BSODS, constantly...

[writhziden]

Ah, dust is a PC killer. I have seen members on this forum actually mention it can melt components (they witnessed this firsthand). It can also interfere with the contacts between components; could be your graphics card or RAM is seated properly, but dust is interfering with the contacts. "Use an ink eraser or an electrical contact treatment, available at electronics supply stores, to ensure adapter card contacts are clean" (Bug Check 0x7A: KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR).


To remove dust, follow the subsequent general procedure. If you have a desktop bought from Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, etc. make sure removing the desktop casing will not void your warranty first. Call the company if you are still under warranty and ask if it is okay to remove the casing and blow dust out. The procedure described is fine for laptops; just make sure no stickers are on panels saying if you remove the panel it will void the warranty.

1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
4. Remove the casing for a desktop, or remove any screwed on panels and disc drives for laptops.
5. Blow out the dust inside by using a can of compressed air or a low pressure compressor. You will want to put the computer on a desk or table so you can maintain the can in an upright position if using a can of air. Blow into all crevices on the motherboard, heat sinks, cards, modules, etc. for a desktop. Blow into vents, opened panels, disc drive areas, USB ports, and the keyboard if it is a laptop. You may also want to blow inside the disc drive by replacing the drive to the laptop, starting the computer, opening the drive, and then turning off the computer and removing all power as described above including the 30 second power button step. For a desktop, you may also want to blow inside the disc drive by starting the computer, opening the drive, and then turning off the computer and removing all power as described above including the 30 second power button step.
6. Replace casing for the desktop. Replace panels and disc drive (if you have not already done so) for the laptop.
7. Plug power supplies in. AC adapter for the desktop. Battery and then AC Adapter for the laptop.
8. Start the computer and see if performance is better.

 

[Looseball]

A new update to this issue...

The other day after I posted my reponse to your question about it being under warranty, I had another several rounds of BSOD's. This time, my PC wouldn't boot up at all... It just kept emitting the loud constant BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP when I powered it on, and nothing more.

So I unhooked everything, and determined that when I have RAM in 2 of my slots, I get the BEEEEEEEEEEEEP and no boot, but the other two there are no issues. So it appears that it's those two RAM slots... (Tested several different sticks of RAM, and they all were fine in 2 of my slots but the other 2 it caused crash/BEEEEEP and PC wouldn't boot at all).

So here I am running with 4GB RAM, one stick in each of the two slots that did not cause my PC to not be able to boot. Also, after the last BSOD, my windows appears to have gotten corrupt as it would simply go to the windows login screen and just hang there. I had to do a complete reinstall of windows...

Now I'm back on a fresh install of windows (saved the old version to c:\backup because of files I didn't want erased) and so far it appears good.

So basically, does that mean my RAM slots are bad? (the 2 that cause the beep and most likely the BSODS?) And does that mean that the only way to fix them without extreme technical knowledge (soldering and stuff) that I basically have to buy a new Mobo to be able to use all my RAM?

 

[writhziden]

Sounds like the slots are bad. Even if you were an expert at soldering, I would still not recommend it. Too easy to damage other parts of the motherboard soldering, plus you would need to know where to solder. The only sure-fire way to resolve it is a new board...

 

[Looseball]

Well then this gives me a chance to just upgrade my Mobo and CPU now I'll get something a bit more solid in terms of performance and reliability. Maybe some better RAM too..

Thanks for all the help! I guess it was just the Slots all along.. Maybe they were on their way out and finally just went poof.

 

[writhziden]

Quite possibly. Glad you are not upset by the news. Let us know when you have the new system put together and up and running.

 

[Looseball]

Will do, and thanks again for all the help

 

[writhziden]

You're welcome. Best wishes the new system runs smoothly and stable.