HELP! - BSOD at boot of XP

[Guest yeti]

Hi all, first post here on the boards. I must say that this is a great support tool to have for DFI. So I must say thanks to Angry_Games and the DFI-Street crew.

 

Anyway on to my problem.

 

First off check my sig for my current setup.

Now my software setup isn't of the norm. I run a dual boot of ME & XP pro. My ME was installed first on my 120G PATA, (which has 3 partitions: 20-90-10G, with ME on the 20G partition). And my XP is on my raid.

ME boots fine and is rock solid, some driver issues, since DFI doesn't have full driver support for ME. I can accept this, for ME runs great on the generic windows drivers.

But my XP is another story... I will get a BSOD either right before the XP splash screen, or the green staus bars of the XP splash window will make a pass or two and then Blue Screen me. In either case the computer will instantly reboot itself so that I can't read the BSOD message. The BSOD will happen about 70% of the time, the other 30% XP boots fine.

 

I have been in contact with Angry_Games in regards to this problem and so far we have tried the following:

1. Updated the BIOS from 1/25 to 3/10 version.

2. Changed memory from 2x512 Twinx Corsair PC3200 c2pt dual channel to 2x512 paired ocz PC4400 dc Performance Series.

 

With these changes made the BSOD still occurs about 70% of the time in XP and never happens when booting to ME.

 

Anyone have any idea of to what is going on, and how to fix this BSOD problem?

 

I have desided to ask this question to the entire DFI community, since that is where this problem really needs to be resolved, so all can learn from this problem, (if it can be solved).

 

So again BIG thanks to Angry_Games for his help so far, and I gladly welcome any more advice that he throws my way, as well as anyone elses advice.

 

 

With all this said. The only thing that I can think of is possibly my Raidmax psu., with the following specs:

+3.3 = 26A

+5 = 45A

+12 = 18A

-12 = 1.0A

-5 = 0.8A

+5vsb = 2.5V

(and yes I know that it is on the "un-recommended" list)

 

My guess is that the +12 @ 18A is under powering my setup. But that is just a guess.

 

Anybody please help!!!

 

yeti.

[ScYcS]

You can try to eliminate the PSU by temporarily unplugging devices like the 2nd CDRom, the second HDD, case fans etc.

 

This should put some ease on the 12V rail and might make it more stable. If this works, at least you know it's your PSU.

[Guest yeti]

ScYcS,

Thanks for the fast reply, but with my current setup I can't remove any of my HDDs. And the CDROM drives really are only a load on the psu when they are in use. The fans are a different story, I only have 2 fans running off the mobo, (3 if you include the CPU fan. But I'l give it a try.

 

yeti.

[ScYcS]

Every device plugged in takes power. In use or not. I suggest unplugging the unused one for testing.

[J Nice]

Since it's not consistent it's always tough to troubleshoot.

 

The BSODs should be logged to the System Event Log, and there may be something logged to the Application Log also, depending on the service/driver XP is choking on. Look thru the logs for the last day/time it bluescreened and let us know the Event ID(s), Source, Category and Description. Or you can put the events in your clipboard and attach them to this thread.

 

Then we can bounce the events off of Eventid.net, Technet, google, etc and see what is up. Keep us appraised...

[dippyskoodlez]

that IS a 24 pin, correct? with mine in 20, i can do everything but install widnows fine.

[Guest yeti]

Okay guys, I'm back... (had to go to El Torito Sunday Brunch, so I'm sure you all understand where my priorities are).

 

Well back to topic:

 

J Nice

The event log is as follows:

Type: error

Date: 3/20/2005

Source: irevent

Category: Irftp

Event: 8205

 

 

dippy

The psu is a 20+4 connector. that is that the main connector comes out of the psu with a 20 connector + a 4 pin connector that interlocks with the 20 pin to make a 24 pin connector.

 

 

ScYcS, and everyone else

I performed a series of test with the psu, disconnecting power to different components in my rig, the results are as follows:

 

Disconnected both optical drives and both fans

Good boots to XP = 10

BSOD = 0

 

Disconnected 1 optical drive and both fans

Good boots to XP = 10

BSOD = 0

 

Both optical drives CONNECTED and both fans DISCONNECTED

Good boots to XP = 7

BSOD = 3

 

Both optical drives and 1 fan CONNECTED and 1 fan DISCONNECTED

Good boots to XP = 4

BSOD = 6

 

EVERYTHING CONNECTED

Good boots to XP = 4

BSOD = 6

 

End of test

 

I think that it is the psu?...

What is everyones thoughts on these results?

 

Thanks again everyone

 

yeti

[Angry_Games]

honestly i would try a SKyhawk 570w psu, Fortron 500w BlueStorm psu, or OCZ 520w psu.

 

the Skyhawk is the least expensive (just ordered one from newegg @ $69)

 

the BlueStorm Fortron is about $89

 

the OCZ is about $140

 

i would get the Skyhawk and try it. If it works then all is well. If that doesn't solve it, then you have at least a nice psu that you know for sure is up to snuff (or I'll buy it from you if you don't want it...but i would keep it).

 

And if that doesn't solve it, I would post up in the top sticky of this section and let OCZ Andy see if he has any suggestions for your OCZ RAM since he works for OCZ and has all of our boards (and of course all OCZ RAM heh)

[J Nice]

Yeti, are you running XP SP2?

 

Either way, check these two articles out:

 

8205 from eventid.net

 

Microsoft's 8205

 

Although the one from EventID says to turn it on in the BIOS, if you're not using it, disable it if possible.

[ztech1]

To keep the BSOD visible, go to system properties - startup and recovery and uncheck "automaticly restart"

[Guest yeti]

UPDATE

I got my new Skyhawk 570 psu installed today but I still have the same problem.

 

I ran Memtest+ ver. 1.51 (the one in the bios 3/10) and got the folloing error about 18% of the way into it on my OCZ PC4400 DC Performance Series memory.

 

Setting: 200Mhz (DDR401) / CAS: 3-4-4-8 / Dual Channel (128 bits)

Tst = 5

Pass = 0

Failing Address = 0001bf65f58 - 447.3MB

Good = fffbffff

Bad = fffbfffd

Err-Bits = 00000002

Count Chan = 1

 

So is the memory now my problem??? I'm not even overclocking anything yet, all of my equipment is NEW. All I am trying to do is to get a stable stock setup that I have never gotten.

 

 

ztech1

I unchecked the "auto restart", but it still just reboots instantly.

 

 

Anymore input to my problems would be most appreciated.

 

yeti

[ztech1]

Your problem is happening before Windows has loaded far enough to control what happens. Since you have changed memory and am still getting the same error I would rule out the memory in your BSOD problem although the memtest error could cause other problems.

I'm thinking that there's a problem in your XP installation itself. The fact that your ME installation works proves that the hardware has some basic stability. Your problem is somewhat like a problem I had with a system where I installed a different motherboard into an XP system without re-installing the OS. If possible, I would reformat and re-install the OS. Any major hardware problems will usually hang the installation process at some point letting you know you really have a problem.