Laptop Vista Error on Startup

My poor 5 year old laptop gives me the following error on startup:
STOP:0x0000005c (0x0000010B, 0x00000003, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
I searched for the error online and found a suggestion to update the bios. Sure enough my bios wasn't the newest, but updating it didn't solve the problem. It doesn't do it everytime I start it up, but it does it often. It is an hp Pavillion dv2718us or dv2500 series running Vista. Any ideas?

Rebecca

 

At 5 years old, my first thought runs to deteriorating hardware.

Download MemTest which will give you an .iso file to burn to a CD or DVD. Boot from this disk to see if your RAM is good.

Also, run chkdsk:

Open the Start Menu
Click the Computer button
Right click on your hard drive and select Properties
Click the Tools tab
Click Check Now in Error checking
Check both the boxes for Auto Fixing and Scan and Attempt bad sector recovery

It will tell you that it can't be done now, so click on Schedule disk check, tell it do so on next startup and then shutdown and restart the computer

Post any problems these two procedures report to you back here, OK?

 

Yes, a 0x5C BSOD would indicate some hardware failing; possibly a bad connection, damaged hard drive:

 

I ran the chkdsk when stating and it took awhile, but there was no mesaage from it afterwards and it started up.

I don't think the CD or DVD drive works. (I can't remember which it has.) If I find out that I'm wrong and it does work, I will try to download the Memtest. Is there another way to run it?

Rebecca

 

There is a USB version, once at http://www.majorgeeks.com/Memtest86_d1247.html look for the USB version can be downloaded here link...

 

Great! I know the USB port works. I am about to go home, but I will try it tomorrow.

Rebecca

 

I didn't get around to trying, but still might. I think maybe (I really hope) I figured out the problem. My battery wasn't holding a charge, but I hated to buy a new one if there was something else major wrong with the laptop. I found a very cheap battery online and decided to try it and see. The laptop seems to be working fine now. I hope it continues to work. If so, I might spring for a better battery.

Rebecca

 

I spoke too soon! Today it sounds like it is starting up, but the screen is black. I'm back wehre I started.

Rebecca