Laptop hardware issue

Hi

I'm currently investigating a friend's laptop (Dell Studio 1558, service tag JDCMRN1) that is experiencing freezing/BSODs.

This started out as a fix, and ended up with a reinstall, but it's still having issues even after a completely fresh formatted install of Windows 7 x64 Home Premium.

My steps so far:

Started the computer in Safe Mode. I could navigate the computer somewhat, but it was still freezing after awhile.

(Re)Started the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. I was able to download and install MBAM, but a scan would not complete -- the computer froze before the scan completed. However, there was a significant amount of malware present. It was at this point that we decided to do a fresh install.

The install went smooth and fast, like it should. I thought that the problem had been malware, so I went on setting up Comodo IS, etc. on the machine. Then, BSOD and restart. So, I set it to small kernel memory dump and to not restart. The BSOD happened again soon after, and this is the information:

stop 0x000000F4 (0x0000000000000003, 0xFFFFFA80060EFB30, 0xFFFFFA80060EFE10, 0xFFFFF80002BD1240)

AFAIK, this BSOD is mostly pointing to a hardware problem/failure.

Unfortunately, even after letting the machine display the blue screen for several minutes, the memory is NOT dumping... after restart, there were NO memory dumps at all (I'd checked after the first one too, but it was set at full kernel memory dump at the time).

So... no dump files to work with. Great! I let memtest86 run overnight. No errors. From searching, I've found that the CMOS battery could be the culprit... so I'm figuring it's either that, or the hard drive. Is there anything else I need to be troubleshooting?

By the way, the computer isn't stable enough to do much at a time. I was barely able to get Comodo IS installed (took two tries, at that). However, memtest86 ran all night without a hitch.

I'm going to pick up a CMOS battery sometime today hopefully, and see if that makes a difference... but after that, the only other thing I can think of is the hard drive. Am I missing something?

 

Im inclined to agree with the HD diagnosis. Try plugging the disk into a desktop or drive caddy on another PC and run chkdsk /f /r on it. Also try getting the diagnostic tool for that that disk manufacturer (I think Dell use Fujitsu disks).

 

They use Toshiba (possibly Fujitsu branded) disks, and I haven't been able to find a diagnostic tool that works on Toshibas, unfortunately. EDIT: I've found what appears to be a diagnostic tool for Fujitsu branded drives, BUT for some reason the download links only redirect to the download page...?

But there's new stuff going on now. I replaced the CMOS battery, and now it won't get past POST. It displays (when I press the Esc key to override shadowing):

Phoenix SecureCore(tm) NB
Copyright blah blah
Build Time 07/22/10 14:29:52

Intel Calpella CRB Reference BIOS
SecureCore BEnton 2
Revision -r1.45

CPU = 1 Processors Detected, Cores per Processor = 2
Intel Core i3 CPU M 370 @ 2.40GHz
3896M System RAM Passed
256 KB L2 Cache per Processor Core
3072K L3 Cache Detected
System BIOS shadowed
Video BIOS shadowed

And it just sits there like that. As per instructions I read elsewhere for people that had a similar BSOD and the CMOS battery replacement was the solution, I removed the current CMOS battery, booted the machine without the battery, then turned it off (power cord/main battery out), installed the new CMOS battery, and booted again... and now this issue.

It also says "Press F2 to enter Setup". I've tried NOT pressing F2, and I've tried pressing F2. It immediately changes to "Entering SETUP..." if I press F2, but the POST screen STILL sits there... indefinitely.

I think there's a BIOS update available, BUT... it's an .exe file?? I'm not exactly sure where to go from here, except maybe disconnect the hard drive and see if that un-stalls POST, since the CMOS battery is new, and the RAM passed memtest86 with flying colors.

 

Unfortunately, a $3 button battery isn't gonna cut it this time.

I tried removing the RAM to get an error beep, to ensure the BIOS hadn't taken a dump. Error beep happened. I reinstalled the RAM one chip at a time, and the BIOS recognized the correct RAM sizes (still stuck on the POST screen though).

Then, I tried replacing the ORIGINAL CMOS battery. No change. So, I put the new one back in (no harm, right?). Then, I disconnected the hard drive. Computer boots, passes POST no problem, and nicely gets to "no operating system" etc. To confirm that the hard drive was the issue, I reconnected it. Back to POST stuck phase.

Of COURSE the most expensive out of the three (CMOS battery, RAM, and HDD) is the one that bites the dust.

Anyway, thanks for the help, Tueur! I could run chkdsk with my USB to SATA/IDE connector, but there's no need... this drive is obviously done. I just found it strange that Windows would reinstall so quickly on a failing drive... this is the part that had me second guessing the HDD as the culprit.

 

Hello,
If you can still boot from a CD, UBCD has the diagnostics for Fujitsu drives. V7.0

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/