A blue screen produced by modem, I think

I have run into what I believe is the same problem with my daughter's Dimension 4600 PC.  Everything works fine until she tries to connect to the internet.  You can hear the modem get a dial tone when first connecting up, dial the number of the ISP, and then work to establish the connection.  All this is audible from the modem's speaker.  Then the words "Verifying Username and Password" appear in the dial-up login dialog box.  and the modem noise and then white noise/pink noise stops.  Then within about 3 - 5 seconds, a blue screen appears and the included error message shows up. 

Is that exactly what you are experiencing?  Does your PC work fine otherwise?  If so, there are a number of things you may need to do. 

First, you may want to remove the memory cards from your PC, boot it up, then shut it down, reinstall the memory, start the PC back up, and reinstall the modem driver.  There is also a modem diagnostic, called Modem Helper, which you can run from your PC or from the Dell Resource CD.  If these ideas don't work and you have access to another PC which can get onto the internet, I'd try the Dell Chat resource at Dell Product Support.  it's a free, on-line, real-time dialogue with Dell technicians.  Perhaps one of them can help you resolve your issue(s).

Best of Luck!

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

if that is a blue screen, you need to be specific.coz almost of the blue screen that we are getting in windows will have a memory dump.you can determine what's causing the problem by looking at a stop error code 0x0000000.....(this is the format).if you think it's the modem then you should have this error message BAD POOL CALLER...if it is then it's your modem that's causing the problem.

I'm having this same problem...sort of. My computer is a Dimension 3000 and I've had it about two or three months. This is my first time getting cable for a computer. I went through Time Warner. They came and hooked it up with safe mode and had the cable plugged into the back of the computer when I tried to start my computer in normal mode with the cable plugged in I also got the what techies may call "The Blue Screen of Death" where it talks about the memory dump in process and memory dump complete right after. I also get a IRQI_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL at the top of the blue screen. When I unplug the cable from the back of my computer and then restart the computer it comes up fine. My roommate got my computer to get on the internet  (not sure how just yet) but I went to restart it because I made my roommate a user account and I wanted to see if it worked and I went to log on and I got the blue screen again and haven't been able to log back onto the internet yet without the blue screen. Also, when the cable is unplugged and it logs into the computer normally as soon as I plug the cable back into my computer the blue screen will pop up.

Based on the information you included in your message, it almost seems as though the Time-Warner guys either caused, or did not rememdy an IRQ conflict; that is, more than one device is using the same "COM" port or address at the same time. When you unplug the cable/device, you resolve the conflict and you can restart the computer and use it without getting the BSOD (blue screen of death). You also could have another problem, since your roommate can use your PC to access the internet, but you can't - - same machine, different accounts - - subtle differences in the registry. Before doing anything else, try contact Dell through their new on-line chat service. It's a real-time, on-line discussion with a Dell Technician who works with you to resolve your problem. You may have to use another PC, or you can try logging into your PC and getting on-line through your roommate's gueat account. This would be the best way, because you'd be working directly with your PC. You might also check (using the Device Manager in Windows Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > System > Hardware; and see which IRQs are being used by which devices t try and identify any conflicts. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, perhaps you can enlist the aid of a friend or computer savvy acquaintance. Whatever you do, you do not want to change any settings you are unsure of. If any of these things don't help you, try the next step (below).

Have you checked you PC for spyware, adware, or other trojans? Any of these attacks on your PC can corrupt registry keys and/or cause memory handler conflicts. If not, download (you'll probably have to use someone else's PC) and copy to a CD or memory stick, Ad-Aware SE, Spybot Search and Destroy, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, and Grisoft's AVG 7 anti-virus program. These are all free programs. As soon as you can, install them on your PC and run them to check for and remove, if necessary, any "nasties" from your PC. These programs won't cause the installation issues and other problems you can run into with Norton and McAfee products, and they work extremely well. I'd also make sure you've installed a good firewall (Zone Alarm, also free) to block any attacks from malicious sites. After you've run all these programs and installed a firewall, try hooking back up to the internet. If you still receive a BSOD, you may have to completely back up your hard drive (so you save any wanted data files or information) and then start from scratch, that is, delete your OS and all other programs, format the hard drive, and reload everything.

Good Luck.


Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

My roommate somehow got on my computer not on his guest account but with my account. I tried making him a guest account since the internet was working and we're waiting to buy a router. After I tried to restart my computer it went to the BSOD again. I'll try your recommendations. My roommate and I together know a decent amount about some problems. Thank you and we'll try your suggestion. I'll let you know how it goes. 

One more thing my computer lets me get on the internet if I'm in Safe Mode with Network Connections.

V/R
Me

The fact that your roommate got onto the Internet on your account is a good thing. Did he use a regular dial-up account? If so, then you can know for sure, that your conflict is network-based, since cable and wireless (broadband) use the network adaptor in your PC. In that case, you'll need to do some "network devices" trouble-shooting. Additionally, your Time-Warner account may more likely be a software-related issue, rather than a hardware or solely an IRQ-based problem. The software for the TW equipment and there network may be causing the problem.

On one of Dell's Customer Service website pages, they discuss the problem(s) caused with installation of SBC Yahoo DSL on some systems. I'd look up that site and see what they have to say. Could be the problem is nearly identical.

Have a good one!

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

My roommate got on using the way he was initially intended to but we're not really sure how we got it to work. The blue screen error I get is:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps.

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufactuer for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

***STOP: 0x000000D1 (0x0000000B, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0xf0626C08)

*** tcpip.sys - Address F0626C08 base at F05EE00, DateStamp 41107ecf

Beginning dump of physical memory

Physical memory dump complete

Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.

Okay; It looks to me, though I am not sure (not quite THAT advanced in computer stuff) - - that based on your error message, that you have a conflict in the memory handler; the portion of which may involve memory allocated to tcpip.sys. That is why you get a BSOD and the physical memory dump. Then the PC probably reboots on its own after timing out and you're A-O.K. unless you try to again reconnect to the internet via broadband. I would be willing to bet that you're not going to resolve this problem without removing the corrupted files which allocate certain portions of memory to the processes involved. To do this, you will need to "nuke" your hard drive and start over. Perhaps, before you take such a drastic step, there's someone else out there who reads this, who might have a suggestion, but I don't think that will solve the problem. Inserting the Windows Resource CD and repairing the OS installation WILL NOT work; you'll just temporarily band-aid the issue (if it works at all) and end up getting the blue screen again down the line. Additionally, I don't believe System Restore will help you either, but you might try going back to a Restore Point dated prior to the Time-Warner installation.

Before you format your hard drive and start over, be sure to copy any files you want to keep. Additionally, download and install (flash) the latest bios for your 3000 BEFORE you delete and re-install the OS and other programs. If you're using Windows Xp, install Service Pack 2 immediately after you install Xp. You'll also want to have downloaded all the latest drivers and upgrades from the Dell Support > Downloads site to install on your PC after you install the OS, but before installing all the other software programs you desire. The last thing you should install is the Time Warner broadband setup. If you're not sure you have any conflicts resolved before re-installing it, WAIT. You should never have to install or run this type of program from Safe Mode. If you do, there's an inherent problem which Time-Warner and/or Dell should have identified. Contact Tech Support @ Time-Warner in that case. You're paying for that service.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

My roommate uninstalled the NIC and the Modem and then re-installed them and that worked. We un-installed the NIC before but not both the NIC and the Modem. My computer is up and running now and is fully functional. Thank you for all your help.

 

Outstanding!

I am glad that you were able to resolve this conflict so easily.

Take care!

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

I have had my desktop Dell 2400 series for 1 yr 5 mo.  It works as well as can be even though i live in rural area with bad phone lines. 

I have received a similar blue screen error message 3x in the last few weeks. 

I cannot note my doing anything for it to occur as i am just working and suddenly the blue screen occurs telling me:  "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer."

I did not put any new Programs on the computer.  This never happened until after the latest updates were installed by Dell and/or Microsoft.  I know Microsoft had at least 8 new updates it did.  I have no idea what Dell updated?

I had wondered if there was a driver conflict with my modem as i have an external Zoom modem? being it said:  DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.  Windows is shut down with the blue screen.  My modem still shows i am connected, yet i am not and i have to reset it and reinstall it.  It takes a little doing and is a pain in the neck.  I finally get it recognized again as hardware installed and can connect.

The only difference i see in my message from yours (as i tried to copy most of what i thought was important) is that mine shows: acfva.sys  while you say yours said: tcpip.sys.

Why is this suddenly happening???

 

Honestly, I'm not sure. I only know what I did and I uninstalled my modem and Network Interface Card and restarted the computer and used my dell disk to re-install the NIC and modem drivers onto my computers and it;s been working ever since.

I think that when you re-installed the NIC and modem driver, you probably eradicated a virus or trojan from the invovled files which caused a memory page frame fault, or corrupted your registry, or both. I'd run a REALLY good virus, spy-ware, and ad-ware check on your entire HDD. If your PC is infected, I'd be willing to bet it'll just be a matter of time before your modem/NIC crashes again. If you do experience another crash, re-format your HDD and reinstall your OS and all software from the Dell Resource CDs which came with your PC. Then BEFORE you get back on-line, install/download/update any of the adware, spyware, anti-virus, firewall, and other utilities you desire. This will hopefully prevent the "nasties" from getting to your machine.

Good Luck!
Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

In all my years of having a computer, i have learned not to get online unprotected.  I have pretty good protection i feel.  I have NIS 2005 Anti-Virus/Internet Security/Anti-Spam/Firewall, Spybot & Destroy, and Spyware Blast.  I also have Spam Trapper ON through my ISP.

I think it was a driver conflict (as now i forget what Spybot found) and i was not sure of it until i looked it up.  With the last updates either from Microsoft or Dell, it seemed to have something to do with the drivers.  I had to get an external Zoom modem when i bought this new Dell about 15 mos ago as the Dell modem did not connect well at all here in rural MT as our phone lines and power are antiquated.  I am 6 miles from phone switching station.  We also have power surges all the time, as well as old phone lines.  With the new Zoom external modem and a better surge protector with battery back up, i was up and running fairly well for a rural area. 

Anyway i wish now i could remember what i had Spybot repair, but after i said to repair that, it has worked for awhile now.  I pray that was it.

Thanks for your indepth advice.  I have used computers for about 12 yrs feel i am an Intermediate, yet i am not familiar with the abbreviations NIC and HDD.   

Happy Trails, J

Crystalwoman,

You should not have had to purchase an external modem, if your Dell came with one. I too am in an area (in California) which, though I am no more than about 3 miles from a telephone switching office, does not allow for high-speed internet connections; so I use 56K dial-up. I haven't tried cable yet - - we have Comcast up here and I am not too great a fan of theirs. At any rate, all recent (several years worth of) Dell modems and those made for Dell by other companies, support the necessary protocols to operate under the usual telephony standards. Your PC should have included software to configure the modem for the handshaking protocols required for use with the telephone system in the area in which you live. (If you have not heard the term "handshaking" before, it literally means how a modem communicates with/works with the system to which is connected.

HDD stands for hard disk drive. I forgot exactly what the acronym NIC stands for; I believe it's network interface card.

It appears you are well versed with your use of prevention measures for "attacks of the nasties." Spybot Search and Destroy will make automatic fixes, but it does create restore points in Windows XP, should you need to go back and repair a fix which didn't work. I can also recommend a free download from Microsoft called "Regclean", which will do a good job of repairing any corrupted registry keys, registries which point to missing files, etc. I hate to say this, but I'd exercise caution with the Norton Internet Security program, unless they've come out with some fixes recently. I ran it on my Inspiron 8600 (Win XP) and my wife's Toshiba. It hogs system resources, and appears that it occasionally can actually interfere with detection of and removal of some viruses, trojans, or spyware/ad-ware when using other preventative programs.

I've resorted to using just Norton's Systemworks, which is very good at what it does, but have disabled the Anti-virus program. I removed the Internet Security program completely. I now use AVG 7 antivirus (from Grisoft - - a free download), the ZoneAlarm firewall, SpyBot, Ad-Aware SE, and Microsoft's AntiSpyware program. All these are free downloads and do an excellent job of safeguarding most PCs. Additionally, attacks on my PC have gone down to almost nothing since I went over to Mozilla's FireFox browser from MS Internet Explorer. If you choose to do so also, don't remove IE from your PC; the Windows Update site looks for IE and will not properly allow you to update your OS without IE.

Take care.

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2