Machine Check Exception

Original Message

Name: eryn_kathleen
Date: May 19, 2006 at 04:54:49 Pacific
Subject: Machine Check Exception
OS: Windows XP, service pack
CPU/Ram: 2.25 gigahertz AMD Athlon
Model/Manufacturer: Carerra Vision 2800+

Comment:

I've been getting the Blue Screen of Death more and more frequently. It's always the same message:
0x000009C (0x00000000, 0x8054D370, 0xC4254000, 0x00000136)
MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
Then 'Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing'.
When I started getting these I replaced/upgraded my RAM from 512MB to 1GB (which I needed to do anyway and hoped would sort out the problem).
I haven't disabled the BIOS options because I'm not 100% certain how to do it and I'm not sure what the effects would be.
Basically, I don't know how to eliminate the various possibilities that could be causing these BSODs. I'm not overclocking and my CPU temperature gauge has always been within comfortable levels.
I've had a look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329284
and at a few other forums but I'm still stuck.
Any suggestions would be very welcome! Let me know if there's any additional information I should post.

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Response Number 1

Name: Lizette
Date: May 19, 2006 at 06:06:46 Pacific
Subject: Machine Check Exception

Reply: (edit)

What is the type and make of your motherboard.
You can enter BIOS by pressing a key on your keyboard during post.
It's usually something like
-delete
-F2
-Alt+ctrl+enter
if you can find the make of your motherboard, than we can find the specific combination, but you can try the above first.
Intel P4 3.2E Ghz@ 3.8Ghz
Asus P4P800-E Deluxe
Kingston 2GB PC3200
Asus AX800 Pro w/ZM80D-HP
WD Raptor 37 GB
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300 GB
Asus E616P1
Plextor PX-740A
Reserator 1

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Response Number 2

Name: AdamNelson
Date: May 19, 2006 at 10:13:45 Pacific
Subject: Machine Check Exception

Reply: (edit)

Download memtest and run a memory test.

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Response Number 3

Name: eryn_kathleen
Date: May 20, 2006 at 01:52:11 Pacific
Subject: Machine Check Exception

Reply: (edit)

I've run memtest three times since installing the new memory and it ran fine (0 errors) for a full 24 hours. With the old memory it would occasionally set off a siren-like alarm (two tones, like an ambulance).
My motherboard is: Leadtek WinFast nVidia CR18D/G
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG
(updated via Leadtek website 04/22/06)
Yesterday after posting I investigated the BIOS situation a bit further and disabled CPU caching, which made the computer stall on the Windows start-up page for 10 minutes before I restarted. I then re-enabled CPU caching and disabled external caching, and I haven't noticed any performance loss and the machine hasn't BSODed for about 18 hours. But I don't really know if it's healthy in the long run...

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Response Number 4

Name: eryn_kathleen
Date: May 23, 2006 at 10:58:58 Pacific
Subject: Machine Check Exception

Reply: (edit)

Okay, so the system remains much more stable with external caching disabled, but because I need to use my computer to do scanning/OCR/translation multitasking I don't think that this option will work in the long term.

Since I've re-enabled external caching yesterday, the system has BSODed a couple of times.
Does this mean I should just get a new motherboard?
There's another computing.net thread here:
http://www.computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/165909.html
Anyone have anything to add to it?

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