I got this in a PM and thought that it would be better served here on the forums (rather than just giving my own opinions and leaving it at that. Here's the text of the PM:

1) Memory compatibility does impact performance - but the change is sporadic. Generally, if you don't buy the memory that the mobo maker certified for it's boards - then you're on your own. But, folks like Crucial and Kingston have a very good gaurantee for their products that may make them worth trying for you.

2) Other memory - what's the return policy where you bought it? If you can return it - do so, based on the problems that you're having now. Is 7 out of 10 times good enough for you? It's not for me - I insist upon no errors with my RAM. You might try running this free, floppy based memory tester to see if there's a problem with the chip: http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/docinfo.asp Run it for at least 2 hours, but overnight is better - let us know if there's any errors.

3) Your fiancee doesn't want you to spend money on RAM? Are you sure that you've picked the right woman? Do you think that maybe you could trade her for the RAM? (just kidding!) Link to the Manly Man's Advice Column (it's a hoot!): http://www.bcsdesign.com/comedyzone/manly.shtml

Seriously tho', $240 for the 1 gB of the right RAM is way too steep! Crucial shows 1 gB of RAM for the Dell Dimension 3000 at $129!

1 gB of RAM will be plenty - but you'll get used to it quickly and will then tend to overload it with open apps, startups and extra services. This will necessitate even more RAM unless you're good about your housekeeping. If you're able to keep the clutter down, 1 gB will do you just fine. I've got 2 gB and leave everything open while playing FEAR and still get the occasional bit of lag (but when it's down to just 1 app - watch out!).

4) Can you use it in your Dell Dimension D333? I wasn't able to find this model on the Crucial site, but expect that since it's an older machine the memory won't be compatible.

But, it's easy to get an idea. First, look at your current RAM - notice about how many little gold fingers it has - do the slots on the old PC have about this many? Next, is the length of the chip the same length as the slot on the older motherboard? Finally, check the divots between the little gold fingers on the RAM - see where it's designed to fit only one way because of those "divots" - are they the same as the one's in the old PC's motherboard?

If that works - then check to see if the system is compatible with that type and size of RAM. Even if it's not the same brand that's "authorized" it may work (as long as it fits and is within the tolerances of the BIOS).

Anyone know of a CD image for one of the floppy based memory testers?

Seems to me I made a bootable CD (of course I can't find it now) from here: Memtest86+. The link to download a bootable precompiled iso is towards the bottom of the page.

Update:

Thank you USASMA for starting this thread for me. I have run the memtest diagnostics utility and it seems there are no faulty cells in the installed module. I'm sure that there is an incompatibility issue here but I will reinstall Windows xp again and use the killdrive utility to remove any lurking malware from the last infection (Thanks to suggestion by Albert Frankenstein).

I have however ran microsoft's malicious software removal tool, AVG and Ad-aware but nothing was found other than a few data miner cookies.

Before I do go through the rigmorol of re-installing, do you think its worth doing given that there is visibly no bad software installed even the hijack this log appeared short and trim

..I am however still having trouble with user accounts and allocating users to groups..ie: I get an error that the standard user group could not be found. I also cannot rename users from an administrative standpoint and my comp strruggles while closing windows if a few have been open for any duration. When logging off, there is usually a wait for InCD.exe to unload also. This is why I'm having probs interpreting memory trouble or windows problems that are causing lags, stalls and other pains in the arse.

All input much appreciated
Thanks for your advice
Darren

This post should now be closed as the problems I was experiencing were not memory related. Thank you all for your help, advice and attention.

Darren De Wilde.

(Some of the problems related to incompatible Ahead software InCD version and the other prob with my web pages loading slow or stopping were related to the firewall.)