Solved BSOD with ntoskrnl.exe after POST, randomly when using.

[DRPCs]

Hello. I have a Gateway M2624u laptop that I'm trying to fix for a friend. She stated that it was slow, so I reinstalled the OS (Vista Home Premium x64). It was working fine for the two nights I had it, but she then said it started blue screening as soon as it loaded Vista's loading screen. It's been showing that ntoskrnl.exe is the culprit, and I've searched around for the past few days but I can't seem to stop the blue screen from appearing, so I'm turning to you for help. Attached is the dump log. I've done a sfc /scannow and it turned up fine. I'm going to be running a Memtest (again) overnight to see if either 2GB stick is bad.

Edit: I do apologize for posting this in a 'Windows 7' forum, but it's a lot more active. In my opinion, they are identical forums.

 

[koolkat77]

The usual causes for your friends BugChecks are:

STOP 0x0000000A: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Usual causes: Kernel mode driver, System Service, BIOS, Windows, Virus scanner, Backup tool, compatibility

Does your friend use any sort of Backup tool? What Virus scanner was she using all these days?

Please upload the msinfo32.nfo file. To get this:

• Click on the Start rb:
• Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box
• When it opens, go to File, Save
• Save as msinfo32.nfo and save in a place you will remember
• Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info
• Right click the .nfo file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder
• Upload the .zip file here.

What are the full specs of her computer? What is the age of all the hardware?
Is it under its warranty?
And with 2 GB ram, stick with Vista 32 Bit.

Let us know

 

[DRPCs]

It's currently scanning right now so I can't get the exact details, but I'll provide you with this: She had no backup tool. I manually grabbed her photos and music (on separate CDs), and I installed Microsoft Security Essentials after reloading the OS. The laptop is probably 3-4 years old (Core 2 Duo), and it has 4GB of RAM (2x2GB sticks). The specifications on the Gateway website seem to be accurate, but I'll double check when the scan is complete tomorrow. I'll upload the msinfo32.nfo file tomorrow, too.

Gateway Support - M-2624u Notebook Specifications

 

[koolkat77]

Aright, let me know if the lappy gets warm quickly or feels warm anyway.
Use Speccy to see the temps at idle and at regular/heavy usage.
Speccy - System Information - Free Download

Keep us posted

 

[DRPCs]

The Memtest86 ran for 11 hours and found nothing.

A little story about the Blue Screen:
After I reinstalled the OS I dropped the computer off at my friends house, she said that it blue screened immediately as soon as it passed POST. I went over a few days later, booted it up, and ran it fine for 2 hours. I brought it back to my house yesterday to test the hardware and when I went to boot it again, it gave me a blue screen. It bluescreen'd when I went to boot the Vista CD, it bluescreen'd in Safe Mode, and it bluescreen'd when I just tried to start it normally. I could only get it to work with Last Good Configuration. After I did the Memtest86 though it booted up fine. I have been noticing lately that it has been locking up, forcing me to do a hard restart.

Attached is the msinfo32.nfo.

Specs, according to Speccy: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/pTwTCv3bPlr7al6XgDluFWJ

 

[koolkat77]

CPU AMD Turion X2 RM-72: 79 °C
Motherboard Gateway: 86 °C

These temps seem high to me. Does the laptop have a cooling pad?

 

[DRPCs]

These temps seem high to me. Does the laptop have a cooling pad?

No cooling pad. I had it raised on my desk when doing work, though.

Edit: checked the Task Manager, mscorsvw.exe (.NET Runtime Operating Service) is running around 35% CPU when the computer is apparently idle.

 

[koolkat77]

Okay, it needs a cooling pad cause those temps for a laptop are dangerously high.
Are you good at dismantling? There might be allot of dust etc that needs to be cleaned out.

 

[DRPCs]

Okay, it needs a cooling pad cause those temps for a laptop are dangerously high.

I have one somewhere, I'll see if I can find it.

Are you good at dismantling? There might be allot of dust etc that needs to be cleaned out.

I'll take a look, I have a can of compressed air that I can use.

 

[DRPCs]

I dusted out the inside, but not much dust came out. I think the laptop is just poorly designed for airflow. I currently have a fan directed on it.

Are there any stress tests I can/should do to make Vista blue screen?

 

[koolkat77]

Yes there are. Take them at your own risk.

Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95
→ http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html

CPU - Stress Test Using IntelBurnTest
→ http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220743-cpu-stress-test-using-intelburntest.html

Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark
→ http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html

Monitor your temps with Speccy during these tests
→ Speccy - System Information - Free Download

 

[DRPCs]

I've tried to start Speccy again and it just never loaded. It said Analyzing for all the options, and even restarting the computer and trying again, it wouldn't budge. The computer hasn't BSOD'd yet, and it seems to be stable. I've tried to scan the computer with Microsoft Security Essentials but it just stays at the scanning screen with no time elapsed, and nothing scanned.

 

[koolkat77]

Restart the lappy and try again

 

[DRPCs]

I restarted a few times until it loaded correctly, not sure what to make of that. The CPU / Motherboard temp is at 80 degrees Celsius while running Microsoft Security Essentials at 35% CPU power. I'm afraid if I use a stress tester I run the risk of melting the laptop plastic. (haha)

 

[koolkat77]

Yeah well overheating issues are no good
Inform your friend that he/she might have to get a new laptop

 

[DRPCs]

Well I haven't encountered a BSOD in a while, it's starting up and shutting down correctly, and only overheating. I'll run a hard drive test, but I've pretty much exhausted all the options.

 

[koolkat77]

I guess you're using a cooling pad now?

 

[DRPCs]

Yes, it's been on a cooling pad. It's still running hot though.

 

[koolkat77]

Yes, it's been on a cooling pad. It's still running hot though.

Hmm

 

[DRPCs]

It's running hot, and it's not letting me shut it down. This is the second time it's been stuck on "Logging off" for 10 minutes. There's no indication that it's installing updates but the loading disk symbol is flashing.

I just finished step 5 from How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista or Windows 7 but it seems that it's still stuck at 'Logging off..."

Edit: strangely it logged me off instead of shutting down. The shut down button from the log on screen shows that it had updates (8), so I'm going to install them and see if I can restart the clean boot process.