BIOS update notification-system failure

I would run memtest86+ overnight and see if that finds any errors.  The Dell memory tester doesn't seem to be as good at finding problems.

You can also try reseating the memory, cards and cables.  Actually I would do this before the memory test.

You might as well run the other Dell hardware diagnostics if you haven't already. 

Peter 

Hi Fireberd,

Good call, adding more memory.  I've actually got some more picked out, but I wanted to see if anyone had a better solution since it calls out for a BIOS upgrade, but none appears available.  In fact, the link that I posted indicated that the BIOS doesn't match the CPU, but the system came this way.  I haven't modified anything.

As for the amount of RAM, I actually have two sticks of 256 RAM, so a total of 512 (although most likely still not enough, as I'm finding out).

Regarding more than "it crashes": "The system has recovered from a fatal error and has rebooted itself".  I made note of the log files, but unfortunately when I sent in the notification, it deleted the temp files, so I couldn't post them.

It would be nice to have more than it "crashes". 

However, if I read your post correctly you only have 256MB of RAM (memory) and if that is the case that is insufficient for Windows XP.  Many PC's were sold with with only 256MB of RAM early on but as they found out that isn't really enough.  The minimum was later upped to 512MB and even later most XP machines were sold with 1GB of RAM. 

However, even with more RAM, that MAY not be the fix for your problems.  It may take a completel "clean" reinstall (reformat the hard drive and reinstall everything) to fix it.  It's hard to tell as there is not really enough to go on.

Hi Peter345,

Thank you, I will try running it overnight.  I used memtest twice before, but didn't do it overnight, so I will try that.  I'm thinking that when I order my new RAM, I will simply order two sticks of 1MB since that is the max available for my computer.  That would take care of any faulty RAM issues (if I have any)!

I did already reseat the mem sticks and cables, but good call.  I should have mentioned that in my post.

Any thoughts on why MS is suggesting that the BIOS doesn't match the CPU?

Thanks for the help so far.  If anyone has any more suggestions, I'm all ears!

If you do go to new memory be careful as Dell's tend to be iffy with some brands of memory.  Crucial  www.crucial.com is one brand that guarantees it will work with Dell's and is often recommended on this forum. 

As far as a hardware problem, it may not be a hardware problem, but a software problem either with the Operating System or with some application you have running.  It's like searching for the proverbial "needle in a haystack".  If the system has never had a complete reinstall that is one option, although a hassle, that you should consider.  After several years of operation there can be many potential issues and although a drastic or "shotgun" approach, the complete reinstall will cure many "ills".  A complete reinstall is a reformat and reinstall everything (obviously if you do this, backup your user data first).

Once again, very sound advice.  Frankly, I've learned not to buy anything from Dell (I wonder if this post will remain!).  Crucial.com was also much less expensive than Dell.

This system is only two years old (next month) and receives light usage, so it *shouldn't* need a complete reinstall.  I say it shouldn't, but that does not mean that it doesn't. 

You are most likely correct.  I have numerous problems with IE suddenly crashing as well, even though I've taken tremendous care to protect against viruses and the like, and do my routine updates as well as cleaning out the registry.

I guess I need to just set aside one day on a weekend, bite the bullet and do the full wipe and reinstall.

Thanks for your help.