0x50 BSOD help

well, i got given a laptop to look at from a friend.

i have been trying to fix the bugger, but am coming up blank.

it is a Dell Inspiron (Model #PP41L) running Vista (i am not even sure if it is 32-bit or 64-bit, or what SP if any is on it).

anyhoo, it BSOD on startup, before the logon screen.
running in any of the safe modes does the same, and it does the same for the 'startup repair' option.

the BSOD error code is PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGED_AREA: 0x00000050 (0xa0736565C, 0x00000000, 0x84bc8510, 0x00000002).

the error code has remained exactly the same (even all the parameters) for a good half dozen reboots.

some reading i did indicated it might be bad RAM, so i ran a few passes with memtest86, and the RAM came up clean.

a link (Error message when you start a Windows Vista-based computer: "STOP: 0x00000050 PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA") suggested there might be a hotfix for this, but without knowing what the laptop is running, i dont know if the hotfix has already been applied, and something else is causing the problem.

as it BS' before login, i cant post the minidumps, sorry people.

any ideas...?

yeah, i'd do that if i could, but as i cant login (BSOD) on startup, before login screen, i cant download or run anything on it, let alone posting dump files.

all i have to work with is the BSOD info.

Nevyn said:

yeah, i'd do that if i could, but as i cant login (BSOD) on startup, before login screen, i cant download or run anything on it, let alone posting dump files.

all i have to work with is the BSOD info.

Click to expand...

Boot into safemode and try the above step

Nevyn said:

yeah, i'd do that if i could, but as i cant login (BSOD) on startup, before login screen, i cant download or run anything on it, let alone posting dump files.

all i have to work with is the BSOD info.

Click to expand...

Without the file we are flying in the dark. DO you have a win 7 dvd to do a repair install, or clean install?




KENN

yowanvista said:

Boot into safemode and try the above step

Click to expand...

does the same thing on any of the startup options, i have tried 'vanilla' safe mode, with networking, and with command prompt.

same BSOD.

Nevyn said:

yowanvista said:

Boot into safemode and try the above step

Click to expand...

does the same thing on any of the startup options, i have tried 'vanilla' safe mode, with networking, and with command prompt.

same BSOD.

Click to expand...

Then follow zigzag3143's suggestion

Nevyn said:

yowanvista said:

Boot into safemode and try the above step

Click to expand...

does the same thing on any of the startup options, i have tried 'vanilla' safe mode, with networking, and with command prompt.

same BSOD.

Click to expand...

So you cant boot frm the dvd and chose repair my computer?

Does it get past BIOS?

Ken

zigzag3143 said:

Without the file we are flying in the dark. DO you have a win 7 dvd to do a repair install, or clean install?

Click to expand...

sadly, no. i only have the laptop at this point. i have asked my friend if she can find the install disk, but no luck as yet.

the same machine BSOD a few times last week, but a system restore point managed to get it back up and running.

zigzag3143 said:

So you cant boot frm the dvd and chose repair my computer?

Does it get past BIOS?

Ken

Click to expand...

gets past BIOS ok, but cant boot from the dvd as i dont have it.

the 'startup repair' option BSODs as well.

looks like i am going to need to get her to go hunting for the disk.

i was hoping the BSOD parameters would give me something to look for.

Nevyn said:

zigzag3143 said:

Without the file we are flying in the dark. DO you have a win 7 dvd to do a repair install, or clean install?

Click to expand...

sadly, no. i only have the laptop at this point. i have asked my friend if she can find the install disk, but no luck as yet.

the same machine BSOD a few times last week, but a system restore point managed to get it back up and running.

Click to expand...

Ouch. If the laptop is down and that is all you have how can you be typing this?