Screen of Death!!!!

Question

Could somebody please tell me what would cause a new Inspiron 531 Vista that is less than 2 weeks old to suddenly have a Blue Error Screen that has shut down Windows.   I turned my computer on as I always do and the Blue Error Screen read that Windows had to shut down to protect my computer.  I had to call Dell to get back to my original desktop and was told that it was more than likely AOL and that I needed to get in touch with AOL which I did but only to be told by AOL that the company that sold me the computer was at fault and that the problem lies within the Window's operating system.  Can somebody please help me out on this...This has made 4 times already that I've gotten this Error Screen

Gman250 · Answer

Might be a newly installed software conflict. If you are aware of any new programs or updates that have been installed, you might want to try un-installing them. Boot up in Safe mode indicated below, and un-install the potential culprit. Be careful what you remove. My2cents, good luck   Safe Mode To get into the Windows Vista Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your 'F8 Key' which should bring up the 'Windows Advanced Options Menu' as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to 'Safe Mode' and press your Enter key.

slowecsl · Answer

Even though it is only 2 weeks old, check to make sure you have the latest drivers and bios updates for the system from Dell's site. Make sure to run Windows Update on the system afterwards to make sure all of the current updates for Vista have been applied, as some of the reliability updates have addressed some of the Blue Screen issues.

Dell Precision M6300
Bios A00
Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2ghz
4096mb DDR2 @ 667mhz
NVidia Quadro FX 1600M (8700M GT)
Hitachi 200gb 7200 rpm HD
PBDS DVD+RW
SigmaTel C-Major HD Audio
Broadcom NetXterme 57xx Gigabit
Dell 1505 Draft-N WLAN
Dell TrueMobile Bluetooth 360
Windows Vista Ultimate 32bit SP1RC

Alakat01 · Answer

I had a similar problem just after the latest Vista update. The error codes I got were Stop 0x0000008e (0XC0000005, etc etc. The reply from the problem report from Microsoft was that it was to do with Mcafee. I did try resotre but when it did the update the problem came back. I un-installed Mcafee and the problem looks to have gone away. I am now trying Microsofts onecare on trial.

Gman250 · Answer

I personally wouldn't use Mcafee. It's a system pig full of bugs. My2cents. Lots of free daily updating software out there that works fine without the headaches.

chasbox · Answer

Alakat01

Try this http://www.eset.com/index.php It's the best AV out there

The 30 trial is what i used. I was impressed and bought it.

There is always bits of Mcafee left over even after using Add/Remove

Download the Mcafee Removal tool here

http://www.majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html

And run it before installing other security software.

Message Edited by chasbox on 12-21-2007 08:30 AM

Grannyx5 · Answer

I bought Inspiron 531S September 4,2007, received it September 10.  Starting getting blue screen of death immediately.  Dell Support said they fixed it on 1/22.  Started getting blue screen again 6 days later.  I checked control panel/Performance Information/Advanced Tools/View performance details in Event Log.  I have 968 events listed as either critical or warning.  Some of them before I even received my computer!   How dangerous is this?  Is it the computer or software?   I am not very computer literate. I really need to know what to do now.   I have tried contacting Dell via e-mail several times with no results.

Grannyx5 · Answer

I finally reached Dell Support this evening.  The tech said she/he had to download some type of driver and this should take care of the blue screen and my computer should be OK but if not to e-mail them in a few days.

ladyMJ · Answer

Well I finally found the root of what my problem was.  I had added the Mcafee Anti-Virus and that was my culprit.  I completely removed it and that took care of it.   I had no idea that something that was supposed to help my computer would damage it that way but boy did I find out different.  With yours having critical errors so to speak before you even received your computer I wouldn't even begin to know what that may be but If I were you I think I would request that Dell replace it.  I wish I could help more but I don't really know what might be causing your problem.  I wish you luck....

Windows General

Screen of Death!!!!

Was this post helpful?