Windows 7: Random Crashes!!!

danfoley1 · 24 Oct 2010

All of a sudden, our DT started crashing, no new hardware or software installed. Other than Windows updates. I can crash imediatly, or after an hour, it is very random. I have run the Dell pre-boot Diagnostics - NO problems found. Have checked all connections, reseated CPU, NO change. Check all cables. Tried new video card, did not help. Have had the cover off and unit is clean. Removed mem sticks, no change. Duration that the computer stays operational varies at any time. Event Log shiows 'critical Error ID 41". Have been told by several techs, several possiblities from replacing every part to reinstalling Win 7 Upgrade (originally, 1.5 yr old system came with Vista 64). If I listened to everyone, I would have bought enough parts to build 3 systems. Don't want to do that if not needed. Any help would be greatly appriciated. Performance files attached. Thank you

Dan Foley

Opps! Computer crashed before I realized the file wasn't attached. Also, all drivers are up to date, but I can not install the ATI Catalyst software for some reason.

Dell Studio XPS 435MT
i7-920, 2.66
8G 1066 Ram
WD 650G HD
ATI Radeon HD 4850 Video Card

JMH · 24 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by danfoley1

All of a sudden, our DT started crashing, no new hardware or software installed. Other than Windows updates. I can crash imediatly, or after an hour, it is very random. I have run the Dell pre-boot Diagnostics - NO problems found. Have checked all connections, reseated CPU, NO change. Check all cables. Tried new video card, did not help. Have had the cover off and unit is clean. Removed mem sticks, no change. Duration that the computer stays operational varies at any time. Event Log shiows 'critical Error ID 41". Have been told by several techs, several possiblities from replacing every part to reinstalling Win 7 Upgrade (originally, 1.5 yr old system came with Vista 64). If I listened to everyone, I would have bought enough parts to build 3 systems. Don't want to do that if not needed. Any help would be greatly appriciated. Performance files attached. Thank you

Dan Foley

Dell Studio XPS 435MT
i7-920, 2.66
8G 1066 Ram
WD 650G HD
ATI Radeon HD 4850 Video Card

Dan hi and welcome

There are unfortunately no files attached can you try this method?

If you wish to have others assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder. The procedure:

* Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
* Zip up the copy.
* Start your own thread in the appropriate section of the forum and attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
* Briefly describe the problem history and circumstances in the same post. Somebody will attend to your query as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance

Jan

danfoley1 · 24 Oct 2010

I have run Memtest86 on the memory simms, no issues. Tried to disable "Intel C-State" and Intel "SpeedStep", could find the settings in BIOS. Thinking Dell doesn't have the BIOS set up for that kind of manipulation.

zigzag3143 · 24 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by danfoley1

All of a sudden, our DT started crashing, no new hardware or software installed. Other than Windows updates. I can crash imediatly, or after an hour, it is very random. I have run the Dell pre-boot Diagnostics - NO problems found. Have checked all connections, reseated CPU, NO change. Check all cables. Tried new video card, did not help. Have had the cover off and unit is clean. Removed mem sticks, no change. Duration that the computer stays operational varies at any time. Event Log shiows 'critical Error ID 41". Have been told by several techs, several possiblities from replacing every part to reinstalling Win 7 Upgrade (originally, 1.5 yr old system came with Vista 64). If I listened to everyone, I would have bought enough parts to build 3 systems. Don't want to do that if not needed. Any help would be greatly appriciated. Performance files attached. Thank you

Dan Foley

Opps! Computer crashed before I realized the file wasn't attached. Also, all drivers are up to date, but I can not install the ATI Catalyst software for some reason.

Dell Studio XPS 435MT
i7-920, 2.66
8G 1066 Ram
WD 650G HD
ATI Radeon HD 4850 Video Card

this was caused by several things

1-Your video driver. Re-install newest version
When upgrading your graphic driver you MUST remove all traces of the current driver. In order to do that we recommend using Guru3D - Driver Sweeper

When it is removed then download and install the fresh copy.

BugCheck 116, {fffffa8009b752e0, fffff88004d4a02c, 0, 2}

Code:

Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys

Probably caused by : atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+602c )

Followup: MachineOwner

2-Your symantec. Remove norton and replace with Microsoft security essentials

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool to uninstall your Norton product | Norton Support Norton removal tool

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

3- old drivers

Code:

pcouffin.sys        fffff880`056cb000    fffff880`056df380    0x00014380    0x457584a2    12/5/2006 10:39:30                        
PxHlpa64.sys        fffff880`0106e000    fffff880`01079d00    0x0000bd00    0x47d88a39    3/12/2008 21:58:17                        
e1y60x64.sys        fffff880`04e00000    fffff880`04e49000    0x00049000    0x48a9ed61    8/18/2008 17:45:05                        
000.fcl        fffff880`06d35000    fffff880`06d60000    0x0002b000    0x48dcdf7a    9/26/2008 09:11:22                        
RimSerial_AMD64.sys        fffff880`04ff5000    fffff880`04ffcc00    0x00007c00    0x492addcd    11/24/2008 13:01:01                        
spldr.sys        fffff880`01675000    fffff880`0167d000    0x00008000    0x4a0858bb    5/11/2009 12:56:27                        
GEARAspiWDM.sys        fffff880`04fd0000    fffff880`04fdd000    0x0000d000    0x4a1151c0    5/18/2009 08:17:04

How To Find Drivers:

Quote:

- search Google for the name of the driver
- compare the Google results with what's installed on your system to figure out which device/program it belongs to
- visit the web site of the manufacturer of the hardware/program to get the latest drivers (DON'T use Windows Update or the Update driver function of Device Manager).
- if there are difficulties in locating them, post back with questions and someone will try and help you locate the appropriate program.

- - The most common drivers are listed on this page: Driver Reference
- - Driver manufacturer links are on this page: Drivers and Downloads

danfoley1 · 24 Oct 2010

ZigZag, Thank you for the quick responce.

I used "Wise Disk Cleaner" to remove all the ATI drivers from the Registry (there wasn't an un-install in my system), re-installed the ATI - 10-10 win7_64 Catalyst Control Center and Video Driver, but the Control Center did not "show up". I am pretty well versed in scrubbing through Redgedit.

Your reccomendation is NOT to use Norton? Free is good. But I have been a Symantic purchaser for the last 18 years, I guess I will have to break the habit.

Under #3 - are you saying I need to sweep these drivers out as well?

Thank you again.

danfoley1 · 24 Oct 2010

Guru3D - Driver Sweeper worked very well on removing the video drivers, but for the lif eof me, I can not get the new ATI drivers to install.

Any thought?

Thank you

danfoley1 · 25 Oct 2010

Well after removing and replacing the most current ATI drivers, removing Norton and installing MS Security Essentials, my system is still randomly shutting down. Very frustrating. I do like the MS Security Essentials.

I forgot to mention above that I replaced a power supply on this Dell Studio XPS which had a 280watt power supply with a 430watt Thermatake. The local store said the 12v "rail" was bad on the Dell power supply.

So I will post the latest Performance report shortly.

danfoley1 · 25 Oct 2010

Here is the 2nd Performance Report from this morning.

Windows 7: Random Crashes!!!

Random Crashes!!! problems?