Blue screen is killing me

Blue screen/Corrupt ntfs.sys

my computer refuses to work. it loads but then almost immediately switches to a blue screen, saying that "windows has shut down to protect my computer from damage". it gives me a list of things to try in "safe mode", but because i don't speak computer jargon i am at a complete lost. it then goes on to describe "technical information" as ntfs.sys. the last few sentences are "dumping physical memory, physical memory dump completed".

i would really appreciate some help with this!

krl

 

blue screen/ntfs.sys

my computer will make it to the home screen but eventually turn to a blue page that reads;

problem detected windows shut down to prevent damage to computer.

BAD_POOL_CALLER (each time the blue screen appears this sentence is usually different)

Restart if this is the first error occurrence, and goes on to describe things i can do if this is not the first time (i dont really understand any of what is listed), something about checking to make sure any new hardwire is properly installed.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION; ***STOP: 0x000000c2 (0x00000007, 0x00000cd4, 0x00000000, 0xe3272878)
(SOMETIMES THIS SENTENCE IS ALSO DIFFERENT AND INSTEAD MENTIONS A "NTFS.SYS" FILE)

starting dump of physical memory.
physical memory dump complete.

contact your local technical support group.




i'm extremely confused and frustrated at this point, and any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

1st question. What operating system?
2nd question. were you able to get into safe mode?
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...ll/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true

Just guesstimates, but could be a faulty driver has been installed. Install or plug anything in recently?

or since it says ntfs.sys, it could be hardware (harddrive) related. Or, something goofy with the windows installation, which we'd know if you can get into safe mode or not.

 

its windows xp on a dell computer. it came second hand so windows was already installed.
i can get into safe mode but depending on what i do it eventually goes back to blue screen after 15 minutes or so.
i think windows recently updated itself. the last time i was on a box came up that said installing updates, restart after finished.

 

now it wont let me get into safe mode.
windows/system/drivers32/_____.sys
a whole bunch of crap along these lines pop up and it stays that way for 5 minutes or so before rebooting in normal mode.

 

It's normal for those .sys files to be loaded when you're going into safe mode. (they're being loaded when you go into normal mode too, but windows doesn't actually display it in the scrolling fashion safe mode does).

This means it eventually bluescreened (Even though you don't see it because it doesn't stay put by default)

I would say replace that NTFS.sys file, but let's make sure you get the same bluescreen first.

Boot like you're going to boot into safe mode again (pressing F8 during startup). From the menu, select "Disable automatic restart upon system failure".

pic..

http://smartzebra.com/judy/images/choices.jpg

Give us the information it says on the bluescreen whenever you can.

 

the blue screens differs a little everytime.
after doing what you said, the blue screen appeared with most of the same information.

WINDOWS HAD TO SHUT DOWN
PFN_LIST_CORRUPT (THIS LINE IS USUALLY DIFFERENT EVERY TIME)

some more info about first time error occurrence, and new hardwire installed recently, disable BIOS memory such as catching and shadowing.

***STOP: 0x0000004E (0x00000099, 0x0001EFF8, 0x000000001, 0x000000000)
(THE TECHNICAL INFO IS USUALLY DIFFERENT EACH TIME AS WELL)

same thing about dumping physical memory and contact technical support group.

 

My guess is some type of driver (90% likely an infected driver) is causing these. Both 0X4E and 0XC2 are pretty uncommon. When i see a computer throwing out random BSOD codes like that, it usually ends up being an infected MBR + malware removal case.

 

Repairing the MBR is considered risky by some. But if you're PC isn't booting... I don't see the harm in experimenting. You may want to back up your data first and try it. I've never had an issue with it before. I guess I'm lucky

 

With BSOD's as random as these, RAM is the first thing that should be checked.

 

so how do i go about checking these things?

 

When you first start the computer, you might see a prompt to press F? to run Dell diagnostics, there's a basic memory and hardware tester there. If you have the original discs, you may have a bootable diags disc you could use.

A quick and dirty method for a machine with 2 or more sticks of RAM is to shutdown, open the PC, remove all but 1 stick then start it. Rinse and repeat with a different stick fitted. If all but 1 stick boots correctly, you've found a likely culprit, if all sticks fail, try them in a different RAM slot, test them all again.

Further RAM testing requires creating a bootable CD with Memtest86.

Do you have any vital data on the PC?
Do you have a Windows disc?
Can you give us the Dell Service Tag#, it should be on a sticker, usually side or rear. This will give us enough details to find your model and enable us to find the specifics on the PC.

As this is a Dell, replacing the MBR may lead to loss of access to the diagnostic and restore partitions.

 

what do you mean by vital data?
no windows c.d, it was already installed when i got the computer
and dell service tag: J5RLG61

 

i can run diagnostics but i dont know what to look for or anything

 

Important documents, pictures, music, etc that you would want to save if possible

 

so i ran a hard drive diagnostics and here's what came up;

Drive 0: WDC WD400BD-75JMAO- FAIL. RETURN CODE: 7

Drive 1: No Device

Drive 2: _NEC DVD_RW ND_2500A DIAGNOSTICS NOT SUPPORTED

Drive 3: No Device

 

then YES, definite vital stuff i would love to save if possible.

you guys are so crazy advanced with computers it's scary, lol.

 

I would try running a 5 stage chkdsk on the drive.

Basically that Dell message is saying that the hard drive is failing. But I have a feeling it's just data corruption from improper shutdowns.

You're going to need another working computer and or a boot cd. Something like http://majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_d4981.html . Going to need a working computer to make this bootable CD, using a program like ImgBurn

 

so i figured out that i need more memory, right now i'm running on less than a mega bite.
do you guys have any ideas on where to get this for a reasonable price?

 

Caliban has a good tutorial on creating a CD from an ISO.

Concentrate on getting your data safe, we'll be better fixed to deal with other issues later

 

i've fixed the blue screen, is was one of my memories.
but now i'm running on less than a mega bite and have no idea where to go to find reasonably priced memory cards.

 

Katie, that drive is dying, you must get your data off before that happens.

The Dell diags are hardware diags, they are real hardware errors, bad blocks at the very least. Your data is at real risk of disappearing soon!

Once your data is safe, you will need a new hard drive (what warranty do you have on this computer?) and you'll need to install Windows and your programs again. Once you're at that point, then it's time to consider any other upgrades.

The fixing of the Blue Screens, was that because you pulled one of the RAM sticks? ("is was one of my memories" has non-computing connotations to me )

 

yes, it was because i pulled one of the ram sticks.

i have the data i need, if i lose the music and things on my computer then i lose it because right now i really have no way of saving it. i dont know how to go about it or have the resources to do so if i did.

 

and i have no warranty. so if it dies then i'm shit out of luck, excuse my language.

 

Ok, if you can contact Dell with your Service Tag # and buy a replacement Recovery CD from them (I'd say max. $30), you can max out your RAM for £26 and pickup a new drive for £30 - you'll need to translate the $/£ into whatever you use and check your prices too I'd guess the total would be less than 50% of a new one.

 

Just got a BSOD from a laptop that i've been working on for the past couple of days. have actually have never seen this bsod before until now. just made some notes on it:

i was getting "no boot device, reinsert bootable device and reboot" when i first got it.

i was able to copy ~3.4gbs of data but only 530mb of it is readable. :{

 

alright. if i do that, replace my ram and make more space, is my computer likely to return to normal or is eventually gonna crap out again?

 

Well, if you run the chkdsk suggested by thisisu back in #18, Windows might be able to replace any bad blocks on the drive with good spare ones.

From that point on, it's all down to luck - the drive might die in days, months or years.

 

Ouch, first sector damage is close to no drive at all

I hate it when the recovered data is mostly garbage, it just feels like wasted time and worry.