Solved: BSOD or freeze up shortly after computer starts

[GabachoGris]

I inherited this Toshiba laptop from a friend. It occasionally froze up when I ran explorer.exe or Windows Media Player. It always has run slow. I started to remove software I was not using and installed MS updates. I have checked it out with Avast and Spybot, and ran registry software. I tried to defrag but the computer said it did not need it.

Now it has started to give me the BSOD or just freeze up every time I start it, shortly after I start it. It does better in Safe Mode, but it still eventually freezes.

This is beyond my abilities at this point and I am not sure if it can be fixed short of reinstalling a new OS which will be difficult since I don't have the discs and am not currently in the US.

MORE DETAILS:

Sysinfo:
Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic, Service Pack 2, 32 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 900 @ 2.20GHz, x64 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10
Processor Count: 1
RAM: 1915 Mb
Graphics Card: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family, 830 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 143736 MB, Free - 35653 MB;
Motherboard: TOSHIBA, Portable PC
Antivirus: avast! Antivirus, Updated and Enabled

Temp file generated after crash
C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\WER65F3.tmp.version.txt
Windows NT Version 6.0 Build: 6002 Service Pack 2
Product (0x2): Windows Vista (TM) Home Basic
Edition: HomeBasic
BuildString: 6002.18881.x86fre.vistasp2_gdr.130707-1535
Flavor: Multiprocessor Free
Architecture: X86
LCID: 1033

 

[blues_harp28]

Hi, how old is this Toshiba laptop - make and model number?
Stay away from "registry software" [cleaners] they can add to the problem, not solve it.
Some reasons for Blue Screens
New hardware - software installed.
Device driver - Video driver - corrupted - faulty.
Faulty Ram - Overheating - Dying hard drive etc.

Run a Mem Test.
http://www.memtest.org/
Scroll down to 'Download (Pre-built & ISOs)'
'Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)'

Download the ISO file -then burn the ISO to a Cd.
Start the Pc using the Cd and run the memory test overnight or for at least 8 passes.

It is best to run a full scan on individual Ram sticks if you can.
Or run the test but if any errors are shown - then remove all sticks of Ram and test each Ram stick one at a time.

Guide to using Memtest86+
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic207910.html
======
If you can check Device Manager.
Click Start button >run > type
devmgmt.msc
.
A driver may need updating - always go to the manufacturers website for any needed drivers.

 

[flavallee]

You appear to have a Toshiba Satellite L305-S5955 (PSLB8U-13T038) laptop that originally came with Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 32-bit.

If you lived in the U.S.A., you could purchase the recovery media disc kit for it from here.

Unfortunately, you live in Mexico.

 

[GabachoGris]

Yes, it is a Toshiba laptop L305-S5955. http://www.cnet.com/products/toshiba-satellite-l305-s5955/specs/

Purchased approx in 2008 or 2009 and running Vista Basic.

I am working on getting the memory test going. Thanks, and I'll get back to you asap.

I probably should mention, the battery for the laptop is quite dead and if I unplug the computer for even a few minutes the computer shuts down. I wonder if that could be an issue.

 

[blues_harp28]

I probably should mention, the battery for the laptop is quite dead and if I unplug the computer for even a few minutes the computer shuts down. I wonder if that could be an issue.

You may have an even greater problem.

Let us know if you can get it to stay on and run the MemTest.

 

[flavallee]

Yes, it is a Toshiba laptop L305-S5955

Purchased approx in 2008 or 2009

I probably should mention, the battery for the laptop is quite dead

http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Toshiba-Satellite-L305S5955-Battery/dp/B003RDD08Q

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Toshiba-Satellite-L305-S5955-6600mAh/dp/B0083XB2K8

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[GabachoGris]

It turns out I can boot from the usb. Can the mem test be run from a usb? If so, would it be the same or different file? I tried to burn it to a cd but while it starts and seems to work, it has problems when it tries to verify that it burned correctly. Please advise.

 

[blues_harp28]

Mem test from a USB stick.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
Scroll down to [Download (Pre-built & ISOs]
Download -Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) *NEW!*

Download to the desktop on a working pc - unzip it there.
To check the correct USB drive letter - right click My Computer > click on Open.
Your USB stick will be listed with the drive letter.

Click on the Install icon on your desktop - it will then have a box appear asking you to name the USB drive letter.
Put the drive letter in the box and click on install.

 

[GabachoGris]

I ran the mem test from the USB port. It didn't show any errors. When the test starts it gives the option of Fail Safe (F1) or Multi Thread (F2). So, I ran them both for 14 passes each, not being sure of the difference. I also played around with the settings. I never was able to figure out the SP and CR (which button to hit?), but I played with the test settings. If I put in test number 11 it did crank out errors but that test did not seem to be a part of the regular test it was runs. It said that I have two banks of memory 1024 MB each. The test I ran did them concurrently.

 

[blues_harp28]

The next thing to run is a hard drive test.
SeaTools for DOS tutorial - ISO to CD
http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/201271en?language=en_US
======
If you can get it to boot to the desktop - run system file checker.
Start - Search - Type.
cmd
Right click cmd.exe - run as administrator.
Type
sfc /scannow

Press Enter.
======
Startup Repair.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html

 

[GabachoGris]

Thanks for the help, especially to BluesHarp. I found a guy who is here visiting who helped me rebuild the computer. Now it seems to be working fine. No more BSOD and it is much faster.

 

[blues_harp28]

Thanks for the help, especially to BluesHarp. I found a guy who is here visiting who helped me rebuild the computer. Now it seems to be working fine. No more BSOD and it is much faster.

thanks for the update.