I am currently helping an elderly friend set up her first notebook and cable broadband. Annoyingly her Acer Aspire 5720Z is regularly BSOD and then becoming locked in a windows attempting fix loop. I have re-installed Vista, looked at other obvious issues, however the problem is still persisting. I have managed to write down the following error codes:

Problem Signature
Problem Event Name: Bluescreen
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 3081
BCCode: 1a
BCP1: 00041284
BCP2: 02159001
BCP3: 00000000
BCP4: C0402000
OS Version: 6_0_6001
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1

Someone I trust has suggested I try the Windows Vista memory diagnostic tool, as the error codes suggest a RAM problem ie: perhaps in need of ram re-seat.
I am going to her house tomorrow to again attempt to sort out what is going on.

I would really appreciate some advice and assistance on trying to help this lovely elderly lady, enjoy her new broadband experience.
She is becoming so frustrated, just simply trying to use and enjoy the internet.

She is using Windows Vista Home Premium. Thankyou Jamie

I am currently helping an elderly friend set up her first notebook

"First" notebook? How new is this notebook? If less than 1 year, she should be dealing with Acer Warranty Support and not you or us here.

Annoyingly her Acer Aspire 5720Z is regularly BSOD

Constant BSODs point to hardware issues - any new hardware changes?

I have re-installed Vista

Why? Again, BSODs point to hardware.

looked at other obvious issues

The obvious is only obvious to those who know what you are talking about. What other issues did you look at? Heat? Driver corruption? Power? Network connection? When do the BSODs occur? Right at boot? After hours of use? Same place every time? Same program? Can you recreate it?

the problem is still persisting

That's why reinstalling the OS is rarely the correct option and always a last resort - it often does not fix the problem, nothing is learned, all personal data and settings are lost (assuming backups are not current), security defenses are compromised until re-installed and updated, and the system becomes months, and often years behind in critical updates.

The first thing you need to establish is if that notebook is under warranty. If it is, and you still want to help, pretend you are the owner, call Acer and get that machine on record as having problems.

Originally Posted by Digerati

The first thing you need to establish is if that notebook is under warranty. If it is, and you still want to help, pretend you are the owner, call Acer and get that machine on record as having problems.

Yes, you're quite right.....I checked today and the machine is still under its first 12 month warranty. I will help her ensure the machine is returned to the manufacturer.

While I was with the machine today, I ran the memory diagnostic tool, and it did state there was a 'hardware' problem, then the final report stated there was a problem with the machines 'memory'.

Thankfully (for her) it's still under warranty as eventhough it's nearly 12 months old, it's barely been used.
Thanks again.

Great! Sounds like a plan. Keep us posted.