Win 2000 Pro unstable - repost

[Bruce]

Re-posted due to typo (word NOT was omitted in error: The
crashes are NOT limited to one kind of activity...)

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 NOT, repeat, NOT 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

 

[Danny Sanders]

What/how did you perform a check of the memory?

As the other users suggested in your other post, this sounds like a bad
memory chip. The activities you mentioned all have one thing in common, they
use a lot of memory. Don't rely on the memory check that is done at boot up.
It enumerates what it thinks is there not how good it is.

Scanning lots of files, lengthy downloads both indicate an increasing memory
usage. Not sure how much memory you have loaded on this computer but I would
suggest removing half of the memory and do some memory intensive procedures
like large print jobs or installing a program, or virus scanning to see if
it craps out. If not change out the memory and test again.
You may have a bad memory chip on a memory module that only gets accessed
after "X" amount of RAM is required. Anything under "X" amount is fine, but
get to the bad chip and "things" start to happen. If the same activities
bomb out on one half of the memory and not the other, that stick has the bad
chip.

hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

 

[Guest]

I had a similar W2K problem where the system would be completely stable while "at rest" (not exercising the processor or drives.) Upon running a virus or adware scan, the BSOD would appear. I diagnosed it as an overheating problem as this machine is not in a well ventilated area. Adding an additional case cooling fan has completely cured the problem. As this problem started suddenly, you might want to check your processor and power supply cooling fans and check for blockage in the case air inlets

Just my 2 cents..

R4

 

[Bruce]

I certainly appreciate your thoughts and comments. I have
opened the case, checked for dust, blown out the little
dust found, but to no avail. But, thanks for your imput,
it could have been the problem, in that I haven't found
the solution, as of yet. Thanks again, Bruce

-----Original Message-----
I had a similar W2K problem where the system would be

completely stable while "at rest" (not exercising the
processor or drives.) Upon running a virus or adware
scan, the BSOD would appear. I diagnosed it as an
overheating problem as this machine is not in a well
ventilated area. Adding an additional case cooling fan
has completely cured the problem. As this problem started
suddenly, you might want to check your processor and power
supply cooling fans and check for blockage in the case air
inlets.

 

[Bruce]

I have 393MB of memory. I removed all three cards and
reseated each card, one at a time, and ran the system,
using Norton's Full System Scan against each individual
card. The system crashed all three times. So, I replaced
all 393MB of memory, and I am selectively uninstalling
some suspect software, although I believe that it is a
flakey hardware problem, also. I sincerely appreciate
your thought and comments. Bruce