BSOD at random, inconsistent error codes

LiamN · Feb 19, 2012

I've been getting BSODs at random over the last 5 months. They occur more frequently when playing games (e.g. StarCraft II, Heroes of Newerth), but occasionally occur just after startup or while idle as well.

Steps I have taken so far:
- installed new fans and case
- trialled a different graphics card (ATI Radeon 4670 1GB- now running 4870 512GB)
- bought new RAM and tried combinations of different slots (now running with all 8GB, new and old)
- done a clean install of Windows 7 Pro x64
- various other driver updates, etc.

but all to no avail. BSODs after each new try. Unfortunately I have lost the old dump files prior to the clean Win7 install two days ago, but the latest two dumps should be there. One of the regular occurrences when looking at the previous dump files in NirSoft BlueScreenView was the crash address "ntoskrnl.exe+7cc40".

System specs are up to date on my profile, and usual details attached.

I would really appreciate any advice on where to go from here. I am stumped.

Thanks in advance,
--Liam.

JaidynM · Feb 19, 2012

You will need to run an sfc/scannow command in an elevated command prompt. If errors are found, run it twice more with each scan followed by a reboot.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Check the ASUS site for any BIOS updates. Also, if you changed any settings in BIOS before the BSOD's started, reset it back to the old settings. If you are overclocking either your CPU or GPU, stop.

ASACPI.sys may be the cause of the problem. The pre-2009 version of the driver is notorious for causing BSOD's. From the below link, click on Utilities and download and install the 'ATK0110 driver for WindowsXP/Vista/Win7 32&64-bit'.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download P7P55D LE

JMH · Feb 19, 2012

Your DMP doesn't appear to show any Anti Virus Program listed.
Please advise what you are using...

LiamN · Feb 20, 2012

JMH: I have been using AVG Free 2012, but hadn't yet put it back on
after the clean install. It is up and running again now.

JaidynM: Thanks for the advice.

I am running the latest ASUS BIOS (BIOS 1005, 2009.07.31) for the
P5Q-SE motherboard.
I haven't ever overclocked the CPU or GPU.
I installed the ATK0110 driver. Then I tested the system (playing the game that makes it crash most often) and it still crashed.
I ran the sfc /scannow command. Upon consulting the log file, the following file caused
troubles: "WTVGOTHIC-R.ttc" Then I did two additional reboot+scans, neither of which found errors. After this, I tested the system again, and it still crashed.

Any other ideas? The new dump files are attached.

JMH · Feb 20, 2012

LiamN,
Your response noted re AV software..Thanks.

Jaidyn will return after his school day has completed to analyze your further DMP's.

JaidynM · Feb 21, 2012

You should update any outstanding updates from 'Windows Update'. If it's not set to automatically install updates, install all the Important updates and as many Optional updates as you can manually.

Can you list all of the devices you are using via USB port including any portable drives, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers etc?

Finally, uninstall AVG for the time being and install Microsoft Security Essentials just as a test to see if the antivirus is at fault.

LiamN · Feb 21, 2012

Hmm... Windows update doesn't come up with any further updates.

USBs in use:
Logitech G110 keyboard
Razer lachesis 5600dpi mouse (although I just tested with an old optical mouse and it still crashed)
Logitech C500 webcam (although just tested with it unplugged and it still crashed)

Occasionally I would have my external HDD, ipod, etc. plugged in as well - but not at the moment.

As for AVG, the first two crashes were prior to AVG install, the second two crashes were post-AVG install... Should I still give Microsoft Security Essentials a whirl?

Thanks again to you and JMH for helping me so far. Much appreciated!

JaidynM · Feb 22, 2012

Can you restart the computer with nothing plugged in at all? That includes keyboard & mouse, network cable, just about everything.

Do you remember if you did anything just before the BSOD's started? Installed new software, hardware, downloaded a file etc?

LiamN · Feb 22, 2012

I could do that, but how would I stress the computer? It does occasionally BSOD after start-up, but more often it is while gaming...

As for incidents at the start of the BSOD's... I think it was after I started using the Logitech keyboard and Razer mouse. It crashes when gaming with a different mouse, but I'm not sure about the keyboard... I will test later tonight using an old keyboard instead...

My other option is to get a new mobo - after a quick search, an easy option would be to downgrade to a Gigabyte GA-G41M from my current ASUS P5Q-SE. I would drop to 4GB of ram (should be fine) and only a PCIE 1.0 x16 slot for my Radeon 4870 instead of a 2.0 slot.

How likely is that to work, do you think?

JaidynM · Feb 22, 2012

I would not recommend buying new hardware until the BSOD is fully analysed. If there's no hope of preventing the BSODs and buying a motherboard looks like a good option, then sure. But at the moment, I don't think that a new mobo will do much, if anything at all.

You should definitely try and start the computer with all the USB ports free. Rather than testing it with an old keyboard, don't use any. It might be that particular port, not the keyboard.

LiamN · Feb 27, 2012

Sorry for the delay. It has been busy for me as uni has just started again.

A couple of days ago I tried booting with NOTHING attached except the monitor. It ran fine and I left it idle for several hours, and it did not crash. However, I feel this doesn't say a lot, as it was idle the whole time.

Then, tonight I tried with nothing attached except the monitor, ethernet cable, and an old PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard. After a little while gaming, it crashed.

The usual info is attached. The latest crash is from tonight with the PS/2 keyboard and mouse.

I recall now that when I first installed the logitech keyboard (around the time the BSODs started, I can't be sure whether it was actually beforehand or not) I had to update the BIOS to get it to work... I am running the latest BIOS, but could this be the problem?

Thanks again for all your help. Any ideas on where to go from here? Should I try finding the old BIOS?

JaidynM · Mar 2, 2012

Switch the cables around and remove the Ethernet cable. See if there's any USB ports you can use without your computer crashing.

JMH · Mar 3, 2012

Liam,

* The DMP dated 27th still shows AVG as being installed.

AVG can be a contributing cause of BSOD'S .
Please remove and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials AT LEAST TO TEST

Download tools and utilities | AVG Worldwide

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

* These crashes were caused by memory corruption/exception (probably a driver).
Please run these two tests to verify your memory and find which driver is causing the problem.

If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!

If you have Raid update its Driver.

Memtest.

Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.

If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.

Click to expand...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

Driver verifier

Using Driver Verifier is an iffy proposition. Most times it'll crash and it'll tell you what the driver is. But sometimes it'll crash and won't tell you the driver. Other times it'll crash before you can log in to Windows. If you can't get to Safe Mode, then you'll have to resort to offline editing of the registry to disable Driver Verifier.

So, I'd suggest that you first backup your stuff and then make sure you've got access to another computer so you can contact us if problems arise. Then make a System Restore point (so you can restore the system using the Vista/Win7 Startup Repair feature).

Then, here's the procedure:
- Go to Start and type in "verifier" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Select "Create custom settings (for code developers)" and click "Next"
- Select "Select individual settings from a full list" and click "Next"
- Select everything EXCEPT FOR "Special Pool", "Force Pending I/O Requests" and "Low Resource Simulation" and click "Next"
- Select "Select driver names from a list" and click "Next"
Then select all drivers NOT provided by Microsoft and click "Next"
- Select "Finish" on the next page.

Reboot the system and wait for it to crash to the Blue Screen.
Continue to use your system normally, and if you know what causes the crash, do that repeatedly.
The objective here is to get the system to crash because Driver Verifier is stressing the drivers out.
If it doesn't crash for you, then let it run for at least 36 hours of continuous operation.

Reboot into Windows (after the crash) and turn off Driver Verifier by going back in and selecting "Delete existing settings" on the first page, then locate and zip up the memory dump file and upload it with your next post.

If you can't get into Windows because it crashes too soon, try it in Safe Mode.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, try using System Restore from your installation DVD to set the system back to the previous restore point that you created.

Click to expand...

Rtec88 · Jul 21, 2012

If you haven't already solved your problem try this:
1) get a new hard drive and re-install Windows and all updates.

See if that helps. I had a customers system do just as your system has. I tried all of the things you have including numerous hard drive testing software (including the one from the hard drive manuf.) and all tests showed fine!!! Go figure

So, as a last resort (and a gut feeling that the system problems all seem to mimic a bad HDD) I put a new hard drive in the system (using their existing SATA cable!), installed the OS and all updates, installed AVG 2012 Free and this system has been working flawlessly for the past 3 months!

Hope this helps.

Cheers

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