Error Code 0x000000F4 and RAM?

Ok so.. my computer has been gradually collapsing over the last few weeks. It was shutting off without any form of warning during anything "intense" like burning a dvd... as if I had a faulty power supply, something wasn't connected properly, or it was overheating. I checked everything, and all the temps etc. were fine. Everything was mounted properly and it wasn't over heating. I checked my RAM using Memcheck. I ended up running it for 5 minutes and getting close to 400 errors. I read the site which said anything over 20 was bad, so I assumed it was my ram. I went out and purchased two compatible 1GB sticks of PNY Brand PC3200 ram. I came home and installed it. My problems got worse. I scanned them getting 0 errors. I switched back to my old RAM, and I'm actually able to use my computer. With the "New" ram, I am hardly able to even get Windows running, but I get the error:

0x000000F4 (0x00000003, 0x8A56ABE0, 0x8A56AD54,0x80604418)
PERFORMING PHYSICAL MEMORY DUMP

I'm still having problems, and I don't know what the hell to do. It's very frustrating, and I would appreciate even the most insignificant of help. Thanks.

Do you get the same issue in Safe Mode. Just boot your system first in safe mode and then check back. Does any recent software or hardware changes has caused the issue. Like you had installed any new stuff or added a new hardware and the issue appeared. Remove it and then check back. Also check the hard drive cables. See that it is well connected. Are you able to access Event Viewer before your system shuts down. You can find more information about the error in that. Just copies the entire error here.

FYI such kind of issue only appear due to faulty ram. It is essential that you must simply run a ram test and checkout. There are application like memtest. You can simply create a bootable cd out of that and then simply boot your system with that. It will check the ram for errors. If you find any problem then it is the time to replace ram. Or else you will keep on facing the problem. Bluescreen are mostly caused due to damaged system files or due to corrupt system memory.

First of all, the Owner has changed. It hasn't been reformatted or anything, and it says PUTUBNTAP when originally it said Jake or something. I just know it wasn't that. I run Ad-Aware, CleanUp, SpeedUpMyPC 3, PerfectDisk, and Registry Mechanic. I would also like to point out that I used to use DVD Decrypter, and DVD Shrink, and that's where all my problems began. They weren't the cause because I used them for around 6 months with no trouble at all. Then one day it shut off midway through the actual "burning" of the DVD. I also can't play DVD's through my DVD-R/RW drive because it lags insanely running directly from it.

I have removed the Harddrive because it said that it didn't recognize it etc, which made me thing she was a goner. I plugged it back in and restarted, and it saw it again. It occasionally will power down, come back on, and say, "Please insert boot device". I restart, and it works again.

No major software changes either, other than my suite of maintenance software, which is only recently. I have been having problems for a month or two.. They have just been worsening until now when it's so ridiculous that the only thing I can actually use is firefox.

Microsoft CD - Includes Service Pack 2
Version 2002
Home Edition

Computer is custom built over year ago, with a recently replaced motherboard/case. P4P800 SE is the motherboard, which is what I used to do compatibility checks for the RAM. Intel Pentium 4, 3.00 GHZ
Right now I'm using the "error filled" Kingston 512mb ram instead of the 2GB of PNY trash.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Disk
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7
Date: 12/4/2007
Time: 10:26:13 PM
User: N/A
Computer: OWNER-PUTUBNTAP
Description:
The device, \Device\Harddisk0\D, has a bad block.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 03 00 68 00 01 00 b6 00 ..h...¶.
0008: 00 00 00 00 07 00 04 c0 .......À
0010: 00 01 00 00 9c 00 00 c0 ....œ..À
0018: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0020: 00 de 5a 26 17 00 00 00 .ÞZ&....
0028: 38 86 13 00 00 00 00 00 8†......
0030: ff ff ff ff 01 00 00 00 ÿÿÿÿ....
0038: 40 00 00 84 02 00 00 00 @..„....
0040: 00 20 0a 12 40 03 20 40 . ..@. @
0048: 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 ........
0050: 00 00 00 00 c0 0a fc 82 ....À.ü‚
0058: 00 00 00 00 a8 48 72 82 ....¨Hr‚
0060: 02 00 00 00 6f 2d 93 0b ....o-“.
0068: 28 00 0b 93 2d 6f 00 00 (..“-o..
0070: 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0078: f0 00 03 00 00 00 00 0b ð.......
0080: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0088: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........



That is a very useful tool, and I'm very glad you showed that to me. Thanks a bunch, and sorry I didn't answer all these questions originally.. it just slipped my mind during my frustration.

I will advice you to simply use windows disc to install xp back. That is one of the best way to fix the problem you are facing. It happens a number of tiem when your windows installation is damaged. You can simply use the xp cd back to install everything back and the problem is resolved. There is no issue at all. You can perform a clean installation with few easy steps. Only one thing I will recommend you. Just take your data backup before doing this.

HD Tune: ST3160023A Health

ID Current Worst ThresholdData Status
(01) Raw Read Error Rate 48 46 6 14971 Ok
(03) Spin Up Time 97 96 0 0 Ok
(04) Start/Stop Count 100 100 20 146 Ok
(05) Reallocated Sector Count 60 60 36 1605 Ok
(07) Seek Error Rate 84 60 30 323688790 Ok
(09) Power On Hours Count 90 90 0 8882 Ok
(0A) Spin Retry Count 100 100 97 0 Ok
(0C) Power Cycle Count 99 99 20 1466 Ok
(C2) Temperature 39 56 0 39 Ok
(C3) Hardware ECC Recovered 48 46 0 14971 Ok
(C5) Current Pending Sector 100 100 0 181 Ok
(C6) Offline Uncorrectable 100 100 0 181 Ok
(C7) Ultra DMA CRC Error Count 200 200 0 0 Ok
(C8) Write Error Rate 100 253 0 0 Ok
(CA) TA Counter Increased 100 253 0 0 Ok

Power On Time : 8882
Health Status : Ok



HD Tune: ST3160023A Information

Firmware version : 8.01
Serial number : 5JS3X47M
Capacity : 149.1 GB (~160.0 GB)
Buffer size : 8192 KB
Standard : ATA/ATAPI-6
Supported mode : UDMA Mode 5 (Ultra ATA/100)
Current mode : UDMA Mode 5 (Ultra ATA/100)

S.M.A.R.T : yes
48-bit Address : yes
Read Look-Ahead : yes
Write Cache : yes
Host Protected Area : yes
Device Configuration Overlay : yes
Automatic Acoustic Management: no
Power Management : yes
Advanced Power Management : no
Power-up in Standby : no
Security Mode : yes
Firmware Upgradable : yes

Partition : 1
Drive letter : C:\
Label :
Capacity : 152617 MB
Usage : 97.66%
Type : NTFS
Bootable : Yes



Ok.. This doesn't make since. My computer has been showing the signs of a failing harddrive..(Disappearing files, Crashing during high data transfer, etc.)

Anyway, one other question... My Windows CD is scratched up beyond proper use. My first reaction to such a major problem was to reformat, but it failed. Anyway, I have a windows CD Key, but no working CD. Is there any way I can reformat without having to purchase another copy? Any free way?

There can be some problems also in your system. The most common thing is inadequate free disk space. I had gone through various bluescreen problem due to this. Empty some space in the system partition and then run a repair setup. This would be more helpful in fixing the problem you are facing. Also go in control panel and uninstall some recently installed applications and drivers. That is another great way of fixing different type of problems faced.

Ok.. Well I tried to reduce the amount of space I'm using, but to no avail. It crashed when I was setting the system restore. It's running ridiculously slow now. Almost unbearable for even typing. Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter.

Try to remove and replug your IDE cable. For me my DVD drive cable caused problems like this. Try to use the secondary connector on IDE cable, if you are using primary now, and viceversa.