BSOD (serious one) on Dell's laptop - PhD thesis in there!!

verticalforce · 02-03-2007, 13:43

I'm asking on behalf of my father since i am more computer literate than him.

Basically, while my mom was using the laptop, a BSOD suddenly appears. Further restart and attempt to get into safe mode also fails.

This is very important considering that the hard drive contains half of my father's data and program that he needs to complete his thesis. It's a 3 years worth of data and my father is in his correcting stage, which means that it is vitally important for him to recover the program and data at all cost. (the other half is on the external hard disk)

Here is some extract from the errors shown:

************************************************** ******
Problem cause by ntfs.sys

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

Tech. info

ntfs.sys. address F823A0FO base at F8212000. Date Stamp 41107eea
************************************************** ******

The Dell is still in warranty but they will probably wiped out the hard-disk memory if we send it for repairs.

Any input will be much appreciated. Thanks.

jem · 02-03-2007, 14:09

Starting in safe mode was the best thing to try first. If it still won't start then that should rule out corrupt drivers etc. It's either going to be a corrupt Windows kernal file or (more likely I think) a faulty memory chip. Flip the laptop over and remove the memory. Then reseat the modules and try again.

If that doesn't work then the only other thing would be a repair install of XP. Depending onn what it need to do it should leave the data and programs intact. It might also be worthwhile seeing if you can get hold of a Linux boot CD with drivers for your external hard drive then assuming that the file system is intact you should be able to copy data onto the external drive just in case.

punky · 02-03-2007, 14:10

Does it have a DVD burner? or is it networked?

You could try downloading a Linux live CD to access the data and burn what you want... Then you can worry about Windows restore and stuff.

verticalforce · 02-03-2007, 14:14

That is what the guys at neowin recommends too...

I'm scared of Linux though, so he probably have to ask his uni's technician.... but he is technicaly not a student anymore... hmmm..that makes for complicated situation...

Will try removing the RAM. He's at work now so I'll have to wait till he gets home.

No DVD burner, but I have my a 250 gb external hard drive, he has the 80 gb external hard drive too, but knowing my father, he never backs up anything...

I'm not even sure he knows how to back up things...

Delta Whiskey · 02-03-2007, 14:22

A Linux Live CD/DVD is an excellent idea, that way nothing on the faulty computer will be overwritten.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://ubuntu.virginmedia.com/releas...sktop-i386.iso

DW

bopdude · 02-03-2007, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by verticalforce

It's a 3 years worth of data

Quote:

Originally Posted by verticalforce

I'm not even sure he knows how to back up things...

Well I hope you get sorted out, if you do, I hope the very next thing you show him is how to back up his files, 3 years worth of stuff and not one back up, sheer madness

Delta Whiskey · 02-03-2007, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Well I hope you get sorted out, if you do, I hope the very next thing you show him is how to back up his files, 3 years worth of stuff and not one back up, sheer madness

Oh dear.

You only do it once. I lost two years worth of important stuff back in the Amiga days, ever since I've backed everything up both to DVD-R and external HD.

DW

Aragorn · 02-03-2007, 14:54

I would recommend SystemRescueCd - it's a light Linux live CD which includes an NTFS driver. You can boot up the CD, mount the NTFS drive and a USB disk and hopefully get the data - assuming the NTFS structure is intact!

Acathla · 02-03-2007, 15:38

Quote:

Stop 0x00000050 or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

The Stop 0x50 message indicates that requested data was not in memory. The system generates an exception error when using a reference to an invalid system memory address. Defective memory (including main memory, L2 RAM cache, video RAM) or incompatible software (including remote control and antivirus software) might cause Stop 0x50 messages.

Possible Resolutions:

* If you added new hardware recently, remove and replace the hardware to determine if it is causing or contributing to the problem. Run diagnostics software supplied by the hardware manufacturer to determine if the component has failed.

* Stop 0x50 messages can also occur after installing faulty drivers or system services. If the file name is listed, you need to disable, remove, or roll back that driver. If not, disable the recently installed service or application to determine if this resolves the error. If this does not resolve the problem, contact the hardware manufacturer for updates. Using updated drivers and software is especially important for network interface cards, video adapters, backup programs, multimedia applications, antivirus scanners, and CD mastering tools. If an updated driver is not available, attempt to use a driver from a similar device in the same family. For example, if printing to a Model 1100C printer causes Stop 0x50 errors, using a printer driver meant for a Model 1100A or Model 1000 might temporarily resolve the problem.

Basically check if any new hardware has been installed and uninstall it or any new drivers have been installled and again uninstall them. You should be ok getting into safe mode with this error as it shouldn't be a serious one.

Also try things like re-seating the RAM incase it has become loose.

Another common casue is graphic drivers.

Tightscot · 02-03-2007, 16:00

ui've always used UBCD - you need to have a copy of winxp and slipstream it in before you make the cd, but it then allows you to boot to windows off the cd, and run LOADS of tools!!!

Linkage

hope this helps?

Gareth · 02-03-2007, 16:08

It's not free but Winternals Emergency Recovery Disk provides a Windows-like environment if you're not familiar with Linux.

verticalforce · 02-03-2007, 17:59

Guys, new problem!

************************************************** *************
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

************************************************** *************

All I did was change the position of RAM and done a complete diagnostic test using Dell onboard software and it reveals NO fault at all with either the RAM or Hard Disk. It even checks every blocks and sectors available on that HDD.

Why? Why must Dell hates me!

bonzoe · 02-03-2007, 18:48

Moved RAM, symptons change, suggests RAm to me. Would try running something like memtest386 to check your RAM. This can be downloaded and creates a bootable FDD.

Acathla · 02-03-2007, 18:59

Don't trust memtest as it often misses corrupt RAM same with the DELL diagnostics.

What Laptop model do you have?
Do you have more than one RAM chip in use? Can you take one out and try the machine with just one chip. Some Dell's have the RAM soldered to the board and some have chip under the keyboard so it may take some poking around but try it with one chip if you can and then try with the other to see if you get different issues.

If you are really stuck and let me know what model laptop you have I can 'lend' you some RAM from our Dell's so you can try it before possibly having to fork out for some new RAM.

verticalforce · 02-03-2007, 19:07

My father uses the Inspirion 6400... i think... the ugly, unsightly grey one..

Weirdly... it only uses 1 RAM slot..dell must be generous to give 1 x 512 mb...

I think i'm gonna pay PCWorld a visit tomorrow... didn't they said in the advert about free diagnostic or something? Or was I just hallucinating?