My computer just blue screened twice in 10 minutes...
6 replies, posted
And I'm expecting one pretty soon.
Basically, I was just browsing the wonderful Facepunch Forums, when the infamous BSOD popped up. I didn't read it fully, but there was some caps text about the middle of the screen that indicated a memory management problem. I restarted my computer and went back to browsing when it happened again about 10 minutes later. This time I was decently worried. I use an 8 gb flash drive for ReadyBoost purposes, as it speeds up my system quite a bit for smaller applications like Firefox, and I removed it after the second BSOD. It's been about 15 minutes with no problems, but I want to make sure I can prevent anything happening long-term. Would anyone know why this would be happening? I can provide detailed computer specifications upon request.
Basic specs:
Win7 Home Premium x64
Phenom II x4 940 @ stock speeds
4 gb of some breed of Kingston
A Samsung (I know, yuck) 320gb hard drive
I'd love some feedback, and I know this section is good at solving problems effectively. Thanks in advance. :keke:
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Now this is just wierd. nearly 45 minutes after the second BSOD, I started Skype and tied to call someone when my screen went black. I couldn't move the mouse, and a buzzing sound could be heard through the speakers. I had no other choice but to restart, and I was not confronted with any error messages.
Oh, and thanks to the douchebag who rated dumb.
Run memtest.
[QUOTE=bohb;30514061]Run memtest.[/QUOTE]
It told me that no errors were detected.
You only ran memtest for 1 hour? That's not a conclusive test. You need to run it for 6-8 hours at minimum to stress the RAM, and better for at least 24 hours.
[QUOTE=bohb;30523595]You only ran memtest for 1 hour? That's not a conclusive test. You need to run it for 6-8 hours at minimum to stress the RAM, and better for at least 24 hours.[/QUOTE]
I must've not run the test then. I set up the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool that runs before Windows starts. I'm not entirely sure what memtest is, as I've never had an instant where I've needed it.
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So, I ran Memtest, and my computer BSOD'd around 30 minutes into the test. There's something seriously wrong here, as my computer's blue screening nearly every hour. What makes it worse is that my keyboard does weird things in that my computer won't post until my keyboard is unplugged. leaving my keyboard unplugged means I can't boot into safe mode or access the BIOS. What ends up happening is I'll leave my computer running for a while while I'm away, and I come back to it just sitting there at the Mobo info screen, unable to advance because my screwy keyboard is messing with the mobo. My computer is so fucked.
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I've decided to undergo determining what particular RAM unit is bad, as I'm nearly sure that I have a RAM problem. I'm going to be removing one stick at a time and booting into Windows to see if I bleuscreen. If I do not, I will shutdown and put an existing stick into the empty socket to make sure the motherboard is not the culprit. If I do bluescreen after removing a stick, I'll clean the contacts with rubbing alcohol, replace it, and remove another and repeat the process. Am I being thorough enough?
Windows memory test is crap, it won't tell you anything, so don't use it. Use memtest from [url]www.memtest.org[/url]
Copy it to a bootable floppy, USB stick or burn a CD for it and boot off of it.
[QUOTE=bohb;30532098]Windows memory test is crap, it won't tell you anything, so don't use it. Use memtest from [url]www.memtest.org[/url]
Copy it to a bootable floppy, USB stick or burn a CD for it and boot off of it.[/QUOTE]
Ahh, well thank you very much. I'll give it a go and see what comes of it.
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