Resolved Bad_system_config_info

Hello!

I just want to begin by saying I am a first time poster and I appreciate your help for my problem! I searched the forums here and couldn't find a thread that solved my problem with the Blue Screen of Death, so I figured I'd start a new one, instead of bumping a much older one.

I was using my PC this morning and had to leave to go attend to my daughter (I should also state that there was a particularly nasty thunderstorm outside that caused a short power outage). I turned my PC back on and saw an error message stating that windows didn't restart properly and it gave me options to restart in different modes (Safe Mode, Last Known Working Settings, Restart Normally, etc). I went through all options and the result each time was the Blue Screen of Death. I googled the error messages (which coincidentally is how I came upon this forum) and found a few pages describing this issue but nothing had a workable solution for me.

I read through a couple of the threads on this site and some say to check my RAM (I don't know how to do this, but I am capable of learning with a guide), or rebooting with the Windows XP disc to setup XP on a new partition. I'm capable of learning how to do this, but I don't want to do anything stupid and messup anything more than it already is. I followed instructions (by using multiple internet resources) and I'm currently at the windows setup screen showing three partitions.

A few of my questions are:

1. Is there something else I should be doing before I try installing XP (especially if I may be wrong and there may be an easier solution)?

2. If it's determined that doing this will fix the problem, is it a simple solution? Would I need to reference an online guide or would instructions be easily handled in this thread?

3. If it's a hardware issue, is the solution an easy fix? See question #2.

I personally hope something happened that would make it an easy fix and something that could be handled from home without having to go out and purchase new hardware, any solutions to the problem are greatly appreciated!

 

Some of the experts that frequent this forum will probably be able to help you but it would be a big help to them if you could post the EXACT error messages you were receiving.

mickzer.

 

That would be the smart thing to do, wouldn't it? The error message I am receiving looks like this:

Technical Information:

*** STOP: 0x00000074 (0x00000003, 0x00000002, 0x80083000, 0xc000014c)

Also, I am using a Dell XPS system (I belive it's a 610 though I am not 100% sure).

 

To answer your question, the computer was plugged into the wall socket and nothing changed aside from the loss of power. I do have my computed plugged into a surge protector, although not a high quality one, I'd hate to think that this piece of equipment failed doing what it was supposed to do.

I'll run the windows memory diagnostic, I'm sure exactly how to do that however. Looks like have some reading to do! Thanks again!

 

I checked out the solution you gave me and I would like to give it a try to determine if the faulty hardware is the issue. I have a question though, and maybe I am missing something, but is there a way for me to start my PC so that I can download the diagnostic, or would I have to burn it to a new CD? I'm assuming that, like most things, it would be the most difficult solution and I would have to find some way to burn the diagnostic to a new disc from this laptop (I am pretty sure the Optical Drive on this laptop is read only).

In the event that I would need to burn this diagnostic onto a new CD, (and am subsequntly unable to) how would I go about switching the modules to test which (If either) are broken? Thanks again for your help with the speedy replies, hopefully I can get this issue resolved very soon!

 

Thanks again for the direction, I figured I would need to burn it to a CD so I will be doing that today and reporting back as soon as I have a response.

 

Update: After 3 passes there has not been a single error found on the PC, is it possible that there's something else that might be causing this issue? I noticed you quoted how memory programs aren't adequate because they don't test memory the way that windows uses it. Is it still possible that there's an issue with the memory regardless of the results?

If it's still too early to conclude that it's not the memory modules, should I still try swapping them on the motherboard? Unless there's something else that I should be checking I'll assume that will be my next step.

 

I opened my tower and noticed that I have a Hitachi Deskstar drive, however I was unable to determine the model number. The Hitachi shows that there are different programs for different drives. So, to alleviate the trial and error process, is there a special way to determine what the model is on my drive? Thanks again for your help, I hope to get the hard drive diagnostic done tonight and get my results posted for you all to see.

 

I ran the HD scan utility on my PC that you recommended I do, and there were errors found on the drive. I'll be moving on to repairing XP and crossing my fingers that this is the solution.

 

Success! Kind of... I followed the instructions on repairing windows XP as shown in the link you posted, however, after skipping the screen where you press "R" to repair the OS, I instead was only able to select the partition with the current OS on it and either delete the partition, install XP on the same partition or quit.

I decided to install the OS on the same partition that had the originial OS on it, this worked as my system is up and running. However, I am able to access/run any of my old programs / pictures on my hard drive. A simple search shows that they're on the drive, however when I try to execute a program, firefox for example, I'm getting errors. I assume installing the system on the same partition without deleting it first isn't what I should have done, however, it seems that I am able to save the pictures of my daughter.

My question is this, since there was no option to repair the OS after I skipped it on the first screen (according to the linked source), is there a way to revert my system to the old OS by trying to repair again?

If possible, I assume that would solve all the problems I am experiencing. I'd really like to fix the problem rather than reinstalling all the software/drivers I originally had on my computer (my simpler fix if you ask me).

I have to thank you for your time and generosity in helping me out, this problem was a little out of my league and it enabled me to bypass what may have been a hardware issue (something I am clueless about).

 

I remember when I set up installation for the new system that the instructions said that it would install in the "Windows" directory and replace any files that were located in there. I'm assuming that it cleared out any duplicate files included in the installation assuring there wouldn't be any additional instances of the old OS. Oh well, I'll need to dig up all my software and ISP information. In reference to the pictures, I was trying to execute a video game that gave a command error and not a picture - sorry for the confusion.

Aside from reinstallation of all my old programs, is there anything else that you feel should be done to complete this process? As far as I know, I have all the necessary software with me, will Windows include all the necessary drivers and information for internet access, etc?

 

Thanks again, your help in this matter was most appreciated. I assume that the information setting up the internet connection and definitions was included in the factory software from Dell. I'll go through those CDs now and hope to get online on that PC within the hour. Once I have everything loaded back on and have it running at 100% I'll come back to update everything!