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[Biff Hardbody]

A couple days ago, my pc began to crash while playing Doom III. I would get an .exe file error. It wasn't a big deal, just annoying. Then it started to happen with my internet browser, firefox. It began to happen more and more often. I also noticed other games like Battlefield Vietnam seemed to stutter on the menus when they had not before. I also noticed spybot would not boot up. I thought it might be a tempature problem, but the probe I am using reported everything as cool. I opened up the system and found no dust or dirt.

I ran several virus scans, ad aware, scan disc, and a few other apps to clear things up. Everything came back clean. Instead of things getting better, they got worse. The crashes became more and more common, the computer began to reboot when certain applications were brought up (things like cd burning). Later on in the evening I got no sound, and sound card error messages. My PC then rebooted with scan disc starting (without my prompting), and it found a bunch of errors that it supposedly fixed. On the next reboot, I had graphical errors from the start (images moving at a snails pace when I moved them across the screen). I found the graphics drivers were missing from the properties menu (the folder was still listed), and the internet would crash almost immediately. I tried reinstalling the graphics driver, but it would not open.

I decided to back up whatever files I could and reformat. I deleted the old partition on my HD and started a fresh windows install. After reformatting the drive, windows setup began to install. When it got about 33% in, I got an error saying a certain file could not be copied. I took the disc out and cleaned it, then tried again. It worked, but then I got an error a few files later. I had it retry, it worked. Then another error. I kept this process up quite a bit, until it was nearly completed installing. Then at 96% it would not copy a certain file no matter what I did. So, I had it skip installation of that file and another until it was complete (my only option at the time).

Windows OS began to install, and a few minutes in it crashed with the message that windows setup was shutting itself down to protect the pc. I tried again, and the OS installed.

I then installed my motherboard, internet, graphics, and sound drivers. While I installed them, I kept getting error messages such as "system has recovered from a serious error", "Unknown error" and my favorite "A catastrophic error has occurred". I also noticed I got very loud beeping noises coming from my pc when I installed certain files. After several errors I managed to install firefox, however it does not respond when I click on it.

So, that's where I am now. I've got it running, but I know the OS did not install well and I'm getting a bunch of errors. I'm not really quick to reformat my drive yet again without knowing anything different this time, because I'm sure I'll get the same error problems when installing windows.

Any ideas or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Che]

Looks like your HDD is dying or there is a conflict between your hdd and your DVD/other hdd.

 

[pestul]

From the sound of that, it's definately a hardware issue. It could be a myriad of things unfortunately.. my first suspicion would be a corrupt HDD, however, it could be an ailing power supply, cpu, motherboard or bad ram.

Check your BIOS to make sure the settings weren't altered/corrupted. If your PC is overclocked in anyway (fsb/multiplier/ram timings).. reset it to the motherboards normal configuration. Try clearing the CMOS.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Thanks for replying guys. Bad HD, eh? Hmmm. I guess I'll order a new one and cross my fingers. Thanks...

edit: My bios seem the same, and I'm not ocing. Thanks though.

 

[Che]

For starters enable SMART on your motherboard. If there is a serious problem with your hdd it'll probably find it.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Thanks, I'll try that.

 

[DJ Demon J]

I'm 99% sure it's your HDD. I had the same problems with a PC at work (a Dell with a generic HDD) and had to get my HDD replaced--twice!

What brand HDD did you get?

 

[Biff Hardbody]

I'm using a seagate 200 gb IDE HD. I tried just giving it its own power connector, hoping that would do the trick. Even reformated once more. No go. Now I can't even install graphics drivers, and it was a bitch to get the motherboard/internet drivers on.

It keeps saying that any file I try to open is corrupt, and I keep hearing that beeping.

OK, DJ you think its the hd? Along with the other guys, that opinion has me leaning to go buy a new hd today.

 

[Vennt]

Another possibility is over-aggressive memory settings.

Have you run memtest86 for a couple of hours to test for memory errors?

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Another possibility is over-aggressive memory settings.

Have you run memtest86 for a couple of hours to test for memory errors?

I haven't run that, no. However, could my memory just go bad like this after nearly a month of fine performance? I'm unsure of how to get that up and running, I think I need a floppy disc. I'll run it when I can get my hands on one. Thank you.

I have one question about windows XP OEM. I'm using it. If I try and install it on a new HD, will it work? I've heard you can only use oem software on one pc. I'm not sure how that works.

 

[Vennt]

It's actually the fact that you're having problems after a month that make me think it could be memory / settings related.

When you run with over-aggressive memory timing, it's possible and common to not notice any problems at first, but then have problems "accelerate" when they do start to show.

Think of it like this, over-aggressive setting tend to introduce "single bit" errors, whereby a file that is copied is corrupted, but only by a single bit (as in 0/1), these single bit errors at first may not cause any noticeble problems, but as they accumulate things start to go downhill fast, and eventual OS/system corruption is usually not far behind.

It may not necessarily be bad memory, just that the memory settings you have set in the BIOS may be over-aggressive and trying to run the memory out of spec. memtest86 will allow you to either confirm this or rule it out as an issue.

 

[Ecrofirt]

Someone want to explain how to enable SMART?

I looked in my BIOS, and I couldn't find anything about it.

FYI: I'm on a Dell XPS Gen 3

 

[Biff Hardbody]

OK, I went out and bought a new HD (Western Digital 80 gig IDE). No improvements, I have the exact same results. The system formats, then when setup is getting ready certain files are not read and after installing windows I cannot install any other programs.

I'm ready to do the memory test. I'll read up on it. I'm tired right now, as I've been at this for awhile. So, I'm not going to run out and get a floppy disc (which I assume is needed after looking at mem test...is there another way to run it without any floppy?). If that shows everything as normal, I'm going to assume its the windows XP CD (when installing windows I get errors that say the disc may be damaged, I see nothing damaged though).

Thanks for all your help.

 

[DJ Demon J]

OK, I went out and bought a new HD (Western Digital 80 gig IDE). No improvements, I have the exact same results. The system formats, then when setup is getting ready certain files are not read and after installing windows I cannot install any other programs.

I'm ready to do the memory test. I'll read up on it. I'm tired right now, as I've been at this for awhile. So, I'm not going to run out and get a floppy disc (which I assume is needed after looking at mem test...is there another way to run it without any floppy?). If that shows everything as normal, I'm going to assume its the windows XP CD (when installing windows I get errors that say the disc may be damaged, I see nothing damaged though).

Thanks for all your help.

If it wasn't the HD (which shocks me, since those types of messages I've always seen with HD failures), then it's probably the BIOS. Sounds like something software related got corrupted. Sorry to hear you're having difficulties Biff, but it will get fixed, I promise. I couldn't get any video on my PC for a week until I managed to fix ATI's lame driver issues and corrupt files.

Have you posted a detailed description of your problem on a site like TomsHardware.com? Allow the real computer geeks of the internet to do your work for you! Best of luck, I hope you're up-and-running again soon.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

If it wasn't the HD (which shocks me, since those types of messages I've always seen with HD failures), then it's probably the BIOS. Sounds like something software related got corrupted. Sorry to hear you're having difficulties Biff, but it will get fixed, I promise. I couldn't get any video on my PC for a week until I managed to fix ATI's lame driver issues and corrupt files.

Have you posted a detailed description of your problem on a site like TomsHardware.com? Allow the real computer geeks of the internet to do your work for you! Best of luck, I hope you're up-and-running again soon.

Thank you for the help, I sincerely appreciate it. Its nice of you.

I am sure I will find the problem out. I will try toms as soon as they approve my account. For the time being, I just have to chill and forget about playing some of my faves. Bothersome, but I won't go to pieces over it. I'll figure it out.

Again, thank you.

 

[rc213]

There's an iso available on their website that can be run from a cd like the windows disc.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Thank you very much.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

I burned the iso file to a cdr and made the cd/dvd drive my first boot device in my bios, but it doesn't boot off it. I checked the file, and its the same size as the one I downloaded; it seems intact. I just can't get the memtest to run. hmmm....

 

[DJ Demon J]

Biff, what exact error does it give you when trying to install windows or other programs?

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Biff, what exact error does it give you when trying to install windows or other programs?

I get a variety of errors. Some that I recall-

"cannot copy file, windows xp cd may be corrupt"
"File is corrupt, cannot open"
".exe file error"
"a serious error has occured"
"A catastrophic error has occured"
"Cannot install, the file is invalid"

and assorted others. I do recall one mentioning the word memory and a bunch of numbers. Also, there is a loud beeping noise coming from my PC when some of these errors occur. Similar to the type of sound you would get if you pressed many buttons on the keyboard together at once.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Ugh, so tired.

So, since I couldn't figure out how to get memory test working I fucked around with my pc all damn day. I lost track of how many times I switched the drives, operating and various reformats. Allot of it though. What I got from all of that is it isn't my hard drive, and its not my windowsx xp cd (It worked fine on another computer).

So, it must be the ram. I'm going to reinstall it tomorrow, test with different sticks...ecd. I'd like to set the values differently then the auto, but I have no clue of how to do it. I'm going to email crucial and see what they say. I'm using crucial ballistix ram pc 3200.

Thanks to everyone whos trying to help me, I appreciate it.

Oh yeah

Just got this error when trying to close an IE window

"The instruction at "0x10019958" referenced memory at "0x10019958". The memory could not be "read".

Guess that means it is the memory.

 

[metsallica]

Don't burn the .iso directly, select the .iso as a disc image in NERO (or your burning program of choice). In Nero Express click DISC IMAGE OR SAVED PROJECT, select ISO from the drop down menu, navigate to the file and burn. Then boot from that with your CD drive as the first boot object. Let MEMTEST run for a few passes at least, longer if you can. Also try MEMTEST 86+ if you have issues with MEMTEST. Windows Memory Diagnostic is nice too, it caught problems that MEMTEST missed in my personal use.

Please keep us updated.

 

[rc213]

What does the rest of your setup look like? I was looking to getting 1GB PC3200 Ballistix for my next upgrade . Are u running the memory timings by SPD or Manual?

 

[DJ Demon J]

Ugh, so tired.

So, since I couldn't figure out how to get memory test working I fucked around with my pc all damn day. I lost track of how many times I switched the drives, operating and various reformats. Allot of it though. What I got from all of that is it isn't my hard drive, and its not my windowsx xp cd (It worked fine on another computer).

So, it must be the ram. I'm going to reinstall it tomorrow, test with different sticks...ecd. I'd like to set the values differently then the auto, but I have no clue of how to do it. I'm going to email crucial and see what they say. I'm using crucial ballistix ram pc 3200.

Thanks to everyone whos trying to help me, I appreciate it.

Oh yeah

Just got this error when trying to close an IE window

"The instruction at "0x10019958" referenced memory at "0x10019958". The memory could not be "read".

Guess that means it is the memory.

Hmm, I guess it must be the memory then....I use Kingston sticks, I heard conflicting reports about Crucial. Let us know what they respond with....I'd raise hell with them about the memory, see if you can get replacements or your money back.

 

[Sander]

Using Memtest86+

1)download Memtest
2)Extract
3)Run install.bat
4)Follow instructions (insert floppy etc)
5)Reboot w/ floppy in drive
6)Memtest boots and starts automatically

Btw maybe the beeping is an alarm going off? Temperature too high, voltage too low etc.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

First, a huge thank to Sander and Metsallica who took the time to help me out and write instructions. You don't know how much that helped me. Thank you.

I ran memory test for 40 minutes. I would have gone the two hours or so people recommended, but I figured there was no need to because in that 40 minutes the memory passed 2 tests and failed well over 13,000 with no signs on stopping.

I'm glad to know the problem is the memory. The question is, what do I do now? Send it back and get a replacement? Or, is there some way I could tinker with the settings to fix this?

I'm thinking I should run a memory test on each stick to see if one of them is still good.

Thanks fellahs.

What does the rest of your setup look like? I was looking to getting 1GB PC3200 Ballistix for my next upgrade . Are u running the memory timings by SPD or Manual?

Athlon 3800+
Asus 939 Motherboard
Geforce 6800 GT
NeoPower 480 watt
Modified Lian li case
200 GB IDE Seagate HD

Right now its one hell of an expensive paperweight. Hopefully I fix that soon.

I let the memory timings be run by auto (2-2-2-8, the same as they are listed on their site).

I'm gunna email crucial now.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Tried running with a single stick of ram, when I did I got no image on my monitor.

Unless anyone can offer some type of settings change I should try, I'm returning these things asap.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

HELL FUCKING YES

I think I fixed it. Apparently, crucial ballistix memory fails if you have it on anything but 2.8 volts. Mine was at 2.5 Someone also told me to change the cas latency to 2-3-2-10, and I did. The result is memory test finds no errors within the same amount of time as I originally tested it (before I got well over 13,000).

I am going to reformat and reinstall windows now. I think I'm there...

A huge thanks to everyone who helped me.

Freeburn, you were right on the money. Thank you.

 

[Vennt]

Good to hear you've sorted it out, you'll probably have learned a little too

 

[DJ Demon J]

Biff, had you adjusted the memory settings manually to try to get better performance when you built the PC originally? Or were those automatic settings?

 

[metsallica]

Glad you got it sorted out!

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Thank you guys so fucking much for pointing me in the right direction.

Demon, those were the auto timings my system gave the ram. The ram is listed as 2-2-2-8 on crucials site. I'm actually not sure if changing the cas latency is what did it for me or the changing of the ddr volatge from 2.5 to 2.8. The guy who helped me fix this told me that the crucial ballistix ram will fail unless the voltage is at 2.8

I've got all my shit back up. Now I'm just installing my games. Fuck yes...I appreciate my pc even more now.

 

[DJ Demon J]

Thank you guys so fucking much for pointing me in the right direction.

Demon, those were the auto timings my system gave the ram. The ram is listed as 2-2-2-8 on crucials site. I'm actually not sure if changing the cas latency is what did it for me or the changing of the ddr volatge from 2.5 to 2.8. The guy who helped me fix this told me that the crucial ballistix ram will fail unless the voltage is at 2.8

I've got all my shit back up. Now I'm just installing my games. Fuck yes...I appreciate my pc even more now.

Huh, odd...well, very glad to hear you're back up and running! It does make you feel really good when you get it working again and learn more about the PC. It's like you're in the Sims and you just got a Computer Knowledge point. *ding! +1 appears over Biff's head*

 

[rc213]

I feel like an ass, that was exactly the problem i was having with my Mushkin PC3500 DDR Level II. It had the memory set to defualt of 2.6v on my board and when i emailed Mushkin they told me my memory should do 200mhz @ 6-2-2-2 but at 2.7v+. =\ U can check it out here: http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=335587 : and laugh, i spent 1 month trying to fix it before i got the great idea of emailing Mushkin.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

Thanks again, fellahs.

RC, I hear ya. All it takes is a little change in voltage, and here I am taking my pc apart and doing 5 or 6 OS installs thinking "this will be the time!".

Heh, I'm just happy as hell everything works now.

 

[rc213]

I probably re-installed my OS like 8 times, changed the hard drives back and forth. I was going crazy i tell you.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

You and me both, buddy.

In other news, I put the cas latency back to 2-2-2-8 and ran mem test. No problems. It was just the voltage.