Page fault in non paged area?

[mxer394]

I have an older computer that uses Windows XP. Upon startup, without fail, it drops to BSOD, saying that there is a PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA.

I've tried swapping out 4 different sticks of RAM and safe mode. I can't find the reformat disc (of course my sister decides to lose the only disc she needs, but keeps the McAffee Pro disc:rolleyes: ), so I really have no idea what to do.

Anyone know what this BSOD means? I'm using while my other computer's motherboard get's RMA'd.

Thanks!

[Stoney]

From auhma.org here is the error code and an explanation:

0x00000050: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

Requested data was not in memory. An invalid system memory address was referenced. Defective memory (including main memory, L2 RAM cache, video RAM) or incompatible software (including remote control and antivirus software) might cause this Stop message, as may other hardware problems (e.g., incorrect SCSI termination or a flawed PCI card).

I know you switched out your RAM sticks but did you run memtest to see if any are corrupted? www.memtest.org

If you can Zip your 5 most recent minidump files together (C Drive > Windows Folder > Minidump Folder > Minidump Files; the files not the whole folder) I'll attempt to read them for you (unless PC Guide doesn't allow these particular attachments; I don't want to violate any rules).

[mxer394]

Well, I don't know how to get to the crash dump files. I can't even get logged on, the computer crashes before the log in screen.

[Stoney]

For clarification, have you said you switched out RAM sticks. Have you tried booting with one RAM stick at a time?

[mxer394]

Yes. It originally came with two sticks, 512 each. I took the sticks out of my out of condition computer (1gig each) and tried them one at a time. They each worked in that computer, but there was no change in the condition of this one.

Could it be the hard drive?

[Stoney]

Doing a harddrive diagnostics is a standard step to try to find answers when we don't know for sure what is causing the problem. I have seen success whereby the harddrive is slaved into another system allowing diagnostics to take place.

One thing about memtest is that it will take over right as you boot up so you don't even get to the Windows Splash screen.

Have you tried botting into Safe Mode?

[Paul Komski]

Page Fault type BSODs make most people think a RAM problem. BSODs can be caused by very many things (both hardware and software) and very often are related to drivers. It is always worth seeing if you can boot into Safe Mode to see if you can boot up without generating a BSOD and also of being able (or not) to boot to a Linux Live CD.

[mxer394]

I've tried safe mode, and no luck there. It still crashes.

I'll run memtest, and get back to you.

[mxer394]

Okay. Things are starting to get a bit... weird.

I found the OS recovery disc, and I put it in the computer. I made sure to set it as 1st in the list of booted devices. The computer whirrs a bit, blank screen, then straight to the windows start up screen. It's almost like the disc drive itself is broken. Which, I understand, is not out of the question. I went into the case today, and everything is plugged in snugly.

However.

This is a dell computer, and is by no means made to come apart. Only one half of the case can be opened, the other half is (literally) riveted shut. So I can't replace the hard drive, or the disc drive.

Here's what I'm thinking of doing. I'm going to "frankenstein" the computer. It only needs to work for a couple of weeks, so if it looks a bit shoddy for a little while, oh well. I'm going to take the DVD drive off another computer, plug it into the mobo, and see if I can't get it to boot from the OS recovery disc. Hopefully it is a driver problem, and not a problem with the HDD drive itself. If it is the hard drive, then I might just pick up a 32 gig cheapy and try to boot Linux, or something. Anything to get it to work for the week I need it to.

So, can someone get me a link to linux and tell me if this "plan" sounds feasible?

Thanks.

[Stoney]

I understand that whole rivet thing. I had to deal that a couple of years ago with a Compaq. We just didn't Frankenstein it, we left it for dead with its parts strewn everywhere and saved what we could (it was old but we needed the harddrives for our - then - new build). I learned that there is no way I'll buy a pre-made system for myself. I only build my systems.

As for Linux I would just google. There are so many forms of that OS and there are very active communities. I think you'll get a swift response. Let us know how it goes.

[Paul Komski]

So I can't replace the hard drive, or the disc drive.
It wont be riveted in place there will be an easy way to remove it. It sounds like you have one of the small Dell Towers. The HDD is usually in a cage/cradle at the bottom front of the case and there is usually one/two screws, which once loosened allows the whole cage to be swung out. Then the screws holding the HDD to the cradle are easily removed. On others the front panel may need removing to get at the relevant screws, and which go into the base of the HDD.

The optical drives or any things in the 5.25" bays are usually held in place with two clips (one on each side), also accessed after removing the front panel.

If its not like that grab the manual from the Dell site.

It certainly sounds as if either the CD Disk or the CD Drive is faulty.

...

Choose Linux (http://linux.about.com/cs/linux101/a/distros.htm) or google for Choosing Linux Distro

If this PC came with 1 gig of RAM it is unlikely to be that "old" and should run most Linux Distros. I would suggest a Ubuntu (or other) Live CD to try it out before installing to a hard drive.

...

What model is the Dell??

...

I had to deal that a couple of years ago with a Compaq.I've never known a compaq with hard drives that were riveted in place. Some did use star screws (not the more ususal phillips head screws) that need a special screwdriver. Once again the manual would point the correct way of dis-assembly. Its always (even/especially with laptops) a matter of knowing how.

...

[mxer394]

Oh no, the hard drive isn't riveted. It's held in place with screws. The hard drive is held in place in four places. Two screws on the left, two okn the right. To get access to the screws on the right, I'd have to take the right panel of the case off, but I can't, because it's been secured there with small rivets.

I'll check it again though, who knows, I might have overlooked something the first time around.

[Paul Komski]

That sounds like a Dell with a fixed left side of the case. But the HDD cradle should swing out or else the HDD be released by two clips from a normal 5.25" bay. When the drive is out it can be unscrewed from the cradle or the two side bars that hold it in place in the PC.

Once again - what model is the Dell?