MagusMagnus said:
Yes, the system originally came with Windows 7 preloaded onto it. Had to load the retail version due to the system refusing to take the OEM copy back onto a new hard drive. Long story short, the OEM kept stating it couldn't install on the system again because of hardware. Three self-made sets, as well as two from Acer failed citing the same crap. So it's been on a retail 7 install since late 2011.

About the software, I saw Firefox was stated to be involved with the latest crash cited in either bluescreenview or else with the windows debugging tool. Makes me suspicious because it will continually climb in private working set memory until it exceeds 1,000,000K and crashes out. But then it doesn't really make sense to me because why would I be the only one on these forced updates they're doing, to be getting this particular BSOD all of a sudden? But it DID say FireFox was involved...


Anyway, I ran an extended test (x2 pass) with Window's memory tool and it still claims the RAM is fine. I didn't do Memtest86, takes way too long and I'd think Windows' tool would have pulled something up if there were anything wrong, so don't think a longer test is needed.

I also took the liberty of running a full scan of MBAM, system is clean.

So I guess I will begin making my preparations for the new clean install. It is going to take me a few days. Lots of files to move, then lists of programs to take down etc. so I will report back in here to tell you how it goes when I'm done.

Oh, and as for the drivers... IS there some magical utility that can tell me which ones have new ones available and where to get the legitimate ones, not some stupid malware phishing scheme as most seem to be? Acer will be absolutely no assistance on this but seems most of the hardware manufacturers aren't going to be either, least of all ATI (you would think they at least would keep all drivers instead of just the generic CCC, but they don't). I am just concerned with using the generic CCC because it changes my graphics card series number and that just doesn't seem right to me.
Most mfr's are useless and the driver sweeper apps are too. One easy way is to use Blue Screen view (nirsoft.com). It is designed to diagnose BSOD's but is sometimes wrong but it does give the driver dates so you know which are current and which are from long ago. You drivers should be after July 2009 the date win 7 was released.