windows hardware error message

hard drive diagnostics from the manufacturer


"Maxis" <no RemoveThis @spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:gpu6g.93359$2g2.67599@fe07.news.easynews.com...
> Hello,
> my computer started behaving badly, documents seemed to be corrupted,
> I'd have to restart, then I started getting Bosks; but with different
> error messsages, sometime it claimed it was corrupt drivers, other
> times Boot Sector problems. Then nothing, not even beeps.
> Things I've tried: new hard drive, reinstall of windows xp, install of
> windows 2k, new graphics cards, single graphics card, turning off
> shadowing in bios, turning on and off ECC in bios, updating bios,
> swearing and hitting with hammer, taking out all cards except 1 very
> basic graphics card, changing the battery.
> And always the same result, I can usually install windows, but either
> after the first re-boot or during the installation windows says it is
> shutting down to prevent damage to the computer, and I get a bsod,
> with, usually, a master boot record error.
>
> the mobo is a tyan tiger mpx, the processors are amd athlon mp's, and
> there are 3, 1 gig modules in the memory bank's. It's worked ok (well
> as well as any windows box works) for about 2 years)
>
> Any ideas anyone? and thanks very much for even getting this far...
>
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

In article <gpu6g.93359$2g2.67599@fe07.news.easynews.com>,
no RemoveThis @spam.invalid says...
> Hello,
> my computer started behaving badly, documents seemed to be corrupted,
> I'd have to restart, then I started getting BSODs; but with different
> error messsages, sometime it claimed it was corrupt drivers, other
> times Boot Sector problems. Then nothing, not even beeps.
> Things I've tried: new hard drive, reinstall of windows xp, install of
> windows 2k, new graphics cards, single graphics card, turning off
> shadowing in bios, turning on and off ECC in bios, updating bios,
> swearing and hitting with hammer, taking out all cards except 1 very
> basic graphics card, changing the battery.
> And always the same result, I can usually install windows, but either
> after the first re-boot or during the installation windows says it is
> shutting down to prevent damage to the computer, and I get a bsod,
> with, usually, a master boot record error.
>
> the mobo is a tyan tiger mpx, the processors are amd athlon mp's, and
> there are 3, 1 gig modules in the memory bank's. It's worked ok (well
> as well as any windows box works) for about 2 years)
>
> Any ideas anyone? and thanks very much for even getting this far...
>
>
How about memory? Have you been able to replace/check that? Have you
tried just one at a time?

--
Pete Ives
Remove All_stRESS before sending me an email
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

I vote with peter and the psu guys.
If you haven't yet, try 1 mem stick after cleaning the fingers, and see what
happens.
Then the psu.

"Maxis" <no RemoveThis @spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:gpu6g.93359$2g2.67599@fe07.news.easynews.com...
> Hello,
> my computer started behaving badly, documents seemed to be corrupted,
> I'd have to restart, then I started getting BSODs; but with different
> error messsages, sometime it claimed it was corrupt drivers, other
> times Boot Sector problems. Then nothing, not even beeps.
> Things I've tried: new hard drive, reinstall of windows xp, install of
> windows 2k, new graphics cards, single graphics card, turning off
> shadowing in bios, turning on and off ECC in bios, updating bios,
> swearing and hitting with hammer, taking out all cards except 1 very
> basic graphics card, changing the battery.
> And always the same result, I can usually install windows, but either
> after the first re-boot or during the installation windows says it is
> shutting down to prevent damage to the computer, and I get a bsod,
> with, usually, a master boot record error.
>
> the mobo is a tyan tiger mpx, the processors are amd athlon mp's, and
> there are 3, 1 gig modules in the memory bank's. It's worked ok (well
> as well as any windows box works) for about 2 years)
>
> Any ideas anyone? and thanks very much for even getting this far...
>
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

Well I thought the psu was likely as well. I've had a LOT of stuff in
there, 5 scsi drives, an raid card, 2 graphics cards two hd's,
coolers for the hd's, and all on a 550watt power supply, it was an
enermax though.
Anyway, I had an hardly used 400watt supermicro supply, which had been
inadequate when I put the raid in, so I put that in and... no joy,
same bsod.

So I took out all but 1 memory module, bingo! I am writing this on the
resurected machine. So thank you very very much; everyone and a
coconut for Peter!

Maxis
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

Well I thought the psu was likely as well. I've had a LOT of stuff in
there, 5 scsi drives, an raid card, 2 graphics cards two hd's,
coolers for the hd's, and all on a 550watt power supply, it was an
enermax though.
Anyway, I had an hardly used 400watt supermicro supply, which had been
inadequate when I put the raid in, so I put that in and... no joy,
same bsod.

So I took out all but 1 memory module, bingo! I am writing this on the
resurected machine. So thank you very very much; everyone and a
coconut for Peter!

Maxis
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

o Backup important data
o Check capacitors on the mainboard
---- rare, but can happen
o Check PSU ATX connector since this is Tyan Tiger MPX
---- some like to cook their ATX joints, it's a high end board
o Check HD cables
---- changing drive may still leave cable (data / power) problem
---- check HD re Makers Diagnostic Utility
o Check memory
---- run MEMTEST for a while
o Check the PSU itself
---- voltages may give an indication -- m/b utility or MBM
---- however quickest is plug in an alternative
o Check reported temps
---- HD via HDDTemp
---- Case via MBM or similar
o Check heatsinks are seated correctly
---- usual things like not seated correctly, paste dried etc
o Reseat carefully memory, cards, connectors
---- reseating simply re contact oxidation not re frustration

Dual CPUs load the PSU quite heavily - and Tiger MPXs in particular,
not all PSUs will be built with regard to the actual demands of that board.

Realise a failing PSU can take the system with it - rare, but it can
happen. ATX specs require contained failure re smoke emission to
crowbar protection, to keeping LV & HV very far apart. However a
lot of PSUs vary from the specification - re protection & wattage.
Rail amperage will be critical with a Tiger MPX, the PSU may have
aged sufficiently that it is no longer stable enough for the board.

One other area - onboard CPU VRMs can go out, but this tends to
be more common on servers thrashed in hot coloco environments.
That can give the problems you specify - but is a lower probability.

If the RAM has ECC & the boards supports it (MPX does, I think
it is the earlier MP which did not along with more bugs) leave it on.
ECC is quite useful in dual-CPU & server environments.

Check BIOS settings - and check your BIOS battery.
Specifically check any timings haven't got mucked about with,
use appropriate defaults and such like - BIOSs can corrupt.

You are correct to minimise the system configuration, as that helps
identify the single point of failure or compatibility failure. The PSU
is an oft neglected cause - it looks passive, but they have moments

Secondary capacitors (LV) of PSUs seem quite vulnerable lately,
which can result in quite slow deterioration of a PCs stability. That
requires a more involved testing - switch the PSU if any doubt.

Pick a PSU with rails sufficient for your machine - check AMDs site.
The MPX was quite good at spotting the weak PSUs from the strong
Particularly good at driving you mad when you had a rack of 42 of them.
--
DB.
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

"Maxis" <no.TakeThisOut@spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:gpu6g.93359$2g2.67599@fe07.news.easynews.com...

> swearing and hitting with hammer,

What kind of hammer?
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

It is further alleged that on or about Sat, 06 May 2006 23:09:40 GMT,
in alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, the queezy keyboard of "DGDevin"
<dgdevin.RemoveThis@invalid.invalid> spewed the following:

|"Maxis" <no.RemoveThis@spam.invalid> wrote in message
|news:gpu6g.93359$2g2.67599@fe07.news.easynews.com...
|
|> swearing and hitting with hammer,
|
|What kind of hammer?

A BFH.
|
--
-nos1eep
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

Claw. I since spent many hours, well days really, setting up windows
xp, and can now recommend a sledge. It works on nuts as well.
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message 

> Dorothy Bradburywrote:
o Backup important data
> o Check capacitors on the mainboard
> ---- rare, but can happen
> o Check PSU ATX connector since this is Tyan Tiger MPX
> ---- some like to cook their ATX joints, it's a high end board
> o Check HD cables
> ---- changing drive may still leave cable (data / power) problem
> ---- check HD re Makers Diagnostic Utility
> o Check memory
> ---- run MEMTEST for a while
> o Check the PSU itself
> ---- voltages may give an indication -- m/b utility or MBM
> ---- however quickest is plug in an alternative
> o Check reported temps
> ---- HD via HDDTemp
> ---- Case via MBM or similar
> o Check heatsinks are seated correctly
> ---- usual things like not seated correctly, paste dried etc
> o Reseat carefully memory, cards, connectors
> ---- reseating simply re contact oxidation not re frustration
>
> The MPX was quite good at spotting the weak PSUs from the strong

> Particularly good at driving you mad when you had a rack of 42 of
them.
> --
> DB.

Thank you very much for all that Dorothy, I haven't responed sooner as
(as I mentioned in the previous post) I've been installing windows,
which I find is great for teaching yourself patience.
I could never get the ecc to work on the mpx. I thought it was the
bios, but updating made no difference so I forgot about it. Now that
I know 1 memory module has failed I now suspect it there fault.
Crucial will check it for me when they replace the failed module.
It's both rare and nice to find a company that stands by it's
product.
The psu was a 550w enermax, and bought new with the board, I shall try
sticking it back in, as I'll now attempt to get the adaptec raid card
working as well; well when I've finished with setting up windows, 3
days and counting.

Thanks again for all your input, I'll copy it to a word file and no
doubt lose it all in the next crash.
Maxis
 >> Stay informed about: windows hardware error message