[Wafna]

Not sure where to go from here. The virus scans I've done cleared a registry issue, but that hasn't resolved the overall problems I've been experiencing.

The computer has been freezing up, sometimes rebooting on it's own, sometimes recovering. sometimes a bluescreen shows up, sometimes not. Sometimes this happens before the Bios completes loading, sometimes before I can finish logging in (on regular startups) sometimes after 10 minutes of being logged in on regular startups. Safe Mode seems to be running fine, without the same problems.

When checking the Bios settings, it's still reading the 4 gb of RAM that are installed, so I'm not sure if one of those sticks is pooched or not.

The event viewer is showing a lot of errors, but I don't know enough about the raw data being shown to know what to make of it.

I've tried system restores a couple times, when the startup hasn't completed and the startup repair boot option is provided. (which kinda makes sense, since I recall running a windows update in the last week to try and resolve the issue.

I'm running an Acer Aspire 6920, intel 2duo @1.83 GHz, 4gb of ram, with Vista SP2. Any other information needed, give me a shout!



I'd rather not spend the money on it but if it comes down to it, will upgrading to Windows 7 be an option to resolve these issues without much data-loss? my means of backup died some time ago and I've been unable to replace it in some time. When it rains, it pours. :/

[Advertisements]

Hello Wafna!

I'm not a big tech on the Blue Screen side so I can't help you much, your gonna have to get a more experienced member to help with you. I would like some info to help other members help you though.

What errors do the blue screen show? For example: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, "<file name here>".sys caused it.

Once again, I do not have good knowledge on BSoD, but I want to collect info to help the future members help you.

Thanks

-Dark

[DarkSchalie]

Hello Wafna!

I'm not a big tech on the Blue Screen side so I can't help you much, your gonna have to get a more experienced member to help with you. I would like some info to help other members help you though.

What errors do the blue screen show? For example: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, "<file name here>".sys caused it.

Once again, I do not have good knowledge on BSoD, but I want to collect info to help the future members help you.

Thanks

-Dark

[Wafna]

well, So far I've been pretty frustrated when they happen, and I havn't always been at the computer - walk away frozen, return to find it rebooted instead of unfrozen.

I'll try to write down the filename and error info next time it happens, but for the moment I don't have those details.

[rshaffer61]

Download BlueScreenView
No installation required.
Double click on BlueScreenView.exe file to run the program.
When scanning is done, go Edit>Select All.
Go File>Save Selected Items, and save the report as BSOD.txt.
Open BSOD.txt in Notepad, copy all content, and paste it into your next reply.

Thanks to Broni for the instructions and program

[Wafna]

Thanks for the assist, rshaffer and DarkSchalie!

From looking at the crash time dates and the like, I think there have been a few crashes that didn't complete their info-dumps.

Cheers!

Wafna

==================================================
Dump File : Mini052211-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/22/2011 1:45:43 AM
Bug Check String : BAD_POOL_HEADER
Bug Check Code : 0x00000019
Parameter 1 : 0x00000022
Parameter 2 : 0xb8958000
Parameter 3 : 0x00000001
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+b5c7c
Stack Address 2 : ntkrnlpa.exe+ed14a
Stack Address 3 : ntkrnlpa.exe+1e1e11
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini052211-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini051911-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/19/2011 5:22:01 PM
Bug Check String : FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM
Bug Check Code : 0x000000f5
Parameter 1 : 0x0000006d
Parameter 2 : 0x86a06c98
Parameter 3 : 0x86a06c68
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : fltmgr.sys
Caused By Address : fltmgr.sys+33ce
File Description : Microsoft Filesystem Filter Manager
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : fltmgr.sys+33ce
Stack Address 2 : fltmgr.sys+345b
Stack Address 3 : AlfaFF.sys+3769
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini051911-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini041611-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/16/2011 3:12:18 PM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
Bug Check Code : 0x0000009f
Parameter 1 : 0x00000003
Parameter 2 : 0x849616b0
Parameter 3 : 0x87122030
Parameter 4 : 0xaddc4308
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+313ab
Stack Address 2 : ntkrnlpa.exe+30fc8
Stack Address 3 : ntkrnlpa.exe+aa32b
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini041611-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini041411-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/14/2011 11:07:27 PM
Bug Check String : FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM
Bug Check Code : 0x000000f5
Parameter 1 : 0x0000006d
Parameter 2 : 0x86498b68
Parameter 3 : 0x86498b38
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : fltmgr.sys
Caused By Address : fltmgr.sys+33ce
File Description : Microsoft Filesystem Filter Manager
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : fltmgr.sys+33ce
Stack Address 2 : fltmgr.sys+345b
Stack Address 3 : AlfaFF.sys+3769
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini041411-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini040411-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/4/2011 7:44:58 PM
Bug Check String : FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM
Bug Check Code : 0x000000f5
Parameter 1 : 0x0000006d
Parameter 2 : 0x864b82a0
Parameter 3 : 0x864b8270
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : fltmgr.sys
Caused By Address : fltmgr.sys+33ce
File Description : Microsoft Filesystem Filter Manager
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : fltmgr.sys+33ce
Stack Address 2 : fltmgr.sys+345b
Stack Address 3 : AlfaFF.sys+3769
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini040411-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini032011-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/20/2011 9:44:40 AM
Bug Check String : FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM
Bug Check Code : 0x000000f5
Parameter 1 : 0x0000006d
Parameter 2 : 0x80c61768
Parameter 3 : 0x80c61738
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : fltmgr.sys
Caused By Address : fltmgr.sys+33ce
File Description : Microsoft Filesystem Filter Manager
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : fltmgr.sys+33ce
Stack Address 2 : fltmgr.sys+345b
Stack Address 3 : AlfaFF.sys+3769
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini032011-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini031911-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/19/2011 1:07:53 PM
Bug Check String : FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM
Bug Check Code : 0x000000f5
Parameter 1 : 0x0000006d
Parameter 2 : 0xb06b62d0
Parameter 3 : 0xb06b62a0
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : fltmgr.sys
Caused By Address : fltmgr.sys+33ce
File Description : Microsoft Filesystem Filter Manager
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb3f
Stack Address 1 : fltmgr.sys+33ce
Stack Address 2 : fltmgr.sys+345b
Stack Address 3 : AlfaFF.sys+3769
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini031911-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini123010-01.dmp
Crash Time : 12/30/2010 4:13:06 AM
Bug Check String : INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR
Bug Check Code : 0x000000a0
Parameter 1 : 0x00000009
Parameter 2 : 0xc000009c
Parameter 3 : 0x00000001
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb8d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb8d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+2d7c81
Stack Address 2 : ntkrnlpa.exe+2d3fca
Stack Address 3 : ntkrnlpa.exe+2d7db0
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini123010-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini112010-01.dmp
Crash Time : 11/20/2010 12:16:48 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x00000050
Parameter 1 : 0x8c2c9104
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0x8f584d2c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+4ddd4
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184d2c
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+185535
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini112010-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini101010-01.dmp
Crash Time : 10/10/2010 11:44:58 PM
Bug Check String : KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Bug Check Code : 0x1000008e
Parameter 1 : 0xc0000005
Parameter 2 : 0x8dcffb04
Parameter 3 : 0xbfa8da3c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : HDAudBus.sys
Caused By Address : HDAudBus.sys+8b04
File Description : High Definition Audio Bus Driver
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18005 (lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : HDAudBus.sys+8b04
Stack Address 1 : RTKVHDA.sys+12706f
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184b10
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+190fc6
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini101010-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini100410-02.dmp
Crash Time : 10/4/2010 4:01:52 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x00000050
Parameter 1 : 0x8c837104
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0x90184d2c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+4ddd4
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184d2c
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+185535
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini100410-02.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini100410-01.dmp
Crash Time : 10/4/2010 2:41:07 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x00000050
Parameter 1 : 0x8c1eb104
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0x8fb84d2c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+4ddd4
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184d2c
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+185535
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini100410-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini100310-01.dmp
Crash Time : 10/3/2010 12:29:10 PM
Bug Check String : KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Bug Check Code : 0x1000008e
Parameter 1 : 0xc0000005
Parameter 2 : 0x8d908b04
Parameter 3 : 0x81ca2a3c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : HDAudBus.sys
Caused By Address : HDAudBus.sys+8b04
File Description : High Definition Audio Bus Driver
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18005 (lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : HDAudBus.sys+8b04
Stack Address 1 : RTKVHDA.sys+12706f
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184b10
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+190fc6
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini100310-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini090410-01.dmp
Crash Time : 9/4/2010 6:00:46 PM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
Bug Check Code : 0x0000009f
Parameter 1 : 0x00000003
Parameter 2 : 0x85312b70
Parameter 3 : 0x86f05030
Parameter 4 : 0x8668fc70
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb8d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+cdb8d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+313fb
Stack Address 2 : ntkrnlpa.exe+31018
Stack Address 3 : ntkrnlpa.exe+aa30b
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini090410-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini052210-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/22/2010 8:35:47 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x00000050
Parameter 1 : 0x8c391104
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0x8f784d2c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9838d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+4ddd4
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184d2c
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+185535
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini052210-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini051610-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/16/2010 5:16:51 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x00000050
Parameter 1 : 0x8c2d3104
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0x91f84d2c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9836d
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18327 (vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+9836d
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+4ddb4
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184d2c
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+185535
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini051610-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini091609-01.dmp
Crash Time : 9/16/2009 12:24:11 PM
Bug Check String : KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Bug Check Code : 0x1000008e
Parameter 1 : 0xc0000005
Parameter 2 : 0x8d900b04
Parameter 3 : 0xd8eb1a3c
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : HDAudBus.sys
Caused By Address : HDAudBus.sys+8b04
File Description : High Definition Audio Bus Driver
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.0.6002.18005 (lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : HDAudBus.sys+8b04
Stack Address 1 : RTKVHDA.sys+12706f
Stack Address 2 : RTKVHDA.sys+184b10
Stack Address 3 : RTKVHDA.sys+190fc6
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini091609-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6002
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini123008-01.dmp
Crash Time : 12/31/2008 1:27:30 AM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 0x00000016
Parameter 2 : 0x0000001b
Parameter 3 : 0x00000000
Parameter 4 : 0x81ce9b6f
Caused By Driver : NETw4v32.sys
Caused By Address : NETw4v32.sys+273030
File Description : Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Driver
Product Name : Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Adapter
Company : Intel Corporation
File Version : 11.5.1.8
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+5ad24
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+b3b6f
Stack Address 2 : jmcr.sys+bff
Stack Address 3 : jmcr.sys+6379
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini123008-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 139,056
==================================================

[rshaffer61]

Explanation of error codes.

0x00000019: BAD_POOL_HEADER
(Click to consult the online MSDN article.)
A pool header issue is a problem with Windows memory allocation. Device driver issues are probably the msot common, but this can have diverse causes including bad sectors or other disk write issues, and problems with some routers. (By theory, RAM problems would be suspect for memory pool issues, but I haven’t been able to confirm this as a cause.)

Bug Check 0xF5: FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM

The FLTMGR_FILE_SYSTEM bug check has a value of 0x000000F5. This indicates that an unrecoverable failure occurred in the Filter Manager.

0x0000009F: DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
(Click to consult the online Win XP Resource Kit article.)
A driver is in an inconsistent or invalid power state. Typically occurs during events that involve power state transitions, such as shutting down, or moving into or out of standby or hibernate mode.

These are the errors which have happened in the past month or so. Indication may be a possible bad Memory, PSU or HD. Lets start diagnosing and see what happens.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, try the Hitachi DFT CD Image version of the software

Thanks to Broni for the instructions

[rshaffer61]

Download Speedfan (The download link is to the right), and install it. Once it's installed, run the program and post here the information it shows.
The information I want you to post is the stuff that is circled in the example picture I have attached.
To make sure we are getting all the correct information it would help us if you were to attach a screenshot like the one below of your Speedfan results.

To do a screenshot please have click on your Print Screen on your keyboard.

• It is normally the key above your number pad between the F12 key and the Scroll Lock key
• Now go to Start and then to All Programs
• Scroll to Accessories and then click on Paint
• In the Empty White Area click and hold the CTRL key and then click the V
• Go to the File option at the top and click on Save as
• Save as file type JPEG and save it to your Desktop
• Attach it to your next reply

[rshaffer61]

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:



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



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:




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.



The following image is the test results area:



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

[Wafna]

awesome. I'll get started on these... do you want the responses posted as the steps are completed, or as a single digest post / multiple posts made at one time?

(edit1) Also; starting with one stick of RAM at a time is going to be a pain... is it ok to boot without screwing the laptop housings back in place? (/edit)

(edit2) I gotta read things through before posting / editing. If I'm doing the boot-with-individual-ram-sticks thing, what result should I post, aside from "yep, one wouldn't let me boot properly"? I ask since there won't be a result to post like with Memtest.(/edit)

Edited by Wafna, 31 May 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[rshaffer61]

do you want the responses posted as the steps are completed, or as a single digest post / multiple posts made at one time?

Post everything is one post as that will keep everything neat and clean.

Also; starting with one stick of RAM at a time is going to be a pain... is it ok to boot without screwing the laptop housings back in place?

If you are talking about the cover over the memory then you should be ok without putting the cover back on.
Depending on the laptop and the memory configuration your system may require both memory sticks to boot. There for you would have to run the software memtest86.