Multiple Blue screen of death errors with XP Pro

[joburnet]

I am currently running a 1.2Ghz Athlon with a MSI mobo (don't remember which one) and a MSI Geforce2 Pro.

I was having problems with my computer that I thought were due some files on the hard drive being corrupt so I bought a new hard drive and reinstalled the OS. It ran fine for about a day but then It crashed on me while I was playing counter strike and gave me the blue screen with the error irql not less or equal. At this point it wouldn't even boot all the way into windows, it would start and then the blue screen would come up again, but not always with the same error. I tried a fresh install again thinking maybe some of the stuff I downloaded might have messed something up but i got the blue screen again with the error page fault in non paged area. This time I tried to repair the windows install but got nothing. So I tried to reinstall the OS again and this time I got the blue screen while I was trying to install the OS with the error message PFN list corrupt.

I'm pretty sure that it's not software related because I get these errors while to OS is loading. But would it be possible to get these errors if the cd that I'm loading windows with is corrupt? Also, what would be some ways that I can test individual pieces of the computer such as hdd, cpu, ram, and video card.

My next step was going to be to try and update the bios and figure it out from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Viper96720]

Memory problems usually give the IRQ not less or Equal error

 

[EeyoreX]

Memory problems usually give the IRQ not less or Equal error

Correct. And often with different file names, so it seems like random different errors. And the PFN error is also a common error with memory problems. Try to run memtest for a few passes, and/or try with one stick of RAM at a time (if you have more than one). I'm going to bet memory is the source of your problem. Run those tests to be sure, then get new RAM or isolate and remove the bad stick(s).

\Dan

 

[joburnet]

I was expecting that it was memory as well but do you think it's my mainboard RAM or could it be my video card RAM?

 

[Viper96720]

Get memtest and check your mb ram.
memtest86

 

[sandorski]

Try upping the voltage to your memory or lower the speed settings.

 

[Stonewall44]

I feel for you, my friend. I've had two episodes of this exact type problem (different error codes, though). Both times it turned out to be hardware related. I tried every software fix in the book, and all the help that the good folks here, and elsewhere, could conjure.

The first time it turned out to be a bad Crucial memory module. Love that lifetime Crucial warranty.

Try running memtest like EeyoreX suggested. That is how I found the bad mem chip.

Next time, my motherboard failed. Thank God for Newegg's RMA service. Not only did they get me a new mobo in about a week, they upgraded the replacement they sent me.

Try the software fixes first. Become familiar with the Windows Knowledge Base, clear the CMOS, run all the diagnostics you can find, reinstall Windows, etc.. Then start removing things hardware from your computer until you get it down to just the MB, processor (fan and heatsink, of course), etc. I was fortunate that I had enough old parts lying around that I could put in devices that I KNEW were working just fine in another machine. Is this an option for you?

Good Luck !

 

[joburnet]

I don't have a lot of old stuff laying around but I would guess that it's memory. I'm going to test that first and hopefully that will be it. I think i have crucial memory in my machine so I may have to test out that lifetime warranty. I don't know if i have any receipts from 2.5 years ago but hopefully I can work something out, if it is the memory that is.

 

[billyjak]

Check your hard drive cables and make ure their fully seated
Reset bios and relax your memmory timings
Try 1 stick of ram at a time.
Check mobo for bulged out capacitors.
My old MSI K7T2 Pro went out this way. It still won't post.