Computer suddenly freezing w/ BSOD & weird pixels?

Over the last few days, I've had a total nightmare with my computer that has been running quite happily in it's current state for well over 6 months or more. Initial research would suggest either; Malware, Windows Update or a GFX Card issue.

As I've been getting some weird pixels on the initial boot outside of the Windows OS, I believe it may be the latter. Although it doesn't explain why when booting in to safe mode, all seems fine?

After playing around with CHKDSK, SFC and System Restore - I've managed to get the computer running again - although it has crashed again since, but at least I've been able to backup my data.

I've attached my logs and such using the SF Diag Tool, hoping someone with more knowledge than myself can identify any possible reasoning!

Virus and Spyware scans both returned nothing.

Problematic Software:

Code:

Start Menu\Programs\Defraggler	Public:Start Menu\Programs\Defraggler	Public

• I recommend against 3rd party defrag tools. Windows has some nice command line flags for the defrag command that will accomplish the same tasks as 3rd party programs. The -b and -w flags will defrag boot files and the boot registry items as well as compact the data to the center of the disk for faster access.
  defrag c: -b
  defrag -c -v -w
  The first command optimizes boot performance for the Windows drive by defragmenting boot files and boot registry items.
  
  The second command includes all drives on the system through the -c command and optimizes the drives by compacting the data to the center of the disk. Verbose output through the -v option is optional to provide the user with more information about the defrag tasks. The commands have to be run in an Elevated Command Prompt.
  
  For more flags, see Disk Defragmenter - Open and Use.

Possible out of date drivers that should be updated if possible (if not, please let us know and we will try to help you get them updated):

Code:

ElbyCDFL	976a7000	976adb00	Thu Dec 14 14:22:33 2006 (4581c099)	000139d4		ElbyCDFL.sys
stwrt	81e0c000	81e5f000	Sat May 05 18:40:01 2007 (463d23e1)	000563a5		stwrt.sys
iaStor	8902e000	890f5000	Thu Jul 26 19:17:40 2007 (46a947b4)	0004f8a7		iaStor.sys
LazerUsb	93e36000	943b5000	Tue Oct 16 14:19:07 2007 (47151cbb)	0057f6ed		LazerUsb.sys
ElbyCDIO	89228000	8922c200	Tue Feb 17 10:11:28 2009 (499aefc0)	0000c6c2		ElbyCDIO.sys
e1e6232	8eb52000	8eb8a000	Fri Jun 05 13:07:54 2009 (4a296d0a)	00044965		e1e6232.sys
bcmwl6	97409000	97670000	Tue Jul 07 18:44:47 2009 (4a53ebff)	00265c68		bcmwl6.sys

ElbyCDFL.sys
stwrt.sys
iaStor.sys
LazerUsb.sys
ElbyCDIO.sys
e1e6232.sys
bcmwl6.sys


Your crash was a 0x116 TDR Error crash.

• 
  
  H2SO4 said:

  These are all stop 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE conditions.
  
  It's not a true crash, in the sense that the bluescreen was initiated only because the combination of video driver and video hardware was being unresponsive, and not because of any synchronous processing exception.
  
  Since Vista, the "Timeout Detection and Recovery" (TDR) components of the OS video subsystem have been capable of doing some truly impressive things to try to recover from issues which would have caused earlier OSs like XP to crash. As a last resort, the TDR subsystem sends the video driver a "please restart yourself now!" command and waits a few seconds. If there's no response, the OS concludes that the video driver/hardware combo has truly collapsed in a heap, and it fires off that stop 0x116 BSOD.
  
  If playing with video driver versions hasn't helped, make sure the box is not overheating. Try removing a side panel and aiming a big mains fan straight at the motherboard and GPU. Run it like that for a few hours or days - long enough to ascertain whether cooler temperatures make a difference. If so, it might be as simple as dust buildup and subsequently inadequate cooling.
  The above quote was taken from https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tml#post280172, which is linked to in usasma's thread about this error. Closely follow the first three posts of usasma's thread outlining STOP 0x116: VIDEO_TDR_ERROR troubleshooting and proceed through each step. Let us know if you need further help.

Thanks for your detailed reply. Will keep your comment about third-party defragging in mind.

As I'd managed to backup my data, I decided to reformat. Unfortunately I still have the same issues, which leads me to believe my GFX card has failed somehow.. I'll be testing another tomorrow to confirm.

Good troubleshooting step! Keep us updated on whether the other card works. :)

New card appeared to work at first. The weird pixels have gone..
Replaced an nVidia GeForce 8800 GT with an nVidia Quadro FX 580.

I had a random BSOD on startup this morning, but I put it to the back of my mind and thought maybe it was a coincidence. Unfortunately whilst installing windows updates, it's just crashed.. Surely it can't be that coincidental?

Next step will be a new PSU I suppose, and after that.. A bloody great big hammer and several broken pieces of computer.

Before doing anything drastic and/or buying the PSU, please provide us with the crash reports. We should make sure the crashes are related to your previous crashes before jumping the gun.

https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tructions.html