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Frequent, Random BSODs, usually after waking from sleep mode


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#1
mtnfox

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I posted about my problem in the malware forum first to rule out any virus issues. After declaring my pc clean they recommended that I redirect my problem here. I am running Vista Home Premium 32-bit (service pack 2) on an HP desktop (model m8200n), 3GB RAM, AMD 64. I have been getting frequent BSODs lately, most commonly when the pc has been sleeping for an extended time (like overnight). I find it has crashed while in sleep mode or it crashes when I try to wake it. Then it will crash several times upon reboot until it finally boots up ok. Sometimes it will boot into Windows Startup Repair, but most of the time it will still crash even when I select that option. I've been able to restore twice but the problem continues. The latest BSODs mention updating the BIOS. Could an outdated BIOS cause my problems? It would be nice if that would solve my problem and I'm not looking at a new hard drive or motherboard. Any help would be appreciated. Here are the last STOP errors I was able to copy:

From 2 days ago:
THE BIOS IN THIS SYSTEM IS NOT FULLY ACPI COMPLIANT. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SYSTEM VENDOR FOR AN UPDATED BIOS.
***STOP: 0x000000A5 (0x00000002, 0x854142D8, 0x00000001, 0x846B3F68)

From today:
***STOP 0x0000007E (0xC00000005, 0x8259E8D6, 0x80599A54, 0x80599750)
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#2
deathtoal2

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im no BIOS expert...
but...
did you try resetting the BIOS to default settings?
If that dont work try to find your BIOS model and update it.

it mostly looks it needs to be updated
especially where it says
"THE BIOS IN THIS SYSTEM IS NOT FULLY ACPI COMPLIANT. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SYSTEM VENDOR FOR AN UPDATED BIOS"
-mtnfox

Edited by deathtoal2, 02 March 2011 - 07:11 PM.

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#3
mtnfox

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Thanks for the advice. :D After much web searching I've found that this can be a common problem with this pc model (HP m8200n) after you've had it for 2 to 3 years. Some have solved their problems by upgrading the power supply, since the stock 300 watt one seems to be kind of crappy, and others have solved them by replacing the RAM. So at least I have a few other options to try first that are cheaper than replacing the motherboard if the BIOS stuff doesn't work.
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#4
deathtoal2

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hold it....
before replacing RAM try testing it into another desktop computer
take out all the RAM from the computer with issues.
then take out all the "known good" RAM from the desktop that works and put in the "bad" RAM
heres a few tools that can test if memory is good or bad
Top 5 FREE Memory Testing Tools

this way we can try to reduce cost even more by eliminating even more options :D

EDIT: well if this only happens after sleep mode
then try the RAM testing tools on your current computer
of course while its working :D

Edited by deathtoal2, 02 March 2011 - 09:03 PM.

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#5
mtnfox

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Thanks - I didn't know about these RAM tests. I will try them tomorrow! I do have another pc running XP that I can try the swap thing with also.
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#6
rshaffer61

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Swapping ram between systems is not the most reliable way to test the memory. The systems have to be able to run the different memory.
It is more advisable to run a memory diagnostic program like Memtest86 as deathtoal2 mentioned above.


If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:

Posted Image

8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:

Posted Image

10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run. You may have to change the boot sequence in your BIOS to make it work right.

To change Boot Sequence in your BIOS

Reboot the system and at the first post screen (where it is counting up memory) start tapping the DEL button
This will enter you into the Bios\Cmos area.
Find the Advanced area and click Enter
Look for Boot Sequence or Boot Options and highlight that click Enter
Now highlight the first drive and follow the directions on the bottom of the screen on how to modify it and change it to CDrom.
Change the second drive to the C or Main Drive
Once that is done then click F10 to Save and Exit
You will prompted to enter Y to verify Save and Exit. Click Y and the system will now reboot with the new settings.


The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:


Posted Image

It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.

Posted Image

The following image is the test results area:

Posted Image

The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.
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#7
mtnfox

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Makes sense. I know there's more than one RAM module - 4 I think. I will try the manual test before I do anything else. Thanks!
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