1. I start up my computer in the morning. After it has run for a few minutes and has populated I go into a program and within a couple of minutes the system blue screens and does a physical memory dump to disk.
OR
1A. I start up my machine and before it goes into Windows it bluescreens (I have pictures of the screens - most often on these blue screen it seems to be a problem with a header like: IRQ__NOT__LESS__OR__EQUAL or PFN__LIST__CORRUPT...)

2. The computer restarts after the dump.

3. No more problems incurred throughout this session.

4. Finish working and shut down the computer.

5. Return home from work and start up computer.

6. Repeat of 1 OR 1A.

7. Information on bluescreens is not always the same (have photos).

Actions taken:

1. Completely wiped harddrive and reloaded system and applications from vendor disks.

2. Upgraded to XP Pro (disk has SP2 as well).

3. Always have automatic updates' running and update as they come in.

4. Have MacAfee running as my virus protection.

5. Even ran MS Memory Diagnostic to make sure the RAM was OK and the diagnostic ran fine - no errors.

This has me stumped and I don't know what else to do. It is very inconvenient to have this happen when I am trying to do some work.

Machine/Software information:
Sony Vaio PCV RX700C
Win XP Pro
Office 2000
IncrediMail
JASC Paint Shop Pro 8
McAfee Virus Protection
Pampered Partner 12.0
Roxio Easy CD/DVD Creator
ZoomBrowser EX

Attachments 2 bluescreens and a zip (msinfo32)

Sounds like harware failure to me. Possibly memory or maybe a component on the motherboard. Have you overclocked your PC to a silly number? Are all your sticks of memory the same? Another possibility is overheating? Try running with a fan pointing at the pc within close range with the side/cover off and see if this helps.

Thanks HappyBeaver

I have no idea about clocking - it is as it came from the factory.
Memory - wouldn't the MS Memory Diag. picked up a problem?
How would I research a problem with the motherboard - take it to a computer repair?
Will pull the cover and see if that helps....

Again Thanks

Those bluescreens are pretty rare with XP on a software level - usually denotes hardware someplace along the line. My hubby has been plagued by hard drive failure unfortunately that always gives the blue screen of death. It is very rarely software related.

A memory diag tool would not necessarily flag up an incompatability problem but then if you have had the pc a while and not upgraded it you can rule out compatibility errors.

If you run in Safe Mode - do you get the same problem?

I just tried safe mode and it did not crash and is still running.

ah ha said Sherlock...

This is pointing in the direction of a card dear Watson! Turn off graphics/sound and any other card you have and reinstate the on-board rubbish... Re-boot - then add one card at a time. Tis a lengthy process for sure but elimination is your only weapon Sir

HappyBeaver
OK Looked inside and there was only one card which we put in and issues were happening before that. Soooooo, I took out the three 512 meg RAM and one was a little different than two, so I eliminated that bugger and put the like ones back (btw all said 512 MB etc). Fired the machine back up and running in regular mode and so far no crash. Have to leave for appt and will update you when I return - good bad or nothing to really report.

Thank you so much - hopefully that was it.
Renau

It could well have been poorly seated RAM or any other element really. If it occurs again, best to check the seating of the processor and re-apply the gunk if necessary Fingers crossed for you

Well I have returned and still was running fine. So I shut down and rebooted from scratch and everything came up as it should . I cannot thank you enough for the help. I am fairly computer literate but that was a big stumper. I gave the computer to my niece and she has been having this problem for months and we keep trying to fix it. You fixed it in minutes. Shoot even MS Help isn't this good!

Also I am not getting the shutdown and bluescreens after being logged on for awhile like it had been.

Thank you so much and I am sure glad I found this site and you were out there checking....

Renau