XP Blue Screen

[Viking Mail]

Hi all,

I've been asked to look at a Packard Bell ixtreme running XP Home (no idea
what, if any, service packs at this stage). The machine starts to boot,
displays the desktop (wallpaper only, no icons) then reboots. I've disabled
restart on system error, and got the following stop error codes (there's no
other info in the stop error, such as modules etc).

0x0000008E (0xC0000005, 0x8056EBA4, 0xF8028BB8, 0x00000000).

The problem also happens if I try to boot into safe mode, and reverting to
Last Known Good didn't help either. I've googled the error codes and found
some posts suggesting they relate to RAM problems - I've swapped the DIMMs
out but the machine still won't boot.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

TIA

Rob Ashburn.

 

[Guest]

Packard Bells motherboards are notorious for blown caps. Check out all the
caps and make sure none are leaking or bulging!! If they are then your mobo
is dead.

Run some dos RAM checks, swapping the RAM sticks in different dimm slots.

Good Luck!!

 

[Viking Mail]

Hi Malke,

1. Test the RAM (both sticks) separately in another machine. If they
test good, then

2. Try different known-good RAM in the problem machine. Naturally, it
has to be the right RAM for the motherboard. If you get more problems,
then there is a good chance the motherboard RAM slots are bad, not the
RAM.

3. If you don't have extra machines and/or RAM, then it will be most
efficient to take the machine to a professional computer repair shop
(not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA) for testing.

Sorry for the delay in replying - I've been out of town for a few days. As
for taking the thing to a repair store - I AM a repair guy, been working
independently at that game for nearly 5 years now, and this one is driving
me crazy :-(

Haven't had chance to swap the RAM over yet, but I have another, identical,
Packard Bell in here for spyware cleanup - as far as I'm aware it's
functioning perfectly other than a software problem. Out of interest I've
swapped the HDD out of the blue screening beast into the functioning one and
it STILL blue screens with an almost identical error (just one group of
codes different):

Original codes: 0x0000008E (0xC0000005, 0x8056EB4A, 0xF8028BB8, 0x00000000)
New codes: 0x0000008E (0xC0000005, 0x8056EB4A, 0xF9495BB8, 0x00000000)

The only common element here appears to be the Windows installation on the
HDD - all the other components (RAM, mobo, CPU, CD etc) are different
instances of the same models. Does this suggest any further clues to you?
I'll swap the RAM around and retest as suggested earlier, but it seems an
unlikely cause given the above.

TIA

Rob.

 

[Kelly]

You don't ride a bike, do you Rob?

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

In memory of those lost during Katrina &
Prayers and Hope for the remaining displaced.

 

[Viking Mail]

Not for more years than I care to think about - I'm contemplating a
broomstick though

Rob.

 

[Viking Mail]

I'll swap the RAM around and retest as suggested earlier, but it seems an

unlikely cause given the above.

This I have now done. The RAM from the blue screening box, tested on that
machine, shows one stick ok, one with intermittent problems. The same RAM
tested in the other Packard Bell gives the same results - one good, one with
intermittent probs. The RAM from the working machine, tested on that machine
is good. Tested on the blue screening fiend it is also good. Yet, even with
the bad RAM discarded and only good RAM installed, the problematic machine
still blue screens.

Rob.

 

[Kelly]

I hear you, just reminded me of an older day poster named Rob that had a
bike sig to it. If anyone knows what I am speaking of could you post it?
If not, is ok. )

Good luck in the meantime.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

In memory of those lost during Katrina &
Prayers and Hope for the remaining displaced.