Help: Can't Put My Finger on the Problem...

So I have a computer that has been repeatedly failing. From the errors it appears to be a Hardware issue, but I can't seem to narrow down possible problems. Here is a list of the most recent Stop errors:

Kernel_Data_inpage_error
STOP: 0x0000007A (0xC05D3960 0xC000000E 0xBA720384 0x4B8C3860)

MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
STOP: 0x0000009C (0x00000004 0x808855F0 0xB2000000 0x00070F0F)

UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME
STOP: 0x000000ED (0x--------- 0xC000009C 0x--------- 0x---------)

It is a standard COMPAQ laptop, just post if you need other info.

Thanks in advance for everyone who helps
-Eric

 

Sounds like a RAM problem to me. Download and run a RAM diagnostic and be prepared to replace one (or more) memory sticks....

hopperdave2000

Edit: I just looked over your post again, the first time I missed the 'Unmountable Boot Volume'. This points to a hard drive problem and the drive may be failing. Find out who made the hard drive (Seagate, Western Digital, etc..) and download and run their diagnostic tools. You can also boot to your WinXP CD, enter the Recovery Console, and run chkdsk /r to attempt a file system repair. You may want to consider removing the drive, slaving it to a 2nd PC with a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE adapter, and saving any documents, pictures, music, etc...

 

Well myfirst guess would be memory. What do you have in the way fo memory sticks? Try taking then out so you only have one inserted. Try each individually until the problem recurss. Or try them in pairs and if you still get the problem then try each of the pair singly.

 

These stop errors suggest that one or more hardware components are being overdriven.
This could be motherboard,memory, hard drive.


BACK UP all your data
Create a recovery cd/dvd if you haven't got one
Backup your drivers folder

It will only get worse until something conks out completely
Check on internal cleanliness of the pc

Look at

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329284


Studio T

 

What exactly do you mean by 'internal cleanliness'?

Also, I ran memtestx86 for 3 full passes and it didn't have any errors, so I was leaning towards hard drive like hopperdave2000 said.

 

They get physically dirty inside.

Look at

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=120865

Studio T