[Fall Poetaster]

First and foremost, I understand how it is annoying to have numerous computer-illiterate people join, ask a question, and then leave, but please bear with me. My graduation from high school in June relies on this problem being solved. Anyways, on to the issue.

Recently, my computer's (I have Windows XP Home) spyware/adware problems have increased dramatically. My browser (Firefox then, on IE now on a seperate computer) got hijacked frequently, pop-ups were unbelievably frequent, and I experienced the general spyware annoyances. I ran various removal programs daily (Ad-Aware, Kaversky, Xoft-Spy) but more and more spyware programs kept coming.

The spyware program "Ssk.exe", or "SurfSidekick 3" was the most annoying and problematic. It couldn't be removed by the removal programs I ran, so I searched the web for a solution. I used this tutorial to attempt to remove the program. Everything seemed to be going quite well, until I reached the part that says:

12. Exit HijackThis.

13. Reboot your computer

Upon attempting to reboot, I was confronted with an error page saying that there was an error in rebooting Windows, and I was given the choice to start in Safe Mode, or boot up Windows regularly. However, with either choice, an error occurred, saying that the file "/windows/system32/config/system" was missing or corrupt. With the pressing of any button, the computer would reboot, and the same errors would happen every time.

I looked up the problem on the web, and found that most people could temporarily put this issue on hold for a week or two by simply reinstalling Windows. This would allow me to grab my now seemingly-doomed 20-page semester-long research project for my Health class - a project which, if not completed, means I fail the class, a required class for graduation. Failed class means no graduation.

Anyways, I grabbed my XP CD, stuck it in the drive, and crossed my fingers as the XP installation began normally. The process appeared to be working, as the previous missing system file error did not show up, and my hopes were high at this point.

That is, until the install process reached the point where it attempted to place the new XP files onto my harddrive.

A blue screen came up immediately when the aforementioned phase began. The screen reads completely as follows:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: emu10k1m.sys

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x00000050 (0xFF407034, 0x00000000, 0xF4D52300, 0x00000000)


*** emu10k1m.sys - Address F4D52300 base at F4D42000, DateStamp 3b6b5fb2

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.

I've checked the internet extensively for a result, and have only seen one proposed solution. From Support.Microsoft.com:

CAUSE
This error message may be caused by faulty memory (RAM) in your computer.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, replace the faulty RAM.

MORE INFORMATION
The faulty RAM could be located in any of several areas, including the secondary RAM cache, the video RAM, or the computer's main memory. To determine where the faulty RAM is located, use the following steps:
1. Disable all caching on your computer, including the CPU cache and L2 cache, in the computer's CMOS settings. For information about how to use your computer's CMOS configuration tool, please refer to your computer's documentation.

From what I saw in the manual that came with the computer, it mentioned nothing about a "CMOS configuration tool", though I may have missed it during one the 10 or 15 times I've looked through the booklet in the past 2 or 3 hours.

I think that should be all the information needed, and all the information that I know at this point. As previously mentioned, my high school graduation depends on the, at least temporary, functionality of my computer. I greatly appreciate any and all advice given, and I would be forever indebted to those who provide a sollution to this horrible issue.

Thank you for reading thus far, or even skimming in the least.

[happyrck]

try this



Repair XP Installation without Clean Install:
Configure your computer BIOS to start from the CD-ROM drive at bootup.

Insert your Windows XP compact disc (CD) into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

When you see the following message displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

At this point an option to press R to enter the Recovery Console is displayed.
Do not select this option.

On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press the R key to repair Windows XP.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

This will repair XP and put everything back to as it first was.
You will have to reinstall any Hotfixes and OS updates including SP1 and DX9, plus retweak most (but not all) things all over again.

The advantage here is that you will not have to spend hours reinstalling all your programs again, as well as setting them up.........

[Fall Poetaster]

I just followed those instruction that you posted, and the Windows XP install process opens up, and immediately afterwards, another error pops up. It reads:

lsass.exe - Syntax Error
An invalid parameter was passed to a service or function.

The error window has one button, the "OK" button. When clicked, the computer automatically reboots, and repeats the process again.

This is very, very frustrating. Every possibly solution only seems to add another problem.

Thank you very much for your suggestion, Happyrck.

[happyrck]

you might have to find A KNOWN GOOD memory stick and try it in your computer...you can also try memtest 86..it runs on a floppy or cd

http://www.memtest.org/

you will have to go to the bottom to find the floppy version or the ISO cd version..if you dont have a burning program that will burn ISO image ..let me know and I'll sen a link to get a free one

[Fall Poetaster]

What would I need a memory stick for? My stepdad has one, but I don't know if it's necessarily good or not.

Also, what exactly does memtest86 do? I'm not computer-illiterate, but I don't completely understand the description that the link you gave says about it. And how would I use it? Just save the floppy download file onto a floppy, put the floppy in the broken computer, and turn it on?

[happyrck]

sorry ..another stick of memory...like the one thats on your motherboard

[redhat9]

Memtest sends a bunch of data through your RAM to see if it will return errors when a specific piece of data is pushed through it. Did you get any errors after running memtest. Also, post what make and model this computer is and also post what kind of RAM your stepdad has for you.

[happyrck]

memtest will run from a floppy or CD...it tests the ram by writing different patterns and looks for errors...boot from the floppy or CD and let it run for a few hours...seen if there are any errors..if it throws more than 2 errors in 2 hours let i run another hour or so..post back what you find out

[Fall Poetaster]

As of this minute, memtest has been running for 8 hours and 6 minutes and counting. It hasn't found any errors at all. I dunno if you need any more information than that, so I'll probably let it run overnight just to see if there's anything different in the morning.

Also, post what make and model this computer is and also post what kind of RAM your stepdad has for you.

It's a Dell dimension 4500, if that's what you mean. I'm not really sure what you mean exactly by "make and model". Also, my stepdad doesn't have RAM for me; I misunderstood Happyrck and thought he meant a portable memory stick, not RAM.

[happyrck]

if you have been running for 8 hrs without errors then the memory is good

[happyrck]

get into your bios ..try tapping the delete key about once a second until you get into the bios...find the boot section...set the floppy 1st the the CD drive 2nd then the hard drive 3rd...SAVE YOUR SETTINGS by usually F10..but yours may be different..read the screen exit and reboot with the XP CD in the CD drive try the instructions in post 2....If that doesn't work you will have to remove the drive and slave it to a working computer to get your data off the drive and then just do a complete reinstall

[Fall Poetaster]

Well, good news. The lsass.exe Syntax Error didn't show up. But... I got blue screened still.

So the only way I can fix it is to get my files off of the harddrive by putting it in another computer and then reformat it?

[happyrck]

THE safe thing to do is take the drive to a working computer...set the little jumper on the back of the drive to slave...install it ..hook the ribbon cable..use the middle one.. and boot up...look in my computer for the 2nd drive ...that would be yours..find your work and burn it all to cd..take out the drive..reset the jumper to master ...put it back into your computer and format and install windows...good luck

[SiobhanC]

I have the same problem as the previous user - the pagefault in non paged area. I have not touched it for fear of really affecting adversely something, like my computer, a laptop Dell Inspiron 1000. I used to think it is because it heats up because I have the added issue of the computer shutting down completely when it is HOT. I can turn it on again after it cools off. I have other computers so have left it go but I would like to use it - are the instructions you gave him useful to me. How can I let it run for 8 hrs when the most it can stay on is 20 minutes. I have tried taking out apps and it will take forever - though some stuff can go because i don't need it all. And at least Dell gives you the actual CD's - for apps that come with the computer. (I loathe recovery CD's).

Any idea what my computer prob is. Thanks!!!!!!