I have a computer. It's Gateway Profile 4.0 w/512MB 266
40GB HD
15"Display
****py ****py ****py integrated sound
Ditto that last one except w/ non-integrated video
Pentium 4 something like 3.2 GHz w/ 800MHz FSB
or something to that effect and it frequently (bi-/tri-monthly-ish?) just goes black like the monitor got disconnected but flashing-ish and then doesn't come back, I've tried leaving it for a while but no good. Then, when I force-reboot it, it boots up, OS selection, WinXP, it goes throught the annoying screen with that flashing bar, then blinks (the blinking is normal) then (not normal anymore) says something to the effect of "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. BEGGINING DUMP OF PHYSICAL MEMORY BLAH. PLEASE BLAH YOUR ADMINISTRATOR FOR ASSISTANCE BLAH." or something like that, then it does that for a couple seconds then reboots (I'll try to keep a digital camera right by it on desk for next time it happens) and same thing then blinks the screen for like 1/8 seconds and keeps on going, then I format, install WinXP, play some C&C, couplea months later, same thing, etc.

Anybody have clue what it could be? Also coud I get a 20GB ext. HD and have 2 apparent partitions (3 physical) that 2 of the physical ones are mirrored and it's~=20GB on the int. and mirrored to the external and then the leftover on the internal be for less important stuff (i.e. Operating System lol)?


P.S. Don't I have awesome priorities for my listing of importance of programs?!


P.P.S. Oh, crud, I'm going to have to remember my pw for Guild Wars lol.

Howdy gmsdrmmrboi.
Have you updated any drivers for yor video card lately? The error code that it gives with the physical dump could lead us somewhere as well.

Looking forward to your reply
Merlin

No, I usually don't update the drivers on that one much, it doesn't support most mmo rpg's that I have so I don't use it for gaming much and don't update the video at all really. As far as the error code, It's not enough time for me to actually see what it says, I just know it says to contact the system administrator. I didn't do that because people start to get disturbed when I have conversations with myself...and I might actually keep a camera by it. I guess I'll try to tell you next time it happens? I could film all boot-ups and then take a picture at the spot where it has the memory dump. By the way, I already formatted it again, so I'm not gonna be able to get it back until it dies again.

Hey gmsdrmmrboi,

Merlin is right, knowing the error message you are getting would be very helpful. However, knowing what is consistently causing the problem after reformation would be even more so.

If you go into your BIOS, is there an IDE Self Test option? You might have to navigate through several sections of your BIOS to find it.

Also, have you tried going to Start, Run and typing sfc /scannow with your XP cd in the drive? It may be that you keep developing some corrupted files for some reason.

Look forward to your reply,

TTFN

LGW