So my computer took a dump.

[mg23]

No, not in a toilet.

A couple days ago my brother got off my computer after playing UT2K4 complaining that the internet just died. Knowing that we run off a wireless network I didn't think anything of it, so I just continued about my business until I wanted to get on the computer later that night. When I get on, I notice my internet is still not working, and after fidgeting with the antennas, messing with the router settings, and various other "fixes," I'm still without internet. Angry, I just decided to let it be for a while and shut down the computer. The next day, I boot it back up, same problem, but I figure I'll fix it later that day. I play a few games (offline of course), then proceed to shut down the computer again. I turn it back on, double click on an icon and get the blue screen of death stating there's been an internal error and windows just did a physical memory dump. No biggy really, I get those every other month, so I just shut it down again, and turn it back on. As it's loading the desktop, it does it again, and again each time I try to reboot it. I'm thinking its got to be my hard drive, but I figured I'd ask you guys to see if it might be something else before I go blow 200 bucks on repairs.

Edit - Oh, I just noticed we have a technical support forum.

[Lord Kelvin]

I'd say try Safe Mode first, and running whatever virus scanners and/or spyware removers you may have. I don't know how much good a disk error check will do, so I'll lay of on recommending that for now.

[StandingCow]

If you have Ultra ATA then any hard drive scanner can be used, if you have SATA you need to make sure it supports that type of hard drive.

Now as far as your problem goes.. I would first try reinstalling windows, it may have become corrupt (this is after you try the above fixes).

If on your fresh reinstall you begin getting the same errors then you can start thinking harddrive or even RAM corruption or damage.

[Lord Kelvin]

Even if you manage to fix the problem without having to formant C and reinstalling Windows, it might be best to think about backing up the stuff you want and formatting and reinstalling anyways, that's what I used to do with my Compaq whenever I got the blue screen of death and managed to fix it. It might help to forestall any future problems, and it makes it run spiffy as hell once you reformat too.

[Wallrod]

Before you start steamrolling and reinstalling, do the basics. Safe mode, disconnect any nonessential hardware (IE everything but keyboard, mouse and monitor) to make sure it isn't a hardware conflict or not enough power. If you have the resources or patience, see if you can boot it up on a different OS that you can boot straight from a floppy or CD, make sure it's actually windows, and not corrupt RAM, which it sounds like it could well be.

[StandingCow]

Along those lines, before you reinstall, take out one stick of ram, see if it happens, then swap the other one out... obviously if it happens on one stick or the other you narrowed it down right there.

[spartan]

Load into safe mode and run a virus scanner. That's my first guess. Then try running a Windows repair (just put the XP CD that came with your computer... if you still have it, and then boot from the CD, then there's something that says "hit F2 to run Windows Automated System Recovery Console" or some combination of the above words). The thing will run itself and try to diagnose your problem.

You can boot into safe mode by hitting F8 repeatedly when Windows is loading.. just before it gets into the blue scrolling bar part. I'm almost sure it's F8...

When you can, I would definitely consider backing stuff up over the network in case you do need a fresh XP install.

[mg23]

I'll try that stuff today and see what happens. I really don't want to shell out a bunch of money for this thing. :/

[SOCOM-DELTA]

most likely you won't have to shell out a dime. if, however, one of your RAM sticks has gone bad then you'll probably have to shell out just $50 for a new one.

btw, can you give us the specs of your memory, PSU, and HDD? may be helpful for us.

[mg23]

512 RAM, no idea about the PSU, and it's a 40 gig hard drive.










It's a Dell.

[mg23]

So I fixed my problem. It wasn't anything to do with RAM, and the BSoD was directly connected with my loss of internet the day before. Apparently something went wrong with the driver when the power when out, so after a System Restore and a little maneuvering of the antenna, I have my computer and internet back.

[StandingCow]

ahhh, gj =D

kinda pissed I didnt say reinstall the driver.

[Lee]

internet back eh? get on aim then.