Solved: Random reboots, restarts during Netflix, Hulu streaming

The system: according to 'Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2'
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz, x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 5
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 2047 Mb
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600, 256 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 190779 MB, Free - 178951 MB; F: Total - 190779 MB, Free - 66343 MB;
Motherboard: ECS, P4M800PRO-M
Antivirus: None

OK, I have had this issue for a little while now and am quite perplexed by it. It would seem that most often, but not always, when I am streaming a show from Hulu or Netflix, my system randomly reboots. Sometimes I can watch an entire movie with no problem, sometimes 5 minutes into it and POOF!!!, 'reboot'. When the system has recovered ~85% of the time I will get a standard "The system has recovered from a serious error" message, sometimes I will lose my active desktop, sometimes not.
Now I am no expert at programming, but not inexperienced. I suspect a java error linked to Silverlight, but I'm not 100% sure of this either.
** I have tried reinstalling (uninstalled 1st) Silverlight (3,4,and 5) and updated as it requested. I have tried updating my Java as well, these seem to make no change in the issue.
** I have tried using different browsers, FireFox, Chrome, and IE..., still randomly reboots.
** I have tried changing cache size..., no improvement.
** I have tried updating video drivers, no improvement.
** I checked my hardware;
1) replaced my RAM sticks (after finding some error reporting), no improvement.
2) cleaned cooling fans (all reports now run cooooool), no improvement.
3) ran full diagnostics on Hard-Drives (no reportable errors), no improvement.
4) checked voltages various times under processing stress (no issues found), no improvement.
5) stressed video card running various programs, DVD movies, etc.(no errors found), no improvement.

It would seem that I can do anything I want with this machine except relax and watch a Netflix/Hulu movie.
I do not subscribe to any incompatability issues between XP and Silverlight, since there are 2 other XP units in the house that don't have this issue, and 1 Vista unit without issue. It seems to be just THIS machine.

Anybody got any ideas???

 

Here is a zip of the most recent minidump file. Hope it helps...

 

After looking over that analysis report, I am inclined to agree that there is, at some point, a software to processor error occurring. This is something that I will live with for now and hope that some new updates (Java, Silverlight, whatever) will address and correct the error.

Anyone else that may have an idea toward a reasonable solution is more than welcome to jump in.


About the Antivirus issue:

I got out of the habit of having background running anti-virus software in like '97(?) when they were a constant drag on system resources. The only actual virus I have ever seriously encountered was a boot virus that I had stupidly infected my own system with (downloaded and triggered from an e-mail, duh). I have actually downloaded and manually removed one other virus before it was triggered. I have successfully done this for other people as well. I do run Trend's HouseCall and SpyBot S&D whenever I feel the need, which truthfully isn't that often. I have tens of thousands of hours logged in and I just use "Surfing, Safe & Simple" practices and I avoid a lot of problems.

 

Like I said, I use Trend's 'HouseCall', it is an on-line scan.

I appreciate the concern though, thanks.

 

I didn't see that this was a memory corruption error from that report. It is indicating a processor error that is not being corrected by the processor or the software. This is why I believe it is something particular to this build. I can use this machine all day, surf for hours and have no problem at all. As soon as I try to run a NetFlix or Hulu stream, it may or may not reboot. It is SOOO random that I cannot believe that it is anything other than my particular processor having issues with some sloppy software. But hey, what do I know?
This build is actually fairly recent (Nov.1st?), so I will run a malware detection just to satisfy you and myself, eliminating that possibility.

I'll be back...

 

Agreed, they are not easy to interpret. I thought I had done what would have eliminated any system memory issues after;
1. I noticed after a reboot (from said issue) that only 1.5 of my 2 Gigs were being recognized. (A-Data brand)
2. Replaced that set with another matched pair, that read as only 1G of the 2G sticks??? (Microns)
3. Replaced that pair with yet another and it finally gave me 2 Gigs and has stayed as such. (pricey PNYs with heatsinks).

I did miss that part of the diagnosis report and was more intent on the next portion. I realize that a processor error will mess with memory occurances as well, so it was not as much of a concern as the CPU reporting (sorry)

Ok, ran an updated Spybot check, it only found a couple tracking cookies, my security over-rides, and didn't like my TWEAKed Explorer settings. No malware, dialers, bots, nada.
I am curious about one thing though, it said it found a ******** of temp files and deleted them, well most of them. hmmmm.....
I guess I'll try it all out again and see what happens. It really is not a big deal, just a bit unnerving that I can't watch a decent movie without it restarting, sometimes... LOL!!!

Thanks for the assistance though.

 

It seems it was indeed a cache-read error in the processor, causing a hal.dll failure.
I had thought the processor was "Ok" as it passed all checks by the Intel diagnostic tool. But after switching it out with another CPU..., everything seems to be hunky-dory.
Now although I am happy the gremlin seems to be gone, I am not thrilled by the under-performing replacement CPU (2.66g P4). It just seems to be a step backwards. Oh well, it will work for now.

I'll close this thread out and call it "Solved". Thanks for listening...

I do want to say that I can see from this experience that there are still some big holes in the available diagnostic tools that are provided to us by the powers at be (mS & Intel). I do intend to take this up with Intel, just to see what they have to say about it.