Windows 7: Random System Crashes

I had installed some new ram and a new graphics card and had a bunch of bsods, around 20 a day.

I has posted in another thread, http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...ml#post2096904, and it had cleared up after the network driver was updated. So I assumed that the issue had been resolved since I was able to go a full day without any issues.

But, now I'm getting a few, random crashes throughout the day.
I'd be working in Firefox usually when it happens.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ravendon,
First go here:
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Check and see if you don't need to update a couple of drivrers.

Especially, notice that HP has marked some of them as Critical

Don''t worry. If your computer came with the updates already installed, then the install/reinstall will do no harm.

2nd: Fully and completely fill out your System Specs.
Read this carefully as there some examples therein which you need to implement in your system specs:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Ø Manufacturer and Model OR Custom build.
Ø ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

With Speccy, you can select with your mouse/touchpad info from the display
and paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

=================================
==================================
3rd. I'll now proceed to view your sf diagnostics file and will be back with some recommendations.

karl

Problem:
There are no DMP files!

Most probably the DMP files are in:
C:\Windows\Minidump

Are there any files there?

No, it's empty. Does it empty out after each restart or if I login with a different id?

Ravendon,

Please carry out following. Don't miss a single part as each is necessary.

MEMORY DUMPS – REQUIREMENTS


CREATE MINIDUMP FOLDER
WIN | type %systemroot% | ENTER
If Minidump is not shown, Then
CTRL + SHIFT + N keycombo |
CONTINUE button | type Minidump | ENTER

Enable automatic management of the Paging file
WIN + PAUSE key combo |
Advanced system settings (left-hand side) |
Advanced tab, Performance section, Settings |
Advanced tab, Virtual Memory section, Change |
checkmark Automatically manage paging file size for all drives |
OK | OK | OK



STARTUP AND RECOVERY SETTINGS
WIN + PAUSE key combo |
Advanced system settings (left-hand side) |
Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery section, Settings |
System Failure section | checkmark Write an Event to the system log
| uncheck Automatically restart |


Under Write debugging information, select Small memory dump |
in the Small dump directory: box, enter %SystemRoot%\Minidump| OK

If Overwrite any existing file is checked, then:
Ø Under Write debugging information, select Kernel memory dump
Ø Uncheck Overwrite any existing file
Ø Under Write debugging information, select Small memory dump
Ø OK button
If you get a crazy message from Win 7 about your paging file being too small, then just ignore the message since we have already made sure that the paging file is set to be managed by Win 7.

ENABLE THE WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE
WIN key | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER |
Scroll down to Windows Error Reporting Service |
Rt-clk on Windows Error Reporting Service | Properties |
General tab | for Startup type, choose Automatic |
In Service status, Start button (unless grayed out) | OK


ASSURE THAT CCLEANER IS NOT DELETING DUMPS
CCLEANER | Cleaner icon | Windows tab | System category |
Uncheck Memory Dumps


WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE must NOT be disabled!
· WIN | Services.msc | Enter
· Under Name, locate Windows Error Reporting Service
· If Status is not Started, then
Right-click on Windows Error Reporting Service |choose START
· If Startup Type is not Automatic, then
Right-click on Windows Error Reporting Service |
choose Properties | General tab |
set Startup type to Automatic
· Close Services.msc (I like to use ALT + F4)

After a crash, the minidump file will be in %SystemRoot%\Minidump
%SystemRoot% is generally C:\Windows

Whew! CCleaner was set to destroy the memory dumps AND the error reporting services was DISABLED.
Took care of that and also configured the memory dumps like you asked.

I did logon to my gf's side and found 4 minidumps under the old settings. Should I bother posting those or should I wait until after a crash under the new settings?

It's my gf's profile that's getting most of the crashes as she uses the computer a lot more than I do.

I'll await a fresh dump or dumps.

In the meantime, I have a strong suspicion that your computer has either a hard disk or a solid state disk and a couple of other components.

Please read this, carefully, and carry out:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Ø Manufacturer and Model OR Custom build.
Ø ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

With Speccy, you can select with your mouse/touchpad info from the display
and paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.
=========================================
=========================================

After and only after completion of the above, then:

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

Strange. This only seems to happen on my gf's profile.
I went 14 straight hours of Diablo 3 at full resolution and not a single crash.
She goes a few hours browsing in Firefox and she gets BSODs.
I updated the Broadcom ethernet driver and it fixed the crashes while I was on my side.
I don't think I need to do that for every profile right?

Also, should I get the Broadcom or any other system driver from the manufacturer's website or from the system maker's site? From Broadcom or from Dell in my case?

They both have the Broadcom BCM57780 LOM driver.

Ravendon,
Please complete the last part of my last post.

Sorry, missed that last section.
Here are the 3 files.