Hi, I couldn't find any sort of rules to starting threads in the FAQ, so I hope I'm ok to start this one. My system (is on my profile, but): Mobo: M3N-HT Deluxe/HDMI CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Processor RAM: OCZ 800MHz DDR2 2x1gb PSU: 1kW Modular Power Supply Case: Antec 900 Case OS: XP SP3 Starting from the beginning: Ok, my friend ordered these parts for me on the 4th March and put it together and updated the bios before I went to pick it up. I got it home and installed my HDDs and optical drives. It crashed repeatedly during the installation of windows, until my friend recommended taking out a stick of memory. Finished installing windows. I used Memtest86 on both sticks on each slot (only tested once, i.e. didn't let it loop round and repeat a few times), it said they were no errors. The memory was previously in Slot 1 of Channel A and Slot 1 of Channel B like it recommended in the manual (or slots 1 and 3 counting from left to right), so I tried Slots 2 and 4. After that everything was going fine until I started playing games again. I kept getting a blue screen saying PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, didn't get to take down the rest of it, but I was told I can get it through a complete memory dump, so I've set it to do one next time. Looking in the Event Viewer, everytime I have crashed/BSOD it was the same error message: The Cardex service failed to start due to the following error: Cannot create a file when that file already exists. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. I've searched google (random forums and links), microsoft forums, nvidia forums, but the only solution I could find was to uninstall Expertool, which I don't think I have (not in add/remove programs or administrative tools->services). This morning, I woke up to find that my computer had frozen (I left it on overnight to download a benchmark program my friend wanted me to try) I reset and it the screen wouldnt come on. So I held power for 5 secs and tried booting again, same problem. Unplugged it from the wall for 20 mins and it booted fine into windows, but I noticed the clock had reset to 00:00 (it was about 07:30 at this time). I thought that the battery would keep the time? The whole system is brand new and all parts are from overclockers, so can be returned/exchanged. I would like a solution or pinpointing the problem to the crashes and BSOD during gaming please. My computer knowledge is minimal. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you in advance. Will
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA is usually caused by faulty memory or poorly overclocked memory whereby, the system can't read or write to the memory. I suggest RMAing those RAM. They may pass 1 test of memtest86. That isn't enough to determine if they are faulty or not. Run at least 2 hours worth. Also, try to replace the CMOS battery. If problems persist, RMA the motherboard, could just be a faulty motherboard. deltatux
ok, that'll be 2 hours in each slot, so....16 hours. I'll get back to you in like a couple of days I guess. I have also an identical unopened pair to replace the ram as this was my friend's first reaction to having to remove 1 memory stick to install windows. Shall I do the memtest first or shall I just break open the brand new memory sticks? Thanks deltatux Will
No, just run both sticks together. memtest86 will tell u if there are errors. If there are problems, RMA the sticks. If you already got new sticks, just return the old ones. deltatux
Hi, I did the memtest and it passed twice and after about 45 mins of testing thick white lines (randomly spread, not the same thickness) ran vertically down my screen. I couldn't press escape nor ctrl-alt-del. It booted fine without needing me to pull the plug. Does this mean it's the memory then? Or still inconclusive? Cheers Will
Ok, so, I tried running the memtest86 again, but this time i took a photo with my phone because this time there was funny colours along with the white lines :\ SEE HERE Anyway, enough of that, here's my new problem. My computer boots into this MENU SCREEN first. so after crashing with the weird colours and white lines, I try to boot OS. THIS is what I get. A CLOSE UP if you want. So, I can't boot to my OS, so I try the bios.... same problems. I can't do anything. What do you reckon? Thanks Will
Hey, so after restarting CMOS (already have newest bios originally), I can boot back into windows anyway, I'm now using my new RAM which was identical to the previous one. in my computer properties it used to say 1.76gb RAM, but this identical pair I got says 2gb RAM CLICK. I'm not sure why it only said 1.76gb, but I assumed it was fine, until it now says otherwise with new ones. Been playing games fine for few hours without problems, but I can't confirm the problems gone, so I might be back. Thanks for the help deltatux! Will
Well, the Windows XP system info tells me you have 2 GB installed. Try loading CPU-Z and check that both sticks are detected. No problem and goodluck, deltatux
everything still running great. so i guess this problem is resolved a different problem: alt-tabbing out of counterstrike: source and back in again makes entities grey / white. there's another thread out there describing the problem but unresolved i think. LINK