Random blue screen (also when system idle)

Hi All,

Lately I am having problems with a Windows Vista 32bit (SP2) system. It is giving random BSOD when idle or doing some light office stuff.

In my first effort I norrowed down the problem to the harddisk (1T Samsung Spinpoint) which had some bad cluster (using SeaTools). After repairing the drive (chkdsk /r) the BSOD dissapeard for 1-2weeks.

Because I also ran Memtest and a 8hour Prime95 blend torture test after repairing the harddisk I decided to get rid of the HDD when the BSOD reappeard.

After having replaced the HDD with a Curcial M4 128GB SDD I expected to have solve the BSOD issue, unfortunately this is not the case. The system is running a clean Vista 32bit SP2 install for three days now and already gave me 2 BSOD.

I already set the energy settings to high performance with never got to sleep and never to power down harddisks.

Please find attached the SF zip.

If anyone could help me solve this BSOD issue it will be greatly appreciated.


BR, Kazi

Welcome
Looks like memory problems
Run for 8 passes.
Run memtest for 8 passes
Then test each individual stick in a good slot for 6 passes.
If you have dual channel, the results may be incorrect, if shows pass.
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums

Hi,

Thank you for the reply.
Previousely the 2 sticks of RAM did 2 passes without error.

I'll recheck as you suggest.

TY

If you pass
Test each stick, alone, for 6 passes. Be sure to run for at least 6 passes.

I tested both sticks together for 10 passes and no errors.
For this test I used Memtest86+ V2.01.
Stickes were in slots A2 and B2 of the motherboard.

Now I'll do the single stick Memtest.
Should I get memtest86+ V2.11 or later ?

Use the most current for all tests

One stick seems to be broken as the system is unable to boot(Power on the system, fans turn, no beebs and no graphix signal).
The other stick did 6 passes no errors.
Both sticks were tested in the same slot B2 (According to the motherboard manual A2 and B2 are the recommended slots for single channel mode) with Memtest86+ v4.20.

I realy find it strange why the system is able to boot and run in dual channel mode with the a broken stick but is unable to run the stick in single channel.
If you have explanation for it I am all ears...

I'll take another look at the broken stick see if it will boot when re-seated into the motherboard.
For now I'll run the system in single channel mode with the good stick and see if it runs BSOD free.

Many thank for pointing out the RAM and thanks for the help!

BR, Kazi

With Dual channel, the good stick can compensate, but not totally efficient. With one bad stick it cannot run at all.
You are very welcome.