Horrible crashing in XP Pro

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,146
1,304
126
I installed Civ 4 last weekend. Today Civ 4 crashed and that was the beginning of a landslide.

BF2 won't start without IRQL_LESS_NOT_EQUAL BSODs and nv4disp.sys BSODs and other horrible crashing problems.

I tried cleaning my drivers and installing the 78.xx video drivers to no avail. I also updated Windows.

I've ran scandisk, Ad-Aware, Spybot, defrag... I send error reports to MS, but MS says they're corrupted.

I also get quite a few "STOP 0x000000EA THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER"

Any ideas?

This is the gaming system in my signature.

Update 11/7:
I stopped the OC completely. Same problem.
I reinstalled Windows. Same problem.

Now in order for the system to reboot, I have to unplug the power cord. Even then, there's only a 50/50 chance that it will start. The computer is booting random drives, the USB ports lose power, and it only occassionally wants to go into the BIOS. I also got a parport.sys BSOD.

Event viewer has this:

"The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event: 6."

I also get a 7 and a 3 where the 6 is.

I'm thinking motherboard.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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0
Is that on this rig here, Alcyone? If so, you might try backing everything down on the OC a little as a fact-finding step. I assume your RAM is getting ample voltage? Also, are you using your favorite power supply in there (yeah, that one ;)), or something else?
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,146
1,304
126
Originally posted by: mechBgon
Is that on this rig here, Alcyone? If so, you might try backing everything down on the OC a little as a fact-finding step. I assume your RAM is getting ample voltage? Also, are you using your favorite power supply in there (yeah, that one ;)), or something else?

Nah, I have an Antec in, not my favorite one. :D

I stopped the OC completely. Same problem.
I reinstalled Windows. Same problem.

Now in order for the system to reboot, I have to unplug the power cord. Even then, there's only a 50/50 chance that it will start. The computer is booting random drives, the USB ports lose power, and it only occassionally wants to go into the BIOS. I also got a parport.sys BSOD.

Event viewer has this:

"The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event: 6."

I also get a 7 and a 3 where the 6 is.

I'm thinking motherboard.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,146
1,304
126
Originally posted by: Reapsy01
IRQL_LESS_NOT_EQUAL BSODs sounds like ram problems does it run memtest86?

I'm running it now.

Could the memory cause the power on/reboot problems?
 

Reapsy01

Member
Oct 27, 2005
110
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I'm not really sure I'd have thought the motherboard would be a more likely candidate for it not turning on sometimes. Although ram problems can certainly cause a system to reboot itself. I would clear the CMOS too you never know.
 

Reapsy01

Member
Oct 27, 2005
110
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0
If you have another power supply you could try swapping them over. Otherwise I would suggest a new motherboard. That new Asus one with the 8 stage power jobbie looks nice.
 

Slammy1

Platinum Member
Apr 8, 2003
2,112
0
76
I'd lean towards CPU or GPU problem as a result of overheating. I blew my 2.4C and had similar issues. Cold boot issues are typically PSU related. Do the basics (stress testing, check your MoBo for any blown capacitors, make sure all connections are solid and that all your fans are spinning, watch your temps, maybe wait out the errors until you get something characteristic for your specific error), but if you're dying to replace something I'd have to say CPU. Also, stress testing can mean a lot of things, with GPU being the hardest issue to discern in my experience as you also have driver issues compounding the diagnosis. Stress testing does not necessarily pick up issues. I underclock to where I'm memtest/prime95 stable as I want a stable system over that last couple percent increase in performance. It definitely is more stable that way, I run lots of MM apps I heat my core up on a regular basis. It's a lifetime issue, also one of hating those BSODs during movies cause I heated things up too much.
 

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
6,061
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0
Hey Chaotic, on the THREAD_STUCKs, was that the nVidia driver too? Other possible failures beyond video drivers, next on the list would be audio. A repair may be in order (just in case, get SP2 before you do and do the repair and SP2 reinstall off wire.)
 

Vegito

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 1999
8,329
0
0
try to remove all add-in cards.. goto bios of your mobo and disable stuff you dont need..

i would just try to install windows on a single hdd and leave the rest unhook... if it still happens.. it's most likely the mobo..