Computer question for the "DU computer geeks"-will it help?

[Wcross]

I have been experiencing "BSOD" messages which say;
BAD_POOL_CALLER and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED AREA.

I also have been enjoying random reboots. I get a windows error message upon reboot saying that windows experienced a serious problem.

I can not install any games due to missing/corrupt bin files. The games install fine on a different computer. (yes,I enjoy games).

I also ran Microsofts memtester and it failed my memory (2 sticks) I ran each seperate and with both installed.

The tech support people are sending me two new sticks of memory. It sounds like something else is wrong with it. I suspect a bad motherboard.

Do you think replacing the memory will solve the problem?

[meegbear]

1. Try the new memory sticks first ...

if it still happens, consider the motherboard.

Any recent software/hardware changes?

[Wcross]

4. No new changes...

I even get the Page fault error during winxp installation. (after re-formatting).

[leftyandproud]

8. ok..

First, do this. Start, programs, accessories, system tools, defragmenter.

After defragmenting, go to start, programs, accessories, windows explorer.

Double click "my computer" then right click C:, choose properties, tools, error checking. Check both boxes and hit ok to reboot. This will repair the physical errors on your hard drive. Restart your computer and the process will begin.


If you have a bad drive, it can take several hours to do it's thing. Just leave it alone and be patient.

After XP loads up again, I recommend doing a fresh reformat on the newly repaired drive.

After reloading XP, navigate to "my computer" and right click it, choose properties, advanced, performance settings, advanced, virtual memory.

I recommend you set the minimum and maximum values to 2X your RAM. IF you have 512MB, set the min/max to 1024/1024. Hit ok and reboot.

Defragment again after rebooting.

Your computer is now as healthy as it is ever going to get.
If you have new RAM in the system and still experience problems, you most likely need a new hard drive or motherboard. Let us know how it goes.

[ET Awful]

2. Bad memory can cause very odd errors.

You can try another memory test program to verify if you like. I use memtest86. Memtest86 creats its own boot floppy and operates with only a very minimal operating system. It really puts your memory through a workout and will find any real problem.

Odds are if you have bad memory, that's the cause of your woes.

Personally I'm having video card problems, and I think my card is going to need replacing in the near future (not cheap if I want a good card, at least $300 or so).

Grrrr, damned hardware problems.

on edit: link to memtest86 http://www.memtest86.com/

[bowens43]

3. It might solve the problem.

Flaky memory can definitely cause all of the symptoms you have listed.

[sendero]

5. I'll join the chorus...

... either you have bad memory or there is a motherboard problem that is causing a failed memory access.

The symptoms would be the same in either case. The mem tester failing 2 separate sticks is very suspicious, I'm guessing it is actually the motherboard.

OR... on many/most motherboards there are parameters you can adjust to control the timing of memory accesses. You might be able to basically slow down the system (you probably would not even notice any performance change) and make the memory happy. If is *possible* that these settings were once set correctly but a glitch changed them and that is why you are having trouble. The kinds of motherboard failures that would let it still work but only cause occassional memory access failures is very very rare.

[Wcross]

6. I was thinking that the chances of BOTH sticks being bad...

..was not good. I have to wait 10 days for the new memory to get here to see if it changes. I haven't messed with any memory settings in the bios.

I forgot to mention this. The first week I had the machine the power supply went out (with a flash). I replaced it with a brand name supply myself rather than wait for a new one from the service people.

[sendero]

7. Interesting..

... that power supply episode might well have messed up your CMOS.

[Occulus]

9. ...which would suck supremely.

And, if it is the motherboard, and it's and older machine, you'll likely have the pleasure of replacing your CPU as well if you get a new motherboard. I feel your pain, though; I think my own motherboard is taking a dump on me- the onboard network interface no longer functions, and the microphone port is also dead.

It's ok, though; I'll be building a machine with my tax return that'll play Half Life 2 at 1600x1200 with 2xAA and 4xAF at over 50fps. I can't wait :)

[Wcross]

10. This is a new machine....

It has a amd fx-55 with 1 gig of ram and a 6800 ultra video card. I got about 2/3rds the way through halflife2 when the problem started- it kept crashing at the exact same point in the game with an error message of "could not write to memory sector" (or something like that).