MD5 errors installing software linked to hardware?

I can install and play games from CD's and DVD's no problem. The problem I have is when downloading and installing patches or downloading (Legally - I buy them and get them with downloader programs) games from the internet. Frequently when doing this, I come across MD5 errors during the installation that cause the installation to fail. I've done a complete reformat of the computer and still come across the error.

Is this something that can frequently be attributed to hardware problems? The only times I encounter any unusual errors is during these installs, not during other times.

I've figured it's either my memory modules having problems (memtest freezes after the first couple tests) or something with the hard drive. Since I did a reformat of the drive, I'm leaning more towards the memory, although I can't rule out something with the mobo.

Anyone have any insight on what else it could be or have similar experiences?

 

It could be the memory, but when installing from CD it normally gets copied to temp folders/ memory as well
MD5 hash errors normally mean that the download didn't get to you properly - most likely that is because of your internet connection (binary bits didn't get transfered in the proper order)
If you have a firewall/AV I would disable during download and re-download the game.
Are you getting these games from a valid source? or File sharing? Most P2P games run into these errors AND most times that you download games from a valid source they provide a md5 code proir to download on the site that you can compare to the md5 txt file to ensure your download was proper.
You could have a problem with your RAM if memtest is freezing up, but I would suggest running Memtest in safe mode first and see if it locks up - and once it freezes give it a min to get going -

 

Sounds like a network problem to me. (When and how exactly do you get those errors?)

Although if memtest freezes, you definitely have a memory problem apart from everything else.

 

Yep, definitely a network issue, I would say that either the server you're trying to download from is buggy/poorly configured for mass sustained downloads or you are behind some hardware that is filtering content out of packets coming from the server.

Here's a way to check.

Another way would be to have your friend bring his laptop over, download and install on his hardware to see if you get the same MD5 errors.