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My issues are getting deeper and deeper

post #1 of 27
1/1/04 at 2:50am
Thread Starter 
Ever since the first day I got my laptop, I have been getting the BSOD. Sometimes the blue screen would report ati.sys issues, then win32k.sys issues. I have now freshly installed the os 3 times since getting it. I have downloaded all updated drivers from AW for this boy but nothing changes. I have browsed AW forums looking for similar issues. No body has issues like mine. I think it is time to call tech support and see what they can do. I desperately need this laptop for buisness and pleasure as well, and so far everytime I have turned it on it will BSOD within a random two hour time period.

I hope they can fix this issue because I am a pretty patient person, but I feel I am getting to the end of my rope here. The only game I have installed so far is C&C generals and that won't get past the main menu without smokin. I haven't even got to install my dev tools to make a program to swap the fn and ctrl key yet. Depressing. Well, I am without a laptop (stable one that is) and just going to get me nice cold one to hold myself back from running this lappy over with my car. (You got to admit, that would make a hell of a great video though)
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post #2 of 27
1/1/04 at 3:50am
damn that sux, have you tried the omega driver??
also try another version of windows
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post #3 of 27
1/1/04 at 3:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shyy
damn that sux, have you tried the omega driver??
also try another version of windows
The omega drivers were the first I tried when I reinstalled the first time. So that is why I thought to myself...Hmm...ok lets go back to the basics and install all the nicey nicey stuff then test from there.

BTW here is a screenshot of just one of the errors I get out of several types.

http://home.comcast.net/~buster534/bsod.jpg
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post #4 of 27
1/1/04 at 4:19am
I would vote for switching out the RAM. I have had similar BSOD experiences with desktops that were remedied with new memory. Geil 512 Mb DIMMs are running about $115 and are always a nice upgrade even if new memory is not the solution. Hell, try bitching to AW and they may send you new memory for free.

http://www.ocsystem.com/gegodr51pc402.html
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post #5 of 27
1/1/04 at 9:27am
wasn't there a win32.sys patch from MS for XP a couple of months back?

IF not then I'm also inclinded to agree with swapping out the RAM (call AW to have them send it to you for free).
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post #6 of 27
1/1/04 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Would there be any way to throughly test the ram. Programs etc? I know the bios tests the ram but only for zero outing.
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post #7 of 27
1/1/04 at 2:24pm
50's are ardware faults at least all of the 50's I have worked so far, here is some text from Microsoft on the problem:

<SNIP>
If you added new hardware recently, remove and replace the hardware to determine if it is causing or contributing to the problem. Run diagnostics software supplied by the hardware manufacturer to determine if the component has failed.

Stop 0x50 messages can also occur after installing faulty drivers or system services. If the file name is listed, you need to disable, remove, or roll back that driver. If not, disable the recently installed service or application to determine if this resolves the error. If this does not resolve the problem, contact the hardware manufacturer for updates. Using updated drivers and software is especially important for network interface cards, video adapters, backup programs, multimedia applications, antivirus scanners, and CD mastering tools. If an updated driver is not available, attempt to use a driver from a similar device in the same family. For example, if printing to a Model 1100C printer causes Stop 0x50 errors, using a printer driver meant for a Model 1100A or Model 1000 might temporarily resolve the problem.
<SNIP>

Send it back, and hopefully they will replace the video adapter since that what your memory range is pointing to. The "win32k.sys" driver crashing is during a processor mode call, it can be either to the video processor or the main proc. But the usual stop code for the main proc is a "1E"
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post #8 of 27
1/1/04 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlieBox
The omega drivers were the first I tried when I reinstalled the first time. So that is why I thought to myself...Hmm...ok lets go back to the basics and install all the nicey nicey stuff then test from there.

BTW here is a screenshot of just one of the errors I get out of several types.

http://home.comcast.net/~buster534/bsod.jpg
Your in luck, that error occured in my desktop as well. However, I have no idea how to fix it.
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post #9 of 27
1/1/04 at 3:03pm
Thats a problem with RAM, AW is pro bably gonna have to fix it by replacing the mem. I am not sure if you will have to send it in or not.
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post #10 of 27
1/1/04 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
From what everyone is telling me is that it is hardware. At least I can narrow it down to that, and I thank you for the help. Now, can anybody give me some pointers as to how to replicate this bsod. Anybody that this occured to is there a process to make it bsod? I want to force it so when I get the tech guy on the phone I can show him how I can re-create the bsod. Any suggestions (besides running it over) to force it to bsod would be appreciated.
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post #11 of 27
1/1/04 at 5:56pm
CB, have you just reinstalled windows? or have you completly reformatted?
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post #12 of 27
1/1/04 at 6:10pm
Okies... let's assume for a moment that the problem is with the RAM.

A great way to make sure (and be able to tell the tech just where the issue is) is by using the memory diagnostic put out by MicroSoft (you need to DL it... no clue as to the URL). This error *might* be caused by something else, but I've usually seen it with bad drivers (USB, Vid, or HD) or bad RAM.

This would narrow down whether or not the RAM was at fault, and if so, where...
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post #13 of 27
1/1/04 at 6:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by p8ntbalinzephed
CB, have you just reinstalled windows? or have you completly reformatted?
reformat and fresh install.
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post #14 of 27
1/1/04 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, because my drive is a 20gb seagate, I downloaded the diagnostic utilities for the seagate hard drive. The testing is still in progress, but right off hand it came up with a cable test error. It said something about "Cable test 64 errors". Dunno if this is true or not. I will just wait for the full test to complete. So would all my errors be caused by the hard drive? The error message previously posted?
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post #15 of 27
1/1/04 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlieBox
Would there be any way to throughly test the ram. Programs etc? I know the bios tests the ram but only for zero outing.
I watched a TechTV show for free downloads tha tests the memory a few days ago.
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post #16 of 27
1/1/04 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
I found the memory diag test. Here is the link.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
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post #17 of 27
1/1/04 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Ok here is the screenshot (with canon s400) of the results of the hard drive diagnostics.

http://home.comcast.net/~buster534/hddiag.jpg
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post #18 of 27
1/1/04 at 11:16pm
Hi Charlie,

Since you're using the same software as everyone else that's purchased from Alienware, I think you can safely take that out of the equation.

Besides the info you were already provided from Microsoft's knowledgebase, if you dig a bit deeper you also find references directly related to troubleshooting the memory.
Specifically, they suggest attempting to install/boot up with only a single dimm installed.
Personally, I would pull a dimm, run fdisk, wipe out any trace of previous install, perform low level format of hdd(s) and then reinstall.
If you get thru the install without a hitch, start taxing the heck out of it - via games or file transfer, etc...
I noticed you've run diags already and that's a damn good idea, but keep in mind even the best diags won't always find some of these more slippery issues that are difficult to reproduce.

Best of luck to you !!!
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post #19 of 27
1/2/04 at 12:04am
hummm I just saw that pic... have you try to take the hd out and then plug it in again?? it may be a bad conection or a bad sector of the disk... also you mention something about ati.sys or something like that... that may be a bad driver, you may try with the official ati drivers, about the mem... don't you have someone nearby that may loan you his lappy mem just for test...
To showing the BSOD tho the AW tech support person you may like to take a pic of the lappy (full pic) with the BSOD screen, then send it to him...

Again... the HDD may be the cause of all this... if a contact is lose it may do funny things...
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post #20 of 27
1/2/04 at 12:21am
Isn't this what she said?
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