Stop Code F4 trying to boot into Safe Mode

agentsmith24 · 27 Dec 2013

Today out of nowhere my computer decided it would not boot into Windows. I kept getting various BSOD's until I booted from my Windows CD and set it to boot into safe mode by default via command prompt. Startup repair has not fixed anything, and actually bluescreened itself a couple times (1E and 51). The last few times it has not bluescreened but still isn't repairing anything ("cannot determine root cause"). Now trying to boot into safe mode (with minimal processes) it consistently is crashing with code F4. I have tried running System File Checker and it found errors, but was unable to fix them. I'm unsure what to do at this point

Kaktussoft · 27 Dec 2013

agentsmith24 said:

Today out of nowhere my computer decided it would not boot into Windows. I kept getting various BSOD's until I booted from my Windows CD and set it to boot into safe mode by default via command prompt. Startup repair has not fixed anything, and actually bluescreened itself a couple times (1E and 51). The last few times it has not bluescreened but still isn't repairing anything ("cannot determine root cause"). Now trying to boot into safe mode (with minimal processes) it consistently is crashing with code F4. I have tried running System File Checker and it found errors, but was unable to fix them. I'm unsure what to do at this point

startup repair from dvd blue screened?! Do a memory check and let it run a few hours.

agentsmith24 · 28 Dec 2013

Interesting enough, before all this happened, I have having all sorts of errors (see my other post on this forum). I ran memtest for 10+ passes on all 4 possible configurations of my two memory sticks. (Stick 1 in slot 1, stick 2 in slot 1, etc). Only one test failed, so I put the sticks back in the configuration where they had not failed. No problems for a couple weeks. Now this has happened randomly. Is it related?

Golden · 28 Dec 2013

Re-run MemTest86+ again in case another RAM module/motherboard slot has failed - minimum 8 passes.

agentsmith24 · 29 Dec 2013

Do you think I should return the RAM or motherboard regardless? From what I've heard, any failure on Memtest is bad news. I have never heard of my situation though, where swapping the chip's slots fixes it for a few weeks. A friend has also suggested reinstalling windows and that my SSD or HDD may be bad.

agentsmith24 · 29 Dec 2013

Update: Decided that before running memtest all day, I'd try a clean install of Windows again. I removed the storage HDD (leaving only the SSD) and completely cleared/formatted the SSD. Did a fresh install of Windows, but it fails to boot! Startup repair can't fix the problem. (I tried booting into safe mode and it crashed with error 3B). I guess I have a serious hardware issue. I'll run memtest overnight

agentsmith24 · 30 Dec 2013

Memtest86+ results are in! 3 different errors on 2 tests and 2 different passes. I guess that means I need to try to RMA the ram. I haven't ruled out a failing SSD or anything yet. (Hiren's works fine, so I'm suspecting the SSD may be bad too.) Any other suggestions?

agentsmith24 · 30 Dec 2013

Update: Ran memtest on a different set of RAM sticks (G-skill 2x4gb) I borrowed from my brother's working computer. Memtest has almost 100 errors already, halfway through pass 0! What is going on here?

Computer0304 · 30 Dec 2013

Bet it is a motherboard problem. I think it is the memory controller that is failing. Try using the drive on a different pc to make sure it is not the drive failing.

agentsmith24 · 30 Dec 2013

The boot drive you mean?