Page_fault_in_nonpaged_area

[Hitchhiker427]

I'm currently running Windows XP Professional SP1 with all updates.

Before I think I'm gotten this error once or twice here and there, but it's never really mattered. Now, I'm getting it all the time, and it's becoming a real problem. It occurs if I do things like try to install some software. It'll also happen because of little things, like hitting the "view" toolbar button in explorer.

I've tried to do system scans, but nothing has found anything to fix. I went to the microsoft site, and it said this is usually caused by memory problems. I have not installed any new RAM, or done anything related to RAM. Also, the microsoft site said this may be caused by AntiVirus software. I've just recently installed Norton Systemworks, but I get the error even when I disable it.

I'm not sure what the problem is (Virus Scan pulls up nothing), so if anyone can please help, that'd be greatly appreciated.

[balamm]

Do you have enough ram ? Have you tested your ram lately?

[Hitchhiker427]

I have 512 MB of RAM. I used this same RAM on my computer for years with Win98 and WinME, and then I just updated to WinXP. Have been using WinXP for about 4 months with no problem. There's nothing specific that I did that started all of this, it just happened.

So, I don't think not having enough RAM is the problem. How would I go about testing the RAM?

[4play]

http://www.memtest86.com/

try that i would check out the ram guide
here (http://www.mcbriens.net/liam/) as well.

[Hitchhiker427]

okay, I have run that before.

But, how do I interpret what it tells me, and how do I fix it?

[Smurfette]

If it tells you there are errors, put in new RAM.

When you get a BSOD, take note of the stop error code, help with a very common one can be found HERE (http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&selm=emPEKb01BHA.1160%40tkmsftngp04).

[Hitchhiker427]

The error message never said anything about bad RAM, I'm just saying that microsoft said that this is the most common reason. Also, I have heard from multiple places that this could be because of antivirus. I'll try uninstalling my antivirus, and see if that helps.

Oh, and I did know which stop error code it was. It was the one that you said was most common. I'll try the antivirus thing, and if that doesn't work, I'll temporarily replace my RAM with some that I know is good, to see if that's my error.

If anyone has any other ideas, please help.

[Hitchhiker427]

Ok, uninstalling Norton did nothing for me. When I ran the RAM test, it repeated itself plenty of times (I left it running for 5-6 hours), and when I went to error report, all the tests were error-free except for Test #7, which had 14 errors in it. According to the website, Test #7:


Test 7 [Moving inv, ones&zeros, no cache]

This is the same as test one but without cache. With cache off there will be much less interference with the test algorithm. However, the execution time is much, much longer. This test may find very subtle errors missed by previous tests.

So, how do I interpret this, and what do I do about it? Should I just try replacing my RAM?

[balamm]

For the price of a stick of ram, it might be a good idea. If it doesn't help, it can't hurt.

[Hitchhiker427]

I just tryed switching out my RAM, in case it had somehow gone bad, and this did nothing. I don't think that it's a RAM problem. Any other ideas?

[balamm]

Well, it says it's a fault in non paged memory so it has to be a read or write error somewhere in the physical memory. It might be caused by a program but I haven't ever seen this without some hardware error or incorrect setting.
How's your CPU temp and power ?

[Hitchhiker427]

sorry, but how would I find out?

[balamm]

Take a look at "PC Health" in your bios when you reboot. It's hold delete during boot on most systems to access it.
Have you over clocked anything before ?

[Hitchhiker427]

CPU Temp is 42C/107F. My CPU is 1000 MHz, and it's not overclocked.

[balamm]

So the heat is fine. Did it show voltages?

[Hitchhiker427]

I'm not sure what all of this means, but:

Vcore. - 1.79V
+2.5V - 3.30V
+3.3V - 3.31V
5V - 4.92V
12V - 12.00V

[balamm]

Vcore might be a tiny bit high for an AMD but if the heat is ok, and it is, that wouldn't be a problem. That all looks good.

Are you running any theme programs in XP?

Some of them will take up most of your ram.

[Hitchhiker427]

I'm running window blinds right now, but that doesn't take up much. Plus, I've been running windowblinds for quite some time now without any problems.

[Hitchhiker427]

I also just tried disabling everything that wasn't needed for windows to run (To conserve RAM), and the problem is still there.

I have no idea what's going on.

[Hitchhiker427]

I'm gonna bump this up from page 5. Balamm, any other suggestions? Or, anyone else for that matter?

[LTJBukem]

In your case maybe the best option would be to back up your files and do a clean install of windows. If having done that, you're still getting errors, you'll know for sure it's a hardware issue.

[Hitchhiker427]

okay, I have another hardrive. I guess I can backup my stuff, and format this drive, and start fresh. I guess I have no other option.

[LTJBukem]

It's not so bad, a clean Windows installation is always good.

Why not create two partitions, one for Windows and Program files and one for stored media. Then, in future you won't have so much hassle backing up. Me, i format and reinstall XP about every six months.

You can create partitions as part of the XP installation process. I have an 80 gig drive split 30/50 Windows+Progs/ Media.


Good luck mate. Let us know how you get on. :)

[Hitchhiker427]

The hassle is reinstalling every program I use... unless there's an easy way around that. What do you do?

[LTJBukem]

I just reinstall the programs, there's no easy way around it.

What you might like to learn about is 'ghosting' your drive. This means that when you've finished installing all your drivers, utilities, apps etc., you store an image of the drive, either on another partition or on another drive. Then, in future when you need to reinstall windows, you simple load the image and voila, you have a clean fresh Windows installation without the need for reinstalling everything else. If you do decide to do this, get yourself the latest version of Norton Ghost.

Also, if you're into gaming, you might want to backup your savegames. You'll find this file or folder in the Program files of each game, or maybe in My Documents.

[Hitchhiker427]

That's nice to know. Thanks alot.

[Gripper]

I recently had this problem and it turned out to be a stick of bad memory,I replaced my 2 sticks of 128mb with a branded stick of 512mb DDR and reinstalled everything with a fresh install and that seems to have done the trick

[LTJBukem]

Originally posted by gripper103.2@30 November 2003 - 21:23
I recently had this problem and it turned out to be a stick of bad memory,I replaced my 2 sticks of 128mb with a branded stick of 512mb DDR and reinstalled everything with a fresh install and that seems to have done the trick
That had been suggested, and Hitchhiker had tried switching his RAM, but it does not seem to be the problem in this case. :(

Good Luck Hitchhiker, i hope this all works out for you. Come back and tell us what happens.

:)