BSOD-Kernel Power Error-Dumps Attached

Sure hope ya'll can help!

PC info:
Relatively new Dell Studio XPS 9100, Win 7 Home Premium x64.
- original installed OS - OEM (Dell) version
- New machine, received Dec. 10, 2010
- OS Age? Same, have not re-installed OS

Problem Info

A few days after setting up the PC began having BSODs from a Kernel Power Error. Unfortunately, Dell Tech Support's lame response was to reinstall the OS. They didn't even attempt to analyze dumps, etc. I'm not inclined to reinstall until I know what the problem is and that it won't reoccur!

BSODs occur at anytime of the day with the machine both idle and in use, sometimes several times a day, others a few days in between. Can not tie the crashes to an application, sometimes all programs are closed, other times only browser (FF) only open.

I'm attaching the reports and memory dumps as instructed in the sticky.

Sincerely appreciate any help you can provide.

Hi Kenh99 and Welcome to SF!

All of your .dmp files give a stop error of 0x7F. Its a stop error that ZoneAlarm firewall gives frequently. You have two(?) options:

ZoneAlarm firewall is known to be a cause of BSOD's on many Windows 7 systems. Download the ZoneAlarm Remover. Boot to safe mode and run the ZoneAlarm Remover. Reboot. Make sure that Windows Firewall is enabled.
Alternatively
Try this Microsoft hotfix if you wish to keep ZoneAlarm: Stop Error 0x07F when you run applications that transfer data using the UDP protocol in Win Server 2008 R2/Win 7" which I can neither verify or discount. It may work, it may not.

Thanks much for the prompt response!

When I run the ZA cleaner I get this error message:

"Could not read SFX info. It's likely corrupt."

What's next?

I do have REVO Uninstaller, should I use that in Aggressive mode? And possibly CCleaner after REVO does it's thing?

Thanks!

EDIT: After posting the above, did a quick Google on removing ZA, I see many listings w/instructions for a total manual ZA removal. I'll wait for your advice, or a pointer to, a manual method.

I don't know the reason for that error as I've never had ZoneAlarm to remove!!

Try Revo, I think (Don't use Revo) it creates a restore point before cleaning up.

Personally I'd go the manual route:

Parts 1 & 2 of the second post gives a list of the files to look for.

I'd create a restore point, collect them all together and put them in a zip folder (just in case) then delete the originals.

Fimble,

I've uninstalled Zone Alarm and cleaned all of its tracks I think. I'll give it a couple days to see if the BSODs have stopped. Please leave this thread open, I will report back.

Do you recommend a firewall that plays nice with Win7 x64? I'm enabling Windows Firewall now until/if I install something else.

Thanks!

Ken

Windows Firewall is a recommended firewall, because it does not conflict with Windows 7 and its much more stable than other firewalls.

Your dumps blame old drivers are obsolete and need to be updated. Also, it is notorious for BSOD.

pcouffin.sys Wed Dec 06 03:39:30 2006
GizmoDrv.SYS Sun May 18 17:24:02 2008

pcouffin.sys:
Patin-Couffin is VSO Software and is related to CD/DVD burning software
Uninstall or Update CD/DVD burning software

GizmoDrv.sys:
I have no idea what this is. Maybe you know the software associated with this driver?
???

DeanP said:

Windows Firewall is a recommended firewall, because it does not conflict with Windows 7 and its much more stable than other firewalls.

Your dumps blame old drivers are obsolete and need to be updated. Also, it is notorious for BSOD.

pcouffin.sys Wed Dec 06 03:39:30 2006
GizmoDrv.SYS Sun May 18 17:24:02 2008

pcouffin.sys:
Patin-Couffin is VSO Software and is related to CD/DVD burning software
Uninstall or Update CD/DVD burning software

Will update

GizmoDrv.sys:
I have no idea what this is. Maybe you know the software associated with this driver?
???

Gizmo is a freeware ISO app, Gizmo Central -- Enliven your PC
Will uninstall it, there are other options of course.

So far so good for no more BSODs but only been about 12 hrs since
clearing ZA. Crossed fingers!

Thanks Dean!

It's been 4 days and no more BSODs!

Big thanks to Fimble and DeanP. For Win7 issues I've found a new home. :)

Mark this one solved.

Thanks,

Ken

Glad to have helped :)