Comp problems, might be related to video card

[Yperite]

I've got a custom built comp running Windows XP, and I've been having some ongoing issues with the BSOD. It's not really a problem unless I'm running Adobe Photoshop, or sometimes Windows Media Player. I've updated all the drivers for both my video card (an Nvidia GeForce4 MX 440) and my sound card (Sound Blaster Live! 5.1), to little avail. Recently, I tried uninstalling my graphics driver, and was planning on reinstalling it. However, when I rebooted after uninstalling it, I found my comp would give me the BSOD after only a few seconds. I tried abouve five or six times, before I rebooted in safe mode. That managed to keep it from dying, and I reinstalled the video driver, but the problem was still there.
I uninstalled and reinstalled my sound driver without a problem.

Perhaps of note, when I logged in after uninstalling my Graphics card, a little message popped up asking to install a video controller (VGA Compatible). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[fatboyjim]

Need to know exactly what the BSOD is telling you so we can help more really

Take it it's a STOP error? Just the message in capitals and the file causing it will do..


Jim

[Yperite]

Oh wow, thank you so much! All right. Got some numerical codes, and then some text messages. I have actually gotten different messages at different time, but sadly, I did not write down what I was doing at the time. But here's what I have.

The first time it happened, I got a message that there was an error and the computer had been stopped to prevent damage. Then it said:

"Check to make sure you have adequate disk space. (I'm
using 14 out of 60 gb). If a driver is identified in
the stop message, disable the driver or check with the
manufacturer for updates. Try changing video adapter.
. Check with a local hardware vendor for BIOS
updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as cache or
shadowing. If you need to use safe mode, press f8 at startup.

Technical Information:

***STOP: 0x0000008E (0x80000004, 0xE2E690CB,
0xF3D10FF8, 0x0000000)

Beginning Dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete"

At another point, I got the same message, but with the codes
0x0000008E (0xC00000ID, 0xE333F4D, 0xF86A5788, 0x0000000)

I have also gotten messages stating a problem with Win32k.sys, and the rather cryptic IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Upon rebooting, Microsoft Online Crash Analysis states that there was a problem with a driver, but it's not sure which one. I have updated my sound card and video card drivers, with no change, and I also had that attempt to uninstall and reinstall my graphics driver that was nigh disasterous.

I wholly apologize for dumping all of this crap on you, but if you could help, I will be your best friend forever, and invite you to my birthday party.

If you scream and run away, I will understand completely.

[glc]

A stop 8E error is often faulty ram.

[Yperite]

I was talking to my cousin online, and he recommended I download this thing called MemTest, I think it tests RAM or something, but I have absolutely no idea what to do with it. I get this message that says, "Enter disk image file name," and I have no idea what that means, so I haven't really been able to do anything with that.

[glc]

http://www.memtest.org/

Download - Pre-Compiled package for Floppy (DOS - Win) - 62.2 KB

To install Memtest86:
- Extract the files from the zip archive
- Open the directory where the files were extracted and click on "install.bat".
- The install program will prompt you for the floppy drive and also prompt you to
insert a blank floppy.
- To run Memtest86 leave the floppy in the drive and reboot.

[Yperite]

Allright, thanks! I'll do that then let you know how it went.

[AGordon]

I have the same exact problem that you are having, and i have been trying to deal with it for a few weeks now. i get the IRQL message, the stop 0x00000008e message, DRIVER_IRQL messages, and a bunch of messages regarding win32k.sys and files like that, althought win32k.sys is the most common.
Not only that, but i have gotten the error messages to pop up while in safe mode, and even wierder, they have come up whil ei was reinstalling windows, booting from the cd, and the setup program was copying files to my hard drive so i could run windows setup.
My hardware is different from yours, btu again, a homebuilt machine.

AMD 64 3200+
epox 8kda3+ mobo
1 gb xtreme mem
16x NEC dual layer dvd burner
MSI ATI 9800 Pro 256 mb 128 bit
Leadtek Winfast 200 XP TV card
2 - 160 gb WD SATA hard drives

basically, i ran memtest for 8 hour last night, and had no errors. I have also reformatted the machine twice, and i still get error messages. the temps are cool, at most 55 degrees celsius.

And I'm lost. I feel liek there are related issues. any ideas?

[Hi Ho]

You might also want to check the power supply. A low quality one can cause problems and even cause the RAM to go bad. It happened to me. My PC was randomly rebooting and giving me BSOD's until I replaced the PSU and RAM. What brand and wattage is your power supply?

[fatboyjim]

Ahh... IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Times I've had that appear:

Unstable graphics drivers
CPU Overheating

You said you'd updated the graphics drivers already, good call. Have you tried falling back to the windows default drivers? (if they exist for your card that is) and see if the problem disappears

As for CPU Overheating, if your mobo has a heat sensor under the CPU you can usually pick up the temp from the BIOS or using MBM (http://downloads.pcworld.com/pub/new/utilities/system_resources_tune_up_/MBM__5360.exe)

Jim

[Yperite]

If memory seves me (and it ususally doesn't) I think my temp is around 140 or something. I freaked out when I saw that, but someone said that wasn't a temp to be worried about.

As I said before, I uninstalled my graphics driver at one point (twice, actully), and then my comp really went to hell. It would BSOD after some 15 seconds. Had to go into safe mode, and even then it would crash. And then, I don't know why, it stayed open long enough for me to reinstall my Nvidia driver. Maybe I should try again and try to reistall the default? I dunno. I just panick because it just keeps crashing until I reinstall the driver, then it seems to stabalize (stabalize, in this case, meaning it goes back to how it was before). I'm still running the MemTest thing, its been going for 18 hours, with no errors. Will it stop itself, or should I have stopped it some time ago?

Don't know the wattage supply or brand off the top of my head. Would I just open the case up and look for that? Sorry, I can navigate around a computer well enough, but I don't know my way around the technical stuff.

[fatboyjim]

If you give that motherboard monitor a try, it can tell you the voltages being supplied by the PSU and if they are well off what they're supposed to be

140... erm I take it you mean fahrenheit! If you are that's really nothing to worry about. 140 celsuis and you'd be able to smell burning ;-)

Jim

[Hi Ho]

Don't know the wattage supply or brand off the top of my head. Would I just open the case up and look for that?
Yep, just open the case and look at the sticker on the PSU. It should say on there. If it's a poor quality one I'd replace it no matter what because it could cause major problems down the road if not already.

[Yperite]

All right, it looks like it's a 300 watt supply, by Antec Performance. Heh, didn't write anythng else down, or check any of the wires. Might abeen good, but I'll wait to hear from you before I worry about it.

MemTest has been going for 25 hours. Is that normal? I'm not sure how much RAM its gotta check. I don't mean to sound impatient, I think if I just had a good idea of how long it would take, it'd be cool. Its the not knowing that bugs me. Oh well. As long as it helps.

[Hi Ho]

Antec PSU's are excellent. There should be no problem there. MemTest will literally go forever if you don't stop it. :D It does "passes" until you tell it to stop. 5 passes is good enough. If it shows no errors after 25 hours it should definetly be OK. If you have errors then you have a RAM problem.

[Yperite]

Hah! Good to know. All right, I'll stop it when I get back to my dorm room. Thanks!

Good to know that's not it, but kinda bummed, because that probably means its something wierder.

Actually, if I were to guess, I would say FatBoyJim probably hit the nail on the head when he suggested an unstable graphics driver. I say this because I often experience these crashes when I use Photoshop. They arent limited to Photoshop, but I thik that's where I first noticed them. Though I still find it odd that my comp would have such problems after I uninstall the driver.

[Hi Ho]

Before you quite MemTest be sure to check if it shows any errors. It says somewhere on the screen. What version of video card drivers are you using? Be sure you have the newest ones. You can get them HERE (http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_71.84.html).

[Yperite]

Nope. No errors. Woo!

[Yperite]

Wow. Ouch.

I ended the MemTest, rebooted, with no trouble. Messed around online for a bit, then went to shut it down for the night. Got slapped with some new coding on the BSOD.

Driver IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (okay, so that part isn't new)

STOP: 0x000000D1 (0xF78368E1, 0x000000FF, 0x00000000, 0xF78368E1)

***portcls.sys- address F78368E1 base at F781F000, Datestamp 3b7de1af


I have no idea...

[Hi Ho]

I found THIS (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=317326) on Google. I also found THIS (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325154) regarding your first error. Do you have ServicePack 2 installed?

[Yperite]

Sorry for the delayed response. Yeah, I have neither SP1 nor SP2. I know Microsoft Online Crash Analysis has mentioned them, but not in relation to my actual problems. I understand it would probably help to have, but is it essential?

[Hi Ho]

It is a good idea to install SP2. It may solve your problem and it also has a lot of security enhancments.

[fatboyjim]

Cant hurt just to jump on Windows Update one evening when you're done with the computer for the night, and install all the critical updates

When you get up in the morning, just hit restart and you're good to go

Jim

[Yperite]

I didn't know that angry face was on top of my last post. Didn't mean to put it there...

My computer is offline for the time being. I have an ethernet connection here at school, and I was using a LinkSys USB Network adapter. However, the jack on the bac of it has been loose for a while, and it finally broke off the other day. Kinda hard to explain..its like a little hatch you flip open, and the cable plugs into the back. the lid helps hold the cable in place, but it broke off. I could try using tape or something to hold it in, or I could just wait for my next paycheck and pick up a new one. When I do get it up again, I'll try getting the Service Packs. Thanks guys, I really appreciate all your help. And happy Easter!