate that NVRAM has been cleared.
Press the ESC key, and then the ENTER key to save the changes and reboot the system.

amlytle · Answer

Hi Majestic, First let me thank you for your response.  I really appreciate your taking the time to help.  I followed the instructions but I am still having trouble.  Any other ideas? AML

Majestic · Answer

Glad to be of assistance.   When the system stops at boot up with the F1 - F2 problem are you getting any diagnostic light error codes on the rear of the system?   My next best guess is that the memory is faulty and I was wondering if there is an error code to confirm my suspicion.  You can click here for the explanation of the diagnostic light error codes from the on-line version of your model's User Guide.

amlytle · Answer

That's odd.  I went and shut the entire computer down overnight.  This morning I turned it on and looked at the back for the diagnostic code and all the lights were green and it booted without the message.  The system still wanted to run checldisk but it went into windows after that.  It still is taking me into the settings for the old/standard user and not the personalized settings that I had in Windows.  I really need them though because now when I go into Outlook, it doesn't have any of the old messages, address book contacts, mail accounts (and I had over 10 set-up), message rules, etc.  Just a brand new blank slate.  My Documents also doesn't really have My Documents.  I see that the old profile is there still in C:Documents and Settings, but the computer won't let me switch to it.  When I try to unclear the read-only attribute, it simply resets to read-only.  I imagine that the computer is trying to protect me because it knows that something in the configuration or settings of that profile triggered the meltdown.  But, I am wondering if I can edit it somehow to remove the kinks so it will go back to normal?  Or do I simply need to start over?  Is it safe to reload Freedom or one of the other anti-virus software now?  Thanks again for your help.

Majestic · Answer

Glad to hear from a hardware perspective that the system is back to normal.    As for the anti-virus software, you should definitely have something installed in order to offer your system some protection.  When it comes to anti-virus software you only need to use one application.  The use of multiple anti-virus applications is not advisable as they can conflict with one another. Just use one program and update your virus definitions at least once a week.   As for your Windows 2000 User problem, I've never used Win2k so I'm probably the last person you would want to ask on how to correct the problem. Since no one else has jumped in on this thread, what I would do is start a new message thread about your User problem.  That should produce some responses from people more familiar with the problem you are experiencing.

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