Black Screen of Death - Kernel-Power Event 41 Occurs often when gaming

Hi! I'm new to the forums so I'll try to follow all the rules! I have updated my system specs to my knowledge and attached the files from a perfmon report and the NT6_BSOD utility. I didn't have the debugging information set to small memory dump until now as I just started getting serious about finding out what the heck is going on and I didn't know it was better to have it set as such. I'll be sure to repost the logs in this thread when I crash next.

I starting having black screens while playing Starcraft II and eventually they started to occur at seemingly random times (surfing the internet, and other non-taxing things). The system will hard hang and the only way to shut down is to hold the power button. I've tried to check that there weren't multiple drivers of the same type running as well as many other forum suggestions.

I've replaced the bones of my system in hopes that one of the core hardware pieces was causing the issue, and it hasn't helped. I've replaced the Mobo, CPU, and RAM (to what is in my system specs). I thought I solved the problem when I unplugged all hard drives except for the OS drive as I hadn't had a crash in days and today I was playing Skyrim and BAM - black screen and hard hang.

When it boots up I get a message mentioning that the overclocking failed - but I haven't set up any overclocking or done anything to the system. I set the BIOS to default and then windows boots up fine. I also never got that message with my old mobo/ram/cpu.

I'm at a loss as to what's causing this headache. Thanks for any help!

Scoro said:

Hi! I'm new to the forums so I'll try to follow all the rules! I have updated my system specs to my knowledge and attached the files from a perfmon report and the NT6_BSOD utility. I didn't have the debugging information set to small memory dump until now as I just started getting serious about finding out what the heck is going on and I didn't know it was better to have it set as such. I'll be sure to repost the logs in this thread when I crash next.

I starting having black screens while playing Starcraft II and eventually they started to occur at seemingly random times (surfing the internet, and other non-taxing things). The system will hard hang and the only way to shut down is to hold the power button. I've tried to check that there weren't multiple drivers of the same type running as well as many other forum suggestions.

I've replaced the bones of my system in hopes that one of the core hardware pieces was causing the issue, and it hasn't helped. I've replaced the Mobo, CPU, and RAM (to what is in my system specs). I thought I solved the problem when I unplugged all hard drives except for the OS drive as I hadn't had a crash in days and today I was playing Skyrim and BAM - black screen and hard hang.

When it boots up I get a message mentioning that the overclocking failed - but I haven't set up any overclocking or done anything to the system. I set the BIOS to default and then windows boots up fine. I also never got that message with my old mobo/ram/cpu.

I'm at a loss as to what's causing this headache. Thanks for any help!

No DMP files included in upload please try this method


We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.

You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.

To enable us to 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.
* Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
*If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.


To ensure minidumps are enabled:

* Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
* Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
* Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
* Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
* Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
* OK your way out.
* Reboot if changes have been made.

Hmm... Are there reasons that a minidump folder wouldnt be created? I had everything set exactly as they should be in the startup and recovery settings.

Attachment 183580

Skyrim crashed via black screen and no minidump folder was made. I booted up in safemode /w networking as well and nothing was there. A search only found a minidump folder deep in a a firefox directory and that was empty.

It appears that no DMP files are being created as a result of the crashes. they are now happening so frequently I'm having to post this via mobile. going to try formatting the OS drive and fresh installing Windows. Not sure what other options I have at this point.

i have this problem too, black screen when gaming, someone have the solution , how about TS , already solved the problem? same random occured when gaming , need help

I did solve the problem eventually. It was a power supply issue. I had a conversation with a guy at a Micro Center store who told me that he was 99% sure it was a power supply issue. I wish I had talked to him before purchasing a new mobo, CPU, and ram.... Purchased a 760 watt PSU and it solved the problem.

My problem was I was not getting a blue screen, I was getting a BLACK screen with a hard-hang (caps lock, num lock did not work) and this type of crash was not creating the error report that everyone here claims they need to diagnose any issues. So try a new PSU and it will hopefully solve your problem.

Marking thread solved.