Help! Computer crashing every 15mins

[DuBsTaR]

I'm at my wits end, my computer has been crashing every 15mins, not sure what the cause is. I've tried to find the log on the crash, but have no idea where it could be. I managed to snap shot the error report. I hope someone can help me with this problem.

[JohnnyMalaria]

You need to grab the error again but get the extended information that will show more detail including the offending program.

The "To view technical information about the error report, click here" should do it.

If you like, you can post the Mini091707-01.dmp file to an internet file sharing service and I can look at it in a debugger - it will show exactly what program caused the problem. The folder the file is in is hidden so you need to make sure you can see hidden folders in My Computer/Windows Explorer.

[DuBsTaR]

You need to grab the error again but get the extended information that will show more detail including the offending program.

The "To view technical information about the error report, click here" should do it.

If you like, you can post the Mini091707-01.dmp file to an internet file sharing service and I can look at it in a debugger - it will show exactly what program caused the problem. The folder the file is in is hidden so you need to make sure you can see hidden folders in My Computer/Windows Explorer.

JohnnyMalaria, Thank you!

[redwudz]

Among the other items I would check is CPU temperature. If your location is dusty, the heat sink for the CPU may be plugged with dust or your CPU fan may have died. You can check the temps most times by going into BIOS at startup and see if it has a hardware monitoring page.

Or pull off the computer's side cover, look for dust in the heat sinks. Or direct a desk fan in there and see if it runs longer before crashing. And check all your fans for operation while in there.

If none of this works, you can also try starting the computer in 'Safe Mode' as that doesn't load most drivers. That may tell you if it's a driver issue.

[DuBsTaR]

Ok, I have attached this. The computer is in a dust free room.






Also, where am I able to find out what causing this crash, I have found the Mini091707-01.dmp.

[JohnnyMalaria]

To help differentiate a hardware problem from a specific software problem, make a note of whether it is always the same error from the same program. If it seems to be different each time, the redwudz' suggestions are probably more likely to be near truth.

[JohnnyMalaria]

The error you are getting is described here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315335

Basically, it's a RAM problem. Try removing and reinserting the memory modules. If that doesn't help, you probably have a faulty module. If you have DDR2 and only two modules installed, you can't determine which one might be faulty since DDR2 requires pairs. If you have 4 modules, try just two at a time - trying all combinations. e.g., if the four are ABCD, try:

AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD

Based on which pair still causes the problem, you can out which module is faulty.

Your temperatures don't seem abnormal. The image is a bit hard to read but given the degC and degF, I'm assuming:

CPU = 97F
GPU = 135F
HD0 = 97F

[DuBsTaR]

Thanks John, one question, is the memory modules inside the computer ? if so, then I may have to get someone to do it for me, I don't wanna be fiddling around with the insides.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Yes the are.

If you are uncomfortable doing that, find a friend who is familiar with doing it. Otherwise you will have to pay for a 'professional' PC repairer to do it and that will cost you. In such case, it could end up being cheaper to have the same repairer just replace all the memory modules.

But the friend is the best option. They will likely have the patience and desire to figure it all out in your best interest.

[gll99]

Ram often comes with a lifetime warranty but they may charge for the labour if you bring it in. If your computer is fairly new the whole thing may be covered.

[DuBsTaR]

Yes, I've only had the computer for less than 6 months

[Nelson37]

Replacing the RAM is a piece of cake, in fact hard to screw up unless you really try. Just flip up the white clips, note where the slot is on the original chip, slide the new one down the guides next to the white clips, lever the clips down, done. I'm sure there is video on the Net on this somewhere.

Note that a poorly mounted board may allow for enough flex to acutally crack the motherboard, so you have to be a bit careful. We "professionals" make a lot of money from the errors of well-meaning friends. Remember, it is not your friends board and he or she doesn't care if this gets done and would rather be home watching TV, you are interupting his or her day and possibly annoying them. You, on the other hand, paid for the box and are truly concerned for its welfare.

6 months old PC with bad RAM is a Red Flag, should be under warranty for free replacement, this indicates Very Poor quality control.

[JohnnyMalaria]

I meant "professional" as opposed to professional. i.e., I'd definitely trust a small independent that makes a living from doing this. I'd be wary of taking the PC to a large franchise that likes to drive around in funky looking cars - if you know what I mean.

Although swapping RAM is a piece of cake to someone experienced, for someone uncomfortable with the idea, they still have to open the case, remove any power connectors that might be in the way, possibly any expansion cards etc. Then reverse it all.

But if it is under warranty, it's a moot point. By law, it should have a minimum 12 months in the UK. In addition, if the PC is deemed faulty from the start, then the Sale of Goods Act requires that the vendor replace the unit or refund it since it isn't of merchantable quality. Beats the default 90 day nonsense here(!)

[DuBsTaR]

Thanks for your responses guys. I am gonna take the computer in for repairs, it seems it's still under warranty, hopefully they'll sort the problem out.

[RabidDog]

Oyyyyooouyoooi. DDr2 doesnt have to be used in pairs . My pc has a single stick of ram. It works slightly quicker in pairs (Dual channel mode) but works perfectly fine in Single stick config. Also another thing to try is to boot off a linux live CD/DVD and just leave the system running. If it still crashes it is a hardware problem, probably down to heat. And fill out your computer details as you may have a known problematic combination.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Oyyyyooouyoooi. DDr2 doesnt have to be used in pairs

You're right. I meant to say that DDR2 is often in pairs (for performance reasons).

[DuBsTaR]

Here's an update.

I took the PC to the store where I purchased it from, I call before i took it mind, but they forgot to tell me to get a ref number from 'HP Support' before they could fix it, so I had to bring it back home with me.

Anyway, I plugged the PC back up, and thought I'd give it another go, did another system recovery, and turns out everything is working fine at the moment, it hasn't crashed at all, strangely, left it online through the night, and was still connected. So could it still be a RAM problem ?

I did a RAM test using 'Memtest' and it showed no errors.

[zoobie]

Believe it or not, sometimes it's as simple as unplugging the computer from the outlet for a few minutes...

[DuBsTaR]

Believe it or not, sometimes it's as simple as unplugging the computer from the outlet for a few minutes...

I know. But, I'm just curious to why the error reports suggested I had faulty RAM modules.

It has to be said though, I do have a habit of shutting down processes in Task manager, is this a good thing to do ? Obviously programmes that aren't needed to run.

[ntscuser]

Replacing the RAM is a piece of cake, in fact hard to screw up unless you really try.

I managed it! Broke the retaining clip off one side of one of the memory slots and there were only two slots on the whole PC

[Nelson37]

Ah, there's one in every crowd. You can use anything non-conductive to hold the chip in place if necessary.

The "disappearing problem" is not at all unusual, IMO the physical vibration involved in transport may loosen some dust or change a connection slightly. Simply re-seating the RAM often solves issues.

However, you have a PC wherein some fairly expensive parts have shown an indicated error, and you can get these parts replaced for free. Call manufacturer with the BCC code and error msg, I haven't actually looked this up but if it is a memory error, it should be replaced. They should be able to have the chips on-site and exchanged in a few minutes.

It may never happen again. BUT, if it does, would you rather have it happen when it's out of warranty and on your dime? This to me is a no-brainer. You paid for that warranty, use it. Anytime you have a warrantied part that is questionable, replace it. You can get it for Free now, or You can Pay later.

You basically had a non-funtional PC crashing every 15 minutes, you picked it up and shook it, and now it seem to work OK. Is that good enough for you?

[nTekka]

Well, you could try to get professional help, but then you wouldn't have asked us in first the place.
Usually, I would check software before hardware, ie. Driver change, especially graphics, software change, and spyware/virus. After all that, then you can check hardware... these are a lot easier to single out and more noticable.

My tip: download memtest86... run it for a bit and you will know immediately if it is ram issue especially if you say your PC crash every 15 min. Not always 100% but better than having to do some guess work or replacing RAM sticks and powering on/off your pc a few times.

If RAM checks out then look at your Event Viewer, most of the time the info is dumped there, just look for big red X's. (Start > Run > type in eventvwr.msc)

Another thing to do is download SystemInternal FileMon from Microsoft... it will display all the processes going on in your PC, if anything causes a problem you can single it out... Warning: might require some playing around to filter out what you really are looking for because there will be ALOT of processes.

Of course, try HiJackThis.exe for spyware/trojan/viruses? worth a try. Good luck and if you give up then don't take your PC to a "Professional" from BestBuy or those retail stores... they are just salesman not computer professionals. Best bet would be to ask friends if they know any computer geeks between ages 15 to 30+, they'll probably do a better, cheaper and faster job. lol