A system that provides error detection and correction for a memory that has a specific failed memory component accesses a block of data from the memory. Each block of data includes an array of bits logically organized into rows and columns, including a column including row-checkbits, a column including inner checkbits and data bits, and columns containing data bits. Each column is stored in a different memory component and the checkbits are generated from the data bits. Next, the system attempts to correct a column of the block by using the checkbits and the data bits to produce a corrected column. The system then regenerates row-parity bits and the inner checkbits for the block of data, wherein the block includes the corrected column, and compares the regenerated row-parity bits and inner checkbits with existing row-parity bits and inner checkbits. If the comparison indicates that there remains a double-bit error with both erroneous bits in the same row and one in the column associated with the failed component, the system flips the erroneous bits to correct the double-bit error.