Wierd Error

kojak61

Senior member
Apr 16, 2001
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Has anyone ever got this blue screen: Hardware Malfunction The system has been halted. Anyone know what I should look at.
 

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
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Could you be more specific? What do you see at the top-left of the screen when it happens? If you can tell me/us that, then I/we might be able to figure out what's causing it.

If it happens just this once, then you should be okay, as Windows still has little glitches here and there that cause these kind of things every once in a while.
 

kojak61

Senior member
Apr 16, 2001
253
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That is exactly what it says in the top left. It happens at different times. I have not been able to track down any info on this blue screen.I could be listening to music or surfing or gaming and it just pops up. I shutdown by holding power button and then turn it back on and it might run good for 24 hours or shorter then comeback.
 

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
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Okay, when it next happens, ignore the first paragraph of text, and write down the line which is usually in capitals.

I'm assuming, of course, that this is on XP?
 

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
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Most likely cause if a physical issue (are you overclocking?) See MS for some hints.

Bill
 

Smilin

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: DopeFiend
Could you be more specific? What do you see at the top-left of the screen when it happens? If you can tell me/us that, then I/we might be able to figure out what's causing it.

If it happens just this once, then you should be okay, as Windows still has little glitches here and there that cause these kind of things every once in a while.

Hehe. It is completely impossible for any software including Windows to generate that error. User mode, kernel mode, drivers etc. Impossible. I wouldn't trick you! :p

See if you have any other events in your system log that may give an indication as to what's up. Also check for event id 26s that are informational popups (memory could not be 'read' etc). Run a memory tester. If you have any events in the 50's range start looking at your drives. 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 26, 50, 51, 55's all CAN be indicative of hardware problems although it's not 100% certain. With the hardware malfunction error (which is ALWAYS hardware) it becomes much more likely that other events are hardware related rather than software.
 

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: Smilin
Originally posted by: DopeFiend
Could you be more specific? What do you see at the top-left of the screen when it happens? If you can tell me/us that, then I/we might be able to figure out what's causing it.

If it happens just this once, then you should be okay, as Windows still has little glitches here and there that cause these kind of things every once in a while.

Hehe. It is completely impossible for any software including Windows to generate that error. User mode, kernel mode, drivers etc. Impossible. I wouldn't trick you! :p

See if you have any other events in your system log that may give an indication as to what's up. Also check for event id 26s that are informational popups (memory could not be 'read' etc). Run a memory tester. If you have any events in the 50's range start looking at your drives. 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 26, 50, 51, 55's all CAN be indicative of hardware problems although it's not 100% certain. With the hardware malfunction error (which is ALWAYS hardware) it becomes much more likely that other events are hardware related rather than software.

Nnngh. That's a very good point. In my defence, I'm mildly sloshed and it's Friday night :p
 

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
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Hehe. It is completely impossible for any software including Windows to generate that error. User mode, kernel mode, drivers etc. Impossible. I wouldn't trick you! :p
Nnngh. That's a very good point. In my defence, I'm mildly sloshed and it's Friday night :p

In your defense, it's actually kernel mode code in Windows which is generating that error message. It's not Windows, however, which is the cause of the error neccesitating the message ;)

Bill
 

Smilin

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
7,357
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Originally posted by: bsobel
Hehe. It is completely impossible for any software including Windows to generate that error. User mode, kernel mode, drivers etc. Impossible. I wouldn't trick you! :p
Nnngh. That's a very good point. In my defence, I'm mildly sloshed and it's Friday night :p

In your defense, it's actually kernel mode code in Windows which is generating that error message. It's not Windows, however, which is the cause of the error neccesitating the message ;)

Bill

hm. Well true I spose. I like the sloshed defense anyway. :p
 

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
9,837
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Originally posted by: Smilin
Originally posted by: bsobel
Hehe. It is completely impossible for any software including Windows to generate that error. User mode, kernel mode, drivers etc. Impossible. I wouldn't trick you! :p
Nnngh. That's a very good point. In my defence, I'm mildly sloshed and it's Friday night :p

In your defense, it's actually kernel mode code in Windows which is generating that error message. It's not Windows, however, which is the cause of the error neccesitating the message ;)

Bill

hm. Well true I spose. I like the sloshed defense anyway. :p

And now I'm less sloshed, but more aware that I posted something quite retarded for an experience field technician :eek:
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
10,200
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Now if only MS could detect when stupid users were using the system, and lock the system up with a big bright red screen, "USER MALFUNCTION - SYSTEM HALTED TO PROTECT DATA".

:)