How do I prove Hardware Failure???

[CotswoldCS]

I have a Pentium 4 machine running Windows 2000 that does not boot. It starts loading Windows 2000 and then restarts. When I choose Debugging from F8 menu I get the following STOP error:

STOP 0x0000001E (0xC0000005, 0xED058D31, 0x00000001, 0x0000000C


I am convinced that this is a hardware problem and the machine is covered by warranty. However the company wants me to prove that this is definately a hardware not a software problem.

Are there any diagnostic programs (apart from Memtest-86 [which I have tried] ) that I can use to prove hardware failure???


Thanx in advance

 

[TGCid]

Does the system come preinstall with any software? Usually they provide a CD with backup stuff so you can recover everything as it first came direct from the company. Try doing that and see if you are still having problem.

If you are installing windows 2000 over current OS, try reformatting your hard drive and installing from scratch. If the problem persists, I think its pretty safe to say its a hardware problem.

 

[CotswoldCS]

I don't have access to the original CDs or backup disks etc.

I was really looking for some diagnostic software that might test for faulty components. Any ideas?

 

[Horsep0wer]

try Prime95 from http://www.mersenne.org it will stress your CPU. i had some bad RAM. i tried running Prime95, but it wouldn't stay running for more than 15 mins without stopping. it gave me a hardware error. printscreen the error and send to the manufacturer.

you can install and run 2 instances to stress it even more. install one to default directory, the other to a different directory. set affinty(a program option) to run on one cpu(if a 1 cpu system). allow each instance only 10 MB ram. this splits processing time for each instance...50% cpu time to one, 50% to the other. set 10 mb ram in each programs instance in the options menu. run torture test for at least 6 hours, but if there is a hardware problem with cpu or ram, it will probably find it in a few minutes. watch system temps as the program can crank up the degrees in a system with inferior cooling.


edit. just remembered your OS wont boot. i'm not familiar with win2000. if there is a safe mode, maybe you can try what i suggested from there. have you played with BIOS settings? if so, clear RTC and/or try loading setup defaults.

edit#2. has the system ever worked right? and if you can get to safe mode, take a look at the power supply voltages with MBM or some other monitoring software.

post back here and let me know how u made out.

 

[Blain]

Keep this link handy, it will be a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path.

 

[CotswoldCS]

Thanks for your comments!


Horsep0wer

There is a Safe Mode option for Win 2K but I get the same result - computer restarts during boot.

I have found a number of utilities that can tell you what components are installed on your computer, but very few that will actually tell whether they are working correctly or not!

The system has worked in the past - but not now. Windows 2000 has been reinstalled at least twice, with similar results.

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: CotswoldCS
The system has worked in the past - but not now. Windows 2000 has been reinstalled at least twice, with similar results.

There is your proof, it's not a software problem if the software has been reinstalled on it.

Well that would be my first thing to mention to them anyway


Confused

 

[tennesota]

Did you add/remove or make any hardware changes to the machine just prior to your issues?
Perhaps you could try using the STOP error info as a 'keyword' to search the Microsoft pages for clues.
Microsoft Help and Support

 

[Horsep0wer]

hmm, wont boot even in safe mode? well that excludes device drivers as the culprit. you could try a boot disk and confirm things manually as they begin to load, excluding one thing at a time until you find the problem. also, you could start removing hardware one by one until if finally boots. start with add on cards first, taking it down to a very basic hardware setup if neccessary.

 

[MasterHoss]

Hmm. Is anything overclocked?? If you can't get Windows2k to load, I suspect an unstable OC or a bad processor. It could also be bad memory or a weak/damanged power supply. Did this computer ever work? If so, when did you start having problems? After a storm?

 

[zsouthboy]

Originally posted by: Horsep0wer
hmm, wont boot even in safe mode? well that excludes device drivers as the culprit. you could try a boot disk and confirm things manually as they begin to load, excluding one thing at a time until you find the problem. also, you could start removing hardware one by one until if finally boots. start with add on cards first, taking it down to a very basic hardware setup if neccessary.

I disagree. If remove all the cards and start adding them back one-by-one, you can diagnose a motherboard problem a whole lot quicker. Take off all cards, stick in an old PCI video card that you know works, and try to boot. if it still doesn't work, its not any of the expansion cards....