Expert: Brian Benosky - 2/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: After a lock up I restart the Windows XP and when it tries to boot up it comes up with blue screen with an error at the top called "Bad_Pool_Caller".  I could only boot up in "safe mode"  I tried to run Norton 360 anti virus but it will not run in safe mode.

Q1 - Is this a virus?
Q2 - How do I repair my computer to boot up normally and how do I prevent this from occuring again?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Mike

ANSWER: Hi Mike

This error is typically associated with device driver conflicts. Did you installed any new hardware or software before receiving the error?  What computer make, model, and operating system are you running?  

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well I restarted after running for 2 days in safe mode and it launched as it should.  I then ran Norton 360 after performing a "live update" for the lates virus definitions.  Everything was OK per the full system scan. I have not installed any new HW or SW.  I have a 2004 Dell Dimension 4550, Windows XP.  My hard drive is 28gig and only have about 1.5gig of free space.  Do you think the lack of free space could be my problem?  I am moving as much stuff as possible to an external hw.  Norton 360 recommended having 15% free disk space.  Please advise.

Thanks,

Mike

ANSWER: Hi Mike

I would have to say that the small amount of free space can cause errors such as the one you receive.  The first thing you should do is to clean out the junk files which Windows builds up.  Click Start->Run->then type cleanmgr in the box and click OK.  After cleaning, please visit the website below to run a system scan:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
Click on the "Full Test" link on the left.
After the scan, report back to me any problem areas it finds, and we will continue from there.

Brian


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Brian,

I did the cleanmgr program and then went to the www.pcpitstop.com for the full test.  The test would stop and close out from the Internet each time in the 3d test portion.  I ran it 3 times with the same result of the program and Internet exit.  Other than this the computer seems to boot up properly when shutdown and it running as it did before.  I have copied and removed most photo's so that I now have 15% of free disk space.  Do you think everything is OK or do I have a hidden problem yet?

Thanks so much,

Mike

Answer
Hi Mike

So long as the computer is running normally again, freeing up disk space seems to be the way to go.  Uninstall programs you don't use to free up more.  I would also run a defragmentation, which may help speed things up a bit.  I'm not sure why the test did not complete, but since everything else is fine, I wouldn't worry.  If you have further questions, just let me know.  Cheers!

Brian