window always gets bsod, and now i cant safe mode

[gatortabes]

it started when i was trying to download a firefox update. the computer froze then and there, and every time i picked my profile, it would reach my desktop, but then lag for 2 minutes then go to the bsod. i tried reinstalling windows, but the bsod appeared every single time still. after phuking around with it for several days, i cant even get into safe mode now , because it freezes after a few minutes, then the bsod appears. at first the error # was 0x0000008e, but after safe mode no longer works, it changed to 0x000000b4. btw i have windows xp media center 2005 on a dell dimension e520. thanks for the help

 

[Simmy]

Random error numbers usually suggests faulty RAM. Try running memtest or running one stick of RAM at a time.

 

[thee_rook]

I am having the same issue. It happened right after running a "sfc /scannow" utility. From what I have read, it relates to the VGA driver failing to load. FTW?

Let me know if anyone has ideas.

Dell Inspiron w/ 2005 Media Center Edition.

 

[Bullfighter]

As Simmy mentioned the first one could be a ram issue. The second error relates to video:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240369

Are you using onboard video?

 

[thee_rook]

Thanks for the link. I have read through that KB article, but alas, these computers will not go into safe mode. I wonder if booting into recovery console and recopying over the dll's would help. Atleast the dll's that run the video driver.

Rook

 

[Bullfighter]

Unless it is a hardware issue... if you're not using onboard video and the mobo supports it, try using that. Or try swapping in a different video card.