W2000 rebooting frequently...

[hammer02]

Within the past few months my computer (running W2000 5.00.2195 SP4 has started rebooting on a frequent basis.

I get a blue screen with a message: IRQL_Not_Less_Or_Equal and a reference to the ntoskrnl.exe file.

The rest of the messsage has hexadecimal values.

I am running Nortan 2003 and have done system & disk checks. My system is also up-to-date on all patches (according to the MS updates site)

Any suggestions on where to check for the cause of the problem or how to correct it?

Also, any hints on looking at the memory.dmp file to identify the problem?

Thanks,

 

[wolluf]

The obvious question - did you make any hardware/software changes around the time the problem started?

If you did - then whatever you changed is obvious place to look first.

If you didn't, it may be that you have an item of hardware that's going bad - so you'd need to try to identify which it is (process of elimination - disconnect/replace hardware items).

 

[hammer02]

I have not been able to pin-point the problem based on HW or SW problems. I have added cable internet access, web cam and multi-media reader.

My fear is that it is hardware going bad. Any ideas on the best way to verify that?

Thanks,
MH

 

[wolluf]

First I'd check that all the connections & cabling inside the machine is sound, and that the CPU fan is operating correctly (if your mobo has temperature gauge - which most modern ones do - check cpu temperature is ok). Then I'd check out RAM. If you have > 1 stick, try running the machine on each stick alone (if your reboots are frequent you should quickly ascertain if this is cause of problem). If just one stick, borrow or buy another?

Then I'd try disconnecting (or disabling in bios if onboard) sound/modem/network cards. Also CD/DVD drives.

Then swap out the graphics card. Hopefully at some point machine with stop rebooting - enabling you to identify & replace culprit.

Did anything you added need its own driver loaded too (ie, windows didn't have driver for it)? If so, this could also cause blue screens if bad driver (could try uninstalling driver or looking for an upgraded version on manufacturer's site).

Good luck - it can be very frustrating trying to identify the cause of this sort of problem.

PS. You could also try a repair reinstall of 2k (leaves settings, apps, data intact, just loses windows updates so need to reapply latest SP & visit Windows Updates after) -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292175&Product=win2000

 

[hammer02]

I have checked the CPU amd Mobo temperatures and they do not seem to be a problem at all.

I did notice that the CPU for some reason was clocked at 1000 Mhz but looks as if it should have been 800. I'm sure that could help to cause the problem, right? I've noticed a couple more of the same errors after changing this setting, however.

I've also done scans on the memory and hard-disk with no errors coming up.

My next step is to try a memory swap to see if that is the culprit. I only have one stick so may go get another to see if that will help.

The next step will be to do a windows update.

Fun, fun.
MH