Any idea what this is?

[pacmania_2001]

I was on my computer a few days ago (explains the short absence from this site) when a blue DOS like screen popped up for about 10 seconds with an error message.

Whilst I didn't catch it all I did manage to see it said something in relation to an IRQ conflict and also that it was "Dumping physical memory to hard disk". After it has reached 100% of the dumping the computer restarted and then wouldn't boot past the first boot up screen (ASUS M/B screen with some graphics) and the internal computer speaker was making like a a door bell sound (not a beep).

I couldn't figure it out and the computer was still under warranty so I took it to the store for them to fix it but my question is, what could have caused this, and is it hardware related? I'm hoping its the hardware because the warranty covers hardware errors and build errors but not software errors. Also I'm just curious as to what caused it as I didn't install any new programs and have a secure computer. I thought it might be something in relation to the violent storms we've had lately (i.e a surge) although we normally turn the PC off.

Cheers (and sorry for the long post )

[Abbadon]

Hello

I have a couple of theories:

The blue screen and the dumping message sounds like the infamous Fujitsu hard disk manufacture bug that causes the hard disk to stop working, so you might check if you have a Fujitsu or another brand with the same bug.

Now, you mention an IRQ conflict and storms. I have seen computers with malfunctions due to modems and TV cards burned by electrical storms. I think its a hardware problem.


P.S.
You could try removing the pci cards one after the other and see if the computer works fine.

[pacmania_2001]

Thanks for the info.

I'm about 95% sure the hard drive is a Western Digital (other 5% is saying Maxtor) so whether they were also affected by the bug I don't know.

I don't think it would be a modem related problem though because I am using the same modem on my second computer to type this message. You could be right about the TV card though.

Hopefully you are correct about it being a hardware problem and the computer will be covered by warranty.

I'm still at odds to explain it because like I said, it just came out of the blue (no pun intended), no signs of it happening before hand and all the other computer hardware I had in the same room (and same power outlet) seems fine.

Keep the theories coming though guys.

[Ziffelpig]

You mention that your sound card is chiming, if this is the case and it is a set pattern,say four short and one long repeating and not random it is a diagnostic message.
It probably means that your problem is caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard.

[SLK001]

You may be having an IRQ storm. Remove all unnecessary cards (physically) from the machine and see if it restarts. If it does, then add the most important card (most finicky) next, then let it install. Repeat until all cards are back in. Sometimes, you may need to reassign what IRQs go to which card.

[pacmania_2001]

Thanks again guys.

Luckily I've got the store techs looking at it so I don't have to deal with all these possible causes. Just trying to see what it could possibly be in case the store tries to blame it on a software problem.

You mention that your sound card is chiming, if this is the case and it is a set pattern,say four short and one long repeating and not random it is a diagnostic message.
It probably means that your problem is caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard

At first I thought it was the sound card making the noise but I think it was actually the internal speaker making the noise so whether that changes it or not I don't know (hardware isn't my strong point).

Hopefully they'll have it back to me by Monday. I can't stand being back on a Celeron 400 computer running WinME.

[Ziffelpig]

My mistake it would be the internal speaker not the sound card.

[pacmania_2001]

Thought I would post back with an update. The tech support from the computer store rang back and apparently the hard drive failed mechanically.

The good news is that instead of sending it back to the factory and getting an exchange they are just going to replace it with one from their stock so instead of two to three weeks wait it should only be one or two days.

I have a question though, in cases like this were mechanical failure causes the hard drive to malfunction, what happens to the HDD itself? Is it sent back to the manufacturer and then destroyed/recycled? How hard is it for the data to be recovered from it? Just wondering because I have some sensitive stuff on my hard drive that I don't want others to access.

[Ripper2860]

Depending on the extent of the damage the drive is either re-furbished or destroyed. Typically when a HDD is sent back as devective to a system builder/mfg -- the mfg will do a preliminary test to determine drive functionality. This test is performed on special diagnostic equipment and not a PC. If the drive checks out OK it is wiped clean of all data and re-conditioned for packaging as a warranty replacement. If the drive is such that it is defective, but can be written to, the data is wiped and the drive is sent ack to the drive mfg for repair.

Some mfg's have the equivalent of a de-gausser to wipe the platters clean even if the drive is non-functional.

** WARNING ** A typical high powered de-gausser, however, will not work, as the magnetic force can rip the heads off the arms. -- I know as I have tried a large tape eraser on a dead drive just to see what happens.