bad_pool_caller can't get into safe mode

[cas29]

We've got a problem with a computer running Windows XP.

the bad_pool_caller problem is popping up all the time.
The machine goes through all the start up, the ram is ok, it starts loading Windows, seems to stumble, then the blue screen pops up


the error code varies but basically it is :

stop: 0x000000c2 (0x00000043, 0xD4 58A888, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

the code starting with 0xD seems to vary with new re-boots.

We try to go into safe mode, but it won't let us.
We haven't loaded any new hardware in ages, and the only new software we put on was Firefox.

Any ideas on what we can do?
thanks

 

[Chicon]

Hi cas29,

It seems to be a related RAM problem. Test your RAM as suggested here :

http://www.memtest86.com/#download0

 

[cas29]

Hi Chicon,
I appreciate the link - but if I can't get the computer even into safe mode, how can I download it?

that's the first hurdle to get over!

 

[Chicon]

The file is small to be stored on a floppy disk. Are you allowed to download file from where you write your posts ?

 

[cas29]

I think I understand now. It acts rather like a boot disk?
I downloaded it on my computer and I can put it on a floppy to bring over to the other one.

First it seems I have a bit of reading to do!
thanks for your help

 

[Chicon]

You are welcome !

 

[cas29]

Well, we gave it a try, but it wouldn't work, so we broke down and took the computer to the shop.

Turns out it was a sector of the hard drive that was corrupted.
Now we're waiting to see how much of it they'll be able to recover!!

grrr.

thanks again for your help.