bsod after 20 seconds...most every time

the message i get is 0x000000F4 (0x00000003,0x84cA7650,0x84CA77c4,0x805D297c)
in the blue screen (along with the regular message rebooting...safe mode...)
sometimes there is a pink square on the blue screen as well.
The bsod comes after about 10 sec to 5 min of my computer being completely booted up. I ran a Norton AV scan today so i don't think it is a virus. I ran a chkdsk f/r/ also.
This has been happening for a while. Usual I can reboot it a few times and my computer will eventually stay on but it has been getting worse.
thanks for any info you can give. I want to avoid taking it in to a shop.

also I found this sight but im afraid to use it lol http://www.pcerror.info/error/0x000000f4%20error.html?gclid=CNTo8IKfjZcCFRg6awoddRHR1g

Don't run that tool, I'm not sure if it safe.

I suspect the error code points to your CMOS battery. You would have to replace it. How old is the computer?

I built the computer a few months ago. I dont have a video card yet though.

ahh... You built the computer so this problem occurs on a computer when Windows XP is installed on a hard disk that is configured as a subordinate and no other device is connected to the same IDE controller channel (primary or secondary).


Use one of the following methods to resolve this:

• For PATA hard disks, configure your disk drive as master only. For SATA hard disks, connect the hard disk cable to a master channel SATA connector on the motherboard.
  
• Connect another device as a master, such as another disk drive or a CD drive or DVD drive.
  
• Change your PATA cables, your SATA cable, or your IDE cable even if the cable does not appear worn.
  
• Install Windows on a new hard disk because it is possible that your hard disk or your Windows installation may be corrupted.

Thanks for the info. Ill try them all and if it works ill post another reply stating so.

would "Install Windows on a new hard disk because it is possible that your hard disk or your Windows installation may be corrupted." require me to buy a new hdd?

You can re-install windows to try first. But before that, have you tried the other 3 suggestions listed above?

My motherboard does not have a master channel labeled. Do i have to go into bios or something?
motherboard: ASUS M3A78 PRO

No, you would have to open your casing.

my sata channels are labeled 1-2-3-4-5-6. how would i know which of the 6 are masters?

No, you would have to open your casing.

does that mean look inside my computer case or the sata channel casings?
thanks and sorry for all the questions.

Yes, take a look at the back of your DVD drive, there should be some jumpers there like shown:



Set it to Master

As for the SATA channels, I'm not sure which is Master. I will ask another staff and see what he says.

ah ok
tyvm

I looked at the back on my dvd drive and it is sata as well so i can use the jumper chart you gave me.
in bios my master channels are labeled as so
primary IDE Master : [not detected]
primary IDE Slave : [not detected]
SATA 1 : [hdd]
SATA 2 : [dvd drive]
SATA 4 : [not detected]
SATA 5 : [not detected]
SATA 6 : [not detected]

when i select and enter on the sata 1 and 2 it says they are master.

so i went in so my storage config. and switched my onchip sata type from IDE to AHCI then my computer didnt even load bios.

So i guess that crosses steps 1 and 2 off the list so i will go out and buy 2 new sata cables for my hdd and dvd drive. If that does not fix it i might just dump my computer at a shop.

so i went in so my storage config. and switched my onchip sata type from IDE to AHCI then my computer didnt even load bios

sorry i mean it did not load windows and gave me a 0x0000007B error
I just went back to IDE to get ride of that error though.
what is the AHCI mode for?