aspi_chk question

[Cambo]

I have followed the troubleshooting faq thread that Woody has posted and tried to do the aspi stuff. I found that the version of aspi_chk that is shown in the example wont run for me, it comes up as not a valid application, is this normal (My OS: Win XP home) I ran the latest version and got the screen shown as a result. Because the confirmation text is slightly greyed out, I'm not sure if this means my aspi is installed correctly or not?

 

[woody]

Yes your installation is fine.I get the same results with that version of Aspichk.It is a newer version made for the 4.7 versions of aspi files which are problematic on some sytsems.

 

[Cambo]

Thank you! Now to make sure I have checked your other informative beginners tips prior to attempting to burn anything ~ in the hope that I don't get the BSOD again (which has happened a couple of times now when trying to backup my backup(ghost) file onto DVD with my new Pioneer A07 ~ that was before I discovered this site! )

 

[Duracell]

in the hope that I don't get the BSOD again

usually in the first three lines of the BSOD the trouble causing driver/software is named;
report the driver/file name here, so we can try to help;

Greetings from
Duracell

 

[Cambo]

Bsod

Thanks Duracell,
the BSOD occured a few times when I was trying to write data to my DVD writer
(I was trying to backup my ghost file, thankfully since joining this forum I saw a thread that reminded me Ghost 2003 writes directly to DVD drives from it's DOS back-up operations, so I have since performed my back up in Ghost with no trouble) The thing I am concerned about is what will happen when I try to back-up other data (such as my Digital Photos)
Initially (when I first got the DVD burner and installed it's software I had managed to do a small test DVD movie of my kids from a couple of small movies taken with my digital camera, using the software provided with the Pioneer A07 bundle (U-lead DVD stuff and also Media-chance DVD lab) that went ok (except for some missing audio, but I'm sure thats because I had different audio formats in the project, I was just testing the software out really...)
As I said the problem was trying to write data with Ulead's Burn.Now. The operation would get part way through and then the BSOD would rear its head.
I got varying messages on the BSOD for the repeated attempts I made:

BAD_POOL_CALLER
** STOP: 0x000000C2 (0x0000007, 0x000000CD4, 0xB7FFB7FF, 0XE1298008)

PFN_LIST_CORRUPT
** STOP: 0x00000099, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
** STOP: 0x0000000A (0xFFBE0000, 0x00000001, 0x00000000, 0x804F2982)

(my apologies if you don't need all these strings, I'm not sure how detalied I should get) - eventually (after a few of tries) on rebooting, the system told me it couldn't find WINDOWS/SYSTEM/CONFIG which I sort of guessed was not a good thing...I couldn't get the system to run after that so had to fdisk, format and "re-ghost" to an older version of my C drive. I was a bit nervous to try anything more after that...
I was not sure why I was getting different BSOD messages each time, or why the burn would sometimes get (or seem to get) nearly all of the way through before crashing, and sometimes crash soon after the burn started...?
Note that this was before I used forced ASPI after discovering that stuff here, I did notice that when I used the dumpASPI to back up the original ASPI the same file names (WOWPOST.EXE etc) were in the dump as what force ASPI installed. Are these just different versions of the same exec's or is it possible the software I installed (either the mediachance or Ulead installed these during those programs set-ups?)

One other thing I have noted that may or may not have anything to do with anything is that when setting up my devices as recommended here, is that when I go to exit the device manager after changing details I get this message:

mmc.exe The Instruction at "0x77f516c5" referenced memory at "0x008a0010" The memory could not be "read"

On checking, the changes I have made are still there, but I don't know what that message means... (I don't know much of anything really do I? LOL)

My system information:
AMD Duron 800mhz processor
917,504 K PC133 RAM
80GB MASTER 40GB SLAVE HD's on the primary channel and
A07 DVD burner (MASTER) and Creative 12 10 32x CD Burner (SLAVE) on 2nd channel.

As far as other hardware, I also have a Matrox G550 dual head graphics card in the AGP slot and a USB 2.0 x 4 Hub in one of my other PCI slots with scanner, ADSL modem and Wacom tablet - along with digital camera USB cable (not always connected to camera of course) connected...

Once again, I'm sorry if I'm being too verbose with all this info, but I guess it's better to provide too much info than not enough...
Thanks for your patience reading this!

 

[Duracell]

I got varying messages on the BSOD for the repeated attempts I made:

What about the third line? there is usualy the trouble causing driver/software named;
have a look at this example: http://www.dvdrbase.com/showthread.php?p=223865

eventually (after a few of tries) on rebooting, the system told me it couldn't find WINDOWS/SYSTEM/CONFIG which I sort of guessed was not a good thing...I couldn't get the system to run after that

this is a bad sign for an instable system; try the free Prime95 "p95v238.exe" in torture mode to test your system stability: http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

Are these just different versions of the same exec's or is it possible the software I installed (either the mediachance or Ulead installed these during those programs set-ups?)

a few burning sofware installing different ASPI versions, but sorry don't know about mediachance or Ulead;

Once again, I'm sorry if I'm being too verbose with all this info, but I guess it's better to provide too much info than not enough...

yep, better than not enough;

 

[Cambo]

Thanks for your reply Duracell.
Re: The third line in the BSOD message ~ there was no more specific information about software or drivers in any of those messages,
just a generic "If you have recentlyy installed new hardware or software on the system try removing them blah blah de blah...
In the link you provide they talk about a system dump. Please excuse my ignorance, but once the system is rebooted where can I access the information on the system dump?
Re: "this is a bad sign of an unstable system" ~ Yup, I thought it might be...the computer was put together by a company that no longer operates, and although it has served me reasonably well over the last 3 years, it has had it's "moments". Not being a computer tech or wiz, I have tried to teach myself what I have needed to know as things arise, but I am starting to think I either need to upgrade my computer or Motherboard and processor when I can afford it, or something? (Don't know what really) I may try repairing my XP home installation next (as suggested by Woody in another thread).
Thanks very much for your help.

 

[Duracell]

The third line in the BSOD message ~ there was no more specific information about software or drivers

another sign for a complex problem, when you can't specify it to an explicit driver;
again: please test your system (CPU/chipset/RAM) stability by using Prime95 in torture mode;

where can I access the information on the system dump?

it's stored in the WINDOWS or WINNT directory;
but sorry i can't valuate it, i don't have the necessary knowledge;

it has served me reasonably well over the last 3 years, ... but I am starting to think I either need to upgrade my computer or Motherboard and processor when I can afford it, or something?

even if it is an old puter it schould work (maybe) slowly but without BSODs;
now i like to know:
1. the fabricator and model of your motherboard,
2. also the chipset fabricator and model,
3. and which chipset driver version you have installed;
a tool like the former AIDA32 may help you: http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1

and like Woody told, a XP repair is always worth a try too;

 

[Cambo]

I downloaded both programs you linked to Duracell, thanks! They are both very useful and interesting. The information on chipset etc is below:

<div style="background:#FFFFCC; border: 1px dotted #000; margin:8px; padding:10px;">Field Value
Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 03/14/2001-8363-686B-K7VZAC-00
Motherboard Name ECS K7VZA

Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 200 MHz
Bandwidth 1600 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s

Chipset Bus Properties
Bus Type PCI
Bus Width 32-bit
Real Clock 33 MHz
Effective Clock 33 MHz
Bandwidth 133 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR
RAM Slots 3 DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio
Form Factor ATX
Motherboard Size 220 mm x 300 mm
Motherboard Chipset KT133(A)

Motherboard Manufacturer
Company Name Elitegroup Computer Systems
Product Information http://www.ecs.com.tw/products/pd_list.asp?submenu_id=4&function_id=1
BIOS Download http://www.ecs.com.tw/download/dw_list.asp?submenu_id=23&function_id=1

Field Value
Chipset Properties
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8363A Apollo KT133A
In-Order Queue Depth 4

Memory Timings
CAS Latency (CL) 3T
RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD) 3T
RAS Precharge (tRP) 3T

Memory Slots
DRAM Slot #1 256 MB (SDRAM)
DRAM Slot #2 128 MB (SDRAM)
DRAM Slot #3 512 MB (SDRAM)

AGP Properties
AGP Version 2.00
AGP Status Enabled
AGP Aperture Size 64 MB
Supported AGP Speeds 1x, 2x, 4x
Current AGP Speed 4x
Fast-Write Not Supported
Side Band Addressing Supported, Enabled

Chipset Manufacturer
Company Name VIA Technologies, Inc.
Product Information http://www.via.com.tw/en/apollo/chipsetindex.jsp
Driver Download http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2</div>

I also ran the torture test in Prime for about 20min, and it stated the 1024K test passed before going onto it's 8k tests. The program suggests the test should be run for an extended period of time I think, so I shall try that next time I have a couple of days free where I can leave the system running continuously... Thank you very much for your help, I really do appreciate it!

 

[Duracell]

Motherboard ID 03/14/2001-8363-686B-K7VZAC-00
Motherboard Name ECS K7VZA

your BIOS is the stoneage version (but this probably isn't the reason for burning failures), latest is v3.7 from 04/16/2004;
you can grab it there: http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Downloads/ProductsDetail_Download.aspx?CategoryID=1&Typeid=4&detailid=186&DetailName=Bios&DetailDesc=K7VZA

here you can get the latest chipset drivers: http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=300
i highly recommend to update these drivers; don't forget to check/reanable DMA after updating;

I also ran the torture test in Prime for about 20min ... The program suggests the test should be run for an extended period of time

24 hours are recommended;

 

[Cambo]

Bios download difficulty?

Thanks Duracell. I went to the ecs site link you gave, but for the life of me cannot download the bios, there is a dropdown to choose a download site (as well as one to chose for the flash bios utility) with only one option Tiawan, which sort of makes me wonder why theyu are using a dropdown interface in the first place, but when you select the download site, it simply returns you to the same download page, same thing happens if you click on the link for info on how to use their flash bios utility. I have no idea what i am doing wrong, if anything...
btw, presuming I do get it right eventually, which version should I choose? The latest one at the bottom of the page? Would that include all the fixes mentioned in all the previous versions? I don't hold much hope in getting the download to actually download though!

 

[Duracell]

but for the life of me cannot download the bios ... it simply returns you to the same download page

download works for me, tried it right now; it reloads the page too but in same moment it opens the "save file" window;

anyhow, here are direct links to their ftp server:
How to use AWARD Flash Utility? http://www.ecs.com.tw/extra/flashutl/awardflash.htm
Flash Utility ftp://ftp.ecs.com.tw/bios/flash/mb/awd820a.exe
latest BIOS ftp://ftp.ecs.com.tw/bios/mb/k7/k7vza/k7vza37.exe

which version should I choose?

the latest one is enough, it contains all previous fixes;

 

[Cambo]

Thanks!

Thanks heaps Duracell ~ Not sure why the ecs downloadss wouldn't work for me, I wonder if it is because I am using Mozilla firebird (although it usually asks me if I want to accept pop-ups or the like) in IE6 I just got a 404...not to worry however, the ftp links you provided did the trick! Thanks again!