Dave Zass said:
I'm having a problem with a random reboot in the middle of applications,
98% of the time either gaming or when an email checking app ran as part of
ZA. I've subsequently removed the ZA security suite app and returned to a
prior version.
When the system reboots, I get an error message letting me know that the
system has recovered from a serious error. It gives me an error signature
with a data string, and two log files that give me technical information.
As I'm assuming it would give me insight into my problem, how can I get
this info interpreted?
There is any number of things to cause this, honestly.
The first thing to try is another power supply. If everything stays running,
then it was an easy fix. Next, remove other hardware one at a time. this
will take a long time as you'll need to run the game/app for about the
length of time it takes for the crash to occur after each piece is removed.
Remember not to remove anything actually needed to boot into Windows (ie:
RAM, hard drive, etc). If you have onboard video but use a video card,
remove it during the last step as well. Keep the side panel off of the case
and make sure your CPU fan is spinning properly, with no rattling or loud
vibration.
To figure out the remaining hardware, get the diagnostic tools you need.
Here's some I recommend:
* IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test; tests all brands as well as IDE, SATA and
SCSI drives (so long as the controller runs native)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/IBM_-_Hitachi_Drive_Fitness_Test_d2828.html
* MemTest86+
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Memtest86_d4226.html
* HeavyLoad; this simulates a full load on the CPU, RAM and hard drive. Two
things to ignore are "Virtual Memory Low" messages and the program suddenly
closing itself. It's a beta. However, blue screens, shutdowns, reboots and
"Out of Memory" boxes (especially repeating boxes that won't go away) are
signs of trouble.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2786
HeavyLoad is the only one of the three that runs in Windows; the other two
create bootable CDs.
If all of those pass, you're looking at a software problem, possibly even a
virus (yes, even if you have a good AV and keep it updated, there's still a
chance you got infected). Boot into Safe Mode with Networking. At this
point, I wouldn't rely on the anti-virus you have installed, because if a
virus did get past it, chances are it will still miss it. Instead, run
TrendMicro's Housecall (
http://housecall.trendmicro.com). I'd recommend
running the Java-based version, since I've had the ActiveX version crash on
me. However, if both fail to run, use the slightly older version at
http://housecall60.trendmicro.com/housecall/en/index.htm.
Lastly, if none of these tests show anything, you are looking at either a
CPU or motherboard that is failing. But before ditching either, see if your
mkotherboard manufacturer has an updated BIOS for your model.
