Unfortunately, as Rick once indicated, this looks strongly like the
motherboard. I cannot see it to tell you where to look, but the indications
a it will BSOD randomly, probably based on some miniature component's
heat load. The leaking capacitor concept is a good one. Nothing at this
point indicates the power supply. So, should you go with a new motherboard,
give it a chance before moving to the power supply.

The power supply is usually cheaper and may solve the problem. But, the
randomness really makes this difficult to predict.

Your choice. But, together, you should still be under $200 for parts unless
you opt for top-of-the-line.
On the other hand, your components: drive, video card, etc appear to be in
good shape.

Sorry it took so long to get here, but I think you've ruled everything else
out of the picture.


"Mick" wrote in message
...
Mark... i can leave the computer running for hours with itunes or
mediacenter running and no BSOD, or i'll get the BSOD immediately after
turning on the computer... there's no consistent pattern. would a
minidump file offer any pertinent information? also before replacing the
mb would the power supply be worth replacing

mick

"Mark H" wrote in message
...
If it still seems "random" at this point. (Doesn't seem to be a
particular component.) Then, I'd start being concerned with the
motherboard. (As if something on it is overheating when it gets enough
load.)

"Mick" wrote in message
...
Mark i spoke too soon. I still get the BSOD even with the 2nd HD
disconnected. Seems it just takes longer to get the BSOD without the
second drive connected. I'll start over and run the computer for a day,
before attaching any hardware. Thanks for your help and i'll get back
to you after running each program for a day.

mick

"Mark H" wrote in message
news 2 TB is a lot of hard drive. I don't know what can actually be
addressed, but some things to check:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc....p?p_faqid=1679
Default pin configuration is No Jumper. This disables Spectrum
Clocking. Make sure the BIOS is set the same way, or install a jumper
to correct.

http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...&sid=3&lang=en
Western Digital makes a tool specifically for diagnosing the WD10EADS
drive. Not sure how strong it is.

Make sure the BIOS is identifying them as you want them: SATA, IDE,
whatever.

You could attempt plugging the drive into a second machine to see if it
responds well. If it does, the problem may simply be having two of
these guys together.

At this point, I'd be talking to the manufacturer:
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc....nduser/ask.php



"Mick" wrote in message
...
Mark it seems to be the second hard drive... i've run chkdsk it it
checks out. I've hooked up everything else, and i only get the BSOD
when the second hd is powered up. What diagnostic test would you
reccommend. Both hd's are new and identical. thanks

mick

"Mark H" wrote in message
...
Well, that's good news! It means it is most likely a driver (or
incompatible hardware.)

Now, you want to restore components disabled one at a time giving a
reboot between each and allow "adequate" time for the BSOD to occur
before moving to the next component.

I'd recommend reverse ordering the previous list:
Anti-Virus
Audio
2nd Hard Drive
Blue-ray DVD

The memory hole remap is something you would return to default if on
x86. If you did not change it for x64, don't worry about it. (It
simply fit the idea of a possible memory problem that is showing up
in your mini-dump.)

Once the BSOD occurs, disconnect that device and continue with the
list.
You can tackle the component once identified, but you've got to make
sure it's not two components.


"Mick" wrote in message
...
Mark I've answered each individual question below, mick

"Mark H" wrote in message
...
Here's the gist of your minidump:
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT (1a)
# Any other values for parameter 1 must be individually
examined.
Arguments:
Arg1: 00004000, The subtype of the bugcheck.
Arg2: 88d26da8
Arg3: 00020000
Arg4: 0026f829

The important number here is Arg1 and it is not classifed with
MSDN. (It's
listed as "other.")
This particular error is notorious for not writing much information
due to
the nature of the error.


While the above tends to point a little stronger to a hardware
issue, I
wouldn't throw out the driver concept completely.
(Based on your prior issues with x64 installed.)
Things to do:

When you moved to x86 from x64, did you disable Memory Hole
Remapping in the
BIOS?

No, should i do this for x86?

If there was any third party software installed with the TV Tuner,
try
uninstalling it while the card is removed.

No software installed.

Check the Event Viewer to see if a repeating error exists that may
point to
specific software.

Two error messages: Source Ntfs: Event ID 55: Task Cat. (2) 12
events
Source Application Error: Event ID
1000: Task Cat. (100) 12 events

(You will restore all these later.)
Disconnect the Blue-Ray DVD player. Remove any third party software
installed for this DVD player.

Done

If you are not setup as a RAID configuration, disconnect the hard
drive
without Vista.

Done

If you are set up as a RAID configuration, can you disable it for
further
testing?

No RAID

In Device Manager, disable the Realtek Audio device, or in the BIOS
disable
it.

Done

Temporarily disable your Anti-Virus.

Done


If you still get a BSOD, what is the Stop Code and what exactly are
you
doing when you get it. Does it occur predictably after turning your
computer
on?

I'm running the computer now... no BSOD yet.


With the side of your computer off, are all fans running when you
start the
computer?

All fans running (4) core temps are normal




"Mick" wrote in message
...
Mark i've uninstalled the tv turner card, and did a systematic
inspection
of
the mb looking for anything unusual and found nothing. Again the
BSOD.
Here's the link, and again thanks for the help.
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-59118f50.html

Mick

"Mark H" wrote in message
...
Okay, but...

1. The TV tuner card is a known issue with Vista. It works
well for
some
and not at all for others.
2. The minidumps you are referring to are still no where to
be found.

"Mick" wrote in message
...
Mark since those post, i've reformatted and install vista 32,
having
been
told that the 64 bit version might be the trouble, so those
minidumps
will
not work for my recent set-up.

Mick

"Mark H" wrote in message
...
PS. Did you try the suggestions from the posts you placed on
TechArena?
(Which also did not include the minidumps and appears to be a
copy of
the
cross post from the vista.general newsgroup.)

Ah,... I found them. Posted under the VistaHeads.com forum (2
weeks
ago)
where I answered you then with a rather lengthy diagnostic.
Have you
tried
all of those suggestions?



http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/mic...-question.html

Did you send the dump files to Rick Rodgers as he requested?
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/1112423.htm

Or, maybe the eggheadcafe.com

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/...vista-x64.aspx
or,
realgeek.com
http://www.realgeek.com/forums/bsod-...64-473887.html
, or
...
They all answered you as I did above. Remove the TV Tuner and
try
again.

If you don't want to provide feedback on how our suggestions
have
turned
out, I'm not sure how we can help you.
After 100 attempts, I would think you were at the point of
performing
a
very systematic approach to fixing the problem. But, it looks
like
your
seeking a silver bullet.


"Mick" wrote in message
...
aren't the error codes included in the minidump files?

"Mark H" wrote in message
...
It would be easier if you would start with the BSOD code
provided.

Next, I'd remove the TV Tuner Card and see if you still get
the
BSOD.

"Mick" wrote in message
news This is my 100th attempt at installing Vista, first 64 bit
and
finally
settled on the 32 bit version with SP1. I continue to get
the
dreaded
BSOD.... What i've done.... fresh format, new install...
updated
ALL
drivers with the most current versions. Ran chckdsk,
memtest86,
and
ran system file checker.... all have checked out okay.
Could
someone
take a look at my last two minidump files and point me in
the
right
direction? Any help appreciated, thanks

Mick

OS: Vista Ultimate Sp1
CPU: Intel Core Duo E8400 3.0 GHz
MB: Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
GPU: Sapphire 100249L Radeon HD 3850 1 GB 256-bit GDDR2
PCI-e 2.0
TV Turner Card: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1800
RAM: Corsair 4GB (2X2GB) 240-Pin DDR SDRAM 800 (PC2 6400)
Hard Drives: (2) WD Caviar Green 1 TB SATA Model: WD10EADS
Optical Drive: LG 6X Blu-Ray DVD-ROM SATA(GGC-H2OL)
Power Supply: SeaSonic OB-S12 550W ATX12v / EPS12v SLI
Case: Siverstone LC14B-MC ATX HTPC