Laptop crashing but don't know why

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mojouk

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Hi

For some reason my laptop kept on crashing, and I keep getting a message that Windows has recovered from a serious error, so I decided to do a System Restore.

During the system restore, I got the 'Installing Windows' stage, and got a message saying 'Windows-Out of Virtual Memory'.

I tried system restoring again and I got a message saying a problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage. The message was:

"The problem seems to be caused by the following file: CmBatt.sys

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA"

The only thing that has changed in the last couple of days is the installation of new RAM. I just put in 2GB (before there was 2 x 256MB).
I have checked the spec with HP and I know that is fine, but there must be something wrong with the RAM, since nothing else has changed on the laptop in the last couple of days.

What do you think? Is it time to contact PC Servicecall (they are a last resort)
 
Why did you delete this thread ... :confused:

I was just replying and ... poof, it's gone.


Did you find that your memory faulty and have 'fixed' it?

Did you see that CmBatt.sys, a driver, could be the culprit?


mojouk,
The answer could help other people with the same problem ... especially if you found the answer. :thumb:



If you wish, I'll re-delete this thread. :)
 
Hi

I couldn't find out what the problem was, but I believe it is something to do with the new RAM I put in.
I previously had 2 x 256MB in the laptop. I then upgraded to 2 x 1GB. These are the specs for the RAM:

DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V • 128Meg x 64 • SODIMM

I can't be certain - but I believe the laptop didn't like the new RAM I put in.

I tried to do a system restore and half way through it crashed saying something like 'Windows low on Virtual Memory'. I tried system restore again and this time got a message saying "The problem seems to be caused by the following file: CmBatt.sys PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA". and that I should contact HP technical support.

So.......I replaced the original RAM and tried to do a system restore and I'm getting nothing on the screen now, even thought the laptop powers up.

I called my warranty technical 'guys' and they tried to figure out what had happened but they couldn't get Windows to start either.

So it's now being carted away by HP to be checked......:wave:

This is the 2nd time something this drastic has happened when I've borrowed my sisters laptop. (I've borrowed it 2 times :o )
 
How can I make sure that I get 2 sticks of 1GB laptop RAM that definitely work!!

I know that the 2GB RAM I bought is compatible (I checked it with Hewlett Packard), but it's obviously incompatible in some way.

It was definitely recognized by the laptop when I checked properties in 'My Computer'.

And why would RAM corrupt the Windows OS so badly that I can't system restore it anymore?
 
ah now there, see ... easy innit.

Well, XP is a great little memory tester in its own right, two things you can be sure of ... everything has to go through the CPU, every little thing you do, uses Ram.

:thumb:


How's your sisters laptop. ;)
 
Try Crucial. The site has a system checker that tells you what memory fits your machine and if the new memory doesn't work you get your money back (although they won't come round and reload Windows for you lol).
Covenant
 
Hi all

Just got the laptop back from getting it repaired. :thumb: It's all fine again, although I have again got the original 384MB RAM back inside it :( . At least it's working tho.

I'm still not sure why my upgraded memory didn't 'take' to the laptop. :confused: It just started randomly crashing.

I also discovered that the original memory is PC100 133MHz 184-pin. I upgraded to PC2700, 200-pin (which it's also supposedly able to take), but when I put it in it really didn't like it.

It all just all seems like trial and error to me........the problem with these errors is that they are so costly AND time consuming :(
 
At least it's sorted. Mind you I'm impressed with the laptop if it could take ddr memory or sdram memory. What model laptop was it?


Covenant
 
There are many Laptops out there that take standard sdram memory HP and Fujitsu are just a couple....
 
I must getting a bit confused. The way I read the original post the lappie previously had PC133 184 pin memory which is sdram but the upgrade was to PC2700 200 pin which is ddr ram. That was the bit I didn't realise you could do in a laptop.


Covenant
 
I didn't know you could either. The RAM that it came with was 2 x 256MB PC2100 SODIMM 184-pin. I then spoke to PC World who said that the laptop also takes PC2700 200-pin (this was what I used in my failed upgrade). Are they chatting a load of rubbish?



The laptop is a HP Compaq Presario R3030EA, Pentium 4 2.8GHz, 2x256MB PC100 DDR RAM, 40GB HDD, ATi 128MB (shared graphics). It takes up to 2GB RAM......supposedly - but who really knows anything :confused:

I'm now tempted to take it to PC World and get them to install their own RAM in it. At least if anything goes wrong THEY can keep on trying until it works. It'll probably cost me about £80-100 extra to get them to install their own RAM, rather than doing it myself, which is quite annoying (putting it mildly
wallbash.gif
). But I suppose I'm paying for peace of mind.

I'm not even sure this laptop is up to what I want it to do. It's sooo sloow, on the 3D programs I use, with the RAM currently installed. Will upgrading it to 2GB radically help????

Or shall I put that extra RAM money (and a huge loan) and get myself a Dell M90??
nod.gif
 
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I had a quick look on the Crucial memory site and although I couldn't find your exact model I did find info for Presario 3000 series (see here).
Try their System Checker to to see exactly what memory you can use - I suspect it should be 2700 ddr.
Best of luck with PC World.

Covenant
 
Will upgrading it to 2GB radically help????
Click to expand...
Nope!

It will give it more room to breath ... which in turn will make it 'seem' faster as you'll be using RAM and not the HD to do any work.

The old saying still works for the memory hungry programs ... slam in the ram. :D


user.gif
 
The problem is also that the laptop only has a 40GB HDD. By the time I put all my programs on, and SOME of my work, I'm left with about 4GB free HDD space.


I think it's time to move on to another laptop......:wave:
 
Yes, the M90 look nice ... at least the graphic has its own memory ... remember though, the std 512 of base CPU memory may not be sufficient either.

;)
 
muckshifter said:
Yes, the M90 look nice ... at least the graphic has its own memory ... remember though, the std 512 of base CPU memory may not be sufficient either.

;)
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "the std 512 of base CPU memory may not be sufficient either" :confused:

This is the M90's more detailed spec.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Dell-Prec...goryZ177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Do you see any bad points to consider???


I've also just been offered this one for £500. http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/notebooks/0,39023984,39149337,00.htm

Is it better than the M90?
 
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I've seen too many systems, not just laptops, that have had insufficient ram installed, including and especially new.

I was sarcasticly saying to be aware that you will need to make sure you have at least 1gig ram

Sorry, I don't do eBay ... what is better? any desktop. ;)
 
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