Windows XP -> Hardware Crash 6

[noob24]

I was thinking of putting this in the software forum, but i'm pretty sure it's a hardware related issue and here's why:

I'm trying to install Windows XP on a new computer (when I install Win XP, I always install it on a fresh hard drive [formatted, partitionned and NTFS]. I've tested the CD on several computers/laptops and it has always worked fine for me. However, on this new P4 2.4 Ghz computer (or supposingly new because it was a model in display - a demo model), it brings me the following blue screen error halfway during setup:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: ntfs.sys

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer.  IF this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software.  Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.  If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select advanced Startup options, and then select Safe mode.

Technical information

*** STOP: 0x00000050 ( 0xCDCDCDD5, 0x00000000, 0xFC0F63D7, 0x0000000)

*** ntfs.sys - Address FC0F63D7 base at FC0D4000, DateStamp 3d6de5c1

Now I try reformatting several times (either with the Windows Recovery Console (DOS Prompt) or using the formatting NTFS option in the setup, I also tried running CHKDSK (with /p /r), I also tried changing options in the BIOS. The error is generated when Windows is copying the files from the CD-ROM to the hard drive. I always get the same errors or slightly different versions of the error... sometimes the error is caused by a different file or by no file at all.

I've decided to set the BIOS to failed-safe configuration and Windows XP installed smoothly. However, after Windows XP is installed completely, I get frequent errors and the computer automatically reboots frequently when I try to do simple things such as disconnecting from the internet, clicking on Control Panel, changing the display resolution, etc.

Now, my hunch is telling me that the error is in the hardware because i've used the same CD on other computers and it has worked fine. Do you guys think it is an error in the:
• Motherboard
• RAM Memory
• CPU Processor
• Hard drive?

My personal opinion is that it's the hard drive.. i am going to try tomorrow to install with a different hard drive, but let me know if that's a waste of time. I'm thinking that the computer is writing to a damaged hard drive (even if it's a supposingly *new* hard drive) [writing on bad sectors of the hard drive] but then again, I can be completely wrong.

Here are the specs of my computer:

Motherboard: PM800-M2 VIA PM800 P4FSB800
Processor: Intel P4 2.40A Ghz Sys Bus: 533 Mhz 1 MB L2 Cache

128 MB RAM
40G Hard drive
LG CD-ROM 52x
Network card 10/100 Ethernet
Floppy 1.44
Video Card (64 MB shared memory)
Integrated Sound Card (18 bit)
6 USB Ports (2 frontal - 4 in the back)

Now, you guys will probably tell that I have not enough RAM. So what I did is that i've put a S3 Virge Video card in a PCI expansion slot and set the Video card shared memory to 0. So, I basically get the whole 128 MB of RAM. However, I get the same errors wether or not i install the video card.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[biglebowski]

64 MB is enough to run XP although it will be slow so that is not an issue. Try running the diag cd that you should have got with the hard disk, usually by booting with it in the machine. Or download it to floppy/CD.

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

[paparazi]

noob24
Obviously this sort of message can be caused several things but the most common is bad memory.
Even with a seperate graphics card, 128mb on windows XP is simply not enough, 256mb is considered border line, 384 plus advisable.
When you set your bios to fail safe you are basically setting memory timings to a less stressful level, hence the reason why it installs the OS but once into windows and being stressed, it falls over.
Obviously with so little memory your system imediately starts to page file (write to the hard drive) because it is running out of memory almost straight away.
Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[TekTippy4U]

get more RAM first

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[Nelviticus]

As biglebowski said, although the memory is low it's enough to run XP (according to Microsoft) so before you go spending money download and run MemTest86, which you can find here:

http://www.memtest86.com

The installer will create a bootable floppy. Start the problem machine up with this and leave it running for a few hours or until it shows some errors.

If you get no errors at least you've ruled out memory problems.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[bcastner]

. Make sure caching is disabled

See the notes here:

http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=171003

 

[paparazi]

Nelviticus
With respect to you (and to Microsoft, who's only aim is to set XP's minimum requirements so low as to include as many prospective customers as possible)
The fact is whatever happens, noob24 will need more memory.

Run memtest by all means but you still need more memory.
Martin



We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[noob24]

Hey all, you guys were right. It was the RAM that was defective. I replaced the 128 Samsung RAM with a 256 MB Kingston Ram and Poof! All the crashes dissapeared.

I believe the RAM was damaged although I did not try both RAM together and decided not to bother seeing that the 128 MB Ram memory gave me a lot of trouble.

Thanks to all of you for the help You all deserve a star ^_^

 

[scruffers]

i have had this error many times over when repairing pc's and it has always related to bad memory, i would suggest changing the memory completely and you must be mad trying to run xp on 64mb, i would use at least 256mb but preferably 512mb, hope this helps