BSODs during anything CPU-intensive (esp. gaming)

Like the title says, my computer loves to give BSODs during gaming. I originally thought that perhaps my graphics card was the issue (and it needed a bit of replacement anyway), so I changed from a GeForce 3 Ti 200 to a RADEON 9200. (EDIT: I might point out that these games I'm trying to play are not games that should be pushing this computer at all. See the specs? It's crashing during things like StarCraft and Baldur's gate - games that came out 5 years before my computer was new. My Pentium II 400mhz box can run them fine.)

This did not fix my issues one bit.

Removed the Firewire adapter. Didn't solve anything.

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP processor 1.6 ghz
System Memory: 512 MB C2100 DDR SyncDRAM
CD Drives: 16X CD-RW drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive
Networking: Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter (LNE100TX v4)
Graphics: ATI RADEON 9200 series
Power Supply: 300 watts

I've had a variety of errors (as can be seen in my event viewer). Starting from earliest to latest:

[SIZE= "1"]Error code 100000d1, parameter1 0000003f, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 f80dcc9d.

Error code 100000d1, parameter1 00000418, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 f81e1208.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 806ee862, parameter3 ef3ba8fc, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 00000024, parameter1 001902fe, parameter2 ef5026fc, parameter3 ef5023f8, parameter4 806ee862.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 041ed435, parameter2 0000001e, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 806ce380.

Error code 100000be, parameter1 ee96206c, parameter2 1d18f121, parameter3 eeaab8e0, parameter4 0000000b.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 00000074, parameter2 0000001e, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 806ce401.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 806ee862, parameter3 ef188ad8, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 806ee2e3, parameter3 ee9bcc14, parameter4 00000000.

[/SIZE](At this point, graphics card changed from GeForce Ti 300 to RADEON 9200.)

[SIZE= "1"]Error code 1000000a, parameter1 49fffaf8, parameter2 000000ff, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 804db660.

Error code 00000024, parameter1 001902fe, parameter2 eee8c8a8, parameter3 eee8c5a4, parameter4 804f4d1b.

Error code 100000be, parameter1 0070000a, parameter2 0c14b025, parameter3 f8950e64, parameter4 0000000a.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 806ee862, parameter3 ef361b58, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 10000050, parameter1 bebf4939, parameter2 00000000, parameter3 bfa29cc6, parameter4 00000002.

Error code 100000d1, parameter1 00000014, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 f7c4a9c6.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 258cb1c0, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804e39bf.

Error code 100000d1, parameter1 80000065, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 80407046.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 84191f90, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804dc347.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 0dbc6235, parameter3 ee2c7b5c, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 e14e53b8, parameter3 eea59c30, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 830e740c, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804dc2de.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 0f01640c, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804dc2de.

Error code 10000050, parameter1 83000000, parameter2 00000000, parameter3 ef81f11e, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 bf801a29, parameter3 ed86ba04, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 00000024, parameter1 001902fe, parameter2 ee22313c, parameter3 ee222e38, parameter4 806ee2e3.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 1d2882d5, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804e39bf.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 bf801a29, parameter3 ee514690, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 73a1ec8d, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804e3aae.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 73a1ec8d, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 804e3aae.

Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 0dbc6235, parameter3 f9aefb5c, parameter4 00000000.

[/SIZE](Firewire adapter removed here.)

[SIZE= "1"]Error code 1000008e, parameter1 c0000005, parameter2 0dbc6235, parameter3 f9aefb5c, parameter4 00000000.

Error code 100000d1, parameter1 89008904, parameter2 00000002, parameter3 00000000, parameter4 ef1d6553.[/SIZE]

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,
Two points I have. If they were made before Win XP was released they may need to be run in Compatibility Mode, see Help and Support. In fact, I don't think pure DOS based games will not run in XP. You don't mention the names of other programs that may cause the problems.

If it seems to be based on CPU usage, check the temperatures. Use Everest in my signature. Also check that background programs may not be running high CPU usage. Check in Task Manager -> Processes tab.

Matt

 

What all of your errors have in common is that they indicate an intermiitent hardware issue: either a physical failing or a driver problem. Take 0x0a for example, your most common error:

Possible Resolutions:

A Stop 0xA message might occur after installing a faulty device driver, system service, or firmware. If a Stop message lists a driver by name, disable, remove, or roll back the driver to correct the problem. If disabling or removing drivers resolves the issues, contact the manufacturer about a possible update. Using updated software is especially important for multimedia applications, antivirus scanners, and CD mastering tools.

A Stop 0xA message might also be due to failing or defective hardware. If a Stop message points to a category of devices (video or disk adapters, for example), try removing or replacing the hardware to determine if it is causing the problem.

If you encounter a Stop 0xA message while upgrading to Windows XP, the problem might be due to an incompatible driver, system service, virus scanner, or backup. To avoid problems while upgrading, simplify your hardware configuration and remove all third-party device drivers and system services (including virus scanners) prior to running setup. After you have successfully installed Windows XP, contact the hardware manufacturer to obtain compatible updates.

Troubleshooting a Stop 0x0000000A Error in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314063

These resolution measures would encompass all of your error messages.

I would also test RAM, because I agree with mattman that heat could well be the source of the problem. Here is a decent RAM tester that runs under XP rather than requiring a floppy boot: http://hcidesign.com/memtest/

.

 

DOS based games are the only things that DON'T cause issues usually.

Things that have caused issues include:

StarCraft
Baldur's Gate
The Sims 2
Unreal Tournament 2004
Microsoft Word (!) (Mind you, this will go for way longer than the others, but...)

I cannot check temperatures. I've been told to do this many times with different programs - usually Everest. This is originally a Compaq CPU, and it doesn't seem to have heat sensors. I've left Everest running for over half an hour before attempting to find the heat sensors to no avail.

Memtest86 has already been run before for 8 hours straight with no errors. It's not my RAM. (A good thought, but...)

I'm really, really hoping it's not the PSU. 'Cause this computer, like I said, is a modified Compaq. It still has the Compaq propriatery (sp?) PSU, so if the PSU is dying, I'm up poop creek with no paddle. (EDIT: The PSU hasn't been changed since we bought this computer... five years ago or so? I suppose it could be dying.)

 

I have no way of ruling out the PSU is what I'm trying to say.

Normal PSUs do not fit in this machine.

 

You could remove any added hardware (for drives, disconnect the cables) and test the PSU that way, with a load that is the same or lower than the original.

Another would be to borrow another PSU and just connect the cables into case without actually bolting it in. The power connector to the motherboard is "keyed" in a special way, just check that the keyed connectors match before you go ahead and apply power.

Those should tell you if power is the source of the problem.

Matt
PS Temperature, if there is a place to add another fan try that, they only cost $3-5. You will probably be able to get them from the electronics section of a department store.

 

Compaq often uses power supplies that cannot be replaced by third-paty sources.

The other thing Compaq frequently did is use non-ATX connectors from Power Supply to motherboard. When they move the ATX-look-alike connectors, if you connect a non-Compaq ATX style power supply to the headers you will lose the mother board in a puff of grey smoke.