bad_pool_caller

[unitee311]

A few weeks ago I was re-installing my Canon digital camera software when my computer suddenly restarted itself. I haven't seen my desktop since. I've tried entering safe mode with and using "last known good configuration" with no luck. I've even tried to go ahead and reformat the whole darn thing, but I get a BSoD which says "bad_pool_caller". Has anyone else had this happen? If it's a driver problem, I have no idea how to go about fixing it. If it's a hardware problem, can anyone give me some good places to start replacing items? Could my memory or power supply be going up? Those are my current suspicions... Please help!

 

[LeadMagnet]

Try just installing the OS with no 3rd party drivers. Then install the drivers 1 by 1 rebooting after each one. If if dies on just the naked OS all by itself, then.

Unplug all unnessary hardware "sound cards, NICs, 2nd DVD drives, Video capture, USB devies"
then try reinstalling just the OS.

If it still happens, I would guess the follow thing in this order of going bad.
1: RAM
2: CPU "if over clocked make it #1"
3: Power Supply
4: MotherBoard

However it can be very expensive swapping out those parts so as much as I hate to say it - you may want to bring it to a local computer shop that has all those on hand to swap-out.

 

[23skidoo]

With Windows 2000 try running the install CD like a normal fresh install, but when it gets to the first options screen try to run the automatic repair feature; with XP do the same, select the option for installing XP, press F8 to accept the license agreement and THEN, if the install detects a previous installation, select the Repair option again; it will run just like a fresh install, but with any luck all your stuff will be there like it was before.

 

[unitee311]

When you say "unplug" do you mean to remove them completely from the computer? Also, what exactly are the minimum things that i should keep plugged in when trying to re-install the OS? As of right now, I can't, it gives the BSoD with bad_pool_caller soon after I "ok" the license agreement.

something new that is happening -- now the power button doesn't always work. That is, it either doesn't do anything, or it starts to sound like it is powering on (the fans kick in) but then dies.

I guess this should increase my suspicion about the power supply going bad? How often to power supplies fail? I've never had this happen. Also, I can't remember how to install/uninstall the darn thing. Are there any tricks to it or is it just some simple screws?

 

[LeadMagnet]

Originally posted by: unitee311
When you say "unplug" do you mean to remove them completely from the computer? Also, what exactly are the minimum things that i should keep plugged in when trying to re-install the OS? As of right now, I can't, it gives the BSoD with bad_pool_caller soon after I "ok" the license agreement.

You only need to unplug "power & any data" cables from any of the components, or remove them from slots in the motherboard.

The only devices that should be installed would be " Case, PowerSupply, Motherboard, CPU ,RAM, video card, and hard drive" of course you need keyboard, monitor, and maybe mouse. Then try restarting your system.

If that doesn't work you can try reformatting the hard drive before trying to install Windows.

something new that is happening -- now the power button doesn't always work. That is, it either doesn't do anything, or it starts to sound like it is powering on (the fans kick in) but then dies.

That could be the PS or motherboard, but since you get to the point of trying to reinstall the OS I would say MotherBoard.

I guess this should increase my suspicion about the power supply going bad? How often to power supplies fail? I've never had this happen. Also, I can't remember how to install/uninstall the darn thing. Are there any tricks to it or is it just some simple screws?

PowerSupplies are quick, cheap and easy to replace, much eaiser than motherboard.
Nice little 400watt model for $11
Like this 550w for $18
And this 600w model for $22

 

[unitee311]

I'm crossing my fingers that it isnt the mobo

It's a MSI Turbo LE K7T, less than 4 years old.

I think the power supply I have in right now is 300w, but I'm not sure. I'm not really sure what I need, either. Would it hurt to get a 400w or 550w?

Now that I think of it, I have no idea how old the power supply is. When I was building the computer, someone gave me their old case with the power supply in it.

 

[LeadMagnet]

no - there is nothing wrong with going bigger.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Do you have any USB devices connected?

 

[unitee311]

No -- I unplugged them all. (Printer, digital camera, remote control sensor, etc.)

 

[LiLithTecH]

That model MSI motherboard was one of the boards
that used poorly/mis-manufactured CAPACITORS.

You may want to visually inspect the board for any
bloated or leaking capacitors.

 

[unitee311]

First of all I want to say THANKS to everyone that's been helping me out on this. I sincerely appreciate the shared knowledge!

So last night I unplugged everything unnecessary as instructed by LeadMagnet and attempted to power-up. Most of the time, nothing happened. Almost like it wasn't even plugged in. A few times, it started pretending to power up (fans kicked in) but that only last 2-3 seconds before the power went out again.

So I'm pretty convinced that I'm not going to be seeing anything on the monitor anytime soon... at least until I get whatever hardware is messed up replaced.

Also, I checked my power supply -- it is 300w, as I thought.

I did notice some capacitors on the mobo that looked like they had been bent. That is, they weren't sitting flat on the board. (Particularly one that is sitting close to the processor). I wasn't sure if that was a problem. Could that have been a result of "bloating"? If a capacitor is "leaking", what would I see? Liquid? Dried up stuff?

 

[unitee311]

About a year ago I was looking into computer parts and gained an interest in the Asus A7N8X ATX Deluxe mobo. I just now looked at prices and it appears to be under $100?

If I have to get a new mobo, I want a reliable one this time Anyone have any thoughts on this board or any other?

 

[nanaki333]

the a7n8x boards are l33t! that's why they still go for close to $100. you look at the a7v8x boards which came out around the same time for about the same price. those boards are like $60-$70 now. that alone should tell you something about the quality of that a7n8x series.

 

[KGB]

Unit,

Welcome to the Forums!

Lilith is correct about the capacitors on that MB.
Look at the end opposite the MB and notice any bulging or leakage.
By leakage, look for any fine brown powder on the end of the "can".

 

[23skidoo]

If your MSI is less than three years old that means it's still under warranty and there is not another board manufacturer who can match up to their warranty period and the no-hassle RMA policy. I'm currently running 13 desktop systems in my SETI farm with boards from Abit, ASUS, Leadtek, DFI, Iwill, SOYO and MSI and have experienced the RMA process with all of these board makers and MSI wins by a mile--unlike Abit who make you pay a $25 penalty fee if you are not the original owner with a receipt to prove it or Shuttle who are virtually impossible to contact (they may have improved since my last experience).

If the board has none of the bad capacitor signs previously discussed, it's possible you might be able to obtain a new BIOS chip from MSI--or certain you can get one from Jack at www.badflash.com--for around $20, provided you would feel comfortable removing the old one and reinstalling the new one. You can pull your old chip and send it to badflash and he'll test it to see if it will still program and if it is he will program whatever bios file you send him; if it's bad he charges another five bucks or so for a new chip.

Good luck

 

[unitee311]

I will check the capacitors when I get home from work.

If they look fine... what's the next step? I don't know much about the BIOS so I'm not sure I should mess with that.

I'm still suspicious of the power supply! Maybe both are bad?

 

[LeadMagnet]

Shipping for the new power supply will cost the same as the power supply. So if you decide to swap out the MB then also order an new PS just incase.

 

[jpm1145]

I had this happen to me just recently, the bad_pool_caller and other errors(hal.dll etc). Would take forever to bootup when it did. Turned out to be the power supply after I tried everything else. See if you can borrow a ps from someone and try that. You might also want to try unplugging your floppy, cd drives and see if if boots. If it does then it is almost guaranteed to be the power supply.
Good Luck

 

[L1FE]

I would say it's the power supply. It may also explain why it died when you were installing your camera software since the usb device may have sucked too much out of the power supply for it to handle everything. Generic power supplies in cases are generally not to be trusted with hardware (even if they last awhile). I'd personally suggest getting a new power supply, preferably namebrand (antec = good!). Also, I mean, if your fans aren't even powering on, it's fair to say it's your power supply crapping out. I mean, fans do not require your motherboard/video card/etc to spin up

 

[unitee311]

So last night I checked my motherboard and low and behold, guess what I found. Leaking capacitors. Three of them had the brown powdery looking stuff on the top.

So that's that. I guess I need a new mobo. I'll probably get a new power supply too while I'm at it, as LeadMagnet suggested.

I've also (unfortunately) been told that I need to buy new memory too, since what I currently have is SDRAM(?).

Anyone have any recommendations? I would like to pay less than $100 for the mobo if possible...

 

[LeadMagnet]

I used to buy all my individual components thru PriceWatch at as few places as possible and then assemble them. I have probabaly built hundreds of PCs .

Now I just go to FatWallet's Hot Deal Forums and look for the best Dell deal and buy it - then just move your working components over to it. I now have a Dell PowerEdge 400SC acting as my desktop PC and it the the nicest, most reliable, and quitest system I have ever owned - and I will NEVER go back to building my own PC or anyone elses. Dell does it cheaper, faster, and better than the small guys can and thats why they are #1.


If you really want to do it yourself then go to PriceWatch and buy a nice cheap barebone system for $158 that includes Case, PowerSupply, Motherboard, and sometimes RAM - all assembeled , tested and with a warrenty. Then just move your working drives and cards over.


As far a just buying a MotherBoard and installing it yourself, they go in this order of quality;

1 Asus - BEST quality ,but expensive.
2 Abit
3 Tyan
4 Gigabyte
5 Soyo
6 Chaintech
7 FIC
8 Shuttle
9 ECS - CHEAPEST but still a good namebrand.
10 OTHER


And DDR RAM you should buy as large as you can afford PC3200+ with a heat spreader for best flexability in the future.

There are some nice cheap ECS motherboard & XP2500 CPU combos for $113 w/333fsb

 

[unitee311]

Okay, this is getting frustrating.

I just put in a new motherboard (ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe) with new DDR RAM (Crucial 256MB PC3200).

I'm still having the same problem, with the same "bad_pool_caller" BSoD.

What now? New CPU? New PS?