Weird system crashes

ansr · 05-06-2005, 01:47 PM

I'm trying to debug a computer that crashes intermittently, without apparent correlation with user activity. The crash produces a blue screen with a black rectangular inset, and blue lettering that announces "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage. If this is the first time you have seen this message, restart.... Data dumping will begin in ... [and a countdown in seconds, starting at 99 is displayed]" Does this ring any bells?

If you don't recognise the specific symptoms, I'd appreciate any hints on debugging rare failures. I've already ensured that the drivers are updated. The system has a new motherboard, but I'm not at all sure that it is responsible for the crashes-- the computer has had a catastrophic hardware failure prior to this, and has had significant software changes since recovery.

Thanks for any hints or ideas.

Trizoy · 05-06-2005, 02:04 PM

Check in the system logs under administrative tools, you might get a hint in there...

Byteman · 05-06-2005, 02:49 PM

Have you ever tested the memory or hard drive?

rjkengr · 05-07-2005, 02:12 AM

what's the best way to test your memory?

**Cromewell** · 05-07-2005, 03:32 AM

memtest86 is a good free ram tester.

ansr · 05-07-2005, 06:08 PM

Thanks for the tips. What's your favorite disk test software/procedure? Thx, - Bill

05-06-2005, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
ansr New Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Alamos, NM Age: 62 Posts: 3	Weird system crashes I'm trying to debug a computer that crashes intermittently, without apparent correlation with user activity. The crash produces a blue screen with a black rectangular inset, and blue lettering that announces "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage. If this is the first time you have seen this message, restart.... Data dumping will begin in ... [and a countdown in seconds, starting at 99 is displayed]" Does this ring any bells? If you don't recognise the specific symptoms, I'd appreciate any hints on debugging rare failures. I've already ensured that the drivers are updated. The system has a new motherboard, but I'm not at all sure that it is responsible for the crashes-- the computer has had a catastrophic hardware failure prior to this, and has had significant software changes since recovery. Thanks for any hints or ideas.

05-06-2005, 02:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Byteman Malware Destroyer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hurricane Heaven... still Posts: 1,095	Have you ever tested the memory or hard drive? __________________ Don't byte off more than you can chew...

05-07-2005, 02:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
rjkengr Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: indiana Posts: 105	what's the best way to test your memory? __________________ :P

05-07-2005, 03:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 26 Posts: 11,802	memtest86 is a good free ram tester. __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in command here. www.userfriendly.org

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05-06-2005, 02:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mountain View, Ca Posts: 4,681	Check in the system logs under administrative tools, you might get a hint in there...

05-07-2005, 06:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
ansr New Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Alamos, NM Age: 62 Posts: 3	Thanks for the tips. What's your favorite disk test software/procedure? Thx, - Bill