Memory parity error and system halt on Windows start up

Question

I have been using a Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop with Windows 7 during the last three years without a lot of trouble. Yesterday, while playing a casual game on it I got a blue screen with the memory parity and system halt errors. Since then I have not been able to load Windows completely. Yesterday I got flashing lights for Mayus and Return as error indicators. Other times those lights were off. Num Lock light was always on. I could see something in the screen only once. Today I was able to start up once again and I tried the Diagnostics. I got only a warning for LCD connection. I saw vertical strips and artifacts on system screens but not in Windows loading screen. After this screen I get the blue screen again and the computer stops working.

Thank you in advance.

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

If the cleanup solves the problem, you're set (and replacing the thermal pad/compound on both the CPU and GPU is a very good idea from the other reply). If not, the GPU card will likely need to be replaced. Carefully compare the cost of a card (if you can still find one) with that of a complete used system. You'll then have a complete set of replacement parts ready for future failures. An entire working system of this age can likely be purchased for $30 or less.

ejn63 · Answer

Could be anything from bad memory (more likely video RAM that system) to a bad system board.

On a 20 year old system like this one, repairs aren't going to be economical -- look for a new or newer system. If you start replacing parts on this one, you'll immediately exceed its value in repair costs.

Sakhalia Net · Answer

I have my reasons to keep this computer with me. I just got that I can load Windows in safe mode. I have then disassembled the whole thing and cleaned itinside. The air intake of the video card assembly was quite obstructed by dust.

filbert · Answer

Cleaning

Given the age, the thermal compound has dried out and cannot adequately transfer heat away from the processor, and there may be a lot of dust inside the laptop and maybe inside the fan and heat fins. So, your laptop is unable to adequately cool itself. That will cause the processor to throttle (slow down), even if it otherwise works properly

You might consider a thorough internal cleaning. Open it up to clean out dust. Disassemble the fan to clean out dust and fluff. I found a fair bit in two laptops I worked on recently. Remove the heat sink, remove the old thermal compound and apply new thermal compound before reinstalling the heat sink.

Also remove the memory, drive and wireless card, clean them and reinstall them securely.

Use a soft pencil eraser to clean all the contacts on the RAM stick.
Moisten a microfibre cloth with 99% isopropyl alcohol and use a credit card to slip the damp cloth into the RAM slot to clean its contacts.
After everything is dry, insert the new RAM stick firmly at a 30° to 45° angle, ensuring that it seats fully in the slot.
Do the same with the drive, wireless card, and any other removable components.

While you're in there, replace the CMOS battery. If it isn't dead, it soon will be. BIOS settings and date/time can't be saved without a functioning CMOS battery.

I recently refurbished an XPS that I salvaged from a recycling bin. One of its issues was that it obviously had a liquid spill inside it. I took almost everything apart to thoroughly clean it, as it was full of dust. Here are photos, though I had already put some components back before I took the photos.
Disassembled XPS 15 L502x with photos. I salvaged and repaired it. - Dell Community

Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)

Upgrade to Windows 10

Windows 7 is unsupported and insecure. It does not receive security patches, so it should no longer be used on a PC connected to the Internet.

I suggest that you update to Windows 10. First, backup your personal files to an external drive and save any licence keys you will need to reinstall applications.

Then, do the free upgrade: https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

After upgrading, check to see if Windows 10 is activated in Settings | Activation. If it is, then you can perform a clean install of Windows 10 and it should activate automatically. The clean install will result in a better system than just staying with the in-place upgrade.

EmmaBarr · Answer

Check hardware connections: Ensure that all hardware components, such as RAM modules and hard drive, are properly seated and connected. Reseat the components if necessary, making sure they are firmly in place.
Test the memory: Faulty RAM modules can cause memory-related blue screen errors. Remove and reinsert the RAM modules one at a time to see if the issue persists. Alternatively, you can run a memory diagnostic test using a tool like Memtest86. This will help identify any issues with the RAM.
Check the hard drive: A failing or corrupted hard drive can also cause system instability. Use the built-in diagnostics or a third-party tool to check the health of your hard drive. If any issues are detected, you may need to replace the hard drive and reinstall the operating system.
Update drivers and firmware: Ensure that all drivers and firmware for your laptop are up to date. Visit the Dell support website, enter your laptop's model number, and download the latest drivers and firmware for your specific model.
Remove external devices: Disconnect any external devices or peripherals connected to your laptop, such as USB devices or external monitors. Sometimes, faulty or incompatible external devices can cause system errors.
Restore BIOS settings: Access the BIOS settings on your laptop and restore them to their default values. This can help resolve any misconfigured settings that might be causing the issue.
Contact Dell support: If the issue persists after trying the above steps, it is recommended to contact Dell support for further assistance. Provide them with detailed information about the issue, the steps you have already taken, and any error codes or messages you have encountered. They may be able to provide specific troubleshooting steps or recommend further diagnostics.

Inspiron

Memory parity error and system halt on Windows start up

Cleaning

Upgrade to Windows 10

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