We survived the BSOD!

[Baz]

Yesterday evening I ducked out to visit a job site and resolve a landscape lighting issue (I had used an undersized wire nut and 2 wires "slipped" out - I brought the larger ones and re-connected - easy fix!).

When I returned home my screen showed an error message - a failure of my system - and even after running a diagnostics program it didn't resolve anything.

Fortunately I had my laptop so accessed the Internet and dug around until I was able to diagnose and resolve the issue - apparently due to a failed RAM memory stick.

I just got done ordering a new set (4x1GB) of them which I will install just to be safe. I had only 2x1GB so this will also result in a doubling of my RAM.

For a while there....I didn't know how this would end up. In no way shape or form do I know that much about computers except the very basics.

My machine is a DELL Vostro 200 w/Vista Home Basic 32 bit OS purchased 4 years ago. It has served me well and I am impressed I was able to resolve my issue and am now back up and running.

Whew!

PS - The BSOD is this in case you didn't know.....

[red-beard]

A Page fault means that you ran out of memory. Paging involves using "Virtual" RAM which means your PC is off loading the memory to disk.

This was a lot more important in the old days when RAM was expensive. These days, you are much better off with too much memory and NEVER having to page to disk. It really hurts performace.

[Baz]

Thanks James.....the 4GB's only ran $64.00 incl. shipping...I agree.....TOO inexpensive NOT to purchase!

[red-beard]

BTW, page fault means you ran out of the "virtual" RAM. You can fix that in your control panel settings.

[island911]

Originally Posted by red-beard

... you ran out of the "virtual" RAM. You can fix that in your control panel settings.

Why don't they just say that? :-/

[spuggy]

"Page fault in non-paged area" means it couldn't find a page of memory - but that the page its looking for is one that shouldn't ever be paged (swapped) out. This can be a number of things (bad driver, something scribbling in memory, corrupt disk), but could also be a hardware problem - like with the RAM, or the memory controller.

Use "MEMTEST86+" - a free utility that will stress-test memory. Run that for as long as you can stand. That should pin-point any memory issues. I run it for a day or so after installing new memory.

You really need it on a bootable CD - a good one that comes with a bunch of other utilities - all free- is the Universal Boot CD, or UBCD. Just D/L the ISO and burn to a CD, boot from it.

[slodave]

Because you are running a 32 bit version of Vista, you'll only see 3.5 gigs of the 4 gigs.

[on2wheels52]

Originally Posted by Baz

.....the 4GB's only ran $64.00 incl. shipping...

I still remember having to order 4 mb (mb, I say) of ram for $100 to get on the internet.
I don't have that particular machine anymore.
Jim

[azasadny]

Upgrade to Windows 7, you'll be glad you did...

[porwolf]

Symantec Anti Virus Update at fault?

Anti-virus update crashing Windows XP PCs - UPI.com

[Baz]

Originally Posted by red-beard

BTW, page fault means you ran out of the "virtual" RAM. You can fix that in your control panel settings.

Thanks - I didn't realize that, James. The old control panel....someone should configure it to resemble the bridge on Star Trek's Enterprise. Hey now there's an idea....

I did spend a little time losing some excess baggage on my drives so when the new memory arrives we should be sailing right along.....

[Baz]

Originally Posted by island911

Why don't they just say that? :-/

Ha ha.....I TOTALLY AGREE, Island! I guess that's "computer speak" for ya!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by spuggy

"Page fault in non-paged area" means it couldn't find a page of memory - but that the page its looking for is one that shouldn't ever be paged (swapped) out. This can be a number of things (bad driver, something scribbling in memory, corrupt disk), but could also be a hardware problem - like with the RAM, or the memory controller.

Use "MEMTEST86+" - a free utility that will stress-test memory. Run that for as long as you can stand. That should pin-point any memory issues. I run it for a day or so after installing new memory.

You really need it on a bootable CD - a good one that comes with a bunch of other utilities - all free- is the Universal Boot CD, or UBCD. Just D/L the ISO and burn to a CD, boot from it.

Thanks for the info Spuggy - I think I got lucky in finding the problem. I'll check out that download and appreciate the reply!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by slodave

Because you are running a 32 bit version of Vista, you'll only see 3.5 gigs of the 4 gigs.

Hi Dave,

Yeah I read that somewhere while I was researching how to resolve my problem. Even so - it'll be better than the 2 GB I have now (well I'm down to 1 GB after removing the faulty stick).

Thank you for your reply and input!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I still remember having to order 4 mb (mb, I say) of ram for $100 to get on the internet.
I don't have that particular machine anymore.
Jim

Yeah Jim.....I think my first PC had it's memory measured in KB's!

The GB is the new MB!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Upgrade to Windows 7, you'll be glad you did...

Hi Art,

I've had this system with Vista for 4 years now without a problem. When I ordered it - Dell had just passed the point where they were no longer using XP in their products. I was bummed. But you know what? I really haven't had any problems - it was just getting used to a new OS that was a bit unusual.

Why is Windows 7 better?

Thanks!

[slodave]

Because Vista was another failure that Microsoft admitted to. It's slow, a resource hog, not deverrloped very well. Much like the other failure, Millenium or ME.

7 fixed Vista's problems.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Symantec Anti Virus Update at fault?

Anti-virus update crashing Windows XP PCs - UPI.com

Porwolf:

Didn't click on the link. My issue thankfully was not caused from a virus, although for a while there - my lack of computer knowledge left me wondering....

One minute everything was fine. Then the BSOD appears!

I'm using AVAST anti-virus protection. It's done a great job for me. Today I switched the default language to "pirate talk"..ha ha. Pretty cool!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by slodave

Because Vista was another failure that Microsoft admitted to. It's slow, a resource hog, not developed very well. Much like the other failure, Millennium or ME.

7 fixed Vista's problems.

Hey thanks for the explanation Dave. I think I'm OK with Vista for now. Maybe by the time I upgrade again Windows 8 will be out!

[slodave]

On my phone, so that was the quick explanation.