Windows 7 BSOD?

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Spuddy

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#112613 14-Dec-2012 10:59

Hi

Im not that clued up with computers but we run windows 7 32 bit on a acer desktop. Recently we get a blue screen with lots of errors on it along the lines of 0x00000000 this can change and have letters and numbers in it. We have factory restored it and done virus scans.

Can anyone offer any advice or soloutions. I would prefer not to have to pay anyone to fix it.

Klipspringer

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#732460 14-Dec-2012 11:02

First thing I would do is try replacing the RAM.

If you don’t have any available, check to make sure the RAM is all OK. Memtest is quiet good at diagnosing memory errors.

http://www.memtest.org/

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Spuddy

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#732461 14-Dec-2012 11:03

How do you replace RAM

Klipspringer

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#732468 14-Dec-2012 11:06

Spuddy: How do you replace RAM

First run memtest.

Download the iso and make a bootable CD.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Boot the memtest CD on the faulty PC, it will scan your RAM for errors.

Virgil

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#732470 14-Dec-2012 11:10

Definitely sounds hardware-related if you have done a factory restore. Most likely suspects are RAM, or the power supply on the way out.

It is also possibly just overheating, check that the air vents are all clear , and that the CPU heatsink and fan is not clogged with dust and crud.

If you're not comfortable opening the case and pushing and pulling cables and RAM chips etc, I'm sure there will be someone on the forum happy to come and take a look in exchange for a 6-pack of beer or something.

Cheers

Lurking ...

freitasm

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#732484 14-Dec-2012 11:22

On Windows 7, click the start button and type Mem... You will see "Windows Memory Diagnostic". Select the option to restart and run the tests.

Once the tests start I suggest you hit the button to configure the tests and leave the PC running overnight with some of the top tests. If it shows memory errors then you know you have to work on that.

If nothing shows up then it may be time to think the following:

- Drivers out of date
- Heat (although this would most likely shutdown the PC instead of BSOD)
- Make sure all cards are properly seated
- PSU is dying

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gzt

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#732547 14-Dec-2012 13:04

If you factory restored and got the errors again immediately without delay then there is a hardware problem of some kind.

I'd suggest freitasm's instructions (above) first.

I see you have not replaced ram before and therefore have probably never opened a computer.

It might be smarter to take it to a competent repair operation for diagnosis and repair. If ram is the issue you are probably looking at less than $200.

Spuddy

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#732896 15-Dec-2012 13:16

How long should a computers memory last. Its 3 years old in Jan and has a big memory capacity and has never had much on it

freitasm

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#732918 15-Dec-2012 14:43

We are talking about RAM, the memory that is only used while the computer is running. This is not the same as hard drives, the memory used for permanent storage.

Have you done the tests I suggested yet?

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#732919 15-Dec-2012 14:44

Spuddy: How long should a computers memory last. Its 3 years old in Jan and has a big memory capacity and has never had much on it

Have you performed the tests recommended to you and found one or more memory modules is suspect and therefore could be the source of the problem?

Hammerer

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#732921 15-Dec-2012 15:03

Spuddy: How long should a computers memory last. Its 3 years old in Jan and has a big memory capacity and has never had much on it

Most computer memory will last for many years so memory usually runs fine until it is replaced or the computer is scrapped. However, memory faults can develop at any time although they are are most prevalent when memory is installed or computers are dropped or electrically shocked.

The following paragraphs are just more detail on this:

Memory doesn't wear out like your hard disk drives which are mechanical devices and are more easily damaged. The main reason that previously working memory develops a problem is because it has been recently handled and dirt or grease is affecting electrical signals, or an electrostatic charge has damaged the memory chip. If there's been no physical change in the system and no change to system settings then an electrical overload is often the cause, ie the PC was plugged in and turned on during an electrical storm or power outage. Finally, electronic components get old and start to deteriorate, soldered joints can shrink, circuit boards can be under physical stress, etc.

Your memory is where your programs run when they are loaded from disk. When you load a file it is normally worked on in memory. So any memory error can corrupt your data files or cause a program to get an unrecoverable error. It only takes a problem with one bit set incorrectly to cause an error that the programmer never allowed for so the program doesn't know how to handle it. NB A bit is the lowest denominator of memory. It can have the values '0' or '1'.

The same sort of problem can affect programs and other files stored on your disk drives. That's why disk drives are more likely to get such problems than memory