Boot / Windows Problems (Blue Screen's)

Question

Hi   My Optiplex is having very werid problems.   So far I have noted these two stop codes (but there are quite a few more)   STOP: 0x000000A5 (Not sure when this one happens)   STOP: 0x0000008E (Happens almost straight after I log into windows xp pro)   Sometimes after rebooting from these errors the machine will tell me the ammount of system memory has changed (yet I havn't touched any of the hardware)   I have tried upgrading the bios and the revision is now A06.   I seem to get alot of errors when I boot the machine in the morning, but onces its been running for awhile its fine.   I don't know the stop codes off the top of my head but I get them when I do memory intense things (usually) PowerDVD (Crashed Once to a blue screen) Deus Ex (Crashed Once to a blue screen) it sometimes crashes when I do something with the DVD-CDRW drive e.g. close it with a CD in    My Service Tag is J25V31J (but the download site keeps telling me that this is a Dell Laptop :/) Express Tag is 43485028903

burdim · Answer

Try to boot to safe mode and defrag the HD. Sounds like the computer cannot find the system files, or any other files in particular. Also scan for spyware and viruses. Does not sound like you have any, but cannot be too careful. I have been working with new SX270's for a bit daily now and see that they need defragging 1x /week in an office environment due to the fact that XP is completely reliant on a PnP atmosphere. This includes its want to have total control of all system components and memory so that it can complete the tasks that the user is asking it to complete.

snapohead · Answer

If your getting BSODs, and the system says the amount of system memory has changed on restart, then i'd suspect a hardware fault with either the memory or mb (memory socket).

I would try running the diagnostics from the resource cd, probably when the system is cold as thats when you have the most problems.

Also, how many memory sticks do you have in the system? Try removing one stick and see what happens. Also try alternating sticks between slots and see what happens. This should locate the problem if its a hardware fault relating to either the memory or mb.

MRGRIM · Answer

One thing I forgot to mention (which I think could be causing some problems) is that the PCI splitter (makes 1 PCI slot into 2 PCI slots) both the PCI slots (2 due to the splitter thing) are showing up as unknow devices in device manager, i've tried the dell download site - but I have no idea where or what drivers I need   PCI riser board connector (PC12) Message Edited by MRGRIM on 10-13-2004 03:51 AM

MRGRIM · Answer

At the moment Im running 2 512 DDRS but thats only because I took some ram from another machine to see if the problem was related to the stick that came with the machine (took old out put new in) same problems occured, so I just stuck the other stick in, still having same problems,   I'll try what you suggested (I don't have a resource cd tho) is it possible to download the scan program that you mentioned ?

snapohead · Answer

You should be able to download the diagnostics utility from here Just enter your machine details and search around a bit. I doubt the riser card is causing the problems you mentioned, although if you suspect it is, try removing it from the system and see what happens.

MRGRIM · Answer

Think I already downloaded the scanner, not run it yet, will try removing the riser card (any idea on drivers for it ???)   Hopefully my broadband should arrive next week so i'll be able to screen shot some stuff and also make notes on errors (have to use internet in work atm)   also I will try removing the riser card (or reseating it [i removed it when I first had the machine]) its the one thing i actually havn't done, check all the connections ;D

BBraxton · Answer

My BSOD was a different Code 0x0000000A
however, I am suspecting involvement of wanting complete control.
We have a DVD drive AND a CD-RW drive (two drives) in Optiplex GX-240 and I left both drive doors open on a restart immediately before the BSOD

* Windows updates (2000) about 9 on this PC
* GDI says "You need to update Office 2003"
* I opened BOTH drive doors (to keep it from asking for the 2003 Office CD)
* Windows 2000 update finished (I answered "No" to prevent immediate re-boot)
* Office 2003 update finished (I answered "OK" to re-boot now)

Upon re-boot, BSOD

AFTER reading your post, I powered off the GX-240
* removed power cord
* opened the case
* removed ONE memory strip
* closed the case
* connected power cord

re-boot into Safe mode ( amount of memory has changed -- I and then alt-B
Safe mode with networking.
Now I am running "Manage" | de-frag the hard drive

djgarcia · Answer

this whole thing sound like you never got the chipset installed correctly when you loaded your OS.   did you load the chipset first before any of the other drivers?

MRGRIM · Answer

No, I just put the xp cd in and let it run, too 5 attempts to install, is it possible to install xp without losing all data on c: ?

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Boot / Windows Problems (Blue Screen's)

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