Laptop Blue Screening

It did have the error DRIVER IRQL MORE OR LESS EQUAL, which I believe is related to dodgy memory? I have changed one of the sticks of ram, it hasn't blue screened since, but has still frozen, and shall have to buy some more to make sure. Do you think this would be the only problem?

I'm not an expert in this area, but I have used a program called Memtest86 to rule out (or in) memory issues. Its a free program, just google it, download it and burn it to a CD. Boot from the CD and you'll know within the first 2 or 3 minutes if you have bad RAM.

http://www.devicedriverfinder.com/blog/device-errors/fix-driver-irql-not-less-or-equal-error

When you took it apart, did you do ANYTHING with the processor at all?

like removing cooling tubes, took processor out of socket? or anything?

Have you done the MEMTest yet? Is fan running?

When I took it apart I had to take the fan off, as I had done before. I did the memtest last night, and it turns out the CPU was sending random interrupts which I presume are what must be causing the problem, so I have bought a new CPU, I hope that will fix it. Thanks

Make sure the CPU cooler is properly "glued" with the special thermic paste to the CPU.....

It has thermal paste on it, do you think the CPU could just be overheating? It is set to turn off at 60 degrees

If you didn't clean off the old paste and replace it with new, that is a good source for exactly such problems......

Do you have a display in the BIOS for CPU temperature? Though "testing" it further is taking risks with the CPU as if the thermal connection is really bad, then it could still get damaged, especially with repeated attempts to boot up.......

I have to admit though that if intel, I do not know the current temperature safety limits, a few years ago they were nowhere as good as those from AMD......maybe they are as good today with regards to temperature.......I simply don't know.

AMDs are "harder" to damage with high temperature in my experience. Actually I always by AMD, but not just for those reasons, but because they are good solid chips and are not a cut throat company....

For anyone, always clean off the old paste on both cooler and CPU and put a generous amount, just making sure that it does not ooze out to where electrical connections are......

I know what you mean with AMD, I always buy AMD products, (Mainly because of price incentives) but they do seem to be good reliable chips. My laptop was a bargain, hence I bought it, even if it is Intel

Ooh, and I'll put some more thermal paste on the CPU, see if that makes a difference

It did blue screen again today. I wonder if this will make a difference

Its a good place to start anyway.....

I have cleared out the old and put in new, and it froze just after log on this time. I ran the memtest again, and the CPU sent another interrupt, stopping the test.

Was that better or worse than before?

Have you looked in the BIOS for temperature indications?

That is worse than before, but I tried using it again today, and it as as bad as before, so it works for about 40 mins. I'm starting to think its not a temperature issue, the BIOS doesn't have temperature receptors, (Saying that, I never remember seeing them before on HWINFO32) but is set to turn automatically off at 60 degrees C. I'm starting to wonder whether the chip had been overheated when the problem started. Thanks

In all the cases that I've had Memtest stop/crash the problem was with memory. Since it appears you've already tried a new CPU I would turn your attention back to the RAM.

Bad RAM can manifest itself in many different ways depending on how much of it is gone; anything from simply slowing down a system to crashing certain programs (that require alot of memory) to crashing a system.

Sorry, I haven't tried the new CPU yet, waiting for it to come through (The Snow), but I am still trying to find anything else wrong. Once the new CPU is in, I shall try memtest again and see if it sends interrupts again... In regards to RAM, I have already changed one of the sticks, but shall have to change the other (And buy some more) to fully rule out the RAM. Thanks, Bondy.

Hi, Bondy,

I don't know how much time/usage elapsed between the time you originally took it apart to the time this all started, and I know the memtest program is indicating an interrupt, but is it possible that you've got a loose connection someplace, maybe on a fan or something? You might also check the little fins on the heatsink or fan unit, maybe some lint got pulled in and is obstructing the air flow. (All this is assuming that it's a heat problem.)

You might also mark the memory sticks and try swapping positions to see if the problem changes.

Logan

I originally took it apart probably a year ago, then about 2 months ago (Twice) and finally on Thursday. The CPU fan is running fine, that is the only fan in the system, and the heatsink fins look clear, which makes me believe its a CPU problem or a RAM. I have replaced one stick of memory (There are 2) and once I put the new CPU in, I shall change the other if that doesn't sort the problem. Thanks, Bondy.

I installed the new processor today, now memtest says "Unexpected interrupt, halting CPU"

My bet is still on bad RAM.

I think I have got it... Installed New Processor Replaced RAM in slot 2, You were right. Cheers, Bondy.

Glad you found and solved the problem!

Glad you found it.

May I now offer a possibility for why you had the problems in the first place?

I believe it was your fault when you stripped it down a year ago(?), you did not follow the rules properly for working on a static sensitive objects.....

Both CPUs and memory are PARICULARLY sensitive......

The main problems are that you may not actually cause the chip(s) to fail completely, they will only fail occasionally.....that is the hardest type of failure to fix......

Also having a failure in more than one single (replaceable) component makes the fault finding even harder......as you seem to have found out......

Great that you have fixed it......well done.

Thanks, For stripping it down, I did it a year ago, but also did it a month ago, and a week ago. When working on the motherboard, the memory was left in the motherboard, as was the processor, just the heatsink removed. I see what you mean about them failing occasionally (Or more often in my case). I was mainly glad the fault was in a replaceable component, didn't fancy buying a new motherboard which may inherit all the same problems, you never know... Thanks for your Help

If you did not follow the anti static rules when handling the insides of your laptop and buy and use anti static tools (wriststrap and conductive mat), you live dangerously with any modern (last 20 years or so) electronics, you were lucky that only replaceable bits were damaged!!

The mat and strap will cost less than $20 at a cheap electronic outlet store.......and must include 1MegOhm resistors for personal safety as well.....check all connections before use with an ohmmeter that all is connected and 1 MegOhm is measured....

Don't wear any man made fibers when working and do not sit on a plastic (covered) chair......

I've got a strap, but no mat, and where do you earth yourself on a laptop body? No man made fibres eh, do they make a difference, didn't realise that. Cheers

You work on the mat. The complete laptop must be on the mat, even though its plastic, you will drop all charge off it....

Removed parts can be laid on alufoil sheets, also touching the mat.

Before laying the part on the foil, touch it with your finger to bring you and it to the same potential.

Wear the wrist strap also grounded at all times.

Don't squirm around on the seat.....

The mat and the wrist strap are connected to a ground point, electrical socket ground or to a clean part of the water pipe going to a radiator.

Good goin', Bondy! As we say in Texas, "Ya did good!"

Static prevention is a whole field unto itself, but the suggestions I've seen so far are a great start and perfectly adequate for DIY work.

if you ever have to do any more soldering on sensitive parts, please use an electrically isolated soldering iron to prevent stray AC from getting into whatever you're working on. And for max protection, parts that are removed (memory sticks, etc.) can also be placed into the silver Mylar anti-stat bags while they aren't in use. This is good for motherboards, that are sensitive to just about everything (static charges, dust, bugs, soft drinks). If you really want to get fancy, you can buy an air ionizer (or is it de-ionizer?) to prevent static buildup on your workbench.

Oooh, I didn't know about the soldering iron, may be worth getting one... Then again, I really hope I shall never have to take it apart again. If that is true or not only time will tell. Cheers, Bondy