Windows 7: Rebooting, sometimes get BSOD, sometimes not

My computer has been crashing intermittently for several months. Sometimes I get a BSOD indicating a page fault in a non-paged area (haven't seen this in a while), sometimes the computer just reboots with no BSOD, sometime it simply freezes. These happen all at different times, sometimes while gaming, sometimes just upon booting, sometimes while surfing on the web. Often it will go for weeks without crashing.

I've run memtest before only to have the screen go black and the computer not respond. I ran chkdsk last night, and I think it crashed...not sure, went to bed, woke up with new errors in event log.



Attached are dump files from the SFC tool. Thanks for the help.

Your most recent dump file is from early August.
The experts will see what they can do, but look at what they will be working with:
Attachment 232845

While they are perusing your dumps, then

Help us to Help You.

Fully and completely fill out your system specs please.
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.

I see you have Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer installed already.
Have you run a full scan with it recently to check if you're infected? If not, do the full scan.

Early August is the last time I got an actual BSOD. Only freezes and a couple random reboots since then. Am I correct that this is why there aren't more recent dump files?

Will post detailed specs and run MB scan as soon as I am back at my computer. MS Security Essentials has been running daily scans with no malware found.

Thank you all for the help.

There is a possibility that the reason for no recent dumps can be due to certain settings.

work thru this list and make sure that ALL settings are as specified:
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

Updated system specs, followed all instructions to configure memory dumps, and MB scan was negative. Awaiting additional advice. Thank you!

Good.

To make sure that the dump file settings are correct,I'd like for you to run a script for me.

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

====================================
Attach Minidumpsettings.txt to your next post please.

======================================
======================================

Please carry out the following:
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
=======================================

Thanks so much for your help. Attached are the requested files.

h,

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
Uncheck ALL except for:
REBOOT!

You have just told Win 7 to not run unchecked programs at start up time.

You have not disabled the programs. They will be run when needed.

WIN = key with the Microsoft logo on top
========================================
==================================
After the REBOOT finishes, THEN

CCLEANER | TOOLS icon | STARTUP tab | SCHEDULED TASKS tab |
Use DISABLE button to disable ALL except for:
Close CCleaner.

REBOOT!

You have not disabled any programs. You have disabled the scheduled running.
Later, after your system is running smoothly, you may reenable desired programs.
==============================
==============================
After the REBOOT is finished, THEN
UNINSTALL

REBOOT

More than one AV is trouble. You have the best, MSE.
AVG is known to cause problems.
Driver Sweeper sweeps more than it should and does more harm than good.
========================================
After the REBOOT finishes, then let us know if the problems are gone.

Ok, done. Thanks for the help, I will let you know what, if anything, happens next. Based on previous history, it may not crash for another week or two, if this continues.

Should I get rid of my additional AV programs? Should I try to force a crash by playing Day of Defeat (it seems to be more frequent when gaming, though I've done a lot to troubleshoot that)? Should I use CCleaner for registry cleans and temp files?

Thanks