Crash to Black Screen, Reboot playing Skyrim/Fallout 4/ETS2

crowbraid · 23 Dec 2015

I couldn't find the sub-forum for B(lack) SOD, so I'm posting here. Please let me know if this is not acceptable.

I have a problem. After playing Fallout 4 for a while, I started playing Skyrim again. After about a week, Skyrim started crashing and rebooting the computer. I put up with that for a few days, then fired up Fallout 4. It started crashing as well. I started Euro Truck Simulator 2 - same thing.

It doesn't crash if I'm doing anything else like browsing, watching a movie, etc. . I've stress-tested memory overnight, tested the PSU and GPU (using OCCT), haunted innumberable forums, pulled my hair out, and moaned to my significant other excessively.

I tried to create a minidump, following the instructions on your forum for the blue screen of death, but my system so far has refused to do so. I've run the dmlog program, but it doesn't zip the files at the end, telling me I don't have the necessary permissions.I can do that manually, however.Does it create a minidump if the system just crashes to a black screen and then reboots?

I did look at the event viewer, but all it tells me is that the system
rebooted without cleanly shutting down, etc.

Windows 7 Home 64-bit
Intel 2500K
ASUS P8Z68-V Pro
ASUS 660TI
Samsung 250gb EVO + 3 hard disks
Corsair 750W
16gb

ICIT2LOL · 03 Jan 2016

Hello and welcome crowbraid mate there is no Black SOD section in this forum but perhaps we can still help

Now it sounds rather like a hardware problem to me and I am suggesting we strat by checking out the various components.

But before we do that please run these
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
Disk Check - use Option 2 and if needed the /f and /r switches

- no go then these

SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/ when downloading and installing watch out for the tick box for the trial version untick it if you do not want to trial it (see below)
AdwCleaner Download
(NB if you have Kaspersky installed it may rave on about the download – ignore it or disable it for the duration of the download/scan)
For any unwanted addon programs that come packaged with other softwares use this
Unchecky - Keeps your checkboxes clear (Unchecky is not absolutely necessary but will stop unwanted add ons and trials)

Going on please check out the temps on the machine with this Speccy - Free Download - Piriform post back the results - a pic would be nice.

ICIT2LOL · 03 Jan 2016

Hello and welcome crowbraid mate there is no Black SOD section in this forum but perhaps we can still help

Now it sounds rather like a hardware problem to me and I am suggesting we strat by checking out the various components.

But before we do that please run these
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
Disk Check - use Option 2 and if needed the /f and /r switches

- no go then these

SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/ when downloading and installing watch out for the tick box for the trial version untick it if you do not want to trial it (see below)
AdwCleaner Download
(NB if you have Kaspersky installed it may rave on about the download – ignore it or disable it for the duration of the download/scan)
For any unwanted addon programs that come packaged with other softwares use this
Unchecky - Keeps your checkboxes clear (Unchecky is not absolutely necessary but will stop unwanted add ons and trials)

Going on please check out the temps on the machine with this Speccy - Free Download - Piriform post back the results - a pic would be nice.

crowbraid · 03 Jan 2016

Thank you for the reply, ICIT2LOL. I followed your suggested steps, and here are my findings.

Ran sfc /scannow
Result - Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

ran chkdsk on C:
Result - Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems.

Ran SUPERAntiSpyware
Result - Found 2 PUPs and 1254 tracking cookies.

Ran AdwCleaner
Result - deleted eSupport folder and two other minor folders.

Ran Norton Internet Security
Result - Clean

Ran Malwarebytes
Result - Clean

Ran Speccy.
Posted screenshot

I did upgrade to Windows 10 (not a clean install) in the hopes that my Windows 7 install had become corrupted. Nope. Still crashes.

ICIT2LOL · 03 Jan 2016

I did upgrade to Windows 10

Hmm probably a bad move mate as there are loads of posts in here with members who have done that and come back to 7 with issues.

Now are you running any software's that are supposed to clean the registry or update drivers automatically? because a lot of that crapware will muck up the machine .

I would try also disabling the Norton (am not a fan) and see if it has any result.

Temps are good.

Now I don't know how you feel about doing it but a reinstall to a wiped drive is another option after you have backed up all your data. If you do decide to go with that then it would be wise to remove the data cables from all other drives except the SSD you are installing to.
I say a wiped drive because in my experience just doing an install straight to the drive has not been a happy experience so I always wipe a drive now before I reinstall - I like to be sure all remnants of another OS ie 10 are completely gone.

crowbraid · 03 Jan 2016

Hi, ICIT2LOL. I'll agree that upgrading to Windows 10 wasn't the best idea going, but understand that I was really getting frustrated. Anyway, on to the business at hand.

No, I don't run any registry cleaner or driver upgrade software. I'm old-fashioned (as well as just plain old) and prefer to upgrade drivers on my own time and in my own way.

Disable Norton? I suppose I could. I've run Kaspersky, ESET, Bitdefender, and others, but I usually return to Norton. But there's no need to get into a debate about which one is best. I'll disable it and run free Bitdefender for a while.

I've thought about doing a clean install, but I wouldn't have thought about disconnecting the drive cable. That's probably a good idea. To tell you the truth, I've always done a clean install except for the Windows 10 install. I was in a hurry. You'd think that after playing with PCs for over 35 years, I'd know better.

Well, thanks for the advice, ICIT2LOL. I'll probably do a clean install soon and then see what happens. I appreciate the reply post.

ICIT2LOL · 03 Jan 2016

Don't worry mate from one oldie to another I have done exactly the same thing - when the 10 stuff surfaced not knowing how it would shatter the illusion of something better - hence why I wipe the drive

Now I run Kaspersky and while I don't want to go into any debate either but the only issues I have had with it is running certain on call scans like MBAM and ADW Cleaner it really doesn't like the latter. I don't know if you have tried it but I find this is a good clean up software SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware! I run this along with MBAM on the odd occasion and it will find heaps of unwanted cookies and adware for example.

The cables for the three other drives I only mentioned because it does avoid the propensity for the install to go somewhere where you don't want it to

John:)

crowbraid · 03 Jan 2016

That is good advice for the cables, and I'll certainly heed it. Thank you kindly. I do a little cringing at the prospect of a clean install, although I used to do it with 98 and XP without a moment's thought. I'll post back in a few days to let you know what happened.

ICIT2LOL · 03 Jan 2016

crowbraid said:

That is good advice for the cables, and I'll certainly heed it. Thank you kindly. I do a little cringing at the prospect of a clean install, although I used to do it with 98 and XP without a moment's thought. I'll post back in a few days to let you know what happened.

OK will look out for it and while I am thinking of it make sure the updates are set to let me choose download/install and check especially for the one KB3035533 that is the one to hide to prevent any upgrade stuff coming in (there are other updates and there is a list of them somewhere in this forum can't just put my finger on it right now but that one is the one to check for) and also as an extra measure I have this on all of my machines right now Upgrade to Windows 10 Update - Enable or Disable in Windows 7 or 8.1 - Windows 10 Forums in point 1 you need only install the batch file - disable

If you are interested too (and if you haven't used it already) this is my bible Optimize Windows 7 lots of good tips to get your machine running efficiently and faster.

PS Meant to add the update settings you need to check your settings as mine get changed it seems automatically see pic

derekimo · 04 Jan 2016

ICIT2LOL said:

PS Meant to add the update settings you need to check your settings as mine get changed it seems automatically see pic

I don't know why you have that recommended box still checked John,

Attachment 379058

I've pointed it out twice now, if you are worried about those updates you shouldn't let them get put in with the important ones.