Computer Problems - Needle In a Haystack!

[BigRondo]

I have been having issues with my computer lately.

Here are the specs:

• Model: Compaq Presario SR5507F
• Processor: Athlon X2 (B) 4050e 2.1 GHz (45W)
• Chipset: GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
• Memmory: 3GB PC2-6400 MB/sec 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM

Everything is on the motherboard: Graphics, Network, Sound, etc. I have nothing added.

The only hardware changes I have made is to replace the 250MB hard drive with a 1TB hard drive and upgraded from Win Vista to Win 7. I did these upgrades a long time ago with no ill effect.

It has been exhibiting the following behavior:

• Random Freezes
• Random BSOD
• Random Reboots

I have had the following with the BSOD:

• DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL
• PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA
• WIN32K.SYS
• NDIS.SYS
• TCPIP.SYS

I have done the following while troubleshooting:

• Replaced power supply
• Ran manufacturer diagnostics on hard drive - good to go
• Ran Windows Memory Diags - good to go
• Attempted recovery with Compaq Recovery Discs - froze halfway through
• Updated drivers to most recent versions

I am at a loss. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Rondo

 

[toypaseo]

My g/f suggested...

Update video card driver
Update BIOS

If those don't work, update actual video card itself

 

[BigRondo]

My g/f suggested...

Update video card driver
Update BIOS

If those don't work, update actual video card itself

Thanks, Kent.

Graphics Driver & BIOS is up to date. Graphics card in on the MOBO. I will look into disabling it and installing a new one.

Problem is, I don't want to start throwing parts at it.

 

[Ritsui]

With all those symptoms and the PSU ruled out, I'd first run memtest or just replace the memory (since it's cheap). After that, it's most likely a problem with the motherboard itself. Onboard components with OEM drivers aren't likely to have these kinds of problems in software.

 

[BigRondo]

With all those symptoms and the PSU ruled out, I'd first run memtest or just replace the memory (since it's cheap). After that, it's most likely a problem with the motherboard itself. Onboard components with OEM drivers aren't likely to have these kinds of problems in software.

Thanks for your input. I have run memory tests several times.

I'll look in to replacing the memory.

 

[Howard]

I would replace the memory with 4GB in two 2GB matched pair sticks. I have had trouble with 3GB before (a 2Gb and a 1Gb sticks).

 

[BigRondo]

I would replace the memory with 4GB in two 2GB matched pair sticks. I have had trouble with 3GB before (a 2Gb and a 1Gb sticks).

Thanks Howard. The 3MB is from the factory and has been running trouble free for 4 years.

I have some thinking to do. I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[lesliemorris85]

Actually, we encountered that kind of problem lately and I believe there's a problem with the drivers installed. Basing this on my son-in-laws’ statement (don't worry he's a technical guy he works in a computer shop) or you just get rid of AMD and switch to Intel.

 

[03 Explorer XLT]

My thoughts were bad RAM, or a Windows update broke something.

You might want to try a system restore point dated before your trouble began.

 

[lesliemorris85]

My thoughts were bad RAM, or a Windows update broke something.

You might want to try a system restore point dated before your trouble began.

Yeah, probably.

 

[BigRondo]

Actually, we encountered that kind of problem lately and I believe there's a problem with the drivers installed. Basing this on my son-in-laws’ statement (don't worry he's a technical guy he works in a computer shop) or you just get rid of AMD and switch to Intel.

As far as I know, I have the latest drivers installed. I have spent some time making sure I have the most recent ones.

The motherboard has a Socket AM2 so Intel is not an option.

 

[BigRondo]

My thoughts were bad RAM, or a Windows update broke something.

You might want to try a system restore point dated before your trouble began.

Yeah, probably.

This all started a while ago. When the problem got worse, I restored it using the factory recovery discs. Since I was still having problems after I did this, I put the original hard drive back in and attempted the factory recovery and it froze halfway through the process.

This leads me to believe it is a hardware problem.

My most recent BSOD was NTFS.SYS. I believe this is the NT File System. I think I'm going to try to re-install Win 7 over the existing installation.

I am very frustrated. I have been unemployed for almost 3 years and just don't have the money to get a new one or replace parts. That's why I was hoping it's a driver problem.

 

[lesliemorris85]

This all started a while ago. When the problem got worse, I restored it using the factory recovery discs. Since I was still having problems after I did this, I put the original hard drive back in and attempted the factory recovery and it froze halfway through the process.

This leads me to believe it is a hardware problem.

My most recent BSOD was NTFS.SYS. I believe this is the NT File System. I think I'm going to try to re-install Win 7 over the existing installation.

I am very frustrated. I have been unemployed for almost 3 years and just don't have the money to get a new one or replace parts. That's why I was hoping it's a driver problem.

Have you tried reformat your PC?

 

[Maniak]

Factory recovery CD/DVDs "should" be doing a format. At least every one I've seen does it..

BigRondo:
From all your symptoms though, it sounds like its not software.. its hardware. The question though is which part. Its going to be hard to tell without being able to swap things out.

I'd be leaning towards memory (use a linux based Boot CD with a memtest like Hirmens (sp?) or some of the Linux Boot/Install Cds that have it). Next would be over heating processor. You can check that by taking the case off and putting a fan right near it.. Of course if your using something exotic like water cooling that won't help. Next I'd be looking at the Power supply but you already changed that.

~Mark

 

[BigRondo]

Mark is right. The Factory Recovery Discs do a complete format of the drive before restoring it.

Most recent problem:

Monitor went blank and displayed a "floating" message that read: Frequency Out of Range

Nothing I did could get the picture back on the screen.

Should this lead me to believe that the on-board video card is the culprit?

 

[BigRondo]

Got a new BSOD today:

BAD_POOL_CALLER

Looks like it's gonna be a good year. :

 

[Maniak]

Monitor went blank and displayed a "floating" message that read: Frequency Out of Range

That just means the monitor can't display what it is receiving. This would include "nothing". If for some reason it thinks the computer is on but the computer isn't sending anything you get this message. I even have a monitor that says that whenever the computer is off.

At this point, we can pretty much say its a h/w issue. The trick is figuring which part. I'd be leaning towards m/b related issue (since the power supply has already been changed). I'd say bad memory/processor or things are overheating.

You can rule out the h/d by dropping in a small drive just for testing. Heck, a 1 TB SATA drive is < $80 from newegg.

~Mark

 

[lesliemorris85]

That just means the monitor can't display what it is receiving. This would include "nothing". If for some reason it thinks the computer is on but the computer isn't sending anything you get this message. I even have a monitor that says that whenever the computer is off.

At this point, we can pretty much say its a h/w issue. The trick is figuring which part. I'd be leaning towards m/b related issue (since the power supply has already been changed). I'd say bad memory/processor or things are overheating.

You can rule out the h/d by dropping in a small drive just for testing. Heck, a 1 TB SATA drive is < $80 from newegg.

~Mark

Well said sir....

 

[Blue91Ex]

still could be some crazy tough malware, some types can do some wacky crap to a computer. More likely its the videocard/onboard video, over time heat from the chips can make the chips deteriorate and eventually just die. might need a new motherboard, might just need a different video card, make sure to get one with a decent fan (reviews will tell you what ones have good fans ro bad fans.) same may go for memory/ram or the processor but the athlons were pretty tough i doubt they would die unless the thermal grease between processor and heat sink (matel finned piece, most likely with a fan attached) was deteriorated, separated, or teh heatsink was clogged with dirt.

 

[BigRondo]

still could be some crazy tough malware, some types can do some wacky crap to a computer. More likely its the videocard/onboard video, over time heat from the chips can make the chips deteriorate and eventually just die. might need a new motherboard, might just need a different video card, make sure to get one with a decent fan (reviews will tell you what ones have good fans ro bad fans.) same may go for memory/ram or the processor but the athlons were pretty tough i doubt they would die unless the thermal grease between processor and heat sink (matel finned piece, most likely with a fan attached) was deteriorated, separated, or the heatsink was clogged with dirt.

Thanks.

I'm leaning toward onboard video. I'm going to shop around for a video card and see if I can disable the onboard video.