Random BSOD's, error 0x0000003b... I don't know what to do!

Savoysuit · 05 Dec 2011

hi guys,

so I ran memtest86 and it found 2128 errors. What can I do? I know you say to then test each stick, but that is so far beyond my abilities... especially with a laptop (I could probably do it with a desktop).

I should also clarify that this is an alienware machine... so I'd have open up BOTH sides of the computer (I'm not doing that). Like I said, my warranty is basically useless right now.

would a computer shop be able to help me?

Savoysuit · 05 Dec 2011

so I had another crash... but it was a DIFFERENT error code... I have attached information.

What does this now mean?

writhziden · 05 Dec 2011

Your most recent crash was hard drive related. To fix the issue:
1. Click Start Menu
2. Click My Computer
3. Right click the C: drive
4. Click Properties
5. Click the Tools tab
6. Click Check now...
7. Put a tick in Automatically fix file system errors
8. Click OK.
9. Click Yes.
10. Restart your computer.

writhziden · 05 Dec 2011

You are also still having memory corruption issues, which makes sense since Memtest86+ found errors. Contact your laptop vendor for the procedure on how to access your memory modules (i.e. call them, e-mail them, look for the manual for the laptop, etc.)

Edit: If you are still under warranty by the manufacturer/vendor, see if you can get a service done to fix the computer. That is the safest/most efficient way to get it fixed.

Savoysuit · 05 Dec 2011

do you think the 2 could be connected?

writhziden · 05 Dec 2011

Savoysuit said:

do you think the 2 could be connected?

Possibly, especially if any blue screens caused a total system crash where nothing could be written to the disk. Hard disk errors usually result from hard resets (computer is shut down improperly).

Savoysuit · 05 Dec 2011

so what you're saying is... continuing to use the computer could inadvertent harm my Hard drive? That's not good!

Anyhow... I ran the disk checker... that issue is now fixed I guess? :)

writhziden · 05 Dec 2011

Savoysuit said:

so what you're saying is... continuing to use the computer could inadvertent harm my Hard drive? That's not good!

Anyhow... I ran the disk checker... that issue is now fixed I guess? :)

It could, but I would not worry about it too much. Hard drives are fairly resilient. What is important is that we track down any underlying cause to the blue screen errors you are experiencing.

Savoysuit · 06 Dec 2011

Ever since I ran the disk error checker I haven't had a BSOD, and the computer has been on and (mostly) in use for 18 straight hours.

(Am I just deluding myself into hoping that maybe somehow the problem is fixed?)

writhziden · 06 Dec 2011

Savoysuit said:

Ever since I ran the disk error checker I haven't had a BSOD, and the computer has been on and (mostly) in use for 18 straight hours.

(Am I just deluding myself into hoping that maybe somehow the problem is fixed?)

See how it goes for the next few days. Maybe it was due to errors on the disk. If it blue screens again, go into your BIOS and reset the CMOS as described in the first method of three methods to clear the CMOS and rerun Memtest86+. Memtest86+ can report false positives (negatives?) about errors being present if the CMOS becomes corrupted.