New
#1
Random BSOD when playing installed games in Win 7 64-Bit
Very recently I have built two brand new computers, one for myself, and one for my boyfriend, and all of the hardware seems to function, at least from the outside. Our computers are completely identical in build and in specs. They were built less than a month ago, and the only differences between the two are that he has his HDDs set up in RAID 0, and my own in RAID 1 mirror.
Curiously, both systems share the EXACT same flaws after installing Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium on the drives. No more, no less. The flaws include: Playing games installed on the HDDs will randomly crash to BSODs with no warning. It doesnt happen at certain points in the game, it is completely random, and happens with all games installed on the HDDs. HOWEVERWhen running a game that plays from the DVD-ROM or CD, it runs 100% perfectly with no crashes, no errors, and zero problems. I havent had a single BSOD crash, or any type of crash, from a game running from a CD/DVD. ONLY games installed on the HDDs will crash randomly. In fact, the games running from the CDs/DVDs run so smoothly, its amazing to look at, and the GPU seems to handle those just fine.
The BSODs dont happen at any other time. I think only once it may have happened with Firefox open on my boyfriends computer, but hasnt done that since I ran a disk check. It only happens during games, now. I have yet to set up minidump, but I plan to do that after I post this. Im posting on various forums to see if anyone has any clue why this would even happen, not just on one system, but BOTH SYSTEMS.
HDDs: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6.0is correctly hooked up to SATA 6.0 slots.
The other flaw BOTH of our computers have is that we cannot update our graphics drivers, whether we download them from the appropriate website or do it through the Windows Update. Either way, when trying to install the updated driver, Windows 7 crashes to a BSOD (on BOTH systems, not just one), and does not install properly, and acts as if it did not install at all. The only driver that works is the one from the disc provided with our GPUs. It will install that driver perfectly fine with no errors.
GPU: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5770 PCI-E 2.1 (in a 2.0 slot, dont know if that would cause problems)
All hardware within both machines is brand new, and Windows 7 is not OEM, it is a retail copy that I purchased. Its 64-bit Home Premium full, for those who need to know.
Adjustments I have tried to make: I ran a disk check on both machines and the problem persists. Service Pack 1 and all updates are up to date and installed, minus the updated graphics driver.
I have not done a memory check, but I figured the coincidence would be a little too large that both of our computers had faulty RAM at the exact same time, and both machines were brand new. Im sure it could happen, but in this case, it seems unlikely.
Again, I tried updating graphics drivers, and Windows 7 just will not let me do it without crashing my entire computer.
The rest of my specs
CPU: AMD Phenom II Black Edition X4
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws 2x 2GB Gaming Series
Motherboard: Asus M4A89TD Pro Xtreme Design
PSU: Corsair HX650w
Case: Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced mid-tower, with 1 intake and 2 exhaust fans
Additional notes: There were certain motherboard drivers I neglected to install, thinking I might not need them for the system. I installed our LAN and RAID controller drivers, but did not bother with our USB 3.0 and other things. Should I do this? Is it possible that there are corrupt drivers or missing ones? Do I have the wrong RAID driver installed?
One final note, the icon on my desktop for Windows Media Player disappears off of my desktop every single time I restart the computer. Not only that, but a folder Ive deleted before has a tendency of returning despite my deleting it.
Any help is greatly appreciated and I hope to discover the root of the problem.