Another Computer Problem... BSOD/Freezing Related.

[Ratmaster]

(Gateway Computer, Windows XP Media Edition 2005, 200 GB HDD, 512 MB DDR Memory, 7200 RPM with 2 MB Cache)

Since the other computer I had which I had made a topic for was completely uncontrollable, my other computer (which is bad, but not nearly as much as the other one) was brought out and hooked up to the internet. Unfortunately, it may have the same problem, but I am not sure.

This problem is slightly different from the other, but I can't say it is the same.

The problem is that the computer crashes when using a moderate amount of what I am assuming is RAM, but I am not such a computer whiz so I am not exactly sure that is the problem, but it does happen when it using too much of something...
The computer either freezes or crashes when these situations are present:

-FireFox is open and has too many tabs (around 6) up and I am using them variously and moderately quickly.
-FireFox is open and I am watching a video/listening to music.
-Norton Anti-virus is performing a full scan on my computer.
-I am making a video in Windows Movie Maker.
-Internet Explorer is open and I am watching a video/listening to music.
-I am watching a video/listening to music using Windows Media Player or another media player.
-FireFox/IE is open and a site that is basically completely flash is up and is being used or not.
-A game (RealArcade) is being played.
-FireFox/IE is open and contains a lot of images or is designed with lots of large images is being viewed or is in a tab.
-A large image is being edited in Paint.NET.
-IncrediMail is open.

Of course, times vary while things are open depending on what is open and what the circumstances are.

But there is another problem.
75% of the time, after a crash has occurred or my computer froze and I shut it off, this happens:

1st Startup - Bluescreen (nothing is dumped) between the time Gateway comes up and by the time the Windows XP startup occurs or black screen appears and says that cannot locate a specific Windows directory.
2nd Startup - Same thing or freezes at that point or earlier.
3rd Startup - Freezes at some early point or does not even make the monitor turn on. Can't turn it off. Goes into sleep mode.
4th Startup - May not even show the power button light up or do the same as before.
... Startup - Same thing really...

I have to wait like 5 minutes before starting the computer back up, in some cases 10-15.

I know it is not he video card or whatever because it was replaced with no difference in results.

Can anyone help, in terms of telling me how I can lessen the amount of... whatever... something uses when active?

I will try to post some BSOD error codes, but most say something about the files nstf.sys, win32k.sys, or nothing at all, but some say different things.

Thanks.

EDIT ::

Here are some error messages.

*** STOP: 0x0000008E (0xC0000005, 0x8062A167, 0xF7866300, 0x00000000)

For the 4th number set (counting all including the one outside of the parenthesis), I missed a character, so it may be incorrect.

DRIVER_IRQL_LESS_OR_NOT_EQUAL

*** STOP: 0x000000D1 (0x00000040, 0x000000FF, 0x00000001, 0x807CEE14)

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

*** STOP: 0x00000050 (0xE82205CC, 0x00000000, 0xF3321C54, 0x00000002)

*** SPBBCDrv.sys - Address F3321C54 base at F3306000, DateStamp 46c607f1

The last two BSODs (of the three there were) were sent, but the error reports were corrupted. Usually, they are all sent fine. The first of the three was sent with no problem, but they all come back saying there is no solution available.

 

[NewYorkBum]

Check if the CPU fan working correctly.
Check the RAM with memtest for errors.


Unrelated: defrag the poor hdd, after so many bsods and any hard drive would die.

 

[Ratmaster]

Is memtest a command? Do you enter it in the command prompt? If so, how?

About defragging, I could do that, but it crashes if I do it.

 

[Ratmaster]

Bump

 

[Ratmaster]

Bump

 

[Host47]

those errors point to a ram problem, download memtest and boot with it and test for 8+ hours to get true results http://www.memtest86.com, also make sure u have all the latest drivers and windows updates...check for virus's and spyware...

hope this helps

 

[Ratmaster]

I don't really know if that would work, because if it tests the RAM, wouldn't that make it blue screen? Isn't there any alternatives?

 

[Host47]

no as it boots from the cdrom to test the ram...its the only way to test your ram properly..if you want to find the issue, you need to do this

 

[Achaias]

I would also agree to check the Ram. Could be a bad stick of it so just an encouragement to do what Reaper and NYBum said . Out of curiosity what is your Ram setup? 1 512 or 2 256 etc...

 

[liquidcherry]

Hi there,

If you test the RAM and it turns out to be good it could be your Power supply.

These days the Manufacturers giving there machines underpowered "Hearts" to save every possible dime.

Even if it is still running, the Fan could run slower or something other inside could just go bad/old.

Go to your local Hardware Dealer and get one with at least 450 Watts, they run between $39-$229(you don't need the $229 fancy one) , it is easy to replace...

Let us know

Cheers,

Frank

 

[mis_chiff]

If you test the RAM and it turns out to be good it could be your Power supply.

Good eye,
I've had the same symptoms as the OP on 2 different occasions

1st time it was the power supply - the fan was really slow and according
to HWDOCTOR it was overheating then after awhile of blue
screens and hard crashes it wouldn't even boot up. It would turn on
and that was it! I had to take it to a professional to get this part fixed

2nd time the ram stick wasn't in properly <--- this one took weeks to
figure out, hundreds of blue screens and freezing...error messages galore

Have you or someone else done any work inside your tower lately?

Post and let us know how it turns out Good luck!

 

[liquidcherry]

Good eye,
I've had the same symptoms as the OP on 2 different occasions

1st time it was the power supply - the fan was really slow and according
to HWDOCTOR it was overheating then after awhile of blue
screens and hard crashes it wouldn't even boot up. It would turn on
and that was it! I had to take it to a professional to get this part fixed

2nd time the ram stick wasn't in properly <--- this one took weeks to
figure out, hundreds of blue screens and freezing...error messages galore

Have you or someone else done any work inside your tower lately?

Post and let us know how it turns out Good luck!

Thx mis_chiff,

As a matter affect i am doing that on a daily basis, starting this year i even go a step further, doing it on a professional level(pcfix.cc-not done with the website yet)

Unfortunately when it comes to Computer you have to do the trial and error thing, it could be a million reasons but with 18+ years of experience one has his little knowledge base

Ratmaster, tell me how it is going and if you still have problems maybe i can help you further......

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Ratmaster]

Ratmaster, tell me how it is going and if you still have problems maybe i can help you further......

I am still having problems, I am really frustrated because I do not trust myself with that memtest thing and I don't know what else to do.

 

[Host47]

what do you mean you don't trust yourself, you make cdrom, boot from it and do the test, what's not to trust, you either want to find the source of the problem or you don't

 

[mis_chiff]

I am still having problems, I am really frustrated because I do not trust myself with that memtest thing and I don't know what else to do.

Did you check the ram sticks on the board to see if they
are in correctly...I know it sounds stupid that a loose stick can
cause this but, but it can and it's worth a try! (make sure the main
power switch on the back of the tower is off too, I forgot that part
when I did it :red: )

 

[Ratmaster]

what do you mean you don't trust yourself, you make cdrom, boot from it and do the test, what's not to trust, you either want to find the source of the problem or you don't

Sorry for being naive, but what do you mean boot it? You put all of the files on it and then...?

Did you check the ram sticks on the board to see if they
are in correctly...I know it sounds stupid that a loose stick can
cause this but, but it can and it's worth a try! (make sure the main
power switch on the back of the tower is off too, I forgot that part
when I did it :red: )

I would do that and I have a feeling that is the problem, but I do not know how to open my computer, and I don't know what the sticks look like and I don't want to screw with anything that doesn't need to be touched...

 

[mis_chiff]

I would do that and I have a feeling that is the problem, but I do not know how to open my computer, and I don't know what the sticks look like and I don't want to screw with anything that doesn't need to be touched...

I was exactly the same way, I really didn't have a clue, - that's why it
went on for so long.

I can help you through it, and as long as you don't touch anything else,
if it is the problem you'll know instantly!

I'll put it in a PM for you...it'll take a few minutes to put together,
let me know .

 

[Ratmaster]

Wait, but at the moment can you tell me where the RAM stick might be in a smaller computer? I am checking my Vista (which has an advanced version of the problem) for a RAM stick and I can't find one.

 

[mis_chiff]

Their usually blue and on the green board in a slot
their about I dunno 3 inches or so

I just sent the detailed instructions - check them out when you can
Hopefully it'll help Keep us updated!

 

[Ratmaster]

Thanks for the instructions; if I get a chance I will use them, but I am trying to find out where they are on a HP Slimline s7000 because that computer was only ~400$ so it isn't as important as the ~1300$ one I am using.

I would like to know where and what they look like on those computers... I just don't know if anyone does because it is a Vista... The computer is much smaller and I can't tell where it is. I took the side off that was screwed in, but the other side is stuck on with rivets...

Can anyone tell me?
Thanks.