Memory Error Messages in DELL PC

NiteRider

I purchased a DELL Dimension desktop PC online in August 2006.

Earlier this year on many occasions I experienced the dreaded Blue Screen of Death with the following message:

Hardware Malfunction - call your vendor for support.

NMI : Parity Check / Memory Parity Error

The system has halted.

The PC froze at this point and I was able to boot up again, although on several occasions the fault recurred immediately. Sometimes a message appeared that Windows had not been exited correctly and I was given the option (among others) of selecting a last known good configuration.

Sometimes the BSD appeared on bootup just after the Windows splash screen, other times it would just happen in the middle of something.

On a few occasions a message appeared on the screen - PCI Device, Found New Hardware.

I searched the Net for info and it appeared that this error msg could be caused by anything from spyware to memory or motherboard problems. I looked on the DELL site and their forum but couldn't shed any more light.

At the time I was using Windows Defender but I was informed that AVG Anti-spyware (Grisoft) was better so I installed it instead. The error did not appear for about 8 or 9 weeks after that.

That was until last Friday, 3rd Aug, when, after doing a Restart (or warm boot as we used to call it), the error appeared again. However I used the PC twice on Sat, once on Sun

Also, another error message has appeared a couple of times in a small box. It said:-

IEXPLORE.EXE Application Error

The instruction at “0x10003e8d” referenced memory at “0x10003e8d”. The memory could not be “read”.

Click on OK to terminate the program.

I was able to close this error window without the PC hanging and carry on

I am not very technical but I presume the above message implies some sort of memory fault – which could of course be causing my main problem but then I do not know that for certain.

The PC is still under warranty (only just) so I could contact DELL but I have heard that their Tech Support isn’t all that good.

1. Given the events as I have described them does this sound like a spyware issue with the latest error message perhaps just a glitch or is there some more serious wrong, like bad memory etc?
2. If I have to contact DELL, which method has had more of a success rate - phone (India?), e-mail or even snail mail?

I would welcome any advice. If there are any reasonably straightforward diagnostic tests that someone could describe, I would be happy to run them but I don’t have the ability or confidence to run advanced stuff or start meddling inside the PC.

Regards
NiteRider

NiteRider

I forgot to add (incase it is relevant) that I update AVG anti-spyware as often as possible, almost every day, and it always picks up a few TrackingCookies which it labels as medium risk. Usually between 3 and 7 items.

albertross_2

tracking cookies are harmless and won't cause your problem.

if avg didn't find anything other than cookies when you installed it, I'd run a memory test or phone Dell while it is still in warranty

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315223

There is usually a memory test function built into Dell, if you hit a key on bootup.

http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/deke/laptopsupport/manuals/d600/diag.htm

Chippy_Minton

Try running the Dell diagnostics: switch on or restart the computer and tap the F12 key as soon as the Dell logo appears and then select Diagnostics from the menu.

For more intensive memory testing, download the latest Bootable ISO .zip from https://www.memtest.org, burn to CD and boot from CD to run the tests.

Start - Run - chkdsk c: /r will check the hard drive too.

Also contact Dell technical support asap, particularly as the machine is still under warranty. Tell them about the BSOD error and the results of the diagnostics test. Dell's initial response from submitting an online support request is a list of standard troubleshooting steps. It's important that you follow these and respond with the results to help them determine the cause of the problem.

NiteRider

Thanks, Albertross and Chippy_Minton

Sorry, I should also mention that when I first installed AVG anti spyware about 8 to 9 weeks ago, it found a program called Drivecleaner and this caused a lot more items to be listed. Eventually AVG seemed to remove Drivecleaner.

I will follow the advice given in your postings.

Thanks again
NiteRider

NiteRider

I ran some of the DELL Diagnostics.

Did the express test. It came up with an error Code 650F:136C with the message IDE device failed. Blank media or no media is present in optical drive. I googled this error and it appears that all it means is that the CD/DVD drives require a disc present before they can be tested.

From the Customise test I ran a System Memory test and all passed.

Will run the full test tomorrow.

Chippy_Minton - I downloaded the latest Bootable ISO .zip from www.memtest.org then copied it to CD. Tried booting with the CD in the drive but nothing happened. Do I have to change some settings before this can be done?

I will phone DELL tomorrow.

albertross_2

the iso is an image of a CD, if you double click on it, then your nero (or whatever burning software you have) should launch ready to burn it properly, if not, you could use burncdcc .

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html

Chippy_Minton

NiteRider wrote: »

Chippy_Minton - I downloaded the latest Bootable ISO .zip from www.memtest.org then copied it to CD. Tried booting with the CD in the drive but nothing happened. Do I have to change some settings before this can be done?

As Albertross said, use the burn image feature of your CD burner program to burn the .iso image to CD. Then switch on or reboot, press F12 and choose the CD/DVD option from the Dell boot menu.

NiteRider

Thanks, guys. Will try this later

NiteRider

I ran memtest86+ v1.70 and no errors were found.

I also ran extensive DELL diagnostic tests (F12). Not quite all of them because the hard drive ones were taking ages. Again, no errors

I have read somewhere that you have a better chance of reaching DELL Ireland if you phone during daytime working hours. I will put this theory to the test tomorrow.

Chippy_Minton

NiteRider wrote: »

I purchased a DELL Dimension desktop PC online in August 2006.

Earlier this year on many occasions I experienced the dreaded Blue Screen of Death with the following message:

Hardware Malfunction - call your vendor for support.

NMI : Parity Check / Memory Parity Error

The system has halted.

Follow the steps in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315223, including reseating memory, graphics adapter cards, etc. (read the precautions in your Dell manual, also available on Dell web site before doing this) and updating to the latest BIOS from Dell. There's another memory diagnostic on that page which you could try.

IEXPLORE.EXE Application Error

The instruction at “0x10003e8d” referenced memory at “0x10003e8d”. The memory could not be “read”.

Click on OK to terminate the program.

This is Internet Explorer. Which version are you running? IE6? Does this happen on one particular web site? What are you doing when the error occurs? Are you actively in IE, browsing a site?

Start - Run - type eventvwr.msc - OK and look for Internet Explorer errors in Application and System logs.

Also, Start - Run - type sfc /scannow - OK. You might need your Windows XP CD.

If IE6, reinstall it: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378

Other suggestions are to scan thoroughly for malware - using your own software again and also those in the sticky on this forum, and to install IE7.