Computer crashes

[DuBsTaR]

Hi all!

Right, where do In start, since yesterday, the computer has been crashing, sometimes whilst browsing using Firefox, or when I'm about to play a music video on the computer, or sometimes when I'm downloading....Not sure why and what is causing it, but I'm hoping someone can lend me some good advice on this.

I noticed this on the error reports it gave

C:\DOCUME~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\WERe2d9.dir00\M ini013108-01.dmp
C:\DOCUME~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\WERe2d9.dir00\s ysdata.xml

Also please can someone read and explain what the error reports are.

[redwudz]

From what I found, the error shown is from the error reporting part of Windows, and may not relate directly to the problem.
I see this from: http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/s1509/38s09/...rticleid=21091
It also may relate to video drivers.

Problem: Another reader complains about a system that reboots unexpectedly at random times and then presents an error message when WinXP starts again.

Error Message: "The system has recovered from a serious error. C:\Windows\Minidump020404-01.dmp C:\Docume~1\Darle~1\Locals~1\Temp\Wer5E.tmp.diroo\ sysdata.xml"

Solution: This error message reveals a problem with a memory dump (an inventory of the contents of computer memory; sometimes referred to as a minidump). It seems the OS created a memory dump file but forgot about it, so it's attempting to create the file again. The resulting conflict leads to a serious error and the sudden system meltdown.

The minidump error is sometimes associated with an outdated video driver (a program that facilitates communication between a hardware component and the rest of the system), so one potential solution is to download a driver update for the video card. The reader can get one by visiting the Support or Downloads area of the card manufacturer's Web site. An updated driver may take care of the problem, but regardless of whether it does, we also recommend downloading the WinXP patch that Microsoft released to combat memory dump problems. The reader can get the update by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=3D41A046-0E2C-...0-F30014ADC3BB and clicking Download in the upper-right section of the page. Next, he should access the Windows Update site and install WinXP SP1a from the list of critical updates.

Just for good measure, the reader should take a moment to purge his system of the minidump and Sysdata.xml files by deleting them from the C:/DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS and C:/WINDOWS folders, respectively. He can restart the computer when the files are gone.

Now this all is just a guess. I see those sort of error reports referring to about anything and everything possible. I would also try substituting your RAM memory or running Memtest86 for an hour or two. http://www.memtest86.com/ Bad RAM can cause all sorts of odd problems.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Redwuz is spot on. The files are part of WER (Windows Error Reporting) and are, in effect, a post-mortum of the crash. The sysdata.xml contains details about your system (like System Information). The .dmp file contains information that can be loaded into a Windows debugger that will tell you exactly what program/module caused the problem.

[DuBsTaR]

Hi, thanks very much for your responses. How would I go abouts in reading what the .dmp files ?
I've noticed that Mozilla Firefox just shuts down, 'Firefox has encountered a problem and needs to close'
This is what it gives me


C:\DOCUME~1\HP_ADM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\e71f_appcompat. txt

[JohnnyMalaria]

PM me and I'll give you an address to send the dmp file to so I can have a look for you.

[halsboss]

Well done Johnny, you're a good guy (this is a serious post).

[DuBsTaR]

Blah! seems I have bad ram, but which is the question. I've posted a log if anyone can help me please.



test%20event%20logs%20-%20system%20memory.txt

[aedipuss]

if you have more than one stick remove all but one and test, then try another until you find the bad one.

most ram is usually paired these days for ddr, so you might want to replace in pairs.

[DuBsTaR]

Ok thank you very much.

[JohnnyMalaria]

OK, I've managed to dig into the .dmp file that you sent me and the problem was caused by Windows' USB port driver (USBPORT.SYS).

If your crashes are always caused by this, try unplugging any USB devices to see if the problem goes away. Because the driver is crashing it doesn't mean it is necessarily its fault. It could be a driver for a USB device that uses the USB port driver - i.e., a buggy driver from the device manufacturer. Because the minidumps are small (100K or so), they don't contain all the detail that a full dump does (MBs) so you can't tell what was using the driver when it crashed.

If the crashes seem to be caused by many things with no obvious pattern, it would point to bad memory.

[DuBsTaR]

[quote="JohnnyMalaria"]OK, I've managed to dig into the .dmp file that you sent me and the problem was caused by Windows' USB port driver (USBPORT.SYS).

If your crashes are always caused by this, try unplugging any USB devices to see if the problem goes away. Because the driver is crashing it doesn't mean it is necessarily its fault. It could be a driver for a USB device that uses the USB port driver - i.e., a buggy driver from the device manufacturer. Because the minidumps are small (100K or so), they don't contain all the detail that a full dump does (MBs) so you can't tell what was using the driver when it crashed.

If the crashes seem to be caused by many things with no obvious pattern, it would point to bad memory.[/quote

Thanks for your reply Johnny.

I haven't encountered any crashes now since I left my pc overnight.

The only USB port that I'm using is for internet connection, or to charge my iPod up which is very rarely these days.

Do you know if it's a specific port ? How can I rectify the problem ?

[JohnnyMalaria]

The only USB port that I'm using is for internet connection, or to charge my iPod up which is very rarely these days.

Do you know if it's a specific port ? How can I rectify the problem ?

It can be any of them. The "port" refered to in the driver name is the part of the OS that all USB communication goes through and has nothing to do with the physical port your hardware plugs into. The software for each USB device that you have sends/receives all the information via the USBPORT.SYS driver.

[DuBsTaR]

The only USB port that I'm using is for internet connection, or to charge my iPod up which is very rarely these days.

Do you know if it's a specific port ? How can I rectify the problem ?

It can be any of them. The "port" refered to in the driver name is the part of the OS that all USB communication goes through and has nothing to do with the physical port your hardware plugs into. The software for each USB device that you have sends/receives all the information via the USBPORT.SYS driver.

Thank you. As I mentioned, the only USB Port that is used is for the cable connected to my Broadband box. I will give it a dust etc, as the pc is located on the floor and does get quite dusty, so I will keep in mind next time when / if the problem occurs.

Thanks so much for taking the time in doing this, much appreciated.

[Bjs]

Out of curiosity, confirm broadband device used.

Most, if not all broadband modems have ethernet connection.

Make sure you have not got both, usb and ethenet cables from device connected to pc.

Use ethernet cable, not usb, for stability

This would atleast negate the broadband modem from the "usb" problem

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As for the ipod , remember to always disconnect the device correctly from the pc.

Use the task tray icon to remove device and wait for "ok", prior to physically disconnecting it from pc.

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Finally, check with system board manufacturer for updated drivers, install, reboot.

[DuBsTaR]

I am using a USB connection to connect to the BT Home hub, I noticed when using the Ethernet Cable that the speed was slower.