Windows Vista Ultimate (x86) Blue screen on boot (even with win cd)

[MonsterAar]

This afternoon, mid-way through installing the latest windows updates, my computer threw a BSOD at me. Thinking it was a one off thing I restarted a few times. It BSODs consistantly. I then decided enough was enough and tried to boot from my Windows CD to do a roll-back. Sure enough, it BSODs too. Then I pulled out my alienware Alien-respawn recovery disc and, sure enough, it BSODs.

I was then thinking it must be a hardware problem, but shoved a linux live cd in (system rescue cd) and it boots fine and is still running fine an hour later. I am thinking I'll have to use the live cd to archive my files to an external hard drive and then reformat, but I don't want to do this because I find it hard to believe that a problem on my hdd is stopping my windows recovery discs from booting.

Any insight?

Thanks,
Luke

 

[MonsterAar]

One thing I forgot, my BSOD message was:

STOP: 0x0000C1F5 (0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

 

[MonsterAar]

Did a memtest.

With all 4gig in, computer crashed at 4%.
With first stick in only, it got to 50% before crashing.
With second, it crashed also, around 30-40%.

I'm so confused.

 

[PRPhx]

Aparetly this is an unknown MS error. From reading posts on various forums (froma google search), it's not a rare occurance. People have suggested all kinds of things. From resetting memory sticks, to unplugging, re-plugging SATA drive cables, etc.

One site seems to think the problem is with a file called $TxfLog. And it's supposedly invisible to Vista (and was corrupted in SP1). To fix it, they suggest using a bootable Linux cd with NTFS support. Move the file off the drive and retart.

 

[BadBigBen]

What MEMTEST have you tried to use? the build in one from MS or a bootable CD version like MEMTEST86+?

it is a Windows file corruption, which has been acknowledged by MS and there is a HOTFIX available:

Stop error message when you start a Windows Vista-based computer: "0x0000C1F5"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946084

Here is the LINK that PRPhx referred to...

Workaround for STOP 0x0000C1F5 / 0xC1F5 / C1F5 / BSOD / CLFS.SYS / KB946084

http://www.delmartian.com/nullpoint...0C1F5-0xC1F5-C1F5-BSOD-CLFS.SYS-KB946084.html

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[firewolfrl]

hmmm!
first do this
disconnect completely the hard drive
then unplug any extra pci cards
unplug all the usb except keyboard/mouse
run one stick of ram
go in the BIOS and check the CPU temps
heat can be a big factor
look at the CPU fan to make sure its is spinning
load the vista DVD and see if it boots (may not go far as no hard drive)
try a different DVD drive

try another hard drive if the first works. to test the system


I bet its a motherboard or CPU failure


basically you need to rule out all the peripherals to see if they are causing the failure...I don't think its your windows


memtest will not see that type of failure

 

[MonsterAar]

I wish I could do all the drive swapping but it's a laptop and I don't have other laptops with similar configurations lying around.

The memtest was memtest86+

I don't think it's a cpu or MB failure because the systemrecoveryCD (linux live cd) will sit there fine for hours, but then again, I don't think it's my Windows installation because my windows dvd won't even boot. Would a corrupt file on my computer cause the restore disk to crash?

 

[MonsterAar]

sorry I didn't quite read close enough. That corrupt file CAN cause the dvd to crash. I'll give that fix a go.

But the memtest result?

 

[firewolfrl]

does the laptop have the Nvidia chipset for video?
there is a recall with some manufactures with certain chips that is related to heat
and for now I am going to say this is hardware failure and stick to my answer

 

[MonsterAar]

I did the fix that BigBadBen suggested, and that worked for two boots, but now my computer's bricked completely. Now, when I turn it on, the keyboard backlights turn on, fans turn on, cd drive spins up for about 25 seconds, then the cd drive stops spinning, fan stops spinning, but the lights are still on. All the while, nothing at all comes up on screen.

Deffinately a hardware issue. It's running an 8800MGTX (so yes,nVidia gfx chipset). I'm just suspicious that as soon as I fixed the botting problem, this happens. My luck can't be this bad. I'm guessing the problem's not going to be as easy as replacing the ram... I was hoping that was the problem.

 

[BadBigBen]

Is the Laptop still under warranty? if so, get it replaced...

you could also try to take out the battery, and see if the laptop responds with just the power brick attached...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[firewolfrl]

dell and hp extended the warranty for computers with the overheating chipsets