Blue Screen & Windows won't load....

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this - so please let me know if it is not.

I am receiving a blue screen error when I start my computer. Last night it worked fine, then I downloaded the "recommended updates" then shut my computer off when that was completed. I started up my computer this morning and windows won't load (not in safe mode and not in the last known compatible mode). It gives me the big blue screen of death that says "Page fault in non paged area" then tells me to shut it down and restart it in safe mode...but there is no luck.

Can anyone help me???? I am (clearly) an idiot when it comes to computers - so if I can give you any more information - please let me know. Thanks. :cry

 

In addition to what plodr just asked, amount of installed RAM and the size of your paging file/virtual memory, would also be helpful.

 

It's running XP and it's a Dell Desktop Dimension B110 so it's a few years old. I have 1 Gig of Ram and I'm not sure about the virtual memory. I don't know how I'd find out about that. Does this help?

 

Yes, it does

To find out abut your virtual memory in WinXP, go to Control Panel -> System.

In the System Preferences, go to the Advanced Tab, and click on Performance Settings. Once there, click on Advanced, and under Virtual Memory, click on "Change". Select Custom Size and set the minimum to twice the amount of installed memory, and the maximum to twice the minimum.

 

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear in my original post. I can't get into my computer. Period. When I push the power button, I get the black screen that gives me 3 different "Safe" modes, the last compatible mode, and normal mode. When I click on any of those options, it gives me the blue screen. I can't get into my computer at all.

 

Oh... that creates a problem then. If the 1GB is split over two 512Mb sticks, remove one of them and see if the computer starts. If it won't, try running off the other one.

 

Ooook, well my RAM came in one stick, so I went ahead and removed it and put it back in anyway. No luck.

My "techie" guy at work told me to reinstall windows xp, so I did today. Now the fonts, windows, everything is GIANT and it looks like my display won't go over 16-bit (what that means, I have no idea, I assume it just makes my stuff gigantic) so the only help it provides is online, so I try to run my SBC DSL CD, and it says I need to install a PCI card...I'm confused. Can someone help?? I'm on the verge of junking it. :cry

 

It means you need to reinstall your graphics drivers and/or change your display settings.

Hold the Windows key on your keyboard (next to the left Alt key) and hit Pause Break (in the upper right of the keyboard), and your display settings are in the Display tab. If that doesn't help, then reinstall driver.

 

I don't have a Display tab when I do that. I get
General
Computer Name
Hardware
Advanced
System Restore
Automatic Updates
Remote


That's it. So I guess that means I have to remove and reinstall my PCI card. Is that hard?

 

No, that makes perfect sense. You shouldn't have a Display tab, and I am an idiot who is far too tired to post here.

Try looking for Display in the Control Panel in your start menu instead.

I'm going to go find caffeine now, and hopefully that will make me think before I post next time. Sorry about that.

 

Hi, Dell usually provides you with a couple of CDs. One is Operating System which is what you probably used to reinstall XP. Another one should say Drivers and include the graphics and modem/ethernet drivers for your PC. Do you have such a disk? These drivers are needed to optimize display, internet, sound etc.

Do you have access to another computer with internet (I ask because you can get drivers from the DELL site that are specific to your PC).

***
Oh, your PCI card is probably installed fine but is just not recognized--that is what drivers do--tell your comp. what equipment is installed.

 

i have a CD that says "Documents and Drivers" for my monitor, but it's all docs and no drivers. lol So if I have internet on another comp, how do I get it to my Desktop? Put it on a CD? (That might be a dumb question, but I'm really dumb when it comes to computers. lol)

 

Do you have a USB key? If not, then putting them on a CD is a good way of doing it.

Don't worry, I have had my caffeine now, this is good advice.

 

Great! A hyped up Mimsy. Kiddin'. Ok, I will do that and see how it works and get back with you. Thanks!

 

sammiam832, There is a sticker on the side of your DELL with a 6 or 7 digit number. You want to use this service tag number since it will fine tune the driver selection to your exact PC. If you just use the model number there may be multiple choices for display drivers. http://support.dell.com/support/index.aspx?~ck=pn

Basically, you just download video and network (intel drivers) and copy to CD or USB. Then on the PC that is missing drivers copy the files to the desktop and then double click them. They will extract and install themselves.