BSODs, no pattern of when they happen. No dump generated. Error 7A

Hello and welcome to Seven Forums

Overclocking
If you are overclocking any hardware, STOP. Reset any changed values back to default.

Code:

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

   Warning

This is overclocking software and can lead to system instability and BSOD's. Please reset all components to their stock speeds and then remove the software.

Security App

Code:

Start Menu\Programs\AVG	Public:Start Menu\Programs\AVG	Public
Start Menu\Programs\AVG PC TuneUp	Public:Start Menu\Programs\AVG PC TuneUp	Public
Start Menu\Programs\AVG PC TuneUp\All functions	Public:Start Menu\Programs\AVG PC TuneUp\All functions	Public

AVG is a frequent cause of BSOD's, please remove and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials to see if it provides more stability. Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software

Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes, both recommended from a strict BSOD perspective.

Microsoft Security Essentials, Free antivirus for windows

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

   Information

DO NOT start the free trial of MalwareBytes. Deselect the option when prompted.

   Tip

Make full scans with both separately.

Start up
Keep less stuff at the start-up. Only anti-virus, this helps avoid driver conflicts and improves time to log in to windows.

Troubleshoot a Problem by Performing a Clean Startup in Windows 7 or Vista
How to Change, Add, or Remove Startup Programs in Windows 7

Is the firmware for your SSD up-to-date?

Check for one and see if the stability returns.

Basic checks: Please run these tests and report back the results

1. SFC /scannow to check windows for corruption - SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
2. Disk check for errors on the hard drive - How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
3. Troubleshoot applications by a clean boot - Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup
4. Memtest86+ paying close attention to part 3 - RAM - Test with Memtest86+
5. Hard drive test from HDD mfg website - Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

Hope this helps for now.

Hello and thank you for your response.

I've gone through your notes and detail my response/experience/test results bellow. There are many things I did not action yet as I'd like to verify a few things before going forth.

Overclocking

Asus AI Suite II is key for any needed BIOS updates, and helped me keep an eye on system temperatures. I do not use it to overclock (and never have used software to overclock). In the past I have overclocked via BIOS, but I have disabled overclocking and I am now running at my stock 3.3 ghz with no other tweaks.

Security

How long has AVG been a known cause for BSODs? I'm a little skeptical about MSE as a security client.. but I will see about removing later.

Start Up

In the process of cleaning.. although the PC has yet to experience a BSOD upon startup.... generally happens after the PC has been in use for a long time, albeit more commonly happens when the PC is left idle.

SSD Firmware

I'm extremely uncomfortable with toying with this, Corsair warns against updating firmware unless absolutely needed as it could cause further problems and even system failure, link with new firmware and accompanied warnings here Force 3 / GS / GT / Nova / Accelerator Series 5.05a Firmware Update - The Corsair Support Forums

Basic Checks (unactioned in italics)
1. sfc /scannow returned "windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"
2. Run, results in post below, no problems found
3. I'm assuming there is a strikethrough because this is not relevant?
4. I have done a memtest86+ test on this machine perhaps a year ago and passed with flying colours. No changes have been made to the RAM or its seating since then... is it still required for me to re-test?
5. Cannot find any hard drive test from corsair's website. I will run the tests on the seagates/WDs though. 5. just found the software http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=118314. Going to play around with it

Thank you very much for your support.
Alabas

UPDATE: Bluescreen just happened again, this time returning (in addition to the 7A)
"NTFS.sys -Address FFFFF8800137D760 base at FFFFF88001235000," Which, upon searching, I would assume lead us to the fact that the error is in one of my drives. I will go ahead and run chkdsk on all the drives and report back.

Asus AI suite is known to cause problems, here are two threads which were solved recently by myself by removing the software. Recurring BSODs before/after startup and Windows 7 32bit freezes at random

SSD update will not damage anything, infact the outdated firmware causes bsods after a certain period of time.

If you look around at our bsod section you see many threads solved instantly by removal of other AV's and replacing them with MSE but in the end of the day it is your choice.

BSOD 7a should be related to your SSD, let us know if things are stable after the FW update.

Alabas said:

Firmware install went without problems :)

I'll move off of AVG to MSE - as my sub is almost up anyways and I've heard some good things about the latest iterations of MSE anyways.

If BSODs continue I'll remove the AI Suite, hopefully will find the culprit and let the good folks here know what the issue was :)

Good luck and hope all goes well :)

Alabas said:

Marking as solved for now as it's gone 5 days without it happening... noticeable performance increase with the new SSD firmware as well!

I've kept AI Suite, although I removed AVG to see how MSE handles, and I'm quite impressed with it's light form factor! May stick with it.

I believe the core issue was the firmware though, thank you for your help Koolkat, +rep

Thanks for posting back and glad I was able to help!
Post here if you have issues again! Good luck :)