BSOD on Gateway NE56R16u, error 0x000000F4

needhelpa · 02 Feb 2013

Hi, I am trying to fix my laptop which is a gateway NE56R13u. Recently i keep getting BSOD with the error code 0x000000F4. i have tried system restore and even re-installed windows 7 again however it has not resolved this issue. this error does not come on every time i turn on my laptop, it only happen certain times. I believe that i may be experiencing this problem because of a program i am using however i am unsure which program it is. I would appreciate any advice on this rather annoying problem.
Thanks.

needhelpa · 02 Feb 2013

this is a picture of the error i am receiving.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/46/imag0490uv.jpg/

ICIT2LOL · 02 Feb 2013

Hello needahelpa and welcome mate try safe mode and a sfc /scannow for starters.

To get to safe mode tap F8 on power up - oh in safe mode type cmd in the start box right clcik on the reference and run as admin > don't forget there is a space between the sfc and /scannow (spacebar)

needhelpa · 03 Feb 2013

hello ICit2lol,
thanks for your advice. i have tried doing this already however to my disappointment no faults were found. i believe that i may be getting this error due to a hardware failure. can you possible help me find out which hardware is having the problem and what i can do about it.
thanks

Arc · 03 Feb 2013

Hello needhelpa .... tthough there is no crash dumps, still I can assume that you are facing a Stop 0xF4.

Code:

Event[1392]:
  Log Name: System
  Source: Microsoft-Windows-WER-SystemErrorReporting
  Date: 2013-02-02T19:51:58.000
  Event ID: 1001
  Task: N/A
  Level: Error
  Opcode: N/A
  Keyword: Classic
  User: N/A
  User Name: N/A
  Computer: faiz-PC
  Description: 
The computer has rebooted from a bugcheck.  The bugcheck was: 0x000000f4 (0x0000000000000003, 0xfffffa8008d9db30, 0xfffffa8008d9de10, 0xfffff80002fd3660). A dump was saved in: C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP. Report Id: .

It is usually a storage related error. And, some other information as obtained:

Code:

Event[1315]:
  Log Name: System
  Source: Disk
  Date: 2013-02-02T18:11:24.590
  Event ID: 15
  Task: N/A
  Level: Error
  Opcode: N/A
  Keyword: Classic
  User: N/A
  User Name: N/A
  Computer: faiz-PC
  Description: 
The device, \Device\Harddisk0\DR0, is not ready for access yet.

It may occur in various situation. Either due to a physical problem, or by something (either a virus, or an antivirus programs file system monitoring driver) causing obstacles in disc functioning.

Do some disc checks.

Update your SSD's Firmware (Skip it, if you are not using a SSD)
Re-seat the sata and power.
Run chkdsk /f/r, following the option two of the tutorial Disk Check
Seatool for dos: SeaTools | Seagate download
Burn it in a blank cd. boot from the CD, click on "Accept", wait for it to finish detecting the drives, then in the upper left corner select "Basic Tests", then select "Long Test" and let it run.

Scan the system for possible virus infection.

Uninstall Norton and all Symentec products using Norton Removal tool at least as a test. Use Microsoft Security Essentials as your antivirus with windows inbuilt firewall, and free MBAM as the on demand scanner.

Let us know the results.

needhelpa · 03 Feb 2013

Hello Arc, my hard drive is not an SSD its an HDD so therefore i skipped step 1. As i an not very tech savvy i was not able to locate my sata cable and power cable in my laptop if its possible for you to post more clear instructs or perhaps point me towards a video which explains it i would appreciate it. i did follow step 3 and after an hour or so it had found nothing. i tried step 4 however seagate's website was not accepting my serial code due to my hard drive being a Hitachi. i really appreciate your advice and i hope perhaps you could possible point me towards the right direction.
thanks

Arc · 03 Feb 2013

Seatools usually works with all the HDDs. But you may opt for Hitachi's own tool WinDFT.

Is the laptop within warranty? If so, better you contract the vendor, coz opening it may turn the warranty to void.

Post the screenshot of the HDD using CrystalDisc Info.

Also, configure your computer to record minidump as crash dump crash dump.

Follow it: Dump Files - Configure Windows to Create on BSOD
Go to Option Two, Point 2. Download the .reg file and merge it in registry by double clicking it.

Search the .dmp files manually in the default path: C:\Windows\Minidump or %SystemRoot%\Minidump. Post it following the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions.

needhelpa · 03 Feb 2013

Hi Arc,
this is the screen shot you asked for. About the seatools i was having trouble downloading it perhaps you could send me a direct link to the download and about the warranty, the thing is that i was given my laptop as a gift while on holiday in the US and now i am back in UK therefore i dont think there is a warranty on my laptop. i have now all created the minidump however i am unsure what it is or how to use it. i would appreciate if you could possible tell me abit more about it.
Thanks again

needhelpa · 03 Feb 2013

Hi Arc,
i finally was able to download seatools and was able to burn it on a disk however once it came up, it could not identify my hard drive and asked me to check my cables. maby it could be possible that a cable might be lose so i would really appreciate if you could help me find the cables as i am not aware where they are located in my laptop.
thanks

ICIT2LOL · 03 Feb 2013

Mate just out of curiosity have a look at the printed circuit board at the cable end of the drive - any scorching \, dry joints by that I mean do the connections wobble even a tiny bit or other signs of something not right. While you are at it try the cables too for continuity. Is the board attached firmly to the drive body?

I know it sounds simplistic but sometimes things are