BSOD

jmc41 · 03-02-2009, 08:49

I've got repeated BSOD problems, my computer lasts somewhere between about 2 seconds at the login to XP screen, and about an hour once logged in before it goes BSOD. About 15 times since Sunday, joy.

The error is RT61.sys which looking around appears to be my D-Link wireless card. Now given I have 4 copies of this on my system (safe mode search) one generic type one and 3 in the d-link folder under root/xp/nt or something and the last edit was was 2005. And my computer has been stable for months following about 5 low-level formats of the Samsungs that don't like RAID1 I figure the card has probably gone bang and I need a new one?

Or is there a cheaper way likely to work? Given it's a little hard to download things at the moment.

Also, there is a power adapter device I'd heard of that would let me effecively connect to the net via the lan ports of the wireless adapter without drilling a large hole in the floor. I think it comes with two plug sockets? Can someone remind me of what it's called and any suggestions on good/bad ones to avoid if this is the way to go.

(I also have a d-link usb thing with the wireless card, would this get me back online?)

I do have a pc world card (with some credit on it) due to my manager being as computer knowledgable as as block of wood, though obviously getting to pc world at the moment down the A45 might not be the best idea. And I was waiting for them to start selling the 320gb one touchs

Mark · 03-02-2009, 08:57

If you leave it running in safe mode, I assume it's working OK then? That would help to rule out the usual suspects (PSU, RAM, etc.) If so, pull out the wireless adapter and see what happens (I know you'll lose your internet, but for diagnostic purposes it's a necessary step).

If that works, try the USB adapter.

The thing you were thinking of is powerline. Yes, it'll avoid you having to drill holes. I've found it more stable than the wi-fi on my Draytek, but I'm now using the wi-fi on a Linksys router and that's been fine. I need to put my powerline units back into service and remove the unsightly cat5e cable I have running between 'office' and lounge, but while it's working...

Pheebs · 03-02-2009, 09:21

Doesn't sound good - hoping you can get it sorted

jmc41 · 03-02-2009, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

If you leave it running in safe mode, I assume it's working OK then? That would help to rule out the usual suspects (PSU, RAM, etc.) If so, pull out the wireless adapter and see what happens (I know you'll lose your internet, but for diagnostic purposes it's a necessary step).

I shall leave it running a while tonight, it's not yet died in safe mode but haven't had it running for great lengths of time as the only major use of the computer at present is for d'net.

Powerline is exactly what I was thinking of thanks. The joys of renting.

jmc41 · 03-02-2009, 23:05

Well safe mode seems to like killing my CPU, I had two shutdowns when the CPU hit 70C, bizarre as it was just idle and it's normally more like 40C. Gave machine a good hover out, removed card and was fine for close to 3 hours. Managed to uninstall d-link and stuck the card back in - windows net seemed to pick me up and went straight online, been on almost 5 mins now so time will tell.

CPU @ 38C too, chipset on 40C.

Zirax · 03-02-2009, 23:21

You know what I am going to say

Mark · 04-02-2009, 00:00

Ah yes. Lovely dustbunnies. I had that with an old PC case - all the air intakes ended up totally blocked.

jmc41 · 04-02-2009, 00:23

I think Mr. Zirax may refer to the fact that by once taking a DVD drive out of my computer, and then putting it back in a week or so later (loan to my Dad) I killed said computer. I've also put SD Ram in the wrong way around. And taken our half the corridors fuses with a power supply that went bang, smoke and all.

All well, 1.25h so far so somethings improved. Thanks Mark!

Mark · 04-02-2009, 00:29

Meh - corridor schmorridor. I took out an entire hall of residence using a UPS (bang, smoke, etc). While testing what was plugged in at the time, I did it again using nothing more than an RCD circuit breaker.

jmc41 · 04-02-2009, 08:44

It's gone again :-( Survived 15-20 mins and went (3 times), yanked the card and fine again. Is it definitely the wireless card? Couldn't find the USB one despite hours of hunting.

If it is, as I suspect, any suggestions on brand? PC World does a belkin one for £14 online; that or £40 for a develo set opf homeplug powerline things.

Any point in doing a reformat or is it definitely hardware?

03-02-2009, 08:49	#1
jmc41 Absinthe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,070	BSOD I've got repeated BSOD problems, my computer lasts somewhere between about 2 seconds at the login to XP screen, and about an hour once logged in before it goes BSOD. About 15 times since Sunday, joy. The error is RT61.sys which looking around appears to be my D-Link wireless card. Now given I have 4 copies of this on my system (safe mode search) one generic type one and 3 in the d-link folder under root/xp/nt or something and the last edit was was 2005. And my computer has been stable for months following about 5 low-level formats of the Samsungs that don't like RAID1 I figure the card has probably gone bang and I need a new one? Or is there a cheaper way likely to work? Given it's a little hard to download things at the moment. Also, there is a power adapter device I'd heard of that would let me effecively connect to the net via the lan ports of the wireless adapter without drilling a large hole in the floor. I think it comes with two plug sockets? Can someone remind me of what it's called and any suggestions on good/bad ones to avoid if this is the way to go. (I also have a d-link usb thing with the wireless card, would this get me back online?) I do have a pc world card (with some credit on it) due to my manager being as computer knowledgable as as block of wood, though obviously getting to pc world at the moment down the A45 might not be the best idea. And I was waiting for them to start selling the 320gb one touchs

03-02-2009, 09:21	#3
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Doesn't sound good - hoping you can get it sorted __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

03-02-2009, 08:57	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	If you leave it running in safe mode, I assume it's working OK then? That would help to rule out the usual suspects (PSU, RAM, etc.) If so, pull out the wireless adapter and see what happens (I know you'll lose your internet, but for diagnostic purposes it's a necessary step). If that works, try the USB adapter. The thing you were thinking of is powerline. Yes, it'll avoid you having to drill holes. I've found it more stable than the wi-fi on my Draytek, but I'm now using the wi-fi on a Linksys router and that's been fine. I need to put my powerline units back into service and remove the unsightly cat5e cable I have running between 'office' and lounge, but while it's working...

03-02-2009, 23:05	#5
jmc41 Absinthe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,070	Well safe mode seems to like killing my CPU, I had two shutdowns when the CPU hit 70C, bizarre as it was just idle and it's normally more like 40C. Gave machine a good hover out, removed card and was fine for close to 3 hours. Managed to uninstall d-link and stuck the card back in - windows net seemed to pick me up and went straight online, been on almost 5 mins now so time will tell. CPU @ 38C too, chipset on 40C.

03-02-2009, 23:21	#6
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	You know what I am going to say

04-02-2009, 00:00	#7
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Ah yes. Lovely dustbunnies. I had that with an old PC case - all the air intakes ended up totally blocked.

04-02-2009, 00:23	#8
jmc41 Absinthe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,070	I think Mr. Zirax may refer to the fact that by once taking a DVD drive out of my computer, and then putting it back in a week or so later (loan to my Dad) I killed said computer. I've also put SD Ram in the wrong way around. And taken our half the corridors fuses with a power supply that went bang, smoke and all. All well, 1.25h so far so somethings improved. Thanks Mark!

04-02-2009, 00:29	#9
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Meh - corridor schmorridor. I took out an entire hall of residence using a UPS (bang, smoke, etc). While testing what was plugged in at the time, I did it again using nothing more than an RCD circuit breaker.

04-02-2009, 08:44	#10
jmc41 Absinthe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,070	It's gone again :-( Survived 15-20 mins and went (3 times), yanked the card and fine again. Is it definitely the wireless card? Couldn't find the USB one despite hours of hunting. If it is, as I suspect, any suggestions on brand? PC World does a belkin one for £14 online; that or £40 for a develo set opf homeplug powerline things. Any point in doing a reformat or is it definitely hardware?