Persistent BSOD

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ms793589.aspx

Typically due to a bad driver, or faulty or incompatible hardware or software.
Technically, this error condition means that a kernel-mode process or driver tried
to access a memory location to which it did not have permission, or at a kernel
Interrupt ReQuest Level (IRQL) that was too high. (A kernel-mode process can access
only other processes that have an IRQL lower than, or equal to, its own.)

--
Peter

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Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"zvkmpw" <zvkmpw.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:12444de5-98cf-457f-bf9c-90d5d00c7ab7@b3g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
After more than three years without such problems, my PC suddenly
crashes with the blue screen of death. It runs a few minutes after
each restart, and then it's BSOD every time. Reboot requires
unplugging from power and plugging back in.

The BSOD message is
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to
prevent damage to your computer.
…
STOP 0x00000008 (0xC0000005, 0xF786A38, 0c00000000)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

An event viewer extract is at http://sites.google.com/site/zvkmpw/home

Configuration: Dell Dimension E510, Windows XP SP3, Office 2003;
Free versions of ZoneAlarm, avast, SuperAntispyware.

There have been no recent hardware or software additions/deletions. At
this point, the PC doesn't run long enough to install different
software.

I tried these things without success:

Safe mode

System restore to a week ago (I don't think the restoration
completed, though)

Moved keyboard/mouse from display’s USB ports to PC's

Chkdsk

Virus scan couldn't complete (avast)

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks to both of you for the links. Unfortunately, the PC now gets
BSOD before I can try anything helpful. It's the same in regular start-
up or safe mode or "safe mode command line."

What can I do now? (I've read about disabling BIOS memory caching, but
how do I do this?)

In particular, is there a way I can decide if it's a hardware failure
or software problem? I suspect hardware because the first BSOD was in
the middle of normal operation, but after that it happened at startup
or shortly afterward.

In the log at http://sites.google.com/site/zvkmpw/home, the first BSOD
is about 10-7-2009, 2:22:00. Notice near there the entries about "A
device attached to the system is not functioning" in a network
context.

> "zvkmpw" <zvkmpw.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:12444de5-98cf-457f-bf9c-90d5d00c7ab7@b3g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
> After more than three years without such problems, my PC suddenly
> crashes with the blue screen of death. It runs a few minutes after
> each restart, and then it's BSOD every time. Reboot requires
> unplugging from power and plugging back in.
>
> The BSOD message is
> A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to
> prevent damage to your computer.
> …
> STOP 0x00000008 (0xC0000005, 0xF786A38, 0c00000000)
> IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
>
> An event viewer extract is at http://sites.google.com/site/zvkmpw/home
>
> Configuration: Dell Dimension E510, Windows XP SP3, Office 2003;
> Free versions of ZoneAlarm, avast, SuperAntispyware.
>
> There have been no recent hardware or software additions/deletions. At
> this point, the PC doesn't run long enough to install different
> software.
>
> I tried these things without success:
>
> Safe mode
>
> System restore to a week ago (I don't think the restoration
> completed, though)
>
> Moved keyboard/mouse from display’s USB ports to PC's
>
> Chkdsk
>
> Virus scan couldn't complete (avast)
>
> Your help is appreciated.

ZoneAlarm what? antivirus? Avast is also antivirus. It is never a good idea
to have more than one antivirus program active on a computer. It is possible
to have more than one antispyware program.

Do you have a Windows XP installation CD? If so, boot from the CD and press
R-key for Recovery Console. At the command line:
CHKDSK C: /P

Make sure you keep the computer and drive cool. Sometimes Chkdsk appears to
be stuck on a certain percentage, but as long as there is occasional drive
activity, something is happening. The percent indicates tasks completed, not
necessarily elapsed time. After Chkdsk completes, type EXIT in Recovery
Console to restart the computer. If Chkdsk does not complete, and there has
been no drive activity for 30 minutes or more, before pulling the plug, try
Ctrl+C to stop Chkdsk. If it stops, type EXIT, and shutdown computer for at
least an hour before booting to CD and trying again. Keep a record of any
messages and error codes.

Check out the Dell computer Support site for information relating to your
computer's particular configuration. The downloads page has a place to enter
the special Service Tag so the website knows your computer's configuration,
and will provide appropriate web pages that apply to your model. Some of the
troubleshooting pages are generic, and sometimes, a Vista page will appear,
with a link to switch to the Windows XP guidance. You can search for error
codes on that site, and you will find reference to Microsoft Knowledge Base
articles also.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx
(Click Service Tag, the next page explains, and shows where to find it.)

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard

Just a thought here and I"m Not a windoes expert! But the message below
says: "to prevent damage to your computer". As
such; any chance that your fans are clogged with dust causing the mainboard
to see an overtemp?? I just finished work on a Dell Dimension 3000 series
computer for a friend that was clogged with dust and pet hair. Don't just
look at the fans; check inside the box! I don't no beans about what causes
the BSOD. Note: their computer did not sound like a bsod problem. If it
gets further when first turned on for the day and shortens if immediately
powered back up after the problem (Ie: while still warm) then temp sounds
interesting.

I did have a BSOD problem on my non-brand computer a couple years back due
to a bad video display driver update. So did you do any driver updates?
If so check back on this group and I'm sure the experts here will have some
thoughts on it.

GL
and safe travels, Dallas...



>The BSOD message is
> A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to
>prevent damage to your computer
…

--
Home Page: http://dallasoverturf.angelfire.com/ Under Construction but
useable!

"zvkmpw" <zvkmpw.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:12444de5-98cf-457f-bf9c-90d5d00c7ab7@b3g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
After more than three years without such problems, my PC suddenly
crashes with the blue screen of death. It runs a few minutes after
each restart, and then it's BSOD every time. Reboot requires
unplugging from power and plugging back in.

..The BSOD message is
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to
prevent damage to your computer
…
STOP 0x00000008 (0xC0000005, 0xF786A38, 0c00000000)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

An event viewer extract is at http://sites.google.com/site/zvkmpw/home

Configuration: Dell Dimension E510, Windows XP SP3, Office 2003;
Free versions of ZoneAlarm, avast, SuperAntispyware.

There have been no recent hardware or software additions/deletions. At
this point, the PC doesn't run long enough to install different
software.

I tried these things without success:

Safe mode

System restore to a week ago (I don't think the restoration
completed, though)

Moved keyboard/mouse from display’s USB ports to PC's

Chkdsk

Virus scan couldn't complete (avast)

Your help is appreciated.