[kravounited]

After reformatting my computer with System Recovery on Vista (F11), my computer has been acting completely weird. I've been getting a lot of BSOD's, sometimes my computer has to restart multiple times before it starts, when I try to update, it just crashes on me, not all the programs start up, etc. My main problem is the amount of BSOD's i've been getting. You don't know how many times I reformatted my computer. I tried to read what was on the BSOD screen, but it crashes so quickly. Please, can anyone help me. I'm in desperate need of help since I need to get started on my report for school and crashing every 20 minutes doesn't exactly help.

[Rollin' Rog]

What were the problems leading to a reformat?

Have you tested the memory? To do so, run mdsched.exe and when computer is rebooted to the scanning program, press F1 to access the Advanced menu and run the Extended tests.


You can stop the computer from rebooting automatically by running sysdm.cpl and select Advanced > Startup and Recovery and ensure that "automatically restart" is UN checked.

Also ensure that under "Write Debugging Information" that SMALL memory dump is selected.

I can run a debugging utility on the dump files if you do this:

1 > create a new folder on the desktop and call it "dumpcheck" or whatever you like
2 > navigate to c:\windows\minidump and copy the last few minidump files to that folder. *this assumes 'c' is your boot drive, if it is not, subsitute accordingly
3 > close the folder and right click on it and select Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder.
4 > use the "manage attachments" in the "advanced" reply window to upload that zip file here as an attachment.

This might point us to a non Microsoft driver causing the error, if one exists for it.

[kravounited]

I reformatted my computer because I was having similar problems that I have now. As of now, my problems seem much more worse.

I managed to take a picture of the BSOD's i've been getting.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0557.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0557.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0557.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0557.jpg

Once I get a chance, I will follow the instructions you supplied. Thank you so much. Hopefully this information will help solve my problems.

[Rollin' Rog]

There is no driver mentioned in those BSODs, but they are all "memory management" errors so you need to test the ram. In Vista you can do this by running mdsched.exe and when rebooted to the scanner press F1 for Advanced Options and run the extended tests.

http://aumha.org/a/stop.php#0x1a

You should also test in Safe Mode and in a Clean Boot to rule out any installed software or hardware.

CLEAN BOOT TROUBLESHOOTING technique

First, restart in Safe Mode if necessary -- (tap the f8 key promptly on startup and choose the Safe Mode option from the boot menu) or Normal mode

Then:

Run msconfig and select the "Services" tab. Check "Hide Microsoft Services" and then disable the rest. Also uncheck "load startup group" on the general page.


Now restart and test the issue at hand

If no problems, run msconfig and recheck half the disabled items on the Services tab. Test again. If the problem recurs, UNcheck half the items you just checked to narrow down the culprit.

If the problem didn't occur, check the other half, so all the Services are enabled -- proceed to do this on the startup tab as well.

Get the idea? You want to isolate the problem to a specific startup if possible.

Note: if you already have items unchecked under msconfig > startups and are in “selective” startup mode – you should note what these are before beginning. They will need to be de-selected again.


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 << written for Vista but apples equally to XP

[kravounited]

I'm sorry. I seemed to have copied and pasted the same link. I have about 5 different BSOD's taken.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0579.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0564.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0563.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0557.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0594.jpg

I will also try the directions you've given me. Thank you.

[Rollin' Rog]

Only one mentioned a driver, win32k.sys, which does not rule out hardware or software, but the preponderance of evidence points to memory, especially if you cannot boot up in Safe Mode or a Clean Boot.

When hardware is not the issue with these "memory management" and "win32k.sys" faults, one needs to look at Security software such as Antivirus and non Windows firewalls which get their fingers in the pie very deep and very early.

[kravounited]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/...a/IMG_0606.jpg

So I did ran mdsched.exe & this is what turned out. What do I do from here?

[Rollin' Rog]

You will need to replace the defective ram. To identify the module you will either have to take what you have and have a shop test it, remove one module at a time and test with mdsched.exe, or try creating a bootdisk memory tester with Memtest86 which can give a clue as to the module but requires the knowledge of how to translate the memory location to determine which module it might be located in.

For example if you had 2 1gig modules and the error occured with more than 10000kb of memory tested, it would be in the second module.

Beginners Guides: Diagnosing Bad Memory

Memtest86 - A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic

[kravounited]

So in other words, does this mean i have to buy new memory?

[Rollin' Rog]

Sometimes just reseating the memory cards can make a difference, but if that doesn't work then, yes, you just have to determine which module is bad and what your system requires to match it.

Cruicial's scanner does not tell you if anything is bad but will identify the model type for you.

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_ram.htm

[ku214]

hi i'm actually having the same problem except mine doesn't crash very often after I reformatted it a couple days ago. it crashed just now when i was installing microsoft office, but that was at least 3 - 4 hours after i turned on my computer.
so my question is how can i isolate the problem if it doesn't crash on startup??

[kravounited]

Can you help me find out how many memory modules I can put in my computer? (Sorry if that doesn't make sense. So like, I have 2 GB RAM as of now. Can i go to 4 GB? )

HP Pavilion a6118x PC is my PC model.

& when you say reseating my memory, do you mean just take it out and place it back in?

[Rollin' Rog]

Yes that is what reseating means.

Did you run the Cruicial Scanner? I think that will provide the information you want.

Actually, here is your spec page, looks like you have 2 1gig slots >>

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...445636&lang=cs

Component Attributes
Memory Installed 2 GB
Maximum allowed 2 GB (2 x 1 GB)
Speed supported PC2-5300 MB/sec (message as PC2-4200)
Type 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM

You could try removing and testing one at a time to isolate the defective module.

ku214

Please start a new thread for your problem and upload the minidumps as I instructed in this one. I or another windebug user will have a look at it. Title the thread BSOD something or other, I tend to check those out whenever I see them.