CPU:AMD Athlon 64 Processor 4000
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-K8NS ULTRA 939
Ram Speed, size and #sticks: 2.41 GHZ, 2.00 GB (I think two stick)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500
PSU (do not leave this out):ATX 12V cooler master RS-350-AMSR
OS: Windows XP Professional Vers 2002 Service Pack 2

Problem began when trying to run Sonar 5, it started crashing (Freezing up) about a few minutes into each session. When I try to play video games the computer would completely reboot. I changed my system settings to show me a BSOD, and now the comp just goes black with a blinking cursor instead of rebooting.

As far as Audio Applications, Cubase SX 3 seems to work okay, but I think thats because I haven't started using the plug-ins on my secondary drive (where I keep my music files, plug-ins, softsynths, etc). Sonar had all those things installed in its configuration.

However, the secondary drive plays no part in my computer gaming problem as far as I can tell. I install it on my C: drive, my main hard drive where windows lies. I thought based on Event log that it was my video driver, but I updated it. I also attempted to update my BIOS and believe I suceeded although I've never done that before.

I've attached my most recent Minidump file. In the Event Viewer, under "Service", I get "Service Control Manager" as the source of the error. Thanks for any help

-Travis

You have a 0x50 error which are normally caused by Faulty Hardware, which can be Defective Memory or Incompatible Software.
The MiniDump Indicates "hardware" as the Probable cause. You could start by running Memtest86 and Prime95.

Memtest86 Instructions
Download the pre-built version of Memtest86 (Link Below) and burn it onto a CD using ISO Recorder (Link Below) after this boot off the CD and start the test going and let it run for 3-5 hours (Minimum of 7 Passes) or Overnight which is best.

Memtest86 - http://www.memtest.org/
ISO Recorder - http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

Download Prime95 from the Link below and run all 3 tests and post back after this.

Prime95
32bit OS - http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=103
64bit OS - http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=205

It could also possibly be your Graphics Card try taking it out and running the Comp if these tests doesn't find any errors.

Wow thanks for the help, man! You don't know how many hours and weeks I've been ramming my head against the wall on this. I'm so glad I stumbled onto this website full of such helpful individuals!

I will def run these tests tonight ASAP (I'm at work at the moment). Meanwhile, I have a quick question.

You mentioned that the dump file suggested "hardware" as the source of the problem. I have long been suspicious of my secondary hard drive (though I've run countless diagnostics, disk scans, defrags and disk repairs on it). Could my backup hard drive be the culprit?? Should I try removing it and running the comp if the tests don't come up with any answers?

Thank You Much,
Travis

Hi Travis

Yes it is possible for the HDD to be a problem if a error isn't found in the tests for the CPU and RAM and when removing the Graphics Card and running the system if it doesn't improve then you will have ruled out the Defective Memory option of these errors.

These errors can include other Hardware but Memory is the most common Hardware faults. We will see what these tests bring and then go onto testing the HDD's, athough it might not be the HDD because you mention using Diagnostics on them already.

Did you use the HDD Manufacturers test?
Or which test did you run?

Oh also do you have any more MiniDumps to upload?
It might help with sorting this problem out

I can't figure out how to make heads or tails of that "Prime 95" set of 3 tests. I don't see instructions anywhere on the site. Can you help me out in that regard as well? Sorry to seem like a noob but I have no familiarity with this software at all, and the website is covered with ads, not the easiest to navigate. Is there a link on the Prime site for a tutorial or something?

Thanks again!

Here is the website of the Publisher of this Software - http://www.mersenne.org/
But it wasn't designed for Hardware testing, it was designed to find Mersenne Primes. Prime95 is used as a good Hardware Testing Tool though.

When you load Prime95 up Select "Just Stress Testing" then select 1 of the 3 tests and let it run for about 15-20 mins it will find a error in minutes if any and stop the program.

If the first test has run for 15-20 mins click Test and "Stop", next select Options and "Torture Test" and select 1 of the other 2 tests and carry the process on. If the test stops tell me on what test name e.g. "Small FFT's".