SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION Toshiba Satellite L555 Windows 7 bit-64

[Groudie]

Manufacturer: Toshiba
Model: Satellite l555d
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
CPU/Ram: 2.3 GHz / 3838 MB
Video Card: AMD M880G with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200
Sound Card: Realtek High Definition Audio

My computer has been freezing up lately. Most of the time the screen just becomes unresponsive and there are random,thin and horizontal multicolored lines all over the screen with a static-like-buzzing sound. It seems to do this when the computer is under some load like when I virus scan or watch videos on youtube or video chat on skype.

I was having this problem before and I re installed the display driver,sound drivers and wireless drivers and it seemed to work find until 2 or 3 weeks after. I decided to open up the computer today and check the fans and vent but it wasn't that dirty. I cleaned it out and hoped that the problem was the ventilation system. I attempted to restart the computer but it didn't boot. I thought I messed up something inside when I was cleaning but I decided to swap the RAM chips first and see if that will make it start.It did start but still freezing and now I get this message.

"SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION

If this is the first time you've seen this error screen restart your computer.If this screen appears again follow these steps.

Check and make sure your hardware is properly installed,ask your hardware and software manufacturer for any windows update that might be needed.

if the problem continues disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software, disable BIOS memory options such as cachings or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable component,restart your computer,press F8 to select advanced start up options and then select safe mode

Technical Information
*** STOP: 0x0000003B(0x00000000c0000005,0XFFFFF80002cA4A9B,0xFFFF88002DEF0B0,0x0000000000000000)

Collecting data for crash dump....
Initializing disk for crash dump...
Beginning dumping of physical memory.
Dumping physical memory to disk : 60"

My hard drive is good. I did a diagnostics test with SeaTools and my toshiba diagnostic tool also tells me the hard drive is good. I did that diagnostic test on my memory when the computer starts up and it didn't find any errors at all in the memory. I've also fragmentation the the computer. My computer also doesn't seem that hot when it freezes so I don't think it's an overheating problem.


I'm tired of this and I am thinking of redoing the BIOS or doing a total factory reset.What do you guys think is the problem and what is the best course of action?

Also, I would like to know how much CD's do I need to redo my BIOS and how much memory I takes on average.

Sorry for the typos and and thank you in advance!

 

[gregrocker]

Is there a BIOS update on the Toshiba Support Downloads webpage for your model? If so install it from the OS not disk.

Since you've tested the hardware, what I would do is find a Win7 installation DVD to clean reinstall without the factory bloatware following these steps to get a Perfect Reinstall.

This is a vastly superior install to the bloatware which comes preinstalled on today's consumer PC.

Another interim option is to run Toshiba factory Recovery from its partition after making the Recovery Disks as a backup: Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

Then follow these steps to clean up the bloatware as best as possible: Clean up factory bloatware

Other than that if you can't start it now use the Installation DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair repeatedly, report back results.

If you can start it monitor the logs for repeat errors and use the system resources to gather clues to the cause, plus work through the tests given here: Troubleshooting Win7

 

[TVeblen]

That error has been associated with bad video drivers, defective video card, or defective RAM. It can also be due to OS corruption as Greg suggests.

You may want to try some hardware tests before reinstalling the OS just to rule that out.

First you could remove all Catalyst software and drivers, delete the AMD folder that contains the driver files (or it may just reinstall), then restart the computer.
Windows will find the graphics card and install it's own generic WDDM1.1 driver. You will be asked to restart again - do so. Try running on the generic driver for a while to test.

Try re-seating the video card. Make sure the slot is clean. Check all of your connections.

You could also try running on just one stick of RAM in Slot A1. If the problem returns try the other stick alone.
Memory diagnostics are fine, and a good test, but they do not catch everything.

The idea here is to try and isolate any hardware issues before attacking it from the software side.

Hope that helps.

 

[Groudie]

Is there a BIOS update on the Toshiba Support Downloads webpage for your model? If so install it from the OS not disk.

Since you've tested the hardware, what I would do is find a Win7 installation DVD to clean reinstall without the factory bloatware following these steps to get a Perfect Reinstall.

This is a vastly superior install to the bloatware which comes preinstalled on today's consumer PC.

Another interim option is to run Toshiba factory Recovery from its partition after making the Recovery Disks as a backup: Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

Then follow these steps to clean up the bloatware as best as possible: Clean up factory bloatware

Other than that if you can't start it now use the Installation DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair repeatedly, report back results.

If you can start it monitor the logs for repeat errors and use the system resources to gather clues to the cause, plus work through the tests given here: Troubleshooting Win7

Yes there is a BIOS update on the Toshiba Download Website. Install it from the OS? How do I install it from the Operating System?

I think I'll go with the clean Windows 7 installation. I'll run those tests and see what happens and I'll report back! Thanks a million for the advice and links!

 

[Groudie]

That error has been associated with bad video drivers, defective video card, or defective RAM. It can also be due to OS corruption as Greg suggests.

You may want to try some hardware tests before reinstalling the OS just to rule that out.

First you could remove all Catalyst software and drivers, delete the AMD folder that contains the driver files (or it may just reinstall), then restart the computer.
Windows will find the graphics card and install it's own generic WDDM1.1 driver. You will be asked to restart again - do so. Try running on the generic driver for a while to test.

Try re-seating the video card. Make sure the slot is clean. Check all of your connections.


You could also try running on just one stick of RAM in Slot A1. If the problem returns try the other stick alone.
Memory diagnostics are fine, and a good test, but they do not catch everything.

The idea here is to try and isolate any hardware issues before attacking it from the software side.

Hope that helps.

At this point I'm hoping it's a software issue and not a hardware issue. It froze on me while I was watching a video not too long after I re installed the video drivers. I tried putting it on but it was not booting so I took out 1 RAM card and pushed the power button and it came on. I tested it by during the usual stuff that sets it off and it didn't freeze. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

It makes sense to rule out the hardware issues first. Can you suggest a good and free video card testing option?

thanks a million!

 

[Britton30]

You can use this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html#post866972 This all seems like a video hardware issue. Have you tried new drivers as TVeblen suggested? It could be a failing monitor or connection too.

 

[TVeblen]

If you removed one of the sticks of RAM and the issue disappeared then you have uncovered the problem: bad RAM.

Can you confirm that this is what you did? You mention a lot of things in that last paragraph!

 

[Groudie]

You can use this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html#post866972 This all seems like a video hardware issue. Have you tried new drivers as TVeblen suggested? It could be a failing monitor or connection too.

I've tired the stress test and these were the results

FurMark v1.9.0 Burn-in test, 1920 x 1080 - 1 FPS
OpenGL renderer: AMD M880G with ATI Mobility Radeon
HD 4200 (1002-9712) - MSAAx
FPS- min:1, max: 2, avg: 1
Frames: 3600 - time : 2:00:00
GPU 1- AMD M880G with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200
Core: 500 MHz, mem: 400 MHz, temp:0c
VDDC:0.000V,fan speed: 0%
F1 toogle Help

I followed all the steps on the link you gave me. The image was not fluid motion at all. it just seemed to be interchanging between 2 static images and every time it did that the frame count would go up.I stopped it after 2 hours. Don't know what the results means.

I've tried re installing the drivers and it didn't work.
I've tried removing one stick of RAM. It seems to be working fine now but I need more time to confirm.

 

[Groudie]

If you removed one of the sticks of RAM and the issue disappeared then you have uncovered the problem: bad RAM.

Can you confirm that this is what you did? You mention a lot of things in that last paragraph!

This is what I did. I removed 1 RAM stick and I am not having the problem but I think I need to monitor the computer for a little while to see if the RAM card was the problem.

 

[TVeblen]

In addition you'd want to perform another test. Switch the known working stick of RAM with the other one in the same slot and test.

You are actually hoping that it fails with that second stick. This is because replacing faulty RAM is easy. If both sticks turn out to be good in Slot A1 then that raises the possibility that the other RAM slot is fried. And that may necessitate a motherboard replacement.

A third possibility is that the motherboard voltages for the RAM slots need to be adjusted.

But do that test and lets see if both RAM sticks are good.

 

[Groudie]

In addition you'd want to perform another test. Switch the known working stick of RAM with the other one in the same slot and test.

You are actually hoping that it fails with that second stick. This is because replacing faulty RAM is easy. If both sticks turn out to be good in Slot A1 then that raises the possibility that the other RAM slot is fried. And that may necessitate a motherboard replacement.

A third possibility is that the motherboard voltages for the RAM slots need to be adjusted.

But do that test and lets see if both RAM sticks are good.

Just to sure, RAM slot A1 is the slot at the bottom or the slot at the top? I am assume it's the one at the bottom. Also, out of curiosity what would happen if I only use the other slot only (A2) ?

 

[TVeblen]

I'm sorry, I was thinking desktop computer. Yours is a laptop.

Yes, you probably only have two slots, so the one you have RAM in now is most likely Slot 1 but I can't be sure without seeing the laptop or reading the service manual.

But do not be afraid to experiment. You can't do any damage with trying the RAM in different places, assuming of course that you are taking proper static precautions. The worst that can happen is the laptop won't boot. Just shut it off and switch the RAM back if that happens.

 

[Groudie]

I'm sorry, I was thinking desktop computer. Yours is a laptop.

Yes, you probably only have two slots, so the one you have RAM in now is most likely Slot 1 but I can't be sure without seeing the laptop or reading the service manual.

But do not be afraid to experiment. You can't do any damage with trying the RAM in different places, assuming of course that you are taking proper static precautions. The worst that can happen is the laptop won't boot. Just shut it off and switch the RAM back if that happens.

Hahaha a very understandable mistake.

I did some tests and I'm fairly certain one of the RAM slot is defective.

The first test was switching the RAM sticks at A1. It didn't freeze at all when I tested it.

After I tried putting both RAM sticks in and starting the computer multiple times and it wasn't booting at all.

After that I tired using a stick in slot A2 and it wasn't booting.

Again I tried using only slot A1 and it started up and seems to be working fine.

Seems like a motherboard issue which I was afraid of. Both RAM sticks seem to be good. Slot A2 is causing the problem. I'm hoping it still could be a software issue. Is it possible that this error could be caused by a fault in the OS or BIOS? Maybe I should try a windows repair and see if it will actually fix the problem.What do you think?

 

[gregrocker]

Unfortunately the type of problem you describe with your RAM is strictly a hardware issue and wouldn't be affected by Win7 repair or even reinstall - not that you couldn't try it, mind you.

Make sure again that it isn't the stick by confirming both test ok in slot 1. Try also running memtest86 with both sticks installed to see if it flags an error that could reveal what the exact problem with the slot is.

I would also go over the RAM settings in the BIOS to see if something is set incorrectly. You can even reset the BIOS to optimal settings to make sure nothing has slipped.

Looking at the specs for your model, it appears each slot can take 2gb up to 4gb total so upgrading a single stick is not an option, but if nothing else works or is affordable you could always reinstall with 32 bit to use 2gb of RAM optimally with no performance loss. Do you really use any programs that rely on 64 bit? I've only heard that it really matters in high performance video editing and the like.

 

[TVeblen]

+1 ^

Unfortunately, laptops are not very repairable in a cost/benefit sense. Replacement motherboards are not readily available from multiple vendors like they are in the desktop market and so any exact replacement board is either going to come from the manufacturer at full retail, or from the used parts market. With a laptop it really comes down to the laptop upgrade option making more sense than the repair IMHO.

So in a case like yours it may make more sense to just limp along running on one stick of RAM while you keep your eye open for good deals on a new laptop. Like Gregrocker said, unless you have a particular high performance need for more RAM you could run that laptop as is for quite a while.

 

[Groudie]

Unfortunately the type of problem you describe with your RAM is strictly a hardware issue and wouldn't be affected by Win7 repair or even reinstall - not that you couldn't try it, mind you.

Make sure again that it isn't the stick by confirming both test ok in slot 1. Try also running memtest86 with both sticks installed to see if it flags an error that could reveal what the exact problem with the slot is.

I would also go over the RAM settings in the BIOS to see if something is set incorrectly. You can even reset the BIOS to optimal settings to make sure nothing has slipped.

Looking at the specs for your model, it appears each slot can take 2gb up to 4gb total so upgrading a single stick is not an option, but if nothing else works or is affordable you could always reinstall with 32 bit to use 2gb of RAM optimally with no performance loss. Do you really use any programs that rely on 64 bit? I've only heard that it really matters in high performance video editing and the like.

Doing the memtest with both ram sticks is out of the question since it won't boot with both of them in :/ I'm a total noob when it comes to computer programming so it will be near impossible for me to pick up on any incorrect settings :/

I don't mind running on one ram stick. I don't do any taxing things with this computer. It's a darn shame that things have gone wrong so fast. It hasn't even been 2 years since I got this.

 

[Groudie]

+1 ^

Unfortunately, laptops are not very repairable in a cost/benefit sense. Replacement motherboards are not readily available from multiple vendors like they are in the desktop market and so any exact replacement board is either going to come from the manufacturer at full retail, or from the used parts market. With a laptop it really comes down to the laptop upgrade option making more sense than the repair IMHO.

So in a case like yours it may make more sense to just limp along running on one stick of RAM while you keep your eye open for good deals on a new laptop. Like Gregrocker said, unless you have a particular high performance need for more RAM you could run that laptop as is for quite a while.

It seems like I'll have to spring for a new laptop. I was really trying to avoid that. I guess I'll ride this one until it no longer works. I'm hoping the problem doesn't spread to the only working RAM slot. Do you think the hardware problem might be "contiguous" or is it too hard to tell? I'd like to get a year and 6 months out of it before I get another laptop. Now isn't the best time for me financially.

 

[gregrocker]

Let us know how performance is with the one RAM stick. You may want to reinstall with 32 bit if there is any lag. We can help you get a perfect reinstall which will greatly lighten the load as well over a factory OEM preinstalled with bloatware. Reinstalling Windows 7

The slot may only be shorted, could even come back to life. I don't think it would have any affect on the other slot. Just handle it gently.

 

[TVeblen]

The slot may only be shorted, could even come back to life. I don't think it would have any affect on the other slot. Just handle it gently.

+1^
There are many impurities and imperfections to deal with in the manufacture of electronic equipment. The etched circuits, the electrical connections, and even the silicone chips can have tiny flaws that work but only on that edge of failure. Anything like a shock (the gravity kind), an electrical discharge (static), or just heat can trigger the defect to failure. It happens.

But to be hopeful: one of the more common causes of short circuit in slot connections is hair. A single hair or a thick buildup of dust in the slot can be enough.

It's awful hard to visually inspect the RAM slots in a laptop, but if you can get a can of compressed air you might try blowing out the RAM slot(s). You never know!

I do not recommend using a vacuum cleaner, if you're tempted, particularly if the hose has a metal end. These can cause damage.