Windows XP blue screen of death?

[k3nt]

Every once in a while when I shut down my (new) computer, I get a...Windows XP blue screen of death? It has happened twice in the last week. Messages on the blue screen include "A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer," and "Beginning dump of system memory."

Any ideas what this could mean? It is a new system I just built (check the specs in my sig). I've read elsewhere that it could be driver issues, or maybe a memory issue. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Thanks, guys.

on that quote, I meant "Beginning dump of PHYSICAL memory"

 

[Splork]

From past exp. I would have to say that you either have a bad board, or you have a bad stick of memory. Although, sometimes a clean install clears things up. Have you tried anything to remedy the problem?

-sp

 

[Sianath]

What's the bugcheck you are getting? (This is the Stop 0x number).

 

[k3nt]

the error is "Machine_Check_Exception"

My guess is a bad board = (

 

[Sianath]

Your guess would be along the correct lines. Definately hardware.

 

[k3nt]

running Memtest86 v.1.15 now, been on for 3 hours or so. Does memtest ever "finish" or does it just run forever until you tell it to stop?

If memtest finds no errors (hasnt yet) then I suppose I will RMA the motherboard.

 

[gsellis]

Check your Eventvwr System log. The error will be listed in it after your restart. If you can get that information, it will help isolate the issue.