manglerbabe

I am at my wits end and have tried everything and anything I could possibly think of. Did some searching around here. However the resolutions either did not solve my problem or there was no resolution provided.

System Specs:

Alienware Aurora m9700 - Laptop purchased 19 months ago.
NVidia 7900, 2 card at 512 each
2.0 gb of RAM.
Intel duel core processor.
160 gb HD.
Have original XP CD.

Turned on my computer today to do my weekly routine of spyware/malware/virus checks. Nothing came up (Adaware, McAfee, and Hijack This). Did a Disk Check upon restart, which is something i had not done in a few months. No errors and the computer restarted as normal. However, when it arrived at the Windows screen it appeared the system had froze with "Windows is loading" and being unable to log in. The mouse was free to move about. After about 15 minutes, I caved in and turned off my computer.

And then started all the issues. Upon powering up, past the BIOS loading screen, hal.dll was missing, and went on a tirade to fix it. This is where it got weird:

When attempting to use the Windows Recovery Console, the computer randomly shuts down, almost as though it were a desktop and someone pulled the power plug out of the back. My laptop has never done that before. There has been nothing unusual occurring, up until today. Checked the hard drive. No scorching and there haven't been any clicks, grinding noises, things of that nature which would suggest a failing hard drive. CPU temperature is normal. The two fans are running just fine.

I was using the Recovery Console to try and copy the boot files back to my computer. It worked for about half of the files (the hal.dll in particular) but the shut downs became more frequent and I had exhausted all of the options and the Microsoft database that all I could do was reformat (thank goodness I had just backed up everything).

It took me about 4 hours, but FINALLY I was able to get a format (with the quick format option in the Recovery Console) and XP installed. During the installation, ran into a BSOD with the following:

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

0x00000050

Immediately I thought of the RAM. (4 years of technical support, about 9/10 times it's the RAM. lol) Did a switch and pulled out one of the 1 gb sticks. Windows installed normally and it didn't appear to have any problems. I had to test and see if it was the RAM that was the issue or the adjoining components inside the computer causing the issue.

And now I'm back in the same loop. Every time I try to use the XP CD for the Recovery Console, my computer turns off on its own.

I have attempted to use some of the HD computer scans that have been suggested in other topics, by saving and burning it to a disc and using it on my computer. However, my computer turns off in the middle of the scans.

Before you ask, my warranty with Alienware is up and it's going to cost an *** ton just for shipping. :/ I'm hesitant to say it's a bad HD because, again, no warning signs. Nothing has happened to this computer that would make me think there was an issue with the HD. Unfortunately I don't have a way to test it. Anyone have some suggestions that are not already listed on the forums? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

TriggerFinger

Hi,

Check for overheating. Make sure your vents/heatsink is free of any obstruction. Use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust inside. Make sure you blow out all if not most of the dust out.

Run Memtest86+ to test your RAM. Run the test for each RAM module (removing one module each time) making like 2 passes for each RAM.

Also run HDD diagnostics on your hard drive. I usually use Hitachi Drive Fitness test but it is best if you use the diag tool of your HDD brand. (Check the HDD Diagnostic Tools link in my sig).

Do these tests first...

manglerbabe

Thanks for the quick response. ^^ While I was waiting I decided to try again and pulled out one of my 512 mem. sticks from an old Compaq computer. I know, taking out 2 gig of memory for a 512 is suicidal. But...it worked. lol I was able to reformat completely and reinstall XP.

Now, to find out which one of the ram sticks is the evil twin. For some reason I was unable to get memtest86+ or Microsoft's memory test to work. :/ Reading through the instructions again to make sure I haven't missed anything. Need to use a CD since a floppy disk drive does not exist on my laptop. lol Any thoughts?

TriggerFinger

manglerbabe

Still wasn't working. I need to mess with Nero on my other computer now. lol
But I have been able to figure out that something is wrong with the ram after getting XP installed and Nero on the busted compy to run memtest. It's weird, but both sticks had a module failing. Easily replaceable and glad it wasn't the motherboard that we feared. It still seems weird to me that both are in the process of dying and that there was no warning signs. I'm use to seeing a series of events that occur, otherwise I wouldn't have posted here. XD So I find it...strange. Totally fine one day, the next, blam!

I appreciate all of your assistance and you guys do great work around here. ^^

If I can figure out what happened days prior to the computer going dying I'll make a detailed post. In case someone ends up in my situation and is unable to find a resolution.

TriggerFinger

Ok so you were able to test the RAM sticks? How many sticks do you have? If you have 2 sticks, just install 1 and run Memtest86+ for at least 2 passes. Then do the other. This will tell you which one of the 2 modules is failing. Memory failures happen WITHOUT WARNING

By the way, Memtest will not fix your RAM. You need to replace the failing stick/s.