BSOD after windows login and then at random

Hi

Computer details:

Dell Studio XPS 8000
Windows 7 64 Home Premium
8GB Ram
I7 870 @ 2.93Ghz
Nvidia GTX 560
Corsair 600w PSU
1TB HD

I've just recently started getting BSODs just after signing into windows and then at random after restarts. Sometimes after a BSOD my monitor says it cannot detect a HDMI signal even though the computer is on and the wire is plugged in. After I switch the computer off and on the display shows as normal. Sometiimes after a BSOD and I restart the computer windows doesn't load at all and just remains on a black screen with no HDD activity.

The BSOD also tends to come when I start Lord of the Rings online. I had this problem before (about 8 months ago) and I replaced the graphics card, power supply, full reinstall of windows and it went away.

I've run memtest64, windows mem test, chkdsk, and the buit in Dell diagnostics and they all showed nothing.

I thought it could be my ASUS graphics card as I read other peope had had problems with its driver, so I removed that and it made no difference.

I have run a fully updated Malwarebytes and McAfee Security Centre and they show nothing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've attached what the posting instructions ask for.

Thanks in advance.

Analysis:

You had two crashes that directly blamed McAfee.

1. Re-install McAfee with the steps in How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe). When you install it again, make sure to download a fresh copy of the installer first. Then install with the fresh copy. That will ensure that you are not installing a corrupted copy again.
   
   
2. If a re-install of McAfee does not help, remove it using the steps in How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe), but do not re-install it. Replace it with either of these:
   • Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows coupled with Malwarebytes. Do not start the free trial of Malwarebytes. Just use the standalone version, update it, and scan your computer once a week with Malwarebytes and with Microsoft Security Essentials.
     
     
   • Good and Free system security combination.

Hard Disk Problems:

If the above steps still do not resolve your problem, I did see the potential for hard disk related issues. This could mean hard disk corruption, bad sectors, a failing hard disk, Windows files or registry corruption, viruses, or memory problems.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Run Disk Check with both boxes checked for all HDDs and with Automatically fix file system errors checked for all SSDs. Post back your logs for the checks after finding them using Check Disk (chkdsk) - Read Event Viewer Log (you may need to search for wininit instead of chkdsk).
  For any drives that do not give the message:
  Windows has checked the file system and found no problems
  run disk check again as above. In other words, if it says:
  Windows has made corrections to the file system
  after running the disk check, run the disk check again.
  
  
• Run all Basic tests with SeaTools: S.M.A.R.T. Check, Short Drive Self Test, Drive Information, Short Generic, and Long Generic. Run the tests for all HDDs.
  SeaTools for Windows
  
  SeaTools for DOS
  
  
• 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.
  
  
  
• Check Windows for corruption. Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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).
  
     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 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.

Hi, thanks for answering.

Have uninstalled Mcafee and it made no difference - had another black screen crahs and restart without BSOD.

What was strange was that System Information said I had 8GB of Ram installed but only 3.99GB Physical Memory - is that normal?

Have since resteated the Ram several times but System informatio now says I only have 6GB of Ram installed when they're should be 8!!

Going to start individually testing the Ram - taking one out etc to see if it is the sticks or the slots.

The RAM issue is not normal. I can understand 1-2 GB for onboard graphics, but 4 GB is a bit extreme. Is the RAM that is installed in the system that RAM that originally came with the system, or did you do an upgrade?

Download and install CPU-Z and Upload screenshots of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs. In the SPD tab, upload an image of each slot.

Hi

The RAM is the RAM that came with the system and hasnt been upgraded.

I've reseated the RAM again and the computer is now saying correctly that there is 8GB and is showing that the total physical memory is 7.99GB as opposed to the 3.99GB it was showing yesterday.

Have attached screenshots including one of 'System Information' before and after reseating the RAM

Hmmm, wonder if you had a loose module that was causing all these problems. Let us know how the system is responding after you've had a chance to do your normal routine for a while.

Been using computer as normal for past few days and no problems!!

Thank you for all your kind help. :)