Vista keeps BSOD all the time - Blue screen - any ideas?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BertieBigBollox
  • Start date Start date
B

BertieBigBollox

Seems to be almost at random but within a few minutes of boot up. BSOD
error message is usually a memory error?

Is it worth re-installing Vista or does this sound like a physical
memory problem?
 
Seems to be almost at random but within a few minutes of boot up. BSOD
error message is usually a memory error?

Is it worth re-installing Vista or does this sound like a physical
memory problem?
Click to expand...
It sounds very much like faulty memory.

Guy
 
Hello,

Well you almost nailed it - memory faulty. To verify, you will need to
either do a memory test using something like MemTest86+.

The other way is to open up your PC and remove one memory chip (assuming you
have 2 chips), if the problem persists, switch to using the other chip on
its own to narrow down the faulty chip.

___________
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Video Conversion Service VHS Video8 Hi8 miniDv Digital8 VHS-C S-VHS tapes to
VCD/DVD
 
What it sounds like is nothing if you do not post the exact Stop (BSOD) error that
it is showing. With knowing it we can usually pinpoint the issue or fix
 
I would be inclined to use a diagnostic application such as MemTest86
(http://www.memtest86.com) Get someone to download the free ISO version and
burn it to a CD. Start your PC, quickly insert the CD and get it to test the
memory.


--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Seems to be almost at random but within a few minutes of boot up. BSOD
error message is usually a memory error?

Is it worth re-installing Vista or does this sound like a physical
memory problem?
Click to expand...


Hi Bertie--

After testing memory as Mike Hall and others advised, and physically testing
your memory sticks to make sure they're seated properly and not faulty, and
making sure you have the latest bios update that your OEM pc maker
provides, try these; if you don't have a Vista DVD, I provided a link where
you can borrow someone's pc and download and burn a startup repair disk from
a .iso:

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.htm

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from the
Startup Repair list.

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.htm

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup
Repair list.

4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, boot
from it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive and
try to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available by
restarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the Windows
Advanced Options Menu.

From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sure
you try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work. Tap F8
to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/...ank/techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpg

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to use for
system restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

If these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is Last
Known Good Configuration.

Good luck,

CH
 
Seems to be almost at random but within a few minutes of boot up. BSOD
error message is usually a memory error?

Is it worth re-installing Vista or does this sound like a physical
memory problem?
Click to expand...

Bertie--

Although the stop error message might be due to a number of causes, it is
still somewhat helpful in guiding you as to whether you have a hdw or
software problem. That's the 0X0ect. number on the BSOD and you only need
to post the first letters and numbers--not all of the group that follow.

There are many hardware testing software programs available, like the one
linked below for download, but that doesn't replace running the memory test
that Mike/John suggested, or going into the box and physically checking your
memory sticks.

http://www.filebuzz.com/software_screenshot/full/electronic_computer_tutor-53136.jpg

http://www.filebuzz.com/publisher/download.php?id=38089

Best,

CH
 
Hi, Bertie.

"Random" BSODs are almost always hardware errors - but not always memory
problems. There are MANY other types of hardware errors, all the way from
dust bunny buildup to excess heat to RF interference - and many more.

Since your problem occurs "within a few minutes of boot up", it's not likely
to be from heat. Does your computer boot all the way to the desktop? Or
does the BSOD happen before Vista is fully loaded? Does it happen when one
of your startup applications is loading? Or is it after everything seems to
be working - and then BSOD after a few minutes of Vista actually running,
when a particular memory location might be accessed for the first time?

Have you had your computer case open recently? Cable problems can pop up at
any time, but especially after hardware changes. Ditto with graphics cards
or other boards not fully seated into their slots on the motherboard.

Obviously - and unfortunately - we are all just shooting in the dark. All
we know about your computer is what you've told us - which isn't much. We
don't know make and model or if you built it yourself. We don't even know
if it is a desktop or laptop. We don't know if you have 1 stick of memory
or 4 or some other number.

Please tell us more about your computer so that we have a better chance to
help you. Wouldn't hurt to mention your exact Vista version, too.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000
 
R. C. White said:
Hi, Bertie.

"Random" BSODs are almost always hardware errors - but not always memory
problems. There are MANY other types of hardware errors, all the way from
dust bunny buildup to excess heat to RF interference - and many more.

Since your problem occurs "within a few minutes of boot up", it's not
likely to be from heat. Does your computer boot all the way to the
desktop? Or does the BSOD happen before Vista is fully loaded? Does it
happen when one of your startup applications is loading? Or is it after
everything seems to be working - and then BSOD after a few minutes of
Vista actually running, when a particular memory location might be
accessed for the first time?

Have you had your computer case open recently? Cable problems can pop up
at any time, but especially after hardware changes. Ditto with graphics
cards or other boards not fully seated into their slots on the
motherboard.

Obviously - and unfortunately - we are all just shooting in the dark. All
we know about your computer is what you've told us - which isn't much. We
don't know make and model or if you built it yourself. We don't even know
if it is a desktop or laptop. We don't know if you have 1 stick of memory
or 4 or some other number.

Please tell us more about your computer so that we have a better chance to
help you. Wouldn't hurt to mention your exact Vista version, too.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000
Click to expand...


RC--

This is very well put. I try to remember to mention to check the wide
variety of hdw problems that can be the cause of BSODs and startup problems,
and this nuances it a bit. We can provide a lot of links to test it
software wise, but nothing replaces going into the box and systematically
checking and I appreciate the detail you used to point this out.

I'd like to be more in tune with the soft signs of hdw failure, but it's a
bit of an art and doesn't replace being able to check the box methodically.
And when that box is a notebook, laptop, and the flood of netbooks that are
coming with cheaper memory chips in the next few months, checking the box is
not going to be as easy as with a desktop.

Best,
CH
 
I do :-)

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
R.C.

Perfectly correct. That is why I asked the OP at the beginning of this thread for
the BSOD message which he still has not complied with posting it
 
You don't give any information about your system. Did your system worked
before.
Reset your bios to default. No overclocking!
Do you have the last bios update?
 
Hi, Chad - and Peter.

We really can't do anything more until we hear back from the OP, can we.
Maybe the computer has completely died and he can't respond. Or maybe he
got it fixed and has gone merrily on his way without so much as a thank you,
much less a report back.

We'll just have to wait and see.

I'm not sure that the exact BSOD matters, Peter. It's not clear whether the
OP is getting a consistent BSOD at random times, or randomly different
BSODs. He did say it "usually" indicates a memory error, but we know that
these clues sometimes "point in all directions". :^{

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000
 
Peter Foldes said:
R.C.

Perfectly correct. That is why I asked the OP at the beginning of this
thread for the BSOD message which he still has not complied with posting
it
Click to expand...

Hi Peter--

As you and RC say, more information particularly about what his box is
doing, would be helpful. I'm not dissing knowing the BSOD stop error that
goes by many other names, but those while somewhat helpful are so nebulous
and are a symptom of so many causes per error with some exceptions (granted)
that knowing someone has updated their bios and gone through the hdw checks
that RC nicely outlined is really important in so many of these no boot
situations. I always put up my no boot software cascade, but I know full
well that a number of these problems might be caused by hdw and sometimes
the problem is mixed and getting everyone to check their hdw components,
their hard drive stuatus, and if Bios updates exist for their box is really
essential.

One of my boxes that I love like an old car for sentimental reasons is
running Win 7 and the last bios update Dell gave us was one month to the day
after Windows XP RTM'd.

CH
 
richard said:
You should have mentioned that to perform this test he needs a working
computer with CD drive.
Otherwise, attempting to do so on the same machine is like totally
futile and useless.
Click to expand...


The instructions are for a floppy OR a CD..
 
So how does one go about testing memory on a computer who's OS won't
even fully boot?
Click to expand...

On another computer you download one of the free memory tester ISO files &
burn it to a CD. Then you boot the problem computer from the CD.

memtest86 and DrMem are two names that I remember (or possibly
misremember).
 
I do :-)

--
Click to expand...

But slowpokes like me and Shagnasty can still do it - just open the drive
while you can. Insert the CD, close the drive, & restart; use the power
switch if you can't restart otherwise.

Unanswered question: what happens with slot-loading drives?
 
Hi Bertie--

After testing memory as Mike Hall and others advised, and physically testing
your memory sticks to make sure they're seated properly and not faulty, and
making sure you have the latest  bios update that your OEM pc maker
provides, try these; if you don't have a Vista DVD, I provided a link where
you can borrow someone's pc and download and burn a startup repair disk from
a .iso:

Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you  make:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1...

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair.  If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair.  From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system.  If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem,  Download the .iso from the  link below  and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you  make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1...

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstar...

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from the
Startup Repair list.

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair.  If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair.  From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system.  If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem,  Download the .iso from the  link below  and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you  make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1...

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstar...

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup
Repair list.

4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, boot
from it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive and
try to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available by
restarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the Windows
Advanced Options Menu.

From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore.  Make sure
you try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work. TapF8
to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/vista windows advanced optio...

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to use for
system restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

If these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is Last
Known Good Configuration.

Good luck,

CH
Click to expand...

Thanks Chad. Its actually a friends laptop that I'm trying to sort
out. Iv'e got my own PC and laptop etc but they run XP (which I'm more
knowledgable with).
 
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