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Memory Read Errors

post #1 of 15
6/17/06 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

A new problem has cropped up on my still new (3 months or so) Inspiron 9400.

For the past few days, Every. Single Time. I turn my computer off, right at the very end after windows does most of the shut down I get an error box before it shuts off. It's fast so it's hard to read but it says something along the lines of

The instruction "xxxxxxx" referenced at memory "yyyyyyyy" could not be "read."

That's all I am able to get before it shuts down. I don't know that the second sentance said. I will try to get it if will help in diagnosing the problem.

I will have to reset again to try to memorize it more. But how can I fix this... or do I have a hardware problem? I do have a 3 year warranty... should I contact Dell?

Edit: To more accurately write what the error says.
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post #2 of 15
6/17/06 at 5:10pm
u have latest XP updates?
any particular game installed?
clear out ur prefetch directory -restart

cheers ...
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post #3 of 15
6/17/06 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah I'm all current on updates.

No game I can think of. The only game actually on my Computer is World Of Warcraft but I haven't even played it in a week or so.

I cleared the Prefetch. It didn't help. Thanks for that idea though. Sometimes I forget the simple solutions.

Maybe I should contact Dell and get some new memory? I know they will give me so much crap though before they agree to do it. I hate that about them. I spend all this money on a good warranty and I can't even utilize it without problems!

Thanks for the help though. Anything else?
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post #4 of 15
6/17/06 at 6:09pm
3 months old laptop can't be bad. i would next try running some spyware check (AdAware or spybot search & destroy would do the job - & they r free)
cCleaner is another good one to look at ur start up programmes and clean up.

cheers ...
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post #5 of 15
6/17/06 at 11:21pm
Those errors are related to windows or some other misbehaving program. You'll need to post the exact error message without the Xs. The wording of those error messages is very poor on MS's part.
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post #6 of 15
6/18/06 at 3:35pm
Thread Starter 
I managed to get exactly what it said by taking a picture of my screen right before it shows up and then the computer shuts down.

The instruction at "0x00407d06" referenced memory at "0x00000008". The memory could not be "read".

I also wanted to note this pops up every single time I turn off like I said, even if I turn the computer on and let it load and turn it right back off without loading any program. I had to do this several times when I was trying to catch the whole error text and it did it every time, and I never loaded any app. Just turned on the system, then right back off.
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post #7 of 15
6/19/06 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 
Checked all my Windows Updates, got a few I was missing, Ran CcCleaner and my ad-aware and even took out my memory and switched it and cleaned it for the hell of it. No help.

Did me posting the exact message give anyone more insight on what this could be? I even tried googling it but got no hits.

Thanks
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post #8 of 15
6/19/06 at 1:41pm
try this
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/M...agnostic.shtml

i still think that this is software related - but then again...

cheers ...
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post #9 of 15
6/19/06 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
I'm inclined to agree, but I can't think what it could be. I guess it would have to be an app or program that loads with windows since the error box appears if I shut down right after booting up. I only have about 5-6 startup programs. AVG, Bluetooth, Setpoint, Nvidia, and 1 or two more.

I don't suppose there is a resouce I could use to look up that error?
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post #10 of 15
6/19/06 at 3:37pm
zeonstar,

try doing this:

start > run > Msconfig.exe

click on the services tab, check the box at the bottom to hide all microsoft services, then click the button to disable all. Then click the startup tab and disable everything there.

This will disable all 3rd party stuff and startup items.

reboot once to make it take effect. Then shut down normally and see if you still get the error. If not, then it's related to some 3rd party software not shutting down properly.

you can put everything back the way it was by launching msconfig.exe again and on the general tab, click normal startup and reboot.

if you don't get the error on shutdown with all the 3rd party stuff disabled, then start turning things on one at a time and see when the issue comes back.

post back here when you get the results.
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post #11 of 15
6/19/06 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeonstar
I'm inclined to agree, but I can't think what it could be. I guess it would have to be an app or program that loads with windows since the error box appears if I shut down right after booting up. I only have about 5-6 startup programs. AVG, Bluetooth, Setpoint, Nvidia, and 1 or two more.

I don't suppose there is a resouce I could use to look up that error?
startup programs can be misleading. cmarcho has a good pointer to suggest looking into started services. take a look at this link for service references
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm#Services

cheers ...
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post #12 of 15
6/22/06 at 5:48am

solution

hi.. i had same problem.. jst uninstall norton internet security
that error will go
i can bet my life on it..............
and get kaspersky or zone alarm
reply if it gets solved
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post #13 of 15
6/22/06 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
I'm glad somone replied to this so I got a notification. I almost forgot to mention I got it fixed. Going through and disabling all the Non Microsoft services and then turning them on one by one helped me find the problem so thanks for that suggestion.

It was my Nvidia control panel or something related to it. I went back 1 driver version (I use X-Treme G Drivers) and things are fine now.

Thank you all who helped me.
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post #14 of 15
6/29/06 at 12:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeonstar
I'm glad somone replied to this so I got a notification. I almost forgot to mention I got it fixed. Going through and disabling all the Non Microsoft services and then turning them on one by one helped me find the problem so thanks for that suggestion.

It was my Nvidia control panel or something related to it. I went back 1 driver version (I use X-Treme G Drivers) and things are fine now.

Thank you all who helped me.

I just noticed I'm having this very same problem....I guess I'll try uninstalling nvidia's stuff and hope it goes away..

Will report back
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post #15 of 15
6/29/06 at 11:45am
Thread Starter 
You got me curious. Let me know if that works.
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