OK, let's start with these free, bootable diagnostics:
Then, try Startup Repair according to this guide: Startup RepairH/W Diagnostics:
Please start by running these bootable hardware diagnostics:
Memory Diagnostics (read the details at the link)
HD Diagnostic (read the details at the link)
If those pass, post back and we'll try and figure out something else!
So.... Tried to figure out who could solve the problem... Contacted Asus (online chat support is down) but surprisingly nice telephone technicians. I bought these computers from BestBuy 6 months and the other one like 1 month ago.Left the original hard drive untouched ( Wiindows 7 Home 64 bit). Inserted an extra one and set up for Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Boths of them nice, clean Retail 64 bit Windows 7 ultimate. Since I have them both of them this memory dumb, crash issue. See attached .rar file.The Asus tech told me to take the tower to the BestBuy Geek Squad for diagnose and fixing the problem.
Back to the crashed hard drive. It booted again just before I was ready to take it back to BestBuy. I restored the system back to a couple of days early stage. Start scanning with Outpost Internet security. I'll give you the details of it and do the diagnostic as you suggested and will back to you with the details.
How is once I have a normal boot and then C disappears and then it is ok again???? Wierd.
Thanks
Hey usasma,
Sorry for the recent disappearance.
I did as you suggested with the H/W Diagnostics.
I executed the step by step bootable memory diagnostic overnight as it was suggested. Result -> *** Pass complete, no errors, preww ESC to Exit ***
I run the HD diagnostic as well.... but wasn't sure I did it right. I'll get back to you with the photo image about it.
Two days ago my hard drive start giving me these click, click .... brrrrrrrrrr sounds.... again and again. Wanted to do a NORTON Ghost back up and it said I have really bad sectors and unable to make the image back up.
I was prepared with a quick die. Next restart windows seven run a boot sector diagnostic.... and since then ( 2 days = 3-4 restarts) have no cracking sound at all haven't even the memory dump thing appeared just yet.
I'm sure they are not gone.... just waiting for the most inconvenient time to crash the whole thing
Regardless of the results of the hard drive diagnostics - you have reason to suspect that the hard drive is dying.
Backup anything and everything that you can as there's no telling when it'll finally die for good.
Since it's under warranty, get them to fix it. I wonder if there's a motherboard problem instead of just a hard drive problem (because of the Atheros issues).
The failing hard drive is not the one what came with the computer. I added my own and installed the OS.
I don't store anything on the C. Even the system was backed up with norton ghost like a month ago. I've already ordered the new hard drive.
Motherboard? how could we figure that out?
If the hard drive isn't part of the warranty package - then remove it and put the original hard drive in.
Then test to see if you get any further BSOD's.
Upload them here for us to have a look at.
My suspicion about the motherboard was because of the dying hard drive and the possible hardware problem with the network card (2 failures = most likely an issue with the lowest common denominator (the mobo))
I didn't recall that the hard drive wasn't a part of the original package.
been having blue screens and tried everything trying to open the minidumps to find out why, but as yet have not been able to open one???
can anyone help???
I can confirm this issue.
I've been posting on these forums here and there for a while, and came across this thread via a Google search. I also run the CM5571 and I also get random BSOD's with same specs and dumps pointing at the Atheros card. (check my past threads for dumps indicating the same thing)
Thing is, looking around the inside of the machine it doesn't seem to have a separate network card, but instead appears to be onboard. That said, I'm beginning to wonder if this is an issue with the mainboards that run in these machines. I'm replacing my mainboard and CPU next month - going with an ASRock P55 1156 mainboard and a core i5 750. If it is indeed the mainboard, I imagine that would resolve the problem.
About Asus - I've been a fan of their products for a long time. The door on the front of this PC broke in the first month and has random BSOD's. Contacting Asus results in the same "take it to Best Buy" non-sense which is ridiculous considering I'd not let one of the random morons at my local Best But touch anything I own. The fact that I'm going ASRock for a motherboard rather than Asus going forward is a good indication of my current opinion on Asus as a whole.
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