[raebelk]

I am sorry if this is in the wrong place. This is my first time here. And my first time with a problem that I can't fix :-(

I own an Acer Aspire 3680-2682 that I bought about a year and a half ago.

A few weeks ago it started acting up. Programs would stop working and then I would get weird messages telling me that different Acer programs weren’t available etc.

So, I decided to restore the system. I could not find my disks anywhere, so I ordered the restore cds from Acer.

I received 2 disks. The first is a System Disc, the second is a Recovery Disc.

I have tried numerous times to restore the system using these disks and cannot seem to get it to work.

This is a listing of what happened just now when I tried to restore again.

Started system
Hit Alt-F10
Restore from CD
Inserted System Disc as prompted
Inserted Restore Disc as prompted
Restore 100% complete
Inserted System Disc again as prompted
Restore Finished, click OK to restart, clicked OK

Computer restarts
BSOD – error 0x0000008E flashes by so quick I can barely write down the error code

Computer restarts
Windows Error Recovery pops up, I select Start Normally

Computer starts checking file system on C:
One disk needs to be checked for consistency
Finished checking – computer restarts

Message “Windows prepares to start for the first time…”
Then goes to black screen

Windows Error Recovery
Windows Installation encountered an unexpected error. Verify the installation sources are accessible and restart the installation. Error Code: 0xC0000005
Clicked OK – computer restarts

Windows Error Recovery
Hit Enter to Start Windows Normally

Windows Error Recovery
Windows failed to start
Hit Enter to start in Safe Mode (just to try it )

Safe Mode loads to crcdisk.sys then:
Windows cannot complete installation in safe mode. To continue installing windows, restart the computer. Clicked OK.

Restarts – Splash screen then Black Screen, no action for over 30 mins

I powered off via the power button, then powered on.

Splash Screen

Windows Recovery Error
Windows did not shut down successfully
Hit Enter to Start Windows normally

BSOD – Error 0x0000007E – flashes by again so fast I can barely catch the number

Windows Recovery Error
Windows failed to start
Hit Enter to start windows normally

BSOD – Error 0x0000007E – flashes by

Splash Screen

Windows Recovery Error
Windows did not shut down successfully
Hit Enter to Start Windows normally

Black Screen, doing nothing for 30 mins

I don’t know what to do at this point. I keep getting different errors. I have also previously gotten 0xd000001e as well as 0x0000000A.

I just restarted again and got another BSOD. This time error 0x00000024 and it is telling me to run chkdsk /f to check for hard drive corruption.

Is this laptop dead? Please help. I can’t really afford a new laptop right now.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Edited by raebelk, 05 June 2009 - 12:21 PM.

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There are 2 things to check on your Acer (based on the errors that you're seeing):
- the memory
- the hard drive

To check the memory you can use this free utility: http://www.memtest86.com/
I also wrote some more detailed instructions here: http://usasma.vox.co...iagnostics.html
Let it run for a minimum of 3 passes, but overnight is better.
If it starts spitting out errors, you can stop the test and post back here.

To check your hard drive there's 2 things to check:
- the file system
- the physical hard drive

To check the file system, you'll have to run chkdsk /r (more tests than /f). To do this you'll have to boot from the System Disk, select Install on the first screen, then select "Repair this computer" in the lower left corner of the next screen. Once in, select the Startup Repair option and let it run. If it gives errors, please report the details in your next post.

To check the physical hard drive you'll need a bootable diagnostic from the manufacturer of your hard drive. I've made a list of the most common ones here (along with some instructions): http://usasma.vox.co...iagnostics.html

Let us know the results of the tests and we can move on from there.

[usasma]

There are 2 things to check on your Acer (based on the errors that you're seeing):
- the memory
- the hard drive

To check the memory you can use this free utility: http://www.memtest86.com/
I also wrote some more detailed instructions here: http://usasma.vox.co...iagnostics.html
Let it run for a minimum of 3 passes, but overnight is better.
If it starts spitting out errors, you can stop the test and post back here.

To check your hard drive there's 2 things to check:
- the file system
- the physical hard drive

To check the file system, you'll have to run chkdsk /r (more tests than /f). To do this you'll have to boot from the System Disk, select Install on the first screen, then select "Repair this computer" in the lower left corner of the next screen. Once in, select the Startup Repair option and let it run. If it gives errors, please report the details in your next post.

To check the physical hard drive you'll need a bootable diagnostic from the manufacturer of your hard drive. I've made a list of the most common ones here (along with some instructions): http://usasma.vox.co...iagnostics.html

Let us know the results of the tests and we can move on from there.

[raebelk]

Thank you so much for your reply usasma. I mananged to get the memtest86 on a disk, after downloading the iso burner onto my work computer :-)

Right now it is running for the first time.

It is currently at Test 14%

It shows errors: 4 in the middle section

And at the bottom it shows:

Error Confidence Value: 9
Highest Error Address: 000fffffffb - 4095.9MB test 1 errors 2
Bits in Error Mask: fffffff test 2 errors 32766 (keeps cycling and ending up at 32766)

At the bottom in the middle (near test 7) it shows 1: and is about 13 mil right now and getting higher.

At this point should I stop and take the memory out and test them as per your detailed instructions?

I don't have a screwdriver at work so I will have to wait until I get home to finish up the instructions.

Also, I am not able to run chkdsk at all. When I try to boot from the System Disk it doesn't give me any options to "Repair this computer"...same if I try to boot from the Recovery disk. So I am not sure how to run the chkdsk...

Thank you again for all of your help. I really appreciate it. It would be great if I just need to replace some memory or something instead of buying a brand new laptop!

Edited by raebelk, 05 June 2009 - 12:21 PM.

[raebelk]

Ok, so I let the test run for a few hours and nothing new popped up beside what I had written above, and since there we errors I figured I would move on to the HDD check to see if there were errors there too. I have a Hitachi HDD (I found a letter opener that worked as a screwdriver here at work and got the back open to check the manufacturer)

I am running the Drive Fitness Test right now. I will report back when it completes.

I also opened up the second part of the back (bottom) of the laptop and saw that I actually only have one memory chip and one slot, so therefore if I have problems with the memory in the system then I guess I will have to replace the chip that is in there. Maybe I can get a 1GB memory instead of the 512 I have?

I will update again once the Fitness Test is done.

Thanks!!!

[raebelk]

After the drive fitness test, I received

"HTS541680J9SA00

Operation completed successfully.

Dispostion Code = 0x00"

[raebelk]

At this point, when I try to boot from the hard drive all I get is the Acer splash screen and then it fades to black and 2 seconds later Acer splash screen again, fade to black... it does that over and over and over...

[usasma]

You'll have to replace the memory before you continue.
Go to http://www.crucial.com to find out how much RAM your system can handle.

[raebelk]

Thank you so much. I will work on getting some new memory and go from there. Your help is greatly appreciated!!!!

[usasma]

I use the Crucial tool a lot, and it covers most major manufacturers.
While that wasn't a recommendation to purchase Crucial RAM, I will say that I've been very satisfied every time that I've used them. They guarantee the memory for life (most manufacturer's do), their RAM is certified by most manufacturers, and (most important to me) their customer service is great at resolving problems.

[raebelk]

My order has been placed and my memory is on its way. Thank you again for your help!!!

[raebelk]

Hi John,

I just wanted to check back and say thank you once again for your help. I got the new memory installed and everything reloaded and it looks like things are working fine (and MUCH faster :-)) Thanks again!

Kelly

[usasma]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for letting us know!

[raebelk]

I do have another question, but I am not sure if I should add it here, or if I should start a new thread.

I completely reloaded Vista via the restore and system CD that I got from Acer. So everything should be "brand new" again. Well, right now, when I right click on Computer and click properties it shows:

Used Space 15.1 GB
Free Space 9.0 GB

Total Space 24.1 GB

But I have an 80 GB HDD... with nothing extra loaded but Office 2007.

Where have the rest of my GBs gone? (or how do I access them?)

I did notice before my memory went bad that I was always hitting my hard drive limit as well and had to remove pics etc constantly...but I didn't have a lot installed then either...

Edited by raebelk, 15 June 2009 - 03:49 PM.

[raebelk]

I think I found it. Looking at Computer, I see:

Acer C: 24774 MB
Data E: 34005 MB
New Volume D: 9543 MB

So I guess what I was looking for is actually on E:

How should I use this? Can I save programs to the e: drive? What should I use the C for?

[usasma]

It depends what's on the C: drive - can you give us an idea of how much free space is there?
For some reason Acer has decided that you should save all your stuff to the E: drive (that's why they labeled it "Data". So go ahead and save everything to there (to include new programs that you install).

The reason for installing new programs to the E: drive is that your D: drive will fill up pretty quickly - and the alternative will be to wipe again and reinstall everything

You may also want to move your Documents/Pictures/Movies/Downloads to automatically point at the E: drive (so you don't have to fuss with it every time you want to save something). To do this, right click on the folder that you want to move and select "Properties", then select the Location tab. Type in the name of the new folder (E:\Documents - for example) and click OK to move it.