Computer problems

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 13:00:08

Hi..

Right where do i start! I've been having problems with my main pc at home, I had AVG 7.5 installed and for the last few days i've been getting error message popup at startup.. can't remember what it said. I uninstalled and reinstalled.. was fine for a day, then got the problem back again. I got home yesterday and noticed more problems with my pc, like stuff i've installed couple days again wanted to re-install itself (re config) or was missing. So i bought NOD 32 last night and did a scan, nothing was found, Now both my monitors have switched. the left one is now the right one and the right is the left. My pc also locks up now for a few seconds and the screens flash black..

I also get blue screen error message with saying something like "A program caused a fatal error and the computer is now shutting down ......................."

I also get a registry error message popup at startup saying it have to recover a registry setting from a log or a previous copy..

My display driver sometimes dont load and can take several attempts at rebooting to get my resolution and wallpapers back.

The only thing i've done in the last few days was install games/programs and increase my pc memory.

Do you think i should reformat?

Regards,
Paul

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 13:12:52

Hi Paul

The first thing I'd try is removing the extra memory, or running memtest for 24 hours or so. It could be that the new memory is faulty and causing errors which are being written back to disk.

Have you done a malware scan? If not, try that.

My third check would be on the system drive, run CHKDSK at boot, and see if it picks up any errors.

Only after that, if the problems continue, re-format and re-install.

colirv · Nov 20, 2007, 13:13:29

Are you running Windows XP? If so, start in safe mode and go back to an earlier safe point.

mrapoc · Nov 20, 2007, 13:26:50

Definately run memtest!

The + (newer version)

Also try uninstalling video drivers, run driver cleaner, reinstall drivers

Time to backup before it caves in!

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 13:36:53

I've ran a scan on the disk at bootup (the one that comes with xp) but it doesn't work.

It gets as far as the XP loading screen and then just gives a blue screen error message saying something fatal has happened and then restarts the pc..

I've tried virus and malware scans, last night i tried a virus scan in normal bootup mode with nod32 and when it reached a certain file (couldn't see what it was) the pc would reboot... so i did a scan in safe mode and nothing was found.

I've tried new install off video card drivers, this is what caused my monitors to switch around

I've tried 2 new 1gb sticks off memory and still get the problems but i will try memtest later tonight when i get home from work. Do i have to run it for 24hrs? because when i start using my pc, problems start straight away so wont it pickup any problems straight away?

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 13:58:19

whats the best way to use memtest?

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 14:19:37

Hi Paul

Everything seems to be pointing to disk failure or corruption at the moment. Not sure what you mean about the best way to use memtest?

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 14:35:56

i put memtest into google and went to the + version and it gives be several options for the downloads.. an ISO, a USB key etc etc,, whats the best one to use? or have i gone to the wrong site?

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 14:38:24

No, you went to the right site, Paul. One of the bootable ISOs would be my choice, that then takes your HD out of the equation, and allows you to test purely the memory.

mrapoc · Nov 20, 2007, 14:45:48

Put it onto a CD-RW (burn as ISO)

Boot it up

Run it

Err something like full scan

Leave for as long as you can (overnight?) and see if you get any errors

Was it a BSOD kinda thing? Fatal exceptions has occured or a stop error?

Usually points to bad hardware unless it points out a failing driver?

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 15:08:55

thanks, i'll give it a try tonight..

Yes is was a blue screen error message.. The errors always say something about shutting down the pc to stop damage or something like that.. so i guess something has cause problems with my drive..

Lucky enough i did a backup the other day.. 335gb takes along time to backup and i dont really fancy putting it back on my drives

and reformatting is the last option i will take.

[edit] bloody hate laptops keypads.

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 15:27:10

The shut down error message makes me wonder if there's something else going on, eg a fan failure, a heatsink displaced when fitting the new memory etc?

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 15:51:55

Nah, nothing got knocked or displaced.. i made sure of that, i also have anti static gloves when it comes to fitting new parts.

I used to build computers a few years ago.. never came across new memory causing problems like this before so that what makes me think its a HD issue.

The problems i am getting has got worse since the memory upgrade and the installation of a new game pad and call of duty 4. But i did get it before the upgrades and installs but not as bad/worse.

My firefox browser stopped downloading ages ago when the pc crashed and i had to recover it from a restore.

You wreckon this all has been building up?

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 15:57:43

It may have been building up, Paul, and COD4 or the memory has pushed it over the edge. HD failure seems the most likely cause with the symptoms you describe, but the "shutting down to protect..." message makes me wonder if something else might be going on. I take it the graphics card fan is clean and spinning, and it has the necessary power?

I'd be inclined to disconnect everything bar the graphics card, then test. If that's OK, add items back one at a time, starting with the HD, and see at what point the error message hits. It's tedious, but the only way I know to be certain as to where the fault is occurring.

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 16:22:16

Yeh the GPU is clean, i took the fan off a month ago and dusted it and greased it up.. spins up and down fine. Its a PCI-E GeForce 7950 GTO 512mb and has power supply throu the pci-e port and the psu (had to get a splitter lead from the computer shop as the psu only had one spare power connector)

I tend to keep my machines clean and use the cans full of air to remove dust.

I have a eMachine computer at home that has been rebuilt by me 5yrs ago and not gone wrong once. So i'm shocked that this new acer machine has gone wrong and only a year old.

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 16:27:50

Age doesn't matter, Paul, it's quality that counts - ask any of the more 'mature' forum members.

cavillas · Nov 20, 2007, 16:33:48

Check your HD connectors again, check yoour graphics card connection to make sure it's in tightly enough, same with the memory. Try air blowing the slots before inserting anything. I have built many machines over they years and have come across this problem a number of times, mostly it was a slightly off connector which was invisible t the naked eye, I used a powerful magnifing aid to see the problem On one occassion it was the hd cbales just not seated perfectly square although it felt and looked ok. On another occasion it was a contact between the bottom of the mobo and the case, just a hairline solder drop and yt another it was one of the screws attaching the mobo that had shorted out.

I have built about 70 machines in the past 5 years and after all these problems and solutions they are all still running fine. Just a little insight for you, pure eyesight and feeling can still fail at times. Just one further thing check the memory slots minutly with a powerful magnifyer in case there is a short across the contacts. Also I would check the power plitter in case it is faulty.

Hope this gives you some extra guidance.

Lance · Nov 20, 2007, 17:03:31

Just an unlikely thought - I take it your PSU is up to the job?

Rik · Nov 20, 2007, 17:12:32

That had crossed my mind, Lance, but then I thought that extra memory probably wouldn't be enough to push it over the edge - but stranger things have happened.

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 18:58:12

Yeh the PSU is upto the job (shop said so) and its been running fine for the last 10months.

Just got home and put the pc on and got a BSOD.

I've checked the hardware connections and they seem fine.

The error message was something like : There was a problem with windows, windows is shutting down to prevent damage.

Is that anymore help?

Mouseroo · Nov 20, 2007, 19:58:15

Crikey! Sounds like a rotten time

I have lost data from a faulty hard drive in the past and it's a lousy feeling, so you did the right thing by backing up.

If you haven't managed a full run of checkdisk yet, then that could be pointing to the HDD, so that's where I'd be tempted to focus.
You could try using BartsPEBuilder to create a CD/DVD bootable copy of XP (you'll need your original XP setup CD to do this). You should (hopefully) be able to run checkdisk on your system drive from there.
If this works, and checkdisk finds problems, then it may be that your hard drive is failing in an area which houses system files. This would mean that every time XP tries to access a file in the corrupted area, it stumbles into the corrupted area and throws a hissy fit!
Of course, if checkdisk doesn't find any problems, then it's one more component you've eliminated from the suspect list.

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 20:01:24

I've just done a quick run with memtest and this is what i got back from a 5min run.

http://www.uposted.co.uk/errors.jpg

Is that bad or good?

Lance · Nov 20, 2007, 20:16:50

I'd say bad. I don't think you should get any errors at all. I certainly didn't when I last ran it for a few hours on a couple of different sticks of RAM.

Maybe run the test on one stick of ram at a time, to make sure it is only the new one thats causing the problem.

Nick AJ · Nov 20, 2007, 20:45:11

What make of HD is it? The major manufacturers have programs for testing HD's that run from a floppy or CD. Could be worth trying that.

Also are you sure your new memory is compatible with your motherboard? Is there anyway you can get back to your original configuration?

Another thing to try is an old HD that has an operating system on it (even better if its xP), disconnect the current HD and fit the old one to see if it will boot. If it is the HD playing up buy a new one, the old one will never be 100% reliable and a clean install of xP with new drivers is always better than an old one with all the rubbish that gets collected. If you fit both drives (or put the old one in a caddy) you can transfer the data across quite easily.

psp83 · Nov 20, 2007, 21:23:57

Just put my 2 original 512mb sticks back in and memtest doesn't report any errors after 5 mins like it did with the new 2 1gb sticks..

Quote from: Nick AJ on Nov 20, 2007, 20:45:11
Also are you sure your new memory is compatible with your motherboard? Is there anyway you can get back to your original configuration?

The memory is the same as the original memory, just 1gb each insted of 512mb each. Mobo can support upto 2gb.

Since putting the old memory back in, the pc has been stable.. If it plays up again i will try the HD from my gaming pc or the other pc downstairs.. Both run XP Pro.