Help with Blue Screens of Death - DPChallenge Forums

01/17/2007 05:18:50 PM · #101

Originally posted by awpollard:

Got your Windows XP CD handy?

Run c:\windows\system32\sfc /scannow

SFC (system file checker) is a ut that has shipped with all flavors of Windows that checks the System Files and puts them back right if any of them have been goofed up by whatever.

It will prompt for your XP CD if it finds issues.

I'll try that when I get home. The CD is there and not at work.

01/17/2007 06:03:05 PM · #102

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Well this sounds easier said than done. I have been wanting to upgrade the RAM anyway, so I wouldn't mind going out and buying another stick of RAM, but with the snow on the ground, I doubt I'm going to get somewhere that happens to have a 1GB RAM stick that fits a Dell laptop.

Hmmmm...drive carefully...;-)

Remember, you may have multiple issues going on now. Oftentimes, one issue will trigger and cascade into several issues especially if the first issue isn't addressed immediately. I'm surprised to see here so many recommendations to rebuild the system (especially without a backup) than to recover the current system. Of course, the question becomes an issue of time management...how does the time cost of rebuilding the system weigh against hours spent troubleshooting and recovering it with the further likelihood of additional issues occurring? Has a proper assessment of the system been made to determine the most timely direction?

Prior to rebuilding the system, you may want to take a complete inventory and checklist of all hardware (for the drivers) and all software to make sure you have all the installation cd's etc or downloads from the internet. Also, you should keep the end result in mind by making a checklist of all the uses for this computer so you will be ready to rebuild the system for the purposes you use it for and not be caught unprepared. The other possibility is to rebuild on a brand new second hard drive and keep the old hard drive for safekeeping in case you forgot anything on it.

Well, just a few thoughts on this rainy day. I'm very curious to see how this one plays out and have much empathy for your frustration. But, I have every faith that you will get it done and return to creating beautiful photos that we all love to enjoy!!! :-)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

01/17/2007 06:28:31 PM · #103

I'm up to 6 hours with no crashes on Safe Mode. I'm starting to feel it's software related again rather than hardware.

I'll keep you guys updated.

Apple iPhone 5

01/17/2007 06:57:00 PM · #104

Originally posted by hihosilver:

I'm surprised to see here so many recommendations to rebuild the system (especially without a backup) than to recover the current system. Of course, the question becomes an issue of time management...how does the time cost of rebuilding the system weigh against hours spent troubleshooting and recovering it with the further likelihood of additional issues occurring?

I've been through enough nightmares with Windows to know that a re-build is a *lot* less time-consuming and frustrating than trying to pick at the registry and sift through dlls.

Also, after a re-build you're generally left with a cleaner and faster system. So it also has that benefit.

owen

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/17/2007 06:59:44 PM · #105

I own a couple of computer shops. We usually reinstall windows over the top. It doesn't take long and usually everything software and settings remains the same but gets fixed. After that get all your updates through windows update which takes a while now as there are heaps but not too bad with broadband. If this fails back up all your hard drive, format, reinstall windows and software, get all your updates (You'll need to shave after).

01/17/2007 07:07:25 PM · #106

Originally posted by owen:

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/17/2007 07:26:37 PM · #107

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Post Script: but prior to rebuilding, please do make all of your checklists!!! Best to have all the ducks in order.

(Edited for additional advice which I promised not to give!)

Great advice silver! I will make multiple checklists. I did this for a switchover to a new desktop and it worked much, much better that way.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

01/17/2007 07:42:19 PM · #108

Ok, since safe mode got you running crash free...

Reload your video card driver and network card driver. See how it goes. If you still crash, just reload.

owen

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/17/2007 07:48:44 PM · #109

Hmmmm...well, I guess I'll stop giving advice and send the doctor a package of my pink razors instead! ;-)

Post Script: but prior to rebuilding, please do make all of your checklists!!! Best to have all the ducks in order.

(Edited for additional advice which I promised not to give!) [/quote]

Sorry I didn't read through all your advice word for word so I wasn't saying weather yours was wrong or right. We do it this way as it saves time. Quite often you do other stuff and still end up having to do this and the side benefit that someone pointed out is your windows usually runs quicker too. It fixes other things you didn't know needed fixing.

01/17/2007 11:00:32 PM · #110

[quote]Sorry I didn't read through all your advice word for word so I wasn't saying weather yours was wrong or right. We do it this way as it saves time. Quite often you do other stuff and still end up having to do this and the side benefit that someone pointed out is your windows usually runs quicker too. It fixes other things you didn't know needed fixing. [/quote]

Not to worry, I was just playing with you. I'd never send the doctor pink razors...I think PURPLE would be a more appropriate color...;-)

Seriously, I've also chosen both paths of repair and/or rebuilding. And, my point is to weigh the pros / cons of both options carefully prior to deciding a direction of action, and to rule out the simplest things first before moving ahead with more invasive approaches.

01/18/2007 12:12:25 AM · #111

Well, see you all on the other side. I am restoring the laptop to the factory default which will wipe everything but the OS and whatever little dodads they had in the beginning.

Here's to hoping I get hooked up fast, have saved all important data, and it works in the end.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/18/2007 12:42:44 AM · #112

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Well, starting Friday my computer started in on random Blue Screens of Death. ... Advice is always appreciated.

Obviously this is God's way of punishing you for your evil, wicked ways. Quite frankly, a lot of people at DPC are surprised you have not yet already been struck down by a bolt of lightning from The Almighty.

Based on the fact that you restored back to previously working versions of the operating system, my suspicion is the insideous means The Creator has chosen to punish you is one of two:

1-Hardware failure in the form of bad RAM or failure of disk memory within an existing software component. That method is nasty and hard to identify. Satan (Bill?) taught God how to do that at their first weekly meeting after the MS-DOS operating system was invented.

2-A misbehaving piece of software, perhaps the one that you installed on Friday, and/or Devine intervention overwrote protected disk memory and corrupted existing software. This causes you to maximize screwing up your current configuration by uninstalling and reinstalling thousands of system and application components long before you replace the offending item. God and Satan (Bill?) agree this method gives both of them plausible deniability.

01/18/2007 12:57:28 AM · #113

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Well, see you all on the other side.

Well, unlike the wicked and wayward Mr. Davidson (and Bill?), I polished my angelic halo today. I promise the view is pretty good from up here and I have every faith in your ability to restore your laptop to good working condition.

Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress!

01/18/2007 01:01:31 AM · #114

Hey, I'm online already. Do I look thinner?

I have a lot of work to still do, but at least I got onto my home network easily.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/18/2007 01:13:38 AM · #115

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Hey, I'm online already. Do I look thinner?

Actually, after all your trials and tribulations, you look more gaunt than thin.

01/18/2007 09:12:13 AM · #116

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Hey, I'm online already.

Congratulations! Obviously, you polished your halo too.

If the issue had been hardware related, then the issue may resurface still once the machine is fully loaded and stressed. But, I hope that won't be the case here and the ghost has been chased fully from the machine.

Well, I'm fresh out of purple razors, but perhaps you can borrow one from

stdavidson? ::smiles innocently::

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/18/2007 01:57:58 PM · #117

OK, well, I'm probably 90% of the way back. I have a few odds and ends to load and tweak, but things are looking good. No crashes today, plus I feel all sleek and fast.

I think it was a good move.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

01/18/2007 02:13:30 PM · #118

i typically format my windows partition twice a year - it eliminates lots of useless garbage - keeps windows from acting up and keeps the machine running clean.

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/18/2007 02:39:00 PM · #119

Originally posted by soup:

i typically format my windows partition twice a year - it eliminates lots of useless garbage - keeps windows from acting up and keeps the machine running clean.

Why people think this is an acceptable option for system stabilty astounds me.

You guys who say PCs are cheaper than Macs obvioulsy don't value your time as much as I value mine.

I reboot my Mac the other day when I realized it had been running without a reset for over 60 days. And I don't think it really needed it.

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

01/18/2007 03:50:17 PM · #120

Hey doc what was that last app you instaled that you orginally thought was the culprit..if you dont need it I would recommend not instaling it :)
here is why
the issue you had is most likely software related
it could have been a corrupt driver file for the Notherboard like the north bridge controller driver or something as silly as a sound card driver or mouse driver

Another possibility is an app you installed modified a system file then when uninstalled it did not restore the old system file,alot of times SFC can fix those issues others not so much.

another thing that can cause this is a corrupt file in you system cache. Windows will use some hard drive space for "virtual memory" just like a IE cache file. if one got corrupt it would act like a memory error everytime something tried to access it so deleting windows virtual memory rebooting running scan disk and turning virtualmem back on can fix that.

Problem with all this is it takes some time to do, and stillmightnot fix the issue. So while I hate saying it, Keep backups and restoring is an easy fix and sometimes quicker.

A quick suggestion on top of all this. Norton Ghost. Once you get the system backup and running and all apps installed get some blank cds/dvds and a copy of norton ghost. So if something like this happens again you restore to what you have now, not to the factory defaults. In long run could save you time.

Message edited by author 2007-01-18 15:57:20.

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

01/18/2007 03:56:57 PM · #121

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by soup:
i typically format my windows partition twice a year - it eliminates lots of useless garbage - keeps windows from acting up and keeps the machine running clean.

Why people think this is an acceptable option for system stabilty astounds me.

You guys who say PCs are cheaper than Macs obvioulsy don't value your time as much as I value mine.

I reboot my Mac the other day when I realized it had been running without a reset for over 60 days. And I don't think it really needed it.

I have had my Win xp machine run for 6 mths without a reboot all OSes have issues though
THe windoes xp partition whipe every 1/2 year to a year mostly address files that go corrupt and the system regestry both of which can get out of hand. if you make an image of a clean install with all apps installed and system stable then whipeing and reimaging is very quick and painless. (read suggestion to Doc about Ghosting) I will say this pratice is a bit dated now on XP but still useful was more needed back in days of 95/98.but the idea of keeping the OS on a seprate partition to make recovery easy is always a good idea.

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/18/2007 04:18:30 PM · #122

Originally posted by nemesise1977:

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by soup:
i typically format my windows partition twice a year - it eliminates lots of useless garbage - keeps windows from acting up and keeps the machine running clean.

Why people think this is an acceptable option for system stabilty astounds me.

You guys who say PCs are cheaper than Macs obvioulsy don't value your time as much as I value mine.

I reboot my Mac the other day when I realized it had been running without a reset for over 60 days. And I don't think it really needed it.

I have had my Win xp machine run for 6 mths without a reboot all OSes have issues though
THe windoes xp partition whipe every 1/2 year to a year mostly address files that go corrupt and the system regestry both of which can get out of hand. if you make an image of a clean install with all apps installed and system stable then whipeing and reimaging is very quick and painless. (read suggestion to Doc about Ghosting) I will say this pratice is a bit dated now on XP but still useful was more needed back in days of 95/98.but the idea of keeping the OS on a seprate partition to make recovery easy is always a good idea.

I've been recommending the Ghost idea to Jason outside the forum. A much better solution IMO.

I use XP and Macs daily. My poorly worded point was that people sure put up with a lot of issues with Windows that they wouldn't put up with on any other product in thier lives. Windows has made us accept "good enough" as standard fare. I want better than "good enough".

As I said, I use both PCs and Macs. And I know both better than a lot of people know either one. I choose Mac. Windows does keep a lot of IT people gainfully employed. So that's good, I guess. ;-)

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

01/18/2007 04:46:35 PM · #123

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by nemesise1977:

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by soup:
i typically format my windows partition twice a year - it eliminates lots of useless garbage - keeps windows from acting up and keeps the machine running clean.

Why people think this is an acceptable option for system stabilty astounds me.

You guys who say PCs are cheaper than Macs obvioulsy don't value your time as much as I value mine.

I reboot my Mac the other day when I realized it had been running without a reset for over 60 days. And I don't think it really needed it.

I have had my Win xp machine run for 6 mths without a reboot all OSes have issues though
THe windoes xp partition whipe every 1/2 year to a year mostly address files that go corrupt and the system regestry both of which can get out of hand. if you make an image of a clean install with all apps installed and system stable then whipeing and reimaging is very quick and painless. (read suggestion to Doc about Ghosting) I will say this pratice is a bit dated now on XP but still useful was more needed back in days of 95/98.but the idea of keeping the OS on a seprate partition to make recovery easy is always a good idea.

I've been recommending the Ghost idea to Jason outside the forum. A much better solution IMO.

I use XP and Macs daily. My poorly worded point was that people sure put up with a lot of issues with Windows that they wouldn't put up with on any other product in thier lives. Windows has made us accept "good enough" as standard fare. I want better than "good enough".

As I said, I use both PCs and Macs. And I know both better than a lot of people know either one. I choose Mac. Windows does keep a lot of IT people gainfully employed. So that's good, I guess. ;-)

Thats cool, you don't know my history with mac though, used to sorta like them but between uncrashable systems crashing and being totaly messed up and crazed fanatics saying mac is the end all be all of computing I just decided I dont really like them that much.Besides It is either Mac deciding what you can use or MS, either way the consumer is getting little input as to functionality.

Oh and say what you want MAC OS still has its stability issues. Last stable OS I ran was MS DOS 5.0. First OS I ever used was C64 :) I say we bring back the Amigas and Toasters.