Computer Error Screen - Help!

audiobliss

My dad reports he sees this same error screen quite frequently on his desktop. It's a Dell Vostro 200 that otherwise has served him pretty well. This error screen will be up when he returns to the computer after it has set idle for a few hours. And just while ago it actually popped up on him after he had resumed using it after it sat idle for a few hours.

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file:

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x400000080 (0x8A442658, 0x89ED6CD8, 0x805512B8, 0x00000002)

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.

Demiurge

ben62670

I only wish I had three tongues!

audiobliss

Guys, really?

Jstas

Dude, it's a blue screen of death otherwise known as a stop screen. They occur when something, a program or other resource, tries to access a system resource like the memory controller directly. Windows freaks out because it then no longer knows what's in memory and halts the system.

The problem with it is that when the system halts it's a hard stop and system files and boot volumes often get corrupted and the only fix is a complete reinstall.

He likely has a virus or the remnants of a virus causing the problem. Either that or he installed some new hardware or software with crap code and/or crap drivers.

But there is info missing from that error that is vital to figuring out what is wrong.

Number one, this is incomplete:

---

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: ?????????

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

---

Where's the file name?

Number two, this info:

---

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x400000080 (0x8A442658, 0x89ED6CD8, 0x805512B8, 0x00000002)

---

is pertinent. Google the numbers.

0x400000080
0x8A442658
0x89ED6CD8
0x805512B8
0x00000002

You will find info on what could be the possible issue. But without that file name, you won't be able to be sure what the issue is. You need more info.

ben62670

Could be malware witha fake blue screen too. Take the hard drive out and scan it on a clean machine.
Ben

audiobliss

Thanks for the input, fellas. I'm fairly sure it didn't actually list a file name, but I'll look specifically for that the next time it pops up.

audiobliss

Oh, and yes, I'll run some programs on it to check for viruses, malware, and make sure the hardware all checks out.

billbillw

It should list a file. Usually an exe, sys, or dll file. These will occur when something has changed. Software update, driver update, or hardware change.

If it occurs randomly with no system changes, then you could have a bad memory stick or some type of hardware error (these are rare).
It might also be a fake screen, but I haven't heard of those. If CTRl-Alt-Del doesn't do anything, then its probably a real BSOD.

Things to do:
Run Memtest for several hours and see if there are any errors.
Think about any changes you have made. Check MS Update history for driver updates and possibly reverse them.

Sometimes even minor things can cause this, like inserting a flash drive or something.

exalted512

my netbook has started doing that seconds after I boot it up. Havent had time to mess with it.
-Cody

ryanjoachim

Also, something a lot of people overlook when it comes to BSODS: Over-heating.

If your cpu/video card/ram get too hot, they can and often times do throw out a BSOD. The best way to tell is if it happens at completely random times, and with no pattern (not after opening a program/game, etc).

Sami

First things first: memory test. If you still have your Ubuntu discs somewhere, pop it in and there is an option to run memory test. If you don't have it, download and burn memtest86. Make sure your BIOS is set to boot from CD first, then insert the CD and boot up. If memory test comes up clean then you can move into other possible causes but if the BSOD does not happen every time it is booted up, memtest should be your first step.

audiobliss

Just ran the memory test on it for probably an hour and a half and it checked out. Also ran AVG virus scan and let Malware Bytes scan it. AVG found nothing, and Malware Bytes found some "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{1d4db7d2-6ec9-47a3-bd87-1e4168e07bb}

The error screen popped up again so I took another look to see what file it listed as being the problem, and as I had thought, it does not list anything there. There is nothing after the colon, just an empty space and then the rest of the error report as I provided.

dudeinaroom

did he remove any programs that have a shared .dll file. Have you tried a system restore?(not a reistall)

audiobliss

Haven't tried going back to a restore point yet, though I suppose that's our only real hope; he doesn't have any discs for reformatting. However, he's going to call the store he bought it from and see if he can acquire a disc for reformatting.

Sami

Next step would be core temperature as I still would not rule out hardware failure. Do you still have that Ubuntu disc? Insert it and boot into live mode. Install cpuburn by running this command from command line: sudo apt-get install cpuburn

Run one of the burnin tests based on the CPU type:

type in burn and then hit Tab to get the options.

I recommend this option over cpuburnin for Windows to rule out any software clitches.

Another option is to install Core Temp and enable logging on it automatically: http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

[Deleted User]

Try the pin reset on your motherboard as well as removing the battery on it. And if you are doing this, make sure everything is in place on the board.

Halen

audiobliss

I actually do not have an Ubuntu disc here at home with me. I just happened to have Memtest on a flash drive in my backpack. I was thinking about installing Speedfan or or something similar to see what kinds of temps it was seeing.

Looks like Core Temp might be a better option. I'll go try and install that now.

Argh, I'm fed up with technology right now. Between Dad's desktop, setting up VCR's, DVD players, and cable boxes in different rooms in the house, and not being able to play DVD's on my laptop with Ubuntu, I'm ready to just go sit in the woods and carve in a piece of wood by firelight!

Sami

audiobliss wrote: »

Looks like Core Temp might be a better option. I'll go try and install that now.

If that log shows gradual temp rise until BSOD then you might want to take out the CPU fan and put in new thermal crease. Could also be failing fan. If there isn't anything related to temperature, download a LiveCD and run burnin tests. If those burnin tests pass then you can safely say it's a software issue.

audiobliss wrote: »

and not being able to play DVD's on my laptop with Ubuntu, I'm ready to just go sit in the woods and carve in a piece of wood by firelight!

Have you installed CSS on it? Hopefully this will help: http://www.debuntu.org/how-to-play-dvd-under-ubuntu-linux

audiobliss

Thanks for that link Sami. I've tried I don't know how many times from how many different sets of instructions I've found online, but it always comes down to trying to install libdvdcss2, and that NEVER works. It can never find it or says command not found.

Sami

audiobliss wrote: »

Thanks for that link Sami. I've tried I don't know how many times from how many different sets of instructions I've found online, but it always comes down to trying to install libdvdcss2, and that NEVER works. It can never find it or says command not found.

You could try this:

wget http://download.videolan.org/pub/libdvdcss/1.2.9/deb/libdvdcss2_1.2.9-1_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i libdvdcss2_1.2.9-1_i386.deb

audiobliss

That is so awesome! It worked! Thanks so much!!

mmadden28

audiobliss wrote: »

...

..., setting up VCR's...

:eek::rolleyes:

What does V...C...R stand for? And don't tell me to google it dammit.

audiobliss

mmadden28 wrote: »

:eek::rolleyes:

What does V...C...R stand for? And don't tell me to google it dammit.

ixquick it

mrbofus

I just got to work this morning and the boss left his computer on last nite, it is displaying a very similar message on the blue screen. wierd????

Jstas

mmadden28 wrote: »

:eek::rolleyes:

What does V...C...R stand for? And don't tell me to google it dammit.

Video Cassette Recorder.

What's a cassette?