Problem with Crashing

[lifehacker]

Ok so here is my problem. My computer started crashing an awful lot about three days ago. I am using Windows XP sp2, have a 1.34 ghz processor, 224 RAM, and a 1000mb paging file.

Before you ask if I have done this, let me say the following:
-Yes, I am clean of viruses, spyware, malware, adware, etc. Scanned by NOD32, BitDefender, Ad-aware, SpyBot and a-squared.
-Yes, I have defragmented.

I dont remember any major changes made at the time the problems started. Also this is only a theory but it seems that every application that places files into the Local Settings/Temp folder causes a crash (again I might be wrong and this could be only a coincidence).

The problem does not occur randomely there are specific applications that cause my PC to crash. I will be very thankful for any help.

[cheapprick]

Which applications?

[nukehella]

Do you have any Windows Explorer add-ons?Like if you go and right click a folder,do you see any file managers or file viewing type programs in the drop down menu that aren't native to windows?

[littlebits]

Did you run a scan desk error checking? If not it will usually solve most system crashes.

Here is how to do it- http://www.bsu.edu/ucs/article/0,1370,6327-1987-4756,00.html


Thanks.

[multi]

what sort of crash ?
screen and pointer freeze up sort of crash ,sudden reboot, BSOD ?

try
run... drwatson
and then an app that gets it to crash
that might get some info on whats causing it
providing you dont have to hit the reset button to get out of the crash

also check your event viewer (computer management)

[lifehacker]

Which applications?
So far the following: mencodersh.exe, laumin.exe (both are parts of PocketDiVx encoder), then ABC usinstallation caused a crash, and installation of a program called SOMPY enoder. These are the application that so far have caused crashes, and there probably are more that I have yet to discover.


Do you have any Windows Explorer add-ons?Like if you go and right click a folder,do you see any file managers or file viewing type programs in the drop down menu that aren't native to windows?
I use a secondary file manager called Explorer Plus.


what sort of crash ?
screen and pointer freeze up sort of crash ,sudden reboot, BSOD ?
Its a sudden reboot

I am going to try the tools that littlebits and multi suggested and tell you if there are any changes.

[cheapprick]

How is your power supply? If it came on suddenly and your software/hardware is unchanged that's a good bet.

[nukehella]

I use a secondary file manager called Explorer Plus.


.


If you don't have any luck with your other attempts try uninstalling Explorer Plus.I'd try it first actually.

[lifehacker]

If you don't have any luck with your other attempts try uninstalling Explorer Plus.I'd try it first actually.
Why do you think this will help?


Did you run a scan desk error checking? If not it will usually solve most system crashes.

Here is how to do it- http://www.bsu.edu/ucs/article/0,137...7-4756,00.html


Thanks.
I didn't know you meant chkdsk, yes I ran that already and it didnt help. : (


How is your power supply? If it came on suddenly and your software/hardware is unchanged that's a good bet.
My power supply is unchanged. If it was a power problem, wouldnt the crashing occur on a non-application specific basis?

[lifehacker]

Just had another crash, this time it was caused by ZoomPlayer.

[shawners]

224 Ram?? 256 or 512mb... I think honestly that windows need at least 512, especially when your encoding and as windows is running. I stoped alot of crashes by avoiding spyware, and adware blaster of sorts. To me i just use regmechanic, and windows washer. It clears the clutter, and then afterwards you may want to go back to an earlier time to when it was running normal if you have an earlier date saved.

[The Hunter]

I can easily run xp pro with 256 of ram, it may be a bit slow for people that let everything run, but it will work. Hell it will run with less ram than that if you are careful. Im presently running xp on a 950 celleron, with 512 ram, and multitasking very easily.

[littlebits]

1.Try System Restore, go back before the last 3 days that the errors started to occur.
2. Start your computer in safe mode and select last known configuration that worked.
3. Check your system startup with msconfig, disable all of the startup program that are
not necessary to run your computer. Restart your computer.
4. If that doesn't work use msconfig and select diagnostic startup and restart your computer.

Hope that helps.:icon_sunn

[nukehella]

Why do you think this will help?

?

I had a similar problem recently.I had a program called folder size extension ,which is a explorer extension program ,running.Sometimes when I used it to look at a system folder my computer would freeze up(usually while playing jetaudio with a lot of windows open) or sometimes crash outright.It just started happening one day,maybe after a windows update or maybe not.
I did a lot of googling and I saw a lot of problems caused by these kinds of programs.I don't use it any more and have had no problems.I'm not 100% sure that was my problem as there was a motherboard involved that would fail prime95 after 6 hours or so.

[cheapprick]

lol Does anyone miss Krell yet?

I'll stick with power supply.

[multi]

what mainboard and cpu is it ?

whats the dram timing set to in the bios ?
(if its set to fast you might want to try it on normal)
do you have anything overclocked maybe ?

[shallowhall]

I miss krell where is he?

[Muffin_Man]

I've had a problem like this before that was caused by a bad stick of ram. Maybe run memtest and see if it shows any errors.

Also, you said no major changes were made. Any minor ones?

[Mels_Smileys45]

You need to turn off the auto restart first so that you can see what error message is coming up.

control panel, click 'System, Click Advanced' tab. Go to the Startup and Recovery and select Settings. In the System Failure section, uncheck 'Automatically Restart'.

[lifehacker]

lol Does anyone miss Krell yet?

I'll stick with power supply.
I know I was about to say where is Krell when we need him?


I had a similar problem recently.I had a program called folder size extension ,which is a explorer extension program ,running.Sometimes when I used it to look at a system folder my computer would freeze up(usually while playing jetaudio with a lot of windows open) or sometimes crash outright.It just started happening one day,maybe after a windows update or maybe not.
I did a lot of googling and I saw a lot of problems caused by these kinds of programs.I don't use it any more and have had no problems.I'm not 100% sure that was my problem as there was a motherboard involved that would fail prime95 after 6 hours or so.
Thanks nukehella Im going to try that.


I've had a problem like this before that was caused by a bad stick of ram. Maybe run memtest and see if it shows any errors.
Ill try that too.


You need to turn off the auto restart first so that you can see what error message is coming up.

control panel, click 'System, Click Advanced' tab. Go to the Startup and Recovery and select Settings. In the System Failure section, uncheck 'Automatically Restart'.
Ill try that.

[shawners]

He is on our d@rknet :P~ let me ask ?

[lifehacker]

Here is the technical information data message displayed after the crash:
STOP: 0x0000007F (0x00000008, 0x80042000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

[Mels_Smileys45]

I can kinda see why Krell would get so flustered. Use logic, start with getting as much info on what is causing the problem. There is no need for us to be guessing at this point. Hmmm, I did learn a few things from Krell after all. lol


Edit: Ahh, now we are getting somewhere, I little search of microsoft will give some info http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=891722 and resolutions.

This problem occurs because of a stack overflow in a Windows kernel-mode thread. A stack overflow is caused by a function that consumes more space on a thread stack than is available. Windows generates a Stop error to prevent possible corruption of data that is adjacent to the thread stack location.




maybe we can work our way through this with a little research

[multi]

Stop 0x0000007F or UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP

The Stop 0x7F message indicates that one of three types of problems occurred in kernel-mode:

A condition that the kernel is not allowed to have or intercept (also known as a bound trap).
Software problems.
Hardware failures.
Possible Resolutions:

Stop 0x7F messages are typically due to defective, malfunctioning, or failed memory hardware. If you added new hardware recently, remove and replace it to determine if it is causing or contributing to the problem. Run diagnostics software supplied by the system manufacturer to determine if the component has failed.
Running the CPU beyond the rated specification, known as "overclocking," can cause Stop 0x7F or other error messages due to heat buildup. When diagnosing problems on overclocked systems, first restore all clock and bus speed settings to the manufacturer recommended values to determine if this resolves the issues.
The problem might also be due to cracks, scratched traces, or defective components on the motherboard. If all else fails, take the system motherboard to a repair facility for diagnostic testing.
Stop 0x7F messages can occur after installing incompatible applications, drivers, or system services. Contact the software manufacturer about possible Windows XP specific updates. Using updated software is especially important for backup programs, multimedia applications, antivirus scanners, and CD mastering tools.

i think they could get even more vauge about that :P

Microsoft KB articles:
STOP 0x0000007F Errors - General Causes (http://www.updatexp.com/cgi-bin/counter.pl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.microsoft.com% 2Fdefault.aspx%3Fscid%3Dkb%3Ben-us%3BQ314102&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.updatexp.com%2Fstop-messages.html)
STOP 0x0000007F Computer Turns Off During Text-Mode Setup if it is too hot (http://www.updatexp.com/cgi-bin/counter.pl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.microsoft.com% 2Fdefault.aspx%3Fscid%3Dkb%3Ben-us%3BQ305681&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.updatexp.com%2Fstop-messages.html)
STOP 0x0000007F During Setup on Hewlet Packard Pavilion 7840 (http://www.updatexp.com/cgi-bin/counter.pl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.microsoft.com% 2Fdefault.aspx%3Fscid%3Dkb%3Ben-us%3BQ316526&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.updatexp.com%2Fstop-messages.html)

[DigitalJunkie]

1. Are you using AMD processor with overclocking feature?
2. What's the make & model of your video card?

I've a AMD system, and I have to turned-off overclocking before I upgraded my video card. After the video card, my computer hasn't crash again yet!

[lifehacker]

Actually, I already fixed the problem Digital Junkie. The problem was with the local settings/temp folder where temporary files are stored. For some reason anything that went in there caused my computer to crash. Once I changed the location of the temp folder to a different location everything went fine again. Thanks anyways everyone for the input.