Windows XP shutdown problems and error messages

[Andy Flowers]

Thread article says it all.

Every now and then the monitor goes blank, the PC restarts and the
screen shows a message along the lines of

The system has recovered from a serious error

A log of this error has been created

The guy who sold me the PC came round once to try to fix it (thought it
was an overheating problem and changed fan but PC still shuts down all
the time. The guy arranged to come round again twice but never showed up
and refuses to answer phone now.

The PC is owned by my company and I've changed jobs - new employer
agreed to buy PC off my old firm but now refusing to buy as faulty
(leaving me in schtuck as I've got all my files on it).

For the initiated it's a built-up system with an Athlon XP1700+, running
Windows XP, with 256Mb of RAM. The XP is not a pirate copy - it's legit,
bought with the PC as new and registered. I'm based in Coventry
(England)

Will I need to get someone in to fix it - how much will it cost (and
would I feel happier and more content if I smashed it up with a
sledgehammer?)

Any help much appreciated.

Ps. It's shut down as I've been typing this.

Pps copied onto another newsgroup too

Cheers

 

[Ken]

my computer started doing that when I installed A new
graphics card I logged on to the internet and download
updated drivers from the cards manufacturer, could be a
last driver from some of your hardware. otherwise, my son-
inlaws computer was doing the same thing and we had to
repair it by putting the install cd into the drive boot
from the cd rom and preform a choose repair an existing
windows installation to fix the problem

 

[cimex]

Here are some hardware diagnostics that might help you:

www.memtest86.com (you need a floppy drive)

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.html?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_x86&langx=en&a=
for an advanced diagnostic that tests more than RAM.

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm A "torture tester" involving the
computations for finding certain prime numbers.

You can download a disk diagnostic from the website of your hard disk
manufacturer. Since the test may be able to alter stored data, read the
instructions carefully before using.

Alternatively, a good computer repair shop can do these same tests for you,
and more besides (power supplies can be flaky, etc.)

 

[Andy Flowers]

my computer started doing that when I installed A new
graphics card I logged on to the internet and download
updated drivers from the cards manufacturer, could be a
last driver from some of your hardware. otherwise, my son-
inlaws computer was doing the same thing and we had to
repair it by putting the install cd into the drive boot
from the cd rom and preform a choose repair an existing
windows installation to fix the problem

Thanks for getting back to me - some useful tips.

Unfortunately drivers etc. are a bit of a mystery to me.

I was naive enough to buy a computer and only really learn the software
I needed to do my job.

Only later have I found out that I need to know something about
hardware, drivers etc. as the software designers have not made their
products well enough (in terms of being user friendly, robust and
reliable) for normal people to be able to use.

Now, where's my sledgehammer.

 

[Andy Flowers]

Here are some hardware diagnostics that might help you:

www.memtest86.com (you need a floppy drive)

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.html?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_x86&l
angx=en&a=
for an advanced diagnostic that tests more than RAM.

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm A "torture tester" involving the
computations for finding certain prime numbers.

You can download a disk diagnostic from the website of your hard disk
manufacturer. Since the test may be able to alter stored data, read the
instructions carefully before using.

Alternatively, a good computer repair shop can do these same tests for you,
and more besides (power supplies can be flaky, etc.)

Many thanks for your reply - the most useful so far, and hopefully one
that will be of use to others too.

I downloaded a programme known as Sandra, which looked very impressive
and did a system check and tune up - PC hasn't crashed since - fingers
crossed.

 

[Andy Flowers]

Many thanks for your reply - the most useful so far, and hopefully one
that will be of use to others too.

I downloaded a programme known as Sandra, which looked very impressive
and did a system check and tune up - PC hasn't crashed since - fingers
crossed.

Nope, didn't work, still crashing

Useful programme though.

 

[nut]

Nope, didn't work, still crashing

Useful programme though.

Sandra doesn't do anything except examine the environment... it doesn't fix.

Control Panel - System - Advanced - Startup & Recovery - Disable
"automatically restart".

Next time it happens, you'll get a blue screen telling you why it happened.

 

[Malke]

Thanks for getting back to me - some useful tips.

Unfortunately drivers etc. are a bit of a mystery to me.

I was naive enough to buy a computer and only really learn the
software I needed to do my job.

Only later have I found out that I need to know something about
hardware, drivers etc. as the software designers have not made their
products well enough (in terms of being user friendly, robust and
reliable) for normal people to be able to use.

Now, where's my sledgehammer.

Look, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the computer repair
person. However, I know there are many other computer repair people who
are talented and honest in England. I don't know what your guys charge
for service. Here in Fresno, California, USA I charge $40/hr. and it
would be worth it for you to have someone good vet your machine. Ask
friends, colleagues, etc. for the name of someone they like.

Good luck,

Malke

 

[Andy Flowers]

Look, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the computer repair
person. However, I know there are many other computer repair people who
are talented and honest in England. I don't know what your guys charge
for service. Here in Fresno, California, USA I charge $40/hr. and it
would be worth it for you to have someone good vet your machine. Ask
friends, colleagues, etc. for the name of someone they like.

That sounds a lot cheaper than you'd probably pay here.

Ironically, as per your instructions, it may be easier, cheaper and more
effective to get a vet to the machine, or perhaps a farrier.

Many apologies, sheer frustration at the PC has broken my brain

 

[Malke]

That sounds a lot cheaper than you'd probably pay here.

Ironically, as per your instructions, it may be easier, cheaper and
more effective to get a vet to the machine, or perhaps a farrier.

Many apologies, sheer frustration at the PC has broken my brain

No, no, it's ok. I understand. Wish I could help you out. I really do
think having someone good look at the machine is the best thing because
from your description of the problem it's impossible to say for sure
whether it's hardware or software-related. So I *could* give the
Standard Bored Tech Answer: format the drive and reinstall Windows, but
I'm really not sure that will do it for you. Certainly if the problems
stem from faulty hardware, it *won't* fix things and then you'll be
even more unhappy.

There, there -

Malke

 

[Andy Flowers]

Sandra doesn't do anything except examine the environment... it doesn't fix.

Control Panel - System - Advanced - Startup & Recovery - Disable
"automatically restart".

Next time it happens, you'll get a blue screen telling you why it happened.

Thanks for that - will I be able to start the computer up again by
switching it on and off (manually) - i.e. The plug!

Event viewer tells me that it's caused by "Source, system error,
Category (102), Event ID 1003 - does that mean anything to anyone?

Cheers to everybody who's helped so far.

Ps I've started another thread about the error report.