System Crash

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Guest

Hi All,

I've put a couple of previous posts about this problem, but things have now
moved on and I need mre advice please.

My laptop (XP, fully up to date) started crashing a few days ago (STOP
errors - various codes, also messages about ACPI/BIOS)

After booting it back up several times and it crashing eventually again - I
did a complete wipe of the drive and a re-installation. Had a few problems
when I did the SP2 install, but got there eventually. Kept getting found new
hardware and error messages about the Ethernet Controller. I used the wizard
several times but it couldn't find drivers etc. I put in the Drivers and
Utilities CD and still no good.
Incidentally - I'm using a wireless router - so I'm not using the Ethernet
port (am I ?? does it still have a purpose when you are wireless ??)
Anyway - the ethernet controller problem remained - I was up and runninmg OK
for a couple of hours and it crashed again.
Question is - could this ethernet controller problem be causing the crash ?
is it a hardware problem that can be easily fixed ?
My laptop is critical to running my business, and after several days of
running Ok and crashing every couple of hours, I have to decide whether to
get new kit or keep trying to solve this problem.

Please advise. Many thanks
 
Carole said:
Hi All,

I've put a couple of previous posts about this problem, but things have
now moved on and I need mre advice please.

My laptop (XP, fully up to date) started crashing a few days ago (STOP
errors - various codes, also messages about ACPI/BIOS)

After booting it back up several times and it crashing eventually again -
I
did a complete wipe of the drive and a re-installation. Had a few
problems
when I did the SP2 install, but got there eventually. Kept getting found
new
hardware and error messages about the Ethernet Controller. I used the
wizard several times but it couldn't find drivers etc. I put in the
Drivers and Utilities CD and still no good.
Incidentally - I'm using a wireless router - so I'm not using the Ethernet
port (am I ?? does it still have a purpose when you are wireless ??)
Anyway - the ethernet controller problem remained - I was up and runninmg
OK for a couple of hours and it crashed again.
Question is - could this ethernet controller problem be causing the crash
? is it a hardware problem that can be easily fixed ?
My laptop is critical to running my business, and after several days of
running Ok and crashing every couple of hours, I have to decide whether to
get new kit or keep trying to solve this problem.
Click to expand...

It does sound like a hardware issue. It could be RAM and/or the motherboard.
Since you have a laptop, you can't easily fix this yourself. You can do a
memory test, but that's about all. Back up your data and call the laptop
mftr.'s tech support.

To test the RAM:

I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. Obviously, you have to get the
program from a working machine. You will either download the precompiled
Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or the .iso to make a bootable cd.
If you want to use the latter, you'll need to have third-party burning
software on the machine where you download the file - XP's built-in burning
capability won't do the job. In either case, boot with the media you made.
The test will run immediately. Let the test run for an hour or two - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.

Malke
 
The quick answer is no the NIC card is not the cause of yr crashes. It's a
symptom. Mother board or Hard drive more likely culprits. It needs
professional looking after, which generally tips the scales toward buying a
new machine with labor costs and parts you get real close to the cost of a
new one.
 
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