Memory could not be "read" error for windows xp?

Question

a friend of mine has a dell inspiron E1505 and when he boots he gets an error message saying (the instruction at (wherever)* referenced memory at (wherever else)* the memory could not be "read". and now he cannot open nearly any windows and his desktop background does not boot. what should i do to trouble shoot and what is wrong. is it a virus or a hardware issue. TALK TO ME!!!!!!!!!! oh and i will flip out if someone's only comment is 'get a mac' that is not being helpful to solve the problem

Answer 1

Sounds to me you/he has a memory module problem. The only way to trouble shoot that kind of error message is to remove the memory chips and replace with new onces. If the computer has more than one memory module you might try and remove only one and see what happens. If it gives error messages remove it and install the first one you took out and see. This way will tell you if one or both chips are done. Unfortunately if there is only one memory chip you will need another one for replacement for you to try.