System Log 3

[SQLScholar]

Ok... i need to do some H/W fault finding. My first port of call is to look at the system log.

How do i do this?

Any other techiniques people can tell me to hardware fault find??

TIA

Dan ----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!

 

[dcowboysr1]

If you are looking at trouble shooting hardware related problems I would start with the Device Manager (right click My Computer and select Manage from the menu). If you would still like to look at the Event Logs after looking at Device Manager go to Event Viewer in the same console.

 

[linney]

283658 - HOW TO: Manage Devices in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283658&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

"Hardware Troubleshooter" via Help and Support program is a good place to start troubleshooting.

What problem are you having?

I'm having a problem with a hard or floppy drive, or a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
I'm having a problem with a network adapter.
I'm having a problem with an input device, such as a mouse, keyboard, camera, scanner, or infrared device.
I'm having a problem with a game controller.
I'm having a problem with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device.
I'm having a problem with a display adapter.
I'm having a problem with a modem.
I'm having a problem with a sound card.
I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer.

 

[SQLScholar]

None of the above options would be applicable though.

How about a "I keep getting the blue screen of death (win XP and 98), and i havent got a clue what the problem is, can you tell me??" button!!

There are no config problems, what i need is to find what physical component is dying.

Cheers

Dan ----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!

 

[crwpulsar]

Take out any cards you dont need...sound/modem/ide expansion/and disconnect the cd ROM/RW and try your system. That means only a few components can be causing the crash and it should be easier to trouble shoot.
If it is continuing after you have removed/disable all "non-required" components the most likely(in my opinion) problem is the video card!
David

 

[gargouille]

The detailed "bloo screen" error message would be a good starting place.
You get them in 98 OR XP or both?

 

[linney]

To get further information about the error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.



Also check any "Information" line that mentions "savedump" and you should find reference to "recovered from a bug check". This is the Stop Error that caused your problem.

If your problem persists post back with this Stop Error.

You can also turn off "automatically restart after an error" so it will just halt at the fault and display the full Stop Error and blue screen.

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties .
On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery .
Click to clear the Automatically restart check box under System failure , and then click OK . The error message on a blue screen should remain on the screen so you can record the error information.

 

[SQLScholar]

Ok... anyone know the root of theese errors. To me most sound like RAM

Page Fault in nonpaged area

PFW list corrupt.

Driver IRQL not less or equal (only had once)

Well?? Any ideas appreciated.

TIA

Dan
----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!

 

[gargouille]

Hi dan:
For sure the 1st one IS an indicator of RAM faults.
Download and run Doc Memory from here:

http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/download.asp

(it's free, BTW)
It'll find them if they're happening.

 

[SQLScholar]

i thought definately the 1st one

PFW list corrupt - i thought could be Page File w? list corrupt... could be similar to first.

and the IRQ thing could just be from the constant restarting has screwed windows.

What do you think?

P.S Running Simmtest as i type on other machine (laptop).

TIA

Dan ----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!

 

[gargouille]

IRQ less than (and so on) I've gotten and it's usually when I'm online...just too many variables in that one...I'd sooner think it's a driver issue...and have installed the newest video card drivers to try to stop it.
I have been getting it about once a week.
I ran NT 4.0 SP6 for years...and got it once in awhile with that OS, too, and was online when it happened. (also had a far less powerful/fast video card then, too)

 

[SQLScholar]

Simmtest ran clear.

I think the only true test i can do is to replace it. I have a friend who is going to lend me a 64mb chip.

If i do have to replace it, do you recommend i run with 256mb or 512mb with XP. I would rather buy the 512 but i am quite skint at the mo, thanks to xmas.

Cheers

Dan ----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!

 

[Beer4meok]

512mb seems to be the sweet spot for XP,
More ram the better
Dave

 

[SQLScholar]

All,

Even though SIMMTEST ran clear, i still thought it was RAM, so i brought a new chip (256mb, i found my mobo doesnt support 512mb and i dont have the cash) and....

ITS WORKING!!!!!!!! No crashes, i ran for 6hrs without a blip. It was barly running 15mins without crashing.

Thanks gargouille.... even though SIMMTEST didnt work you were definatelty right.

Thanks Beer4Meok.... i would buy 512 if mobo supported it, and i could afford it. Another 256 when money permits i think.

Dan ----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!

 

[gargouille]

Hooray, Plank!
Thanks for feeding back to us...glad you got it sorted out.