Vista BSOD, bad motherboard?

Greetings,

I've looked around on the forum for a few and haven't found the same problem. I only have 10 more minutes at this library so I figured I should just post and see what you guys think. I left home last week and clicked shutdown on my computer but left before it was off. When I returned, it was on but frozen on the startup screen. When I turned it off and back on I got a screen that said Windows Error Recovery: Recent hardware or software changes may be the cuase, to fix use the win. installation cd and use the repair function. It also had a list of startup options. None of the startup options, including safe mode, will work. All lead to the BSOD for a split second or just back to the original screen. I tried rebooting with the disc in, but this gives me a BSOD with stop error...Stop: 0x0000001E(0xc0000005, 0x889ef340, 0x81c08758, 0x81c08454). I used the diagnostic tool in the boot menu and it stopped on System Memory- MATS with error code: 2F00:0119 and a message: System memory failure, read FFFFFF9H, expected FFFFFFFH, suspected memory component on system board at label CHANNEL B DIMMO. I'm running Windows Vista Professional on a Dell Dimension 8400 series. It passed the hard drive test and the last driver to load in safe mode before it crashes again is cvcdisk.sys. I know this is kind of a sloppy description but as I said I'm in a hurry. I'm going to toy around with it more when I get home. I figure the error message I got in the diagnostic tool points to the motherboard, but that's just my guess. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

 

I think you need to run memtest on the module installed in the first slot in the second channel on your motherboard.

 

Alright, thanks. I tried it with a USB but couldn't boot from it. I guess I'll try to burn the iso to cd.

 

well i got it to boot from the cd iso and its still testing. Last time i checked there were 0 passes and 1,000,000 errors. Looks like a new motherboard will be in order? Thanks

 

mem test tests the RAM remoe all ram and install 1 stick at a time and try to boot

 

Gawd no!!!:eek Do as bonkers said and you'll find the bad stick.

 

No, absolutely not. Test the stick individually, as others have said, and then RMA the ones that give errors.

If you absolutely want to buy a new motherboard, who are we to stop you? Just don't assume that it's necessary in this case. It's not what's broken.

 

Haha looks like I was way off. I figured there was other memory on the board that was shot. Thanks for all the quick replies. I only have two sticks of RAM. I tried booting with each one separately but got the same results. I ran the memtest on each one separately and one passed and one failed. Any ideas on why I can't boot up with the good stick?

 

Re: Vista BSOD, bad RAM, motherboard?

Sorry I wanted to bump this. I won't have internet access much longer so I was hoping to get a reply soon. Thanks

 

If your system has to have matched pairs, and one stick in your matched pair is bad, the good one will be unable to work alone. That also means that your system can't boot on only the good stick. It needs a pair.

Since you need to have matched memory, it's generally recommended to replace them both on an RMA.

 

Thanks guys, it's such a help to be able to come here for tech support. I dont think I can RMA them as I've had the computer for several years and I don't think it's covered under warranty. Anyway, thanks again.

 

Is it the original memory that came with the computer when you bought it? Yes or no, a lot of big memory brands offer limited lifetime warranties on memory these days. You ma be able to get the memory replaced through them, if not through the computer manufacturer. Post your memory stick info here (brand name, all numbers you can find, et cetera), and we might be able to help you verify the warranties.

 

Well, I have bad news, for me at least. I went out and bought two 1G sticks of Corsair DDR2 RAM and installed them tonight. Unfortunately, it's still doing exactly the same thing. When I disable the autorestart after error it just gives me a blank blue screen. Any other ideas why I can't boot? Maybe the PSU?

As for the old RAM, I cant remember if it's the original or not. I feel like I might of replaced it for some reason. Anyway, it's Samsung brand. The sticker looks like this:

Samsung KR 0421
PC2-4300U-44410-A1
M378T3253FG0-CD5
256MB DDR2 PC2-4300 CL4

I'll look into the warranty on it too. Thanks.

 

I would look at the PSU next, but also the video card. Does you 8400 have a stand-alone video card that you can take out and replace with another one, just for troubleshooting purposes? The more you can borrow for testing, before you eventually buy more, the better.

 

Alright, thanks. I did the extended test with the Dell diagnostic program last night and didn't have any errors. With the new RAM I was also able to boot from my Vista upgrade cd. I tried to use the repair option but that was no help. I also ran the /FixMbr and /FixBoot options with no luck. Unfortunately all my roommates have laptops and I do not have access to another PSU or video card. I know I've seen people suggest running a PSU test program on this board but I couldn't find it on the MG software page. I'm thinking that might be the problem although I did find a post on the Dell support forums with a similar problem but now I can't find it again. It seemed like they thought it was a problem with the Vista OS and that it may need to be reinstalled. If I can get a PSU test to run without booting I'll try that next. Thanks

 

Alright, little update here. I've become pretty sure that this is a driver issue with the hard drive. It was crcdisk.sys that was the last to load in safe mode, not cvcdisk.sys. After words it goes to a BSOD that looks like BAD_POOL_HEADER. When I press F8 to try to stop the autorestart I get an error that says diskette 0 seek failure. Like Ive said previously, I've done all the hardware diagnostic tests without problems, including the seek test on the HDD. I'm thinking that Windows might have updated while I was gone and created a driver problem? Any ideas on how to correct this. I still can't boot in any way other than the windows vista and windows xp cds. Could I possible reinstall windows xp without losing all the data on my HDD and then back it up, clean and reformat it, and then reinstall?

 

Well, I went ahead and bought a used Dell desktop for $200. It had 2 hard drives in it. I took the one with Win XP on it and put it in my Dimension and sure enough it boots up fine. I'm actually on it right now. The only thing is that my monitor gives me an error, but the one I just bought works fine. I figure this is a driver issue? Is there a way I can get the data off the unbootable drive?

 

You did make sure it is jumpered as a slave drive, right?

 

Well, I just plugged it in straight up and it's not being detected. I can't seem to jumper it as a slave because the dirve just says "factory use only" where the jumper should be. It's a Seagate Barracuda. How do I make it a slave?

 

Turns out the drive is automatically detected as a slave. I was able to recover all of my data and will be backing it up tonight. I'm going to try and wipe it completely clean and reinstall xp. Now that I'm back to xp on the new drive, I haven't been able to get my sound or monitor to work. I'm using an older one. I guess thats a whole different thread. Would installing xp on the drive with the original cd I got automatically install the drivers for my hardware or am I going to have to go out and download them separately? Thanks again

 

No, it wouldn't. Yes, you are.