Windows 7: Computer crashes while idle

moonglade · 15 Jun 2012

Hey everyone. So my computer has been crashing sporadically whenever I leave the computer alone (sometimes it happens within a few minutes, other times a few hours). It has never done so while I was actually using it. Whenever I do come back after a crash, I turn on my monitor and move my mouse but nothing happens and there is no signal going from the computer to the monitor. The fans are still spinning and I can open the optical drive etc., but I can't get my computer to send a signal. A fraction of the time, I can get the computer to reboot and get an error log but most of the time I have to manually restart to get my comp working again. I have attached the .dmp files I have managed to get. Temps seem fine and I can't figure out what's going on...

Info:
Windows 7 Ultimate Retail
Hardware about 1 month old

writhziden · 15 Jun 2012

Problematic Software:

Code:

Start Menu\Programs\ASUS\AI Suite II	Public:Start Menu\Programs\ASUS\AI Suite II	Public

Recommend removing your ASUS utilities through Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program. They can provide software interfaces with the hardware for overclocking, and even when the overclock is not enabled, that interface can cause instability.

You have an EnTech softEngine x64 driver that is out of date. If you do not need the software, remove it. If you do need the software, update it, or contact the support company for help.

Please remove any CD/DVD virtualization software, such as Daemon Tools/Alcohol 120%, as they use a driver called sptd.sys that is known to cause BSODs. Use add/remove programs to remove the software. After removing the software, use the sptd.sys uninstaller to remove sptd.sys from the system.

I prefer TotalMounter as my CD/DVD virtualization software as it allows me to burn images to a virtual CD/DVD if I just want an ISO file instead of a disc, and it is free.

Many use MagicISO - Convert BIN to ISO, Create, Edit, Burn, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter/extractor/editor as well, which is also free.

Crashes are pointing to your Razer DeathAdder USB Optical Mouse Driver or your graphics card/graphics card drivers.

You have a 0x124 hardware bugcheck. If the system is still under warranty, I would recommend sending it in to have diagnostic tests done and any bad hardware replaced.

Warning

Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer.

WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!

For your hardware stop 0x124 crash, read through Stop 0x124 - what it means and what to try and use the following hardware checks to supplement that link.

If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
If you have an SSD, make sure the following are up to date:
- SSD firmware
- BIOS Version
- Chipset Drivers
- Hard disk controller drivers/SATA drivers
- If you have a Marvell IDE ATA/ATAPI device, make sure the drivers are up to date from the Intel site or Marvell site and not from your motherboard/vendor support site.
Run all but the advanced tests with SeaTools for HDDs.
SeaTools for Windows

SeaTools for DOS
Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.
- Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
- Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
- HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
- Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
- Run Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95 to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
- Follow the steps for doing CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).

For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

Remember to read closely through Stop 0x124 - what it means and what to try for the crash.

moonglade · 15 Jun 2012

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'll try removing the recommended programs and re-installing the drivers. I'll also run Prime95, furmark and memtest. Will update soon.

writhziden · 15 Jun 2012

Look forward to it. Let us know if you need any help or if you solve the problem.

moonglade · 20 Jun 2012

So after uninstalling the recommended software and reinstalling the drivers, I'm still getting crashes whenever the computer attempts to turn off the monitor or tries to sleep. Unfortunately, because I have to manually restart, I don't have any new .dmp files to share. I've run the Furmark 15-min 1080p burn-in test and the temps peaked at about 74C without any artifacts. I also ran all 3 Prime95 tests for several hours without any errors. For some reason memtest wouldn't run off my USB, but I performed an MDSCHED and that ran without any errors as well.

writhziden · 20 Jun 2012

One of your drivers I do not find reference for. It may be a virus or malware.

Download and install Malwarebytes, update it, do not start the free trial, and then run a full scan. Also run a full scan with your antivirus software installed on your system. If you do not have antivirus software installed, see the Good and Free system security combination. for better security steps and scanning tools. Make sure to update the security software before running the full scan.

It would really be best to run Memtest86+ if you can find a CD/DVD to use instead.

moonglade · 05 Jul 2012

So after a week and a half of no crashing, I think I found a fix. I noticed that I started crashing about the same time I had installed the Microsoft Office 2007 Compatibility Pack for my Office 2003. After uninstalling that and Avast (pop-ups were annoying) in favor of AVG, there haven't been any problems. Not sure which one exactly did the trick but I think I'm good to go. Thanks writhziden for the help, I've learned a lot about troubleshooting the last few weeks lol.

Layback Bear · 05 Jul 2012

A little note. Microsoft made Windows 7 and Office. MSE works well with both of them.

Windows 7: Computer crashes while idle

Computer crashes while idle problems?