BSOD's for a few months now... and corrupt directory message

[zero786]

Problem: Been getting BSOD's and this message (http://i11.tinypic.com/2rxedl2.png [without the aim.exe part]) while using my comp.

 

*****Skip down to *** if you want to miss the interesting story that would probably help you in helping me!*****

 

It's finally winter break, so I can work on fixing my comp... Here's the story !

 

I build my comp back in summer '05, and it had been pretty good till a few months ago when my comp started to restart randomly. I reformatted, and the problem was still there. I bought the 150GB WD Raptor that I am currently using, and it still persisted. Microsoft kept on telling me that it was an error caused by device driver, and sometimes it said video device driver. Sometimes I even got that it was caused by a hardware failure (CPU, Mobo, RAM, or PSU were the things they list as potential reasons). Then my friend told me that I needed to change it so windows wouldn't just restart when a problem occurs, but it would also display the BSOD. I turned that feature on like a month ago, and I started writing down some of the BSOD's. I used this site to read what they meant in a sense: http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

 

Anyway about a month ago i got a message on my screen similar to this (minus the aim.exe part) http://i11.tinypic.com/2rxedl2.png I restarted my computer, the chkdsk utility ran, and it deleted many of the corrupt files on my computer. Much of my music in My Music, files on my desktop (including a 7 page research paper -_-), and others were not able to be used anymore due to being corrupt. I lost a lot of stuff, but it wasn't too bad...

 

I decided to format again and had my other two drives unhooked even after installing windows (in case they were causing problems). I still got BSODs. I also got those corrupt directory messages as well.

 

On Dec 22, I remember plugging in my 200gb drive because I wanted some files from it. It was in a kinda shakey shape... After the windows logo, my screen would just stay black... I forgot what I did exactly, but it included restarting many times until the chkdsk utility finally ran (don't remember if it was ok after just running once). I was kind of scared, but all my files were there and working. I shut down my comp for the night. The next day, the black screen thing happened again... It took a long time for the chkdsk utility to run, and it was difficult for me to get into windows. Might have taken me a few times, but I finally got into windows and checked on my 200gb HDD (which is in 2 partitions of 50 and 136 GB). The 50GB portion was saying something like RAW. The 136 had one file in it, but said there was 134GB being used (as there should have been but the files were missing...). They were pretty much inaccessible... I got that corrupt directory message and restarted in hope of fixing it with chkdsk. Ran many chkdsk's... [http://i16.tinypic.com/2dc7atj.jpg]. When I was finally able to load into windows, I checked to find both partitions totally gone... I inserted my windows disk to format the 200gb drive, and I got this... [http://i11.tinypic.com/2qiok6w.jpg]. I was really sad... lost videos, movies, pics, documents, logs, many programs, etc I had been saving for 5 years from all my comps (still am depressed )

 

***START HERE IF YOU WANT TO SKIP THE STORY***

 

Since windows told me it was my video card, I tried using an old 2mb pci video card. I still got BSOD's (mainly the 8E one i think). I concluded that it probably isn't my video card. Then I ran memtest for 7hrs through my bios, and I got 0 errors. I concluded that it wasnt my memory. I think I am down to hard drive, processor, and motherboard. It's weird though... I feel like it would make sense to me that it is my hard drive, since I am getting those corrupt directory messages, but it's weird because I bought this 150gb raptor after I started having problems... my 200gb got totally corrupted 4 days ago (if you didnt read the story). I formatted today, and got the corrupt directory message as you can see in the first pic of the post. I get multiple BSOD's per day. They don't always say the same error code thing either. (I use this site to check them out, if you didn't read the story http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm). The most common ones are probably 50, 0A, 8E, and 4E. The last one I got was 4E, and the site says, "This indicates that the memory management Page File Number list is corrupted. Can be caused by corrupt physical RAM, or by drivers passing bad memory descriptor lists." But I passed memtest for 7hrs+ outside of windows... SO CONFUSED

 

What do you guys suggest? I am thinking about buying one of the following off of newegg: a new hard drive, the same motherboard, or an opty 165/170. I want to buy the one that is most likely causing the problem. If I replace that component, and the problem is still there, I guess I can return it, pay the 15% restocking fee, and try another one. As much as it would make sense that it is the hard drive, something tells me that it could be the motherboard, since I get a variety of errors... iono... AH... what to do....

 

Oh yeah... Something weird I forgot to mention is that I have my comp at 2.4ghz (from 2.0 stock). It is at 240 x10, with memory at 240mhz 2.5-3-3-7. I HAVE TO KEEP IT LIKE THIS LOL! When I turned off my overclock i could barely load windows... If I even made it to windows, my comp would crash within a minute. I am using the 623-3 bios, and I thought that reflashing it might fix the problem. Earlier this week I flashed my bios to 623-3 and cleared the CMOS, and I still couldn't load into windows at 2.0ghz. At 2.4ghz it was fine... It makes me think its my motherboard even more...

[Guest erico]

One common thing that can easily corrupt os files is this...overclocking.. If you have your DRAM drive strength set too weak that will do it. My advise to you is to get the important data off the computer.. then start at square one.. put your settings at base.. I mean the FSB/DRAM to 1:1

memory settings at a stable settings from stable prime database... run memtest ..tests 5 & 8 for about an hour or so each..watch the system temps!! when you feel that your memory timings are stable enough for you,then reinstall windows... All those weird error messages probably come from your os having corrupt files that are caused by your overclock and unstable memory timings. See my signature for links that you will probably need.

..I went through the same hassle last week when I got the overclock higher..attain 3GHZ bug again ( happens 2-3 times a year to me) It ain't your hard drive that is giving you grief!!!

Believe your motherboard's diagnostic LEDs far more than what Windows tells you.

 

Good luck..Merry XMAS

 

keep us posted on your results.

[ganders75]

Are you SuperPI, OCCT and Prime95 stable at your current settings? If you are unable to load windows at stock - and you've replaced your HDD with another one - then i'd probably be leaning towards a PSU that is starting to go bad.

 

Your OS is definately hosed - you'll have to reinstall another one... and i'd be looking to beg/borrow/steal another PSU from the recommended list to try and test with...

[Guest erico]

After seeing Ganders75 post and rereading your initial post, I absolutely agree with Ganders75 PSU diagnosis as probable cause.

And when you do the clean install.. do so with a single stick of DRAM in a channel A DIMM slot. (see your MOBO layout diagram in your motherboard manual for exact location of DIMM slot organization)

[Sharp]

Hello,

 

Make sure that all 4 power connectors are plugged into the board

# 24pin ATX connector.

# 4pin +12v P4 connector, near the ATX connector.

# Floppy power connector, under the CPU socket.

# Hard drive power connector, on top the chipset fan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plug your GFX card in the PCIe slot

# Make sure it is inserted correctly into the slot.

# Connect any power cables to it if one is required.

 

Clear your CMOS for 10 minutes

# Remove the power cord from the back of the power supply.

# Move the CMOS jumper to the clear position and leave it there for 10mins.

# Make sure you move it back to the save position after.

 

 

Insert the memory into the Orange slots

 

 

Power your PC and enter the BIOS

# Change the following,

GENIE BIOS Setting

>DRAM Configuration..................Press Enter = New Menu

FSB BUS Frequency....................200

LDT/FSB Frequency Ratio..............X 5.0

LDT BUS Transfer Width...............16 16

CPU/FSB Frequency Ratio..............AUTO

PCI eXpress Frequency................100Mhz

K8 Cool 'n' Quiet Support............Disable

Cool 'n' Quiet MAX FID...............AUTO

CPU VID StartUp Value................StartUp

 

CPU VID Control......................AUTO

CPU VID Special Control..............AUTO

LDT Voltage Control..................1.20 V

Chip Set Voltage Control.............1.50 V

DRAM Voltage Control.................2.70 V

+0.3v if not 3.2v....................Disabled

 

Run MemTest86+.......................Enabled, disable later

GENIE BIOS Setting >DRAM Configuration

DRAM Frequency Set (MHZ).............200 (DRAM/FSB:1/01)

Command per clock (CPC)..............Enabled

Cas latency (tCL)....................2

RAS to CAS delay (tRCD)..............2

Min RAS active time (tRAS)...........6

Row precharge time (tRP).............2

Row cycle time (tRC).................11

Row refresh cycle time(tRFC).........14

Row to Row delay (tRRD)..............2

Write recovery time (tWR)............2

Write to read delay (tWTR)...........AUTO

Read to write delay (tRWT)...........AUTO

Refresh period (tREF)................AUTO

Write CAS latency (tWCL).............1

DRAM Bank Interleave.................Enabled

 

DQS Skew Control.....................AUTO

DQS Skew Value.......................0

DRAM Drive Strength..................Level 8

DRAM Data Drive Strength.............Level 3

Max Async Latency....................6ns

Dram Response........................Normal

Read Preamble Time...................5ns

Idle Cycle Limit.....................AUTO

Dynamic Counter......................AUTO

R/W Queue Bypass.....................AUTO

Bypass Max...........................AUTO

32 Byte Granularity..................AUTO

 

Then reinstall windows + quick format.

(make sure RAID is disabled and do not press F6)

 

Once in windows install the chipset drivers.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_win2k_6.86.html

- Do not install the nvidia firewall software.

 

If you get this far, has the pc crashed or does it seem stable?

[zero786]

Wow thanks guys. I am going to try and install windows at stock by clearing the CMOS and using the settings that Sharp provided. I gotta save my files and do some stuff, and I'll get right to it. One thing though... I don't need to have the floppy power connector connected if I don't use a floppy drive right =o? Unless it is some odd and mysterious thing I don't know of haha. That's the only thing I don't have connected. Thanks again.

[fariss]

I don't need to have the floppy power connector connected if I don't use a floppy drive right =o? Unless it is some odd and mysterious thing I don't know of haha. That's the only thing I don't have connected. Thanks again.

 

The FDD connector, in this case, isn't for a FDD. It supplies additional power to the motherboard. As simple as it is to connect it (check out the image posted earlier) it would seem silly not to.

[Triton.se]

One thing I NEVER skip when installing new gear(cpu/mobo - RAM!)

 

Memtest86+ !!!

 

normal advise is let it run few hours...i say: 2 whole rounds, but most important, 30mins each on tests 8 and 5....ppl get away with 8 hour full rounds, but fail in <10 round passes at #8

[Triton.se]

The FDD connector, in this case, isn't for a FDD. It supplies additional power to the motherboard. As simple as it is to connect it (check out the image posted earlier) it would seem silly not to.

 

how do you expect someone to read the text in your sig Mr Fartis?

[zero786]

Thanks guys. I hooked up the floppy connector, cleared the CMOS, and entered those bios settings that Sharp provided. I am letting memtest run through the entire thing 2 times. After, I will run tests 5 and 8 for 30mins each. After, I will format using the quick mode. I'll report back later and tell you if I have any trouble. Thanks again!!

[fariss]

how do you expect someone to read the text in your sig Mr Fartis?

 

Carefully? Squinting?

BTW it's fariss. I don't appreciate your humor.

[s1ick]

classic, very funny.

 

have to agree that really hurts my eyes

fdd power to the mobo is o so very important i have found.