Windows 7 freezes turn into inability to boot into anything

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  1. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #51

    So here it is, almost quarter after 11 (EST), and Memtest is slowly working its way toward finishing its 3rd pass. No errors yet, but I'm learning that that might not mean much. I'm hoping and praying that when I get up tomorrow morning that I'll find no errors. I'm thinking that if the RAM passes then the last suspect is the HD and I'll head out tomorrow to pick up a new one. I'm hoping that it's not some kind of MB error - I don't have the time, money or energy to replace the MB. Anyway, before I head off to bed, a quick question for anyone - why is it recommended to run Memtest 7 times (or over-night)? Can you really find errors on the 7th pass that didn't show up the other 6 times? I'm not being sarcastic, just genuinely wondering. Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #52

    Memtest86+ runs many different tests, I have seen many times that RAM will get errors on the later passes and seem like test #5 & #7 show more errors, generally speaking.

    The can be issues with running 4GB of RAM or more, since you have 4X4GB cards, even a single RAM card may be causing these issues.

    When these motherboards were designed the average RAM card size was 1 or 2GB, now you are running a single card with 4GB of memory chips on it, that takes more power (voltage). Depending on your motherboard specs, build quality and design, this might be affecting your system stability and OS installation.

    Do you have any old RAM lying around?
    A 1GB or 2GB RAM card, one single card, may allow your system to get the OS installed. Then it will be easier to analyze the hardware.

    Can you post the part number of your RAM?

    Have you disconnected everything that is not essential, sound card, speakers, printer, etc.?
    Do you have another graphics card to test with?

    Your BIOS settings look good, just change the RAM frequency back to motherboard stock 1333MHz.
    Change the CPU VTT to 1.20v.
    This will reduce the chance of any RAM issues.

    What BIOS version are you running?
    There are a lot of memory related BIOS updates listed: MSI P55-GD80

    From your last crash: STOP 0x0000009C: MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
    Starting with Windows Vista, this bug check is no longer supported, and has been replaced with bug Check 0x124: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR.
    Usual causes: Hardware error,
    Which doesn't help much.

    From the problems you've had with your HDD I would start there, try another HDD or as you mentioned get a new one.
    Last edited by Dave76; 20 Jan 2012 at 05:52.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #53

    Good morning! So I ran Memtest with 2 RAM modules (2x4GB) installed (DIMMs 1 & 3). It ran all night, completing 7 passes and almost completing the 8th. There were NO errors. I suppose this now points the spotlight to the HD. So before I run up and buy a new one, any other tests, diagnostics, etc. I can do/run/check in order to rule anything else out? And I again thank you all for your time and help!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #54

    Dave76 said:
    Do you have any old RAM lying around?
    A 1GB or 2GB RAM card, one single card, may allow your system to get the OS installed. Then it will be easier to analyze the hardware.

    Can you post the part number of your RAM?
    I would be more than happy to do this, but with the RAM passing Memtest is it necessary anymore?

    Have you disconnected everything that is not essential, sound card, speakers, printer, etc.?
    Do you have another graphics card to test with?
    I had disconnected just about everything but the sound card.

    I don't have another graphics card to test with, unfortunately.

    Your BIOS settings look good, just change the RAM frequency back to motherboard stock 1333MHz.
    Change the CPU VTT to 1.20v.
    This will reduce the chance of any RAM issues.
    Thanks! I'll change that the next time I boot up.

    What BIOS version are you running?
    There are a lot of memory related BIOS updates listed: MSI P55-GD80
    I'll have to check the next time I boot up. It's not the original version but neither is it the most up-to-date.

    I need to say, though, that I'm a bit 'squeamish' when it comes to flashing the BIOS.

    I DID successfully update this MB's BIOS once, but I also 'killed' a previous computer of mine when attempting to flash the BIOS.

    If you think I should update my BIOS, though, I'll go ahead.


    From the problems you've had with your HDD I would start there, try another HDD or as you mentioned get a new one.
    Any suggestions/recommendations on brand?

    I've been partial to WD and Seagate. Your thoughts?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 26,861
    Windows 11 Pro
       #55

    I use both WD and Seagate. I think either one would be OK. I am parial to Samsung 1TB HD103SJ though. I have several of them and they seem to do very well and are pretty fast.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #56

    essenbe said:
    I use both WD and Seagate. I think either one would be OK. I am parial to Samsung 1TB HD103SJ though. I have several of them and they seem to do very well and are pretty fast.
    Thanks! I'll look for the Samsung when I go out later.

    Before I do that, though, after everything we've done here, all the diagnostics and attempts to get my computer to run...

    ...how confident are you that the (remaining) problem is the HDD?

    I'm beginning to worry that it may be the MB, but I don't know how to diagnose that without a new/different HDD.

    Oh, and one more bit of information:
    After Memtest finished running I shut the computer down for awhile and then attempted one more time to install Windows (this time with the 2 sticks of RAM).

    It AGAIN hung on the EWF step.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #57

    If you can get into Windows, see if these processes are listed:
    [%PROFILE_TEMP%]\winlogon.exe <-- malware intruder
    [%SYSTEM%]\qch29sr.dll <--- could be another random .dll file
    [%WINDOWS%]\inetloader.dll ('C:\WINDOWS\inetloader.dll')

      My Computer


  8. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #58

    Jacee said:
    If you can get into Windows, see if these processes are listed:
    [%PROFILE_TEMP%]\winlogon.exe <-- malware intruder
    [%SYSTEM%]\qch29sr.dll <--- could be another random .dll file
    [%WINDOWS%]\inetloader.dll ('C:\WINDOWS\inetloader.dll')

    Jacee,
    Thanks for the information, unfortunately my situation is that I've 'nuked' my HDD (Diskpart Clean All) and have been unable to re-install windows (hangs on the Expanding Windows Files step).
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 26,861
    Windows 11 Pro
       #59

    Jacee, He dosen't have a Windows installation right now. We ran a clean all on his hard drive to try to get rid of the virus/trojan. He reportedly had Win32/Small.CA virus. We ran scans with Malwarebytes, MSE and Microsoft standalone system aweeper. None detected the virus. Is there a program that can scan his computer that will detect it? We backed up his personal files to an external hard drive, and would like to find some way of being sure that they do not contain the virus before transfering them back. Thank you for helping here. We were going to post in the Security thread as soon as we got these problems sorted out. Now that we have a security expert like you, that won't be necessary.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #60

    Hey, I got a new BSOD!

    I was reading up on the "Windows 7 Install hangs on Expanding Windows Files step" issue and there was a lot of advice to strip the PC down (remove all unnecessary HW) and try again.

    Now, I already had most all of my USB attachments removed (all but my keyboard and mouse).

    I then removed my 2nd RAM stick (leaving just 1), my sound card and unplugged my CD/DVD player.

    Oh, I also used a can of compressed air to clean out some of the accumulated dust inside my case.

    So, I boot into Windows Install from my USB stick, get to a command prompt, do the quick & dirty Diskpart routine (clean vs clean all, format quick vs format), exit out and it again hangs on the EWF step (0%).

    This time, though, it goes to a BSOD:

    A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within the allocated time interval

    0x00000101 (0x0000000000000031, 0x0000000000000000, 0XFFFFF88003963180, 0X0000000000000002)

    I'm going now to google this.
    Last edited by cnauta; 20 Jan 2012 at 13:14. Reason: Moved my update to a new post so it doesn't get lost
      My Computer


 
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