BSOD on startup

[Trixie]

The Kid's computer is messed up bad.

When he starts up, there's a different kind of message: The error is IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.

Then it dumps physical memory to disk. It's been randomly freezing up for about a week now.

Any clues where to start?

 

[steve]

Did he install any new drivers or hardware, did you try to boot in safe mode?

 

[cvrefugee]

What's your current O/S? Have you tried resetting the BIOS?

 

[Trixie]

The BIOS has been fine, he just did a complete reformat, reinstalled Windows XP, problem is still there. He thinks it's a hardware problem, but he doesn't know what would be causing it.

Randomly it completely freezes up, randomly freezes the screen, but if he does something that refreshes the entire screen the monitor will flash and he can see what he was doing.

It will also partially freeze up the screen, but he can still move the mouse around and the icon will change.

 

[sleeper]

take the computer apart and clean it.

after awhile dust will build up in the heatsink on the processor and in other places and it will overheat. Take the fan off the processor and blow it out with compressed air. Blow all the dust out of the powersupply and all the fans, then see what happens.

 

[driller]

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
take the computer apart and clean it.
[/div]

Ditto. If you do, make sure to unplug and reseat all cards, memory and cables as well.

 

[devicemanager]

Did you install anything new? It seems like the new device is using the same IRQ address as another device. IF you did install something new, remove it and see if the problem goes away.

 

[Trixie]

Dusted, replugged, no new hardware. Still not working.

 

[driller]

With all you've done, including reformating and reinstalling the OS, I'm agreeing with the hardware theory.

Now the problem is tracking down which piece. Virtually all system hardware will have an IRQ, so I don't know if that clue helps or not. Go to device manager and see if any hardware conflicts present themselves there(I'm sure that's been done already). If not, list all devices by connection and list by Interrupt Request(IRQ). Make a list. Disable, remove or exchange each non-essential device systematically. If it appears to be something on the MB, don't despair, it could just be the power supply.

WARNING!!! In doing this once, somehow I disabled the HDD controller and all hell broke loose! Talk about making a bad scene worse! :B

 

[devicemanager]

Also you might want to try removing the sound card and then reboot. See if you get the error. If so leave it out and take out the modem, try again. Keep doing this except when it comes to the video card. Try putting the video card in a different slot if possible.

 

[Trixie]

He says you guys are good. He just wiped down all the boards with acetone and alcohol in case of bridging connections???? He's gonna try that out and then your suggestions. Will keep you updated. THanks.

 

[Trixie]

Still having probs - I think he's working on that IRQ thing (had to trade parts with his friends), and now on the AMD board (don't know what that is), he thinks it might be the processor.

If I have to go back to sharing a computer with him, I'll cry. ;(

 

[Alowishus]

Have a look at the capacitors on the motherboard, if some are leaking or have rounded bulging tops that’s it and you need a new motherboard ; saw that a lot w/ AMD boards. Just a guess though, if all else checks OK.

 

[scotty96lsc]

Sharon, I'll get Tammy right on that. She has to roof the house, build a fence, paint the walls, feed the dogs, and pamper me first. But, right after that, she'll work on that computer issue for ya.:7

 

[Trixie]

Alowishus wins!!

The capacitors are bulging and some are leaking (6). :B Time for a new motherboard.

Sorry, Scott, I think this is even beyond Tammy's capabilities.

 

[Alowishus]

Sorry to hear that, but look at it this way…time to UPGRADE. Blown caps are usually a result of heat or power fluctuations. Was it a brand name system or home build? I know I’ll get some arguments about this; but politics aside, bias aside, the little guy vs. the big monster aside….go with Intel, I don’t just mean their CPU’s, but their brand motherboards; they are pretty bulletproof. Mod’ers & overclockers don’t like them because the bios is locked down fairly tight, which for the other 90% of users is fine.

 

[Trixie]

It's a homemade system. He and all his friends went with AMD's. The motherboard is an Epox. He's first going to try to replace the capacitors. Have any part numbers? 4 of them are 2200 microfarads at 10 volts, 5 are 1000 microf's at 6.3 volts. They're green, and have GSC 105 degrees C. The 2200's have T20B and the other ones are T20L.

K, I have no idea what most of this means, he's talking to me over my shoulder. But thank you everyone for the help!

 

[driller]

IMHO, R&R the motherboard. For $50-$150, it's a sure cure. Only problem would be compatibility with case, current processor, memory, etc...

 

[Alowishus]

I give replacing the caps a 1 in 5 chance of working. The caps are the result of the problem, not the cause.
Also, you may end up having to replace more then just the motherboard; fry the CPU, power supply, or pop some of the cards. IMO bad idea.

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

Just noticed this thread.... tell him to get another motherboard if his is out of warrantee, and not to buy anymore epox, jaldkjf or aldkfjadskj brand motherboards

You cant go wrong with an Asus.

What type of AMD processor does he have?