Windows 7: BSOD while playing Dota 2

Was in the middle of a game, and got a BSOD. Computer restarted, and when it came back on I saw in the dialog window that came up that the error was:

BCCode: 3b 0x0000003b

Tried opening up my NVIDIA control panel so I could double check the graphics drivers - then got this error:

"This application has requested the Runtime to terminate in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information."

Follow up:

I manually downloaded the last driver pack from NVIDIA just in case there was something bad in the newest release of drivers that came out on the 18th. The control panel is working now... but I'm hesitant to test out any games or anything until I find out if there was something more to the BSOD.

Thanks in advance for any help on this one... really starting to think it's time for an upgrade to my build as well as a reinstall of Windows. :P

Hi,

Your crashes are as you suspected related to Nvidia drivers, and DirectX.

Faulting Driver: dxgmms1.sys
Refers to: DirectX Graphics MMS
Check Windows update to see if an update for DirectX is available.

And here if no Windows update available:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/179113


Faulting Driver: nvlddmkm.sys
Refers to: nVidia Video drivers

You have updated your drivers as stated in your last post. In the meantime, play your games as there is nothing in the logs to indicate any other issues at this time, with the exception of memory, which we can test if you experience new BSOD
Please post back with a new log if you experience any further crashes and any observations you may have.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks for the reply. I tried downloading the DX runtime installer as suggested, but when I ran it it said that it failed installation as a newer version of DirectX was detected on the computer already.

I'm not sure if that means that the driver pack I installed for the GPU had the newer DX version or what but I guess I'll test out some games and see how I fare.

I'm just going to assume that if I BSOD again it's probably my MoBo.

I do plan to do a new build next weekend anyway, including a format so hopefully I can just get this beast running till next weekend :P

It could possibly be memory related as I said earlier.

You could run memtest. Run for 8 passes and test each stick in a know good slot for an additional 6 passes.
And it will eliminate that as a cause.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

Let me know how you get on.
Cheers

Dave

I had another BSOD overnight, but I didn't post the dump file for it because I wanted to run Memtest first thing this morning. It's been running for 12 hours now and I've only cleared two slots with one stick of RAM, still have two more slots for that one and then I need to test the second stick of RAM. No errors so far though...

So I guess my plan is to finish up these tests at some point tomorrow and then post the dump file from last night's BSOD and hopefully determine what's up with these bluescreens

Okay I've attached the most recent files after Saturday night's BSOD.

I finished the Memtest with both sticks in my A slots, going to run it in the B slots today while I'm at work but so far no errors at all... I don't know if that makes the BSODs more mysterious or what :P

Hopefully the most recent one sheds some additional light on what may be going on.

Your latest crash still points towards Nividia drivers and Directx issues.

Try here and see if the Auto feature finds a different driver for your Graphics:

http://www.geforce.co.uk/drivers

Try running SFC to check the integrity of all Windows 7 system files:
Click on the Start > Type in search cmd
Right click cmd at top and Run as Administrator
Type SFC /scannow at the prompt

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Are you overclocking the system? As it seems you are running slightly higher than max?
If so Disable C1E in BIOS and Disable any boost in BIOS (standard only)

Is your case adequately cooled? Good airflow?

Please download Speccy and monitor GPU temps especially whilst running games.

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Also are you fully updated by Windows update?
Is your PSU 550W or above?
Ensure DOTA 2 is fully updated as well as Steam.
Does this issue exsit on other games?

Some fixes for DOTA2 you may find useful:

http://dev.dota2.com/showthread.php?t=29735

Please post back any results / observations

cheers

Dave

I used the link you provided and sure enough there was another update for my GPU.

Done, and 'Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations' so yay?

I have no idea if I'm overclocking, I don't remember changing any of those types of settings but I suppose it's totally possible. How do I reset it to factory defaults?

VERY. I have 4 case fans alone and my temps are never above 30ish.

Windows updates: yes
PSU: I'm pretty sure is 750W... but honestly I can't remember and the damned thing is installed upside down because of the design of my case
Dota2: It updates automatically every time I restart Steam, so yeah it's up to date
Steam: see above
Issue on other games: so far the BSODs have happened somewhat randomly. I haven't been doing the same thing on any two occurances so from what I can tell there isn't really a pattern as far as what I'm doing when it happens.

Thanks for the feedback.

See how the new Nvidia drivers go and see if there are anymore BSOD with the one just installed.

To reset to factory, go into your BIOS and simply set BIOS to default settings or optimised settings,
press F10 to Save and exit. This should reset the CE1 setting to CE.

Post back any further incidents / observations

Cheers

Dave