Computer crashing...I have no clue what's wrong.
OK, first off--I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to computer hardware. So please be patient if I seem ignorant...
I have a Dell Dimension 4100 PC. I added a second hard drive over a year ago so I'd have more space to store files. As of now, my C Drive has an 18.6 GB capacity, and 9.74 GB of that is still free. My F Drive has 37.2 GB capacity and 26.3 GB are still free.
On disk cleanup, I'd only free up 48,000 KB. I need to defragment my C Drive, which I will do right after I post this.
That's the extent of what I know to do in order to "clean up" my computer.
Here's my problem: Recently, my computer has crashed on me multiple times when all I have running is a web brower or two and another program (usually a media file player or something of that caliber). On reboot, I briefly see a blue screen with a ton of writing on it. All I've been able to make out is a line that says: IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL. I have no clue what that means or if it will help, but I thought I'd post it.
Also, I got a "Low virtural memory" message the other night when I had a web browser running and Ewido scanning.
If there is anything I need to provide you with in order to help me out, let me know. You may have to give a step-by-step process in order for me to help you out, but I'm willing to do whatever I can to make things easier for you.
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
I have a Dell Dimension 4100 PC. I added a second hard drive over a year ago so I'd have more space to store files. As of now, my C Drive has an 18.6 GB capacity, and 9.74 GB of that is still free. My F Drive has 37.2 GB capacity and 26.3 GB are still free.
On disk cleanup, I'd only free up 48,000 KB. I need to defragment my C Drive, which I will do right after I post this.
That's the extent of what I know to do in order to "clean up" my computer.
Here's my problem: Recently, my computer has crashed on me multiple times when all I have running is a web brower or two and another program (usually a media file player or something of that caliber). On reboot, I briefly see a blue screen with a ton of writing on it. All I've been able to make out is a line that says: IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL. I have no clue what that means or if it will help, but I thought I'd post it.
Also, I got a "Low virtural memory" message the other night when I had a web browser running and Ewido scanning.
If there is anything I need to provide you with in order to help me out, let me know. You may have to give a step-by-step process in order for me to help you out, but I'm willing to do whatever I can to make things easier for you.
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
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Comments
1. Get MemTest86. It's in this site's download area.
2. Burn it to CD in such a way that you get a bootable CD. DO NOT make a data CD.
3. Run it with ALL tests running, at least 5 times through the RAM. If you get ANY errors, your RAM needs replacing.
There is a tutorial for MemTest86 that Primesuspect wrote, search this site for that and it explains all.
(I can't search here while posting, and want to keep things short).
1. Get MemTest86. It's in this site's download area.
Found it--got it.
2. Burn it to CD in such a way that you get a bootable CD. DO NOT make a data CD.
I have no clue how to know if it's just a data CD or a bootable CD. Is there an easy way for me to tell the difference? What type of blank CD should I use?
3. Run it with ALL tests running, at least 5 times through the RAM. If you get ANY errors, your RAM needs replacing.
Will-do as soon as I can burn MemTest86 to a bootable CD
There is a tutorial for MemTest86 that Primesuspect wrote, search this site for that and it explains all.
That's fine...I'll find it.
Thanks for your help! If I can get an answer on how to get the program on a bootable CD it looks like I'll be on my way to finding a solution.
I'm going to try to get MemTest86 on a bootable CD with Nero...
even more so if the case has not been opened in a few months