Windows 7: BSOD Random, increasing frequency, on a self built new system

Hi, I'm Alex, or Slaigh, take your pick,

I have read a number of other threads with similar problems to mine, but none exact. I have also read the BSOD Posting Instructions thread and will do my best to follow it as exactly as possible.

1) My Specs:
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU: Intel I5 2500k
Mother Board: Asus P8P67 Deluxe
Memory: 16G RAM
Gfx Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550Ti
Hard Drive: Seagate 1 terrabyte
Power Supply: Corsair TX650 650 Watt

2) Zip containing BSOD Collection App & Health Report: Should now be attached

3) The Problem:
So I recieved all my parts from Newegg a few months ago, and built the computer. I can't say if the system ran correctly then, because the computer sat in inactivity for about a month and a half while I looked for a good monitor. Finally I settled on my HDTV. While I waited for my mini HDMI hookup to arrive, I used an old monitor to play Team Fortress 2 and Kingdoms of Amalur on Steam. I played them for a few hours and then shut down for a sytem update. The update froze and left it alone for a day and half, but it stayed frozen, so I hard reset. After that was when I began getting BSODs and looked for a restore point before the failed update, but there wasn't one. I got tired of the issue and used my old system for another month. Last month I hooked up the problem computer to my tv and began use again, and the BSODs continued only not nearly as often, I would get them only every other day or so. Another week of inactivity. Then I bought Portal 1 & 2 and played them solidly for about a week, sometimes even with 5+ hours continuous play. Only got 1 BSOD. From then until a few days ago the BSODs have been few and far between. A system update occured a few days ago, and was successful, but since then the BSODs have become rampant. During Games, Youtube, EQD, and other general use BSODs occur very often, but at random times. After getting 3 last night, I decided to finally act and this is my first call for help. Please note I am NOT very familiar with these errors on a computer, or the issues they relate to, but I will be more than happy to actively work with anyone who is willing to help!

4) Pontentially Related Stuff:
There are a couple small things that I feel I need to also point out;
First, I have changed a large number of icons for my computer's programs, shortcuts, libraries, etc. But I don't think they have any cause because I used them on my Windows 7 64 bit laptop and it works fine.
Second, When I log onto my laptop, not turn on but actually log in, My computer will come out of sleep mode, occasionly displaying a BSOD. I'm not sure if this is a cause of some BSODs because my computer sometimes comes out of sleep mode with a BSOD on it's own.
Third, Lately I have been experiencing issues with internet explorer, random "windows has stopped working" messages will pop up and the page will re-open.
Fourth, When first starting up my new computer, it was the first time I'd ever seen a BIOS screen, it's still like a foreign language to me and I basically played trial and error, including a few restarts, until the computer started up. For this reason I wouldn't be too surprised if the damage is rooted deep in whatever the BIOS configuration was.

5) Thank You.
I appreciate any help anyone can offer me, and I hope the damge isn't too severe or hard to fix. And like I said I am not familiar with this deep of computer workings, but again I am more than willing to work with anyone and research anything I need too to get my baby running again!

-Alex/Slaigh.

Hello Alex, welcome to SevenForums!

I have to ask, how old is your hdd. I had a similar issue before my self and for me it turned out to be the hdd that was faulty.

Secoundly do you see any type of pattern. Is it when loading a program or closing or when the programs are sitting idle. Also what are your temps?
Do you have 2x8gb rams or do you have 4x4gb rams since the problem could be faulty ram slots. Are you running the same type of rams or do you have deferent manefacturers/ram speeds?


This message was facerolled to you via my iPhone. I'm sorry for all mistakes that I've made while typing.

Thanks for such a quick reply! And I don't care about typos, I'm sure I've made quite a few as well!

Anyways, everything on/in the computer is about 3 months old, and all arrived in the same week from Newegg, and was said to be compatible.

As far as I can see the only patterns I've seen are very vague, the only real pattern I've seen so far is that BSODs occur heavily after an update. As far as when exactly they occur I'd have to say majority are idle, for example reading webpages or watching youtube. I have 2x8gb ram sticks and they are by the same manufacturer and run the same speed, in fact they were identical to each other, unfortuanately I'm no longer by my computer so I can't give their names.

As far as temps, I'm not sure, I don't know how to find the temps, but I paid close attention to making sure the system is well ventilated. Also the BSODs have occured from cold starts, but anohter time I worked for 9 hours solid on 3D Modeling and Animation (Softimage) and never had a problem.

Where did you get your drivers? I looked at the first dump file and noticed some issues with the SM bus controller, which can mean there's an issue with the chipset driver.

I think we're forgetting that first update, the one which failed when the machine froze. I take it that it never resumed, or completed successfully after you hard reset the system? Any inkling what the update was addressing?

EDIT: Also, what kegobeer said. If Windows was attempting to update chipset drivers, as in those for your motherboard, then these BSODs are very likely stemming from times at which Windows attempts to communicate with the chipset through incorrectly installed drivers, thus throwing up a hard stop.

@kegobeer: I honestly don't remember where they came from, all I really remember is that the chipset was updating, and the update number was large,over a thousand, and that it was my first update for the computer.

@oxymoron02: Correct. The update never resumed or completed, and I tried to find the update to retry it, but I never was able to nail down what all had failed. I am farily positive however that the update title was something to do with the chipset family.

Also, I have an update that keeps failing to install.

Name: "Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2718704)"
Error code: "800736B3"

I have tried researching both of these, but I haven't been able to find any info on either of them. Honestly not sure if this has anything to do the BSODs, but I'll throw it out there just in case somebody may recognize it.

I recommend going to the motherboard manufacturer's website and downloading the correct drivers for all components on the motherboard. Install those drivers and see if that helps with your BSOD problems.

Kk, I'll head on over to asus.com and see what all I can dig up, much thanks!

Let us know if the drivers sort it. If not, I will take a look at your .dmps