Win 2000 Pro unstable, crashes

[Bruce]

Windows 2000 Pro, with all updates being current.

Just within the last day, or so, my Windows 2000 Pro
operating system has become very unstable. I have Norton
AntiVirus installed, and all updates are current. I have
Norton Systems Works and have run System Doctor, Windows
Doctor, as well as One Button Checkup, and there are no
apparent problems. But, the system is unstable and
crashes with the following message: Stop IRQL Not Less
or Equal 0X0000000A 0X00000016 0X000000002
0X000000000 0X80432B2D nt.oskrnl.exe Date Stamp 3ee6c002

The crashes are limited to one kind of activity, or one
specific program, or application. If I try to do a Full
System Scan (Norton AntiVirus), it crashes, but not always
at the same number of files scanned. Sometimes it happens
quickly, or it may scan 20,000 to 30,000 files. but it
always crashes. The system crashes on lengthy downloads,
while composing an email, etc., etc.!

Do you have a suggestion as to how I may resolve this
problem?

Thanks, Bruce

 

[Robby Tanner]

I wonder if you have some bad memory, either on the CPU or on the sticks.
This sort of random instability can sometimes be traced back to faulty
hardware.

Rob

 

[Carl Fenley]

I agree with Rob. It sounds like it could be a memory problem or some kind
of CPU/Chipset conflict with another motherboard component, like the Hard
Drive controller.

One thing you could do to troubleshoot the memory, if you have two banks
installed, is remove one of the memory modules. For example, if you have
two 128MB modules for a total of 256MB of system memory, remove one of the
modules and repeat your scans and such with only 128MB.

If that were to work fine, then swap the memory modules and repeat the
system scans, etc.

- carl

 

[Bruce]

I performed a check of the memory, as well as the check
that is performed when the system boots, but no indication
of that memory having any problems -- thanks for your
thoughts. I'll do more checking! Thanks for your prompt
help and thoughts, Bruce

 

[Bruce]

I performed a check of the memory, as well as the check
that is performed when the system boots, but no indication
of that memory having any problems -- thanks for your
thoughts. I'll do more checking! Thanks for your prompt
help and thoughts, Bruce

 

[Robby Tanner]

A physically loose connection can be inconsistent. That's Carl recommended
removing it and running whatever you ran to crash the O/S. Most electrical
problems are intermittent and frequently temperature-related.

I would still remove one then the other memory stick (if possible) and try
running your applications again.

Rob

 

[George Hester]

I have seen this behavior before with Norton installed in Windows 98. It is a Norton bug almosr definitely. In fact I have seen this same behavior with Panda. The scan never made it past Jasc Photo whatever it's called.

Stop error 0x0000000A (Stop 0x0A) shows that there was an attempt in kernel mode to touch pageable memory at too high a process internal request level (IRQL). This error usually occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory address. Other possible causes of this error are an incompatible device driver, a general hardware problem, and incompatible software

Incompatible Software is your issue almost surely.

 

[Bruce]

George:
At first I thought it may be PhotoImpact 8.5, or Spybot,
recently installed software, but the problems were
happening with many different applications. Norton Full
Scan failed every time! I have about 200,000 files on my
system. It is quite a sophisticated "mess!" I do all of
the Windows updates, as well as the Norton updates. I
began to question as to whether it might be Norton, but I
have it installed on other computers at the office -- this
one happens to be my home computer!

Several people have suggested a memory problem, and that
sounded logical, so I removed all 393MB (3 cards). I
replaced each card, indivually, and ran a Norton Full Scan
and crashed the sytsem at all different times, at
approximately 36,000 files, 90,000 files, 76, 000 files.
So, I have reinstalled all 393MB and I am still looking
for a solution.

I sincerely appreciate your thoughts... they make a lot of
sense, expecially in that I have, somewhat eliminated some
of the other potential solutions.

Thanks again, Bruce

-----Original Message-----
I have seen this behavior before with Norton installed in

Windows 98. It is a Norton bug almosr definitely. In
fact I have seen this same behavior with Panda. The scan
never made it past Jasc Photo whatever it's called.

Stop error 0x0000000A (Stop 0x0A) shows that there was an

attempt in kernel mode to touch pageable memory at too
high a process internal request level (IRQL). This error
usually occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory
address. Other possible causes of this error are an
incompatible device driver, a general hardware problem,
and incompatible software

Incompatible Software is your issue almost surely.

message news:[email protected]...

 

[Bruce]

Robby:

Thanks for the additional thoughts. I have done as you
suggested...

At first I thought it may be having a problem with
PhotoImpact 8.5, or Spybot, recently installed software,
but the problems were happening with many different
applications. Norton Full Scan failed every time! I have
about 200,000 files on my system. It is quite a
sophisticated "mess!" I do all of the Windows updates, as
well as the Norton updates. I began to question as to
whether it might be Norton, but I have it installed on
other computers at the office -- this one happens to be my
home computer!

As you have, several other people have suggested a memory
problem, and that sounded logical, so I removed all 393MB
(3 cards). I replaced each card, individuually, and ran a
Norton Full Scan and crashed the sytsem at all different
times, at approximately 36,000 files, 90,000 files, 76,
000 files. So, I have reinstalled all 393MB and I am
still looking for a solution.

I have reseated every card in the computer!

I sincerely appreciate your thoughts... they make a lot of
sense!

Thanks again, Bruce

 

[Robby Tanner]

Robby:

Thanks for the additional thoughts. I have done as you
suggested...


As you have, several other people have suggested a memory
problem, and that sounded logical, so I removed all 393MB
(3 cards). I replaced each card, individuually, and ran a
Norton Full Scan and crashed the sytsem at all different
times, at approximately 36,000 files, 90,000 files, 76,
000 files. So, I have reinstalled all 393MB and I am
still looking for a solution.

Hm, strange problem alright. The general method is to try removing things
one-by-one until the problem goes away and then return the last thing and
see if your trouble comes back with it. That goes for hardware and
software. Alternatively, you could make a fresh start and reinstall
everything after making appropriate backups. Make Norton one of your first
installs, then, as you reinstall each bit of software check the performance
of the machine. Also, make sure you have all the necessary license keys
before starting to reinstall.

Keep trying, there is a solution, it just isn't always easy to find.

 

[George Hester]

I read this response and your almost identical one above. Your issue is some software installed. I really wouldn't try to trouble-shoot it.. It will come back again. After you remove the software where Norton coughs it will find another to cough on. This is the behavior of Norton and Panda and is why I don't even touch those anymore in my systems.

This may sound like a hardware problem. But if that's the case I have the most malfuctioning hardware known to Man for the last 5 years and no Norton or Panda installed. Kapersky will do it too.

 

[Robby Tanner]

Your experience notwithstanding, until the problem is resolved I would be
reluctant to say it is definitely a hardware or software problem.

Isolating software issues is not really any different from hardware. I
(time permitting of course) would do a complete O/S install and then, thanks
to your insight install Norton/Panda and run them. I would then add
software, running them each time until they coughed. Removing components
piece-by-piece is a time-consuming although not entirely pointless exercise.
It matters not whether the components are hardware or software.

What has been your (George) experience with receiving tech support for these
packages?

Rob


I read this response and your almost identical one above. Your issue is
some software installed. I really wouldn't try to trouble-shoot it.. It
will come back again. After you remove the software where Norton coughs it
will find another to cough on. This is the behavior of Norton and Panda and
is why I don't even touch those anymore in my systems.

This may sound like a hardware problem. But if that's the case I have the
most malfuctioning hardware known to Man for the last 5 years and no Norton
or Panda installed. Kapersky will do it too.

 

[George Hester]

Rob I did that. And everytime I installed the Jasc program (can't recall its name) the Norton and Panda both crashed on it during the scan. I asked them about it. Jasc and Norton and Panda. They thanked me for bringing it to their atterntion and that was the last I ever heard of them.

But note. I don't know about Panda but I do KNOW about Norton. Once it is installed it CANNOT be uninstalled. It may seem to uninstall but it is NOT. I know there are many people who disagree with me on this. And that really is fine. But I know what I know and I know it cannot be uninstalled. It's easily proven. Just uninstall it and re-install it and notice that your preferences will be included in the new install.

I should say the software that it (Norton) crashed on (Jasc) was a new version that came out AFTER the version of the AV software package.