Computer crashes (blue screens) for no apparent reason

[tommason]

I've looked in the event log and it says that the Service Control Manager is having issues, looked online and it gives me a load of info that I can't really work out
Any ideas anyone?
Cheers!
Tom

[directhex]

do the blue screens (STOP errors) list anything specific? they might seem like gibberish, but the info on those screens can be used for finding problems

[tommason]

they come and go so quickly and unexpectedly, that it's hard to notice anything..... non of this is on the system event log then?

[Phillikon]

Hi

Can you be more specific, IE how long has your PC been on before crashing? what software were you running at the time? were you doing anything in particular when it crashed, liked burning a disc?
If you don’t know, then it may be worth taking note of any of these events when it happens.
Also it may be worth checking the event log prior to the service manager events to see it there is a pattern to the fault there.

[directhex]

they come and go so quickly and unexpectedly, that it's hard to notice anything..... non of this is on the system event log then?

turn off automatic rebooting so you have time to see what they say

[GoNz0]

turn off automatic rebooting so you have time to see what they say

a handy guide as the chap may not know how http://home.earthlink.net/~lreynol92...l/rebootof.htm

[tommason]

Hi

Can you be more specific, IE how long has your PC been on before crashing? what software were you running at the time? were you doing anything in particular when it crashed, liked burning a disc?
If you don’t know, then it may be worth taking note of any of these events when it happens.
Also it may be worth checking the event log prior to the service manager events to see it there is a pattern to the fault there.

It's generally not on very long, I don't know too many specifics as it's my girlfriend's computer and it happens when she is using it......but it can be on longer - the triggering event is using firefox/begining to surf the net, after doing this for 10 mins or so it crashes. I've recently put the RAM into the two similarily highlighted sockets on the mobo (they were in different coloured ones previously) and this seems to have reduced the regularity.....

[tommason]

Cheers Gonzo and DirectHex, I have done that and wait with baited breath until the next crash

[Phillikon]

Try removing all memory and test one at a time using memtest 86
http://www.memtest86.com/

it can take a while to run but is very thorough.
It may also be worth checking heat inside the PC try adding another fan, or running for a while with the cover removed.

[directhex]

Try removing all memory and test one at a time using memtest 86
http://www.memtest86.com/

it can take a while to run but is very thorough.
It may also be worth checking heat inside the PC try adding another fan, or running for a while with the cover removed.

if it's cooler open than closed, then there are SERIOUS airflow problems to be resolved

[tommason]

It may also be worth checking heat inside the PC try adding another fan, or running for a while with the cover removed.

It's done it while the covers been off, on it's side, so all the heat rises.....

[Phillikon]

Did you build your own PC, or was it a prebuilt shop job?

another thought, boot in to safe mode and try to leave it run Idle for a few hours, if this succeeds it may be a driver problem rather than a hardware problem.

[tommason]

It's a barebone system from Novatech, with some bits and pieces that I've added..It's farely old now, probably 3-4 years.

I've made a little progress, I'd repaired an xp installation on the system, which was leaving over 80 updates that wouldn't update (apparently a common problem) so sorted those out, and it has begun crashing a lot less...but still does it, will give the safe mode idling a go and see if anything happens as well