Memory Parity Error

On a T60P I have been experiencing a recurring memory parity error. I already know that it is not the GPU, nor the RAM. I don't believe it is the motherboard, as the whole system tested successfully.

One ThinkPad user, whose company had a large number of these machines, attributed this error almost always to problems with Power Manager. In my case, my machine was running an ancient version of Power Manager, version 1.4 versus the current version 3.65. Thinkpad System Update recommended a number of updates, but somehow did not pick up the fact that I was running this ancient version on my Vista 32 machine.

System update did recommend that I update the drivers for my GPU, as well as for the biometric fingerprint reader, and the Sierra Wireless modem. These last two items, I do not use and have simply disabled in device manager. Is it possible that disabling these two devices may be causing the memory parity error? Would it be better to disable them in the BIOS?

I will be updating Power Manager, but am curious if this is an upgrade that ever causes problems, or crashes the machine. The reason I ask this is the same reason I'm holding off on doing the GPU driver (actually the entire Catalyst program), which is that I need to make an image of the whole computer, as the only backups I have currently are important file backups made on CDs by Norton 360. At this moment, I do not have a hardware solution for doing this. With my other ThinkPad, I routinely cloned my hard drive every few weeks. With the T60P, for some reason, it is only possible to clone from an external source drive into the target drive installed within the ThinkPad.

Updating the GPU driver, for some reason, causes me a lot of concern, as I have read of GPU driver installations going wrong.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

I would try an overnight run of Memtest.

 

I did that, twice, with no errors. Also ran GPU stress tests for hours. No problem there.

 

Have you tried known good RAM? If known good RAM gives Memory Parity errors, possibly your memory controller on your motherboard is toast..

 

If memtest cannot detect any error, try LinX or Prime95 with all memory available.

 

No one thinks that the disabled Fingerprint Reader or Sierra Wireless Modem could be causing the problem? When I run the Toolbox I always get the message that these disabled devices might cause the computer not to work properly.

At any rate, would it be a good idea to disable them in BIOS rather than device manager, as I do not use them?

Anyone have any thoughts on whether Power Manager upgrades or ATI GPU driver upgrades may be problematic in any way?

Thanks for all the responses.

 

I'd always heard the memtest (newest version ...memtest86+)
was the most reliable tester. I also ran the Microsoft Memory Tester.

You don't think that Power Manager (I'm running an ancient version) could be causing it? The tip on this came from a man working in IT for a company, where virtually every T60P owned by the company had this error attributable to Power Manager.

What about disabled Fingerprint Reader and Sierra Modem?

Thanks.

I see you have an IPS panel on your Thinkpad, so you're in the know!