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Solve : PC crash in high memory apps (FIXED)?

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Was that on the first stick of RAM only, or what?

Quote

Just for grins, test the RAM, one stick at a time for about an hour, then all together with a free download at www.memtest86.com

[highlight]Also check the hard drive with the free diagnostics at the appropriate maker's web site.[/highlight]

Go to the Start Menu, then to Settings, then to the Control Panel. Go to Administrative Tools. Click on Error Log. [highlight]What shows there?[/highlight]



OK, just a few more things to do. Quote
Was that on the first stick of RAM only, or what?

Not sure...how do I ONLY test one stick of RAM?  I've tried to read the directions for the memtest and must admit they're hard to read for me.  Do I open up the box manually, pull out one stick..run test...then switch?  and if so, which test (0-9) do i run?

Quote
Go to the Start Menu, then to Settings, then to the Control Panel. Go to Administrative Tools. Click on Error Log. [highlight]What shows there?[/highlight]


OK, just a few more things to do.

As I've said once before...

Under Administrative Tools I only have these options:
component SERVICES
event viewer
services
computer mgmt
local security policy
data sources
performance
 
nothing about error logs

Ran the diagnostic tool...it produced a txt file that makes no sense to me whatsoever.

EDIT: Misread directions for diagnostic tool...trying again. Quote
Not sure...how do I ONLY test one stick of RAM?  I've tried to read the directions for the memtest and must admit they're hard to read for me.  Do I open up the box manually, pull out one stick..run test...then switch?  and if so, which test (0-9) do i run?

Run all if possible. Yes, you have to physically remove the RAM.


Quote
As I've said once before...

Under Administrative Tools I only have these options:
component services
event viewer
services
computer mgmt
local security policy
data sources
performance
 
nothing about error logs

Event Viewer

Quote
Ran the diagnostic tool...it produced a txt file that makes no sense to me whatsoever.

EDIT: Misread directions for diagnostic tool...trying again.


Keep us posted.ok as far as error logs go, there were 3 basic kinds that happened on multiple occasions over the last few days (when the problem started)

Some are just errors that it says cant be defined (judging by the number of these...I'm pretty sure these are reboots). Quote
Event Type:      Error
Event Source:      
Event Category:      None
Event ID:      0
Date:            11/7/2002
Time:            12:28:48 PM
User:            N/A
Computer:      OEMCOMPUTER
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source (   ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL FILES to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event: 1.
Data:
0000: 2ad13f3f 2d92e53f 22d9301e c5f79a88
0010: 3ac12f2f 3d82f1f3 452ff070 358af9f8
0020: 13621a3e 0da03df3 029d3eae 84893453
0030: ebdec56e 9dec0040 93b32ebe 945fd873
0040: eafa2b1a ed9c71b0 626c76de 65daa9ab
0050: faea3b57 7dc2b3f5 f3ba9afe 75cab9ba

Some say EAPOL was started succesfully (these are tagged information).

Others were times when programs had hangs...esp.  Sims 2


I've all but given up trying to run the diagnostic HD tool...I followed the instructions but it won't boot from the disk.  Instructions are here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/utilities/hutil.htm  But if you don't want to look I udnerstand...I'm going to try and format the floppy as a dos floppy and hope for the best but...ran memories for over 30 minutes each...no errors found...and I ran them for 3.5 hours together with no errors.  HOWEVER, PC still rebooted in the memtest program, so I think I can safely say it's not my OS.  Perhaps my power supply?

Anybody have any new theories in light of that info? Quote
Was that on the first stick of RAM only, or what?

Quote
Just for grins, test the RAM, one stick at a time for about an hour, then all together with a free download at www.memtest86.com

[highlight]Also check the hard drive with the free diagnostics at the appropriate maker's web site.[/highlight]

Go to the Start Menu, then to Settings, then to the Control Panel. Go to Administrative Tools. Click on Event Viewer. [highlight]What shows there?[/highlight]



OK, just a few more things to do.

You can use SeaTools from the Seagate site if necessary.

We're about to the point where I ask you to remove everything except the CPU/Fan, Video card, 1 stick of RAM, keyboard and mouse and boot with that and see if it will function. THat means disconnect all drives and remove all cards.

Has this machine been overclocked at any point? What is the history on that power supply?
It's never been overclocked.  The power supply came with  the mobo and box from Systemax.  I found an old power supply I think I might try plugging it in and seeing what happens.

Update: power supply doesn't work...meh.

It's getting worse, though I can do ok with only C drive hoked up.Ran Seagate, and everything passed except this: Quote
File Structure Test Result:  

    Partition 1 (FAT 32 (40 GB) NO NAME    )    Result:  Critical Error(s)
      16 Critical Structure Error(s)
      512 Non-Critical Structure Error(s)

      Critical errors were found during the scan.  These could be one or
      more of the following:
       - Invalid directory entry
       - Invalid file or directory name
       - Invalid file size
       - Invalid file chain
       - Cross-linked file chains
       - Bad cluster value in file allocation table
       - File allocation table mismatch
       - BPB mismatch
       - Invalid free space value

      Minor errors were found during the scan.  One or more orphaned data
      blocks were found.

      1577711 KBytes in 83719 files
      5564 directories were found
      110474 KBytes in 48790 deleted files
      2553 deleted directories were found

      ERROR SUMMARY:
          DIR Structures          16
          Invalid DIR Entry       1
          Invalid File Size       4
          Invalid File Chain      3
          Cross Linked Chains     1
          Invalid Chain Termination 1
          Orphaned Data Blocks    501
          Invalid Free Space Value 1


    NOTE:  Any report of possible errors in the file system tests are for
    informational PURPOSES only.  We suggest you should consider testing with
    the official file system diagnostic utilities for your operating system.
    Seagate is not able to assist with troubleshooting or reviewing
    file system test results.



******************************************


Recommendation:
If you are not experiencing data loss and SeaTools reports File
System Structure errors, they may be caused by a lock-up or
failure to shutdown Windows correctly. Many times, these errors
may be repaired through normal system maintenance which
includes using the Windows provided "Defrag" and
"Scandisk / Chkdsk / Error Checking" utilities.

If you are experiencing a hardware error, you should isolate
the cause and replace the failing component. If you are unsure how
to proceed with repairs, contact a computer professional. After
completing any maintenance tasks, run SeaTools again to
verify that all errors have been repaired. If errors continue to
occur, the system may not be stable. Again, contact a computer
professional.

OK so I went with advice I had gotten form other similar forum questions around the internet and replaced the power supply (350 w) with a larger one (420 w).  The computer has been up and running fine through all applications and most of my games look better than before (I think I needed a better PSU..or a more powerful one).

My wife asks what might cause a power supply to go bad...I tell her some things and she mentions off-hand that she bumped the cord while she was playing Sims 2 on wednesday and unplugged it on accident...

Needless to say I was a bit annoyed that after 3 days of me pulling my hair out she just now mentions this...sigh.  Guess some peopel don't mix with technology.

[highlight]Thank everyone a million times over (esp. GX1-Man) for all the help.  If nothing else you saved me a huge bill to have someone else tell me I need a new PSU.  You guys are what give me hope for the internet community on bad days.  Thanks a TON!!![/highlight]Well that does make sense then. That is #9 on the list in the link I originally directed you to, by the way.

This is why it is so important to have ALL of the pertinent history on a problem before trying to solve it. It can save a LOT of steps.

Glad you are all FIXED up.


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