BSOD Bad_pool_caller, seems to happen while playing any audio

Just got a BSOD with the error "Bad_pool_caller". It happened while I was watching a YouTube video. For the past week or so, whenever I've been playing any audio (iTunes, Spotify, doesn't make a difference), sometimes my computer will freeze up and the audio will generate a buzzing noise. The computer then restarts. Additionally, while playing StarCraft 2, it will freeze up (stutter) every 10-15 seconds or so. It didn't do this before a week ago.

This is the first time I've actually gotten a BSOD - typically it just freezes and restarts.

During this week of freezing, I've completely uninstalled and then re-installed with the latest versions all the sound drivers (Intel Display Audio, NVIDIA High Definition Audio, and Realtek High Definition Audio) and as well as my NVIDIA display driver for my GeForce GT 420M. Additionally, I've removed any programs I no longer use, run a quick, full, and memory scan using MalwareBytes (which found nothing), run a chkdsk /r (which found nothing), ran the disk defragmenter and cleanup, and fully installed all Windows Updates.

Please find a mini dump file and system health report attached. I also have a full Kernel dump, but even compressed, that is 135MB. Please let me know if you'd like it, and where to upload it to.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional 64bit originally installed by Dell on my Dell XPS 15. It was purchased from Dell in March of this year (2011). I have not reinstalled the OS. I have most of my system's hardware in my System Spec in my profile. Most of the time during the day I run two 22.5" Dell monitors from the laptop, and use the laptop as a third screen. One monitor is connected via HDMI, the other via the mini display port. This error occurs both when I have the monitors plugged in and when they are not.

Thank you for any help!

JohnSmith39 said:

Just got a BSOD with the error "Bad_pool_caller". It happened while I was watching a YouTube video. For the past week or so, whenever I've been playing any audio (iTunes, Spotify, doesn't make a difference), sometimes my computer will freeze up and the audio will generate a buzzing noise. The computer then restarts. Additionally, while playing StarCraft 2, it will freeze up (stutter) every 10-15 seconds or so. It didn't do this before a week ago.

This is the first time I've actually gotten a BSOD - typically it just freezes and restarts.

During this week of freezing, I've completely uninstalled and then re-installed with the latest versions all the sound drivers (Intel Display Audio, NVIDIA High Definition Audio, and Realtek High Definition Audio) and as well as my NVIDIA display driver for my GeForce GT 420M. Additionally, I've removed any programs I no longer use, run a quick, full, and memory scan using MalwareBytes (which found nothing), run a chkdsk /r (which found nothing), ran the disk defragmenter and cleanup, and fully installed all Windows Updates.

Please find a mini dump file and system health report attached. I also have a full Kernel dump, but even compressed, that is 135MB. Please let me know if you'd like it, and where to upload it to.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional 64bit originally installed by Dell on my Dell XPS 15. It was purchased from Dell in March of this year (2011). I have not reinstalled the OS. I have most of my system's hardware in my System Spec in my profile. Most of the time during the day I run two 22.5" Dell monitors from the laptop, and use the laptop as a third screen. One monitor is connected via HDMI, the other via the mini display port. This error occurs both when I have the monitors plugged in and when they are not.

Thank you for any help!

This one was Related to NETw5s64.sys Wireless WiFi Link Driver from Intel Corporation.

I would re-install the newest driver available.

There may be Audio issues but since only one DMP was uploaded thats all I can examine. If you have more please upload them.

Thanks for the quick response! I'll get the newest driver for that wireless driver.

zigzag3143 said:

There may be Audio issues but since only one DMP was uploaded thats all I can examine. If you have more please upload them.

I have a 691MB Kernel memory dump that compresses to 135MB. Where can I upload it to?

JohnSmith39 said:

Thanks for the quick response! I'll get the newest driver for that wireless driver.

zigzag3143 said:

There may be Audio issues but since only one DMP was uploaded thats all I can examine. If you have more please upload them.

I have a 691MB Kernel memory dump that compresses to 135MB. Where can I upload it to?

Any file sharing service like "rapidshare", but you really want to set the system cpanel to small.


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.

zigzag3143 said:

Any file sharing service like "rapidshare", but you really want to set the system cpanel to small.

Thanks, I've set it to the mini dump for the future. Here is the RapidShare link for my large Kernel dump: http://rapidshare.com/files/3745326464/BSOD.rar

JohnSmith39 said:

zigzag3143 said:

Any file sharing service like "rapidshare", but you really want to set the system cpanel to small.

Thanks, I've set it to the mini dump for the future. Here is the RapidShare link for my large Kernel dump: http://rapidshare.com/files/3745326464/BSOD.rar

That one also was related to NETw5s64.sys. Partially corrupt so not much info in it.

[QUOTE=zigzag3143;1703026]

JohnSmith39 said:

That one also was related to NETw5s64.sys. Partially corrupt so not much info in it.

I've installed the new drivers for it, so hopefully that fixes the overall issue. I'll start a new post if I get the problem again. Thank you very much for your help!

[QUOTE=JohnSmith39;1703042]

zigzag3143 said:

JohnSmith39 said:

That one also was related to NETw5s64.sys. Partially corrupt so not much info in it.

I've installed the new drivers for it, so hopefully that fixes the overall issue. I'll start a new post if I get the problem again. Thank you very much for your help!

My pleasure and good luck.

As an update for those who might be experiencing the same issues:

I contacted Dell since it was still under warranty, and they ran software diagnostics which came out clean. They replaced the motherboard anyway, and that did not fix the issues. When they replaced the motherboard, it was noticed that the hard drive was running really warm - so after the mobo replacement didn't work, they replaced the hard drive, and that fixed the issue.

So, it was a faulty or dying hard drive that caused the issue.