Hi everyone, I've not been around for a long time.. But the PC I built ran into a problem a few months back and I've still not been able to diagnose or fix the problem. Basically, I had my PC, and it was running fine.. Then after what might've been a dodgy (cracked) 3D Mark 06 install worried, I started getting BSODs almost constantly. It got to the point where I couldn't even get to the login screen before BSODing. So, I decided to Do a clean Vista install. However, the installer decided to BSOD just after having extracted the files and readying them for install. I tried a few more times, same again. I tried with a different HDD, because the BSODs often mentioned a file called NTFS.sys, same issue. I tried installing XP, same once again. However, Ubuntu installed and works fine, and is what I'm using right now. Only problem is that I absolutely abhor Linux. I can't install my games or really use my PC properly at all. Does anyone have any ideas? I was going to try Windows 7 beta.. But I've not got much hope, and I would like to get Vista working again. By the way, I was using Vista 64bit, I am using Ubuntu Hardy Heron 64bit, and I tried installing XP Pro 32bit. I did do a RAM check, and a problem was found... I use OCZ Gold DDR2 800MHz.. are there known issues with this RAM? And if I can install Ubuntu fine, could it still even be a Hardware issue?
Reroblem Probally your computer cant run windows you might need a new computer if that was your new computer then maybe something weird is wrong cause i have no idea.Best lucks to you
Superb post, full of useful information Make a mem test bootable cd, http://www.memtest.org/ Boot off it and any red means you have foudn your problem Try it with each stick individually to see if it is one or both sticks. After that make sure they are set up to the correct timings AND voltage, some ocz stuff needs a bit of juice. That should be your first step anyway as bluescreens are often mem issues.
this is a driver problem - i needed IDE drivers so i could install xp on my drive - you've probably got SATA maybe the same problem?
To me, this is most likely going to be the install media. If it's referencing the same file with each bluescreen, and you've tried multiple separate hard drives, then this is likely the solution. During install, you first format the partition you want to install to, and then the installer copies files across ready for unpacking and setup. Because of this, it can't possibly be something left behind on the drive that's failing - it's got to be something being copied from the disk (again, this assumes it's always crashing due to the NTFS driver not being copied correctly). Have you double / triple checked that the install media is clean, free from scratches, not covered in dog hairs (like mine always end up!) etc? I know mentioning this on Bit-Tech is like asking Alan Turing "Are you sure your calculations are correct?", but it's always worth to double / triple check the basics. Alternatively, you could find someone else who has the same install media and seeing whether you can borrow theirs. So long as you use your licence key you should be fine - you technically own the disk, and a licence for the Operating system, so you're not doing anything wrong. If this solves it, it's likely a duff disk, and you can just grab a new one from Microsoft.
You said a memtest found errors? Linux can deal better with faulty RAM than Windows, so that would explain a lot. In short, it's most likely a hardware issue. Hint: if a RAM test tells you that the RAM isn't working properly, it should be fixed
You were right, thanks heaps. I ran the memtest with both 2GB DIMMs in, it found LOTS of errors (upwards of 2300). I took out one DIMM, still found one single error, I tried overvolting that DIMM by 0.1V, and I got over 2000 errors again. I dropped the voltage back down and tried the other DIMM, and that was clean. So I've installed Vista again now. Now I have a 2GB DIMM to fix/replace. I think it's just died. Since it's still within warranty, would Ebuyer offer me a replacement of the single module? Or would I have to replace the whole kit? I don't want to sit around on 2GB of RAM for too long, since it's 4GB plus RAM support that I bought Vista 64 bit for in the first place. EDIT: ... Uhoh... may have blue screened just before. I wasn't looking.. but when I came back to my PC, it had restarted. I may have to replace the whole kit. I'll see if I can go Crucial or Corsair next time.. never had issues with them.
Did you try different slots? Make sure you try one of your other slots with the so called faulty memory to just rule out motherboard failure just in case....!
If it was a kit the lot will have to go back to ebuyer That said at least you appear to have found your problem.
