VideoStdudio v10+ NOT WORTH OWNING

Post by **Ron P.** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:03 am

It is possible that your copy is bad. You could try to exchange it. If you purchased it through Ulead's website, then you would contact Element5, explaining that your copy is corrupt, and with proof of purchase they will probably send you a new one.

One last thing, Steve also mentioned running a memory test. A couple of years ago, in fact shortly after VS9 was released, I kept having crashes with VS9 only. I seriously thought it was VS9. However only until I started having another program suddenly crash, did I start thinking about other things on my system. I downloaded a free utility called Memtest, and ran it. Surprise, surprise, I had a bad memory module. This module was only about 6 months old and luckily still under warranty. After replacing I have not had that problem. You can get it here:
http://www.memtest86.com/

Post by **jparnold** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:32 am

I am currently running MEMTEST 86. Don't know how good it is but it installs on a bootable floppy disk so that Windows never starts.
I have been running it for well over 30 minutes so far and it has reported errors at three locations so far (all below 200Mb).
My memory consists of 1 of DDR400 512MB and 2 of 256 DDR333 256MB dimms (or whatever they are called) and they are installed in the same order as listed above (as per the motherboard manual). The reason for the DDR400 is that when I decided to increase my ram size DDR333 was no longer available. I wouldn't have thought this should be a problem as it just means that the ram will run at a faster speed - tell me if I am wrong.
Anyway I am just about to stop the memory check and remove the 1 of DDR400 and move the other two 'up' to slots 0 and 1 and run the test again as I imagine that if the test found 2 memory locations under (address) 200Mb then they would be in the FIRST dimm - correct?
Oh how did I reply? I have another slower PC networked to my router and modem.
I will get back to you later.

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:04 am

Mixing different speeds of ram is not advisable. Keeping to identical even in make is best.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:13 am

Doing what you did, at best, would make the faster RAM work slower. I would advise against it though.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 12:20 pm

Have to agree. Should not mix and match different RAM, much less different RAM at different ratings. At BEST, the fastest will run at the slowest speeds.

And if Memtest is giving ANY error, let alone 3 at any speed, there is something definetly wrong with at least one of your RAM sticks... I once ran Memtest on 2 new (at that time) 333 RAM sticks, and one returned one error in one of the tests. But that meant there was an error in the RAM stick, and was enough to get me a new one...

Post by **jparnold** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:09 pm

I removed the stick of DDR400 512MB ram and run the test again (on 2 sticks each of DDR333 256MB) and so far no errors. I will run it again later on the DDR400 only to double check that it really was that stick producing the errors.
What do I do about NOT mixing types of memory when no one sells DDR333 dimms anymore. Remember my motherboard only supports DDR333 dimms. Should I then buy enough memory in DDR400 (if I can't source DDR333 on Ebay second hand)?
Will VS10+ run successfully with 512Mb ram (I seem to have 2 sticks of good memory totalling 512Mb)? What will more (than 512Mb) memory do for me if anything?

WestbrookNH · Post by **WestbrookNH** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:13 pm

I wouldn't take this to the bank, but being a bit familiar with hardware, I think you should be able to use DDR 400 in your motherboard, as long as you don't mix them with any other type.

The motherboard does not care what speed the memory is capable of, as long as all the memory modules are all programmed to run at the same speed and as long as they all have the same electrical characteristics.

Running the memory at speeds less than those of which they are capable should not be a problem.

And memory is getting pretty inexpensive, these days.

Today, I'm planning to buy 512MB of 400 MHz DDR for one of my daughters for just $59 along with a new MSI K8MM-V motherboard for $99, and that includes an AMD Sempron 2600+ CPU, at this place: http://www.pcdepot.com/

Altogether, $158 for a new motherboard, 64-bit CPU, and 512 MB memory.

It's real money, but it's a lot of bang for the buck.

.

htchien · Post by **htchien** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:16 pm

For RAM modules, I would suggest to use same brand, and same speed memory modules on the mainboard, or you might get compatibility issues with the RAM.

VS 10 should be able to run with 512MB only. However, when you are trying to edit huge (or highly compressed) video clips, the memory in Windows might not be enough then Windows will use the hard drive as virtual memory and it will slow down the video performance a lot.

I would suggest to have at least 1GB RAM for the dedicated video editing system.

Hope this helps.

H.T.

Post by **jparnold** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 4:19 am

Thanks guys for all your input and suggestions.
Well after MEMTEST 86 displayed some memory addresses had errors with the three stick of memeory installed I removed all memory and then installed the 2 of DDR333 memory sticks and did the test again. No errors displayed. I then removed the 2 of DDR333 and installed the single DDR400 memory stick and did the test again. To my surprise no errors were displayed. How come? Maybe becuase the errors only occur when dimms of different speed are installed together. I then put all memory sticks back and did the test again. Still no errors. I wonder why memtest displayed errors before? Maybe an intermittent error?
Anyway I then removed the DDR400 stick and now am running just on the 512MB of DDR333. I haven't had a chance to see if VS10+ is now stable. My fingers are crossed although I am NOT optimistic.
I have read that different memory types have different 'latency' and other 'things' which I don't understand, but still I will only use memory which is the same 'speed' although I really did think that you should be able to use any hardware which was 'better' than the 'specifications' limited by the motherboard eg if the motherboard supports IDE66 you can still use hard drives supporting IDE100 they will just be 'throttled back'.

I will attempt to source some DDR333 memory on Ebay as it now is not available new in shops.

Best Wishes for a successful 2007.