Computer stopped booting, working again but now randomly crashes


  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Computer stopped booting, working again but now randomly crashes


    I'm sorry, I know this is a poor thread title, but I can not be more specific.

    Quick background:
    I built this system a few years back. After dealing with a bad memory stick and swapping it out for new ones this has been the most stable system I have ever built - until recently.

    About a month ago my computer suddenly would not start. Most of the time it would not even get to the bios - it would simply keep restarting (as I could tell by the CD-rom doing it's boot sequence spin over and over). Sometimes it would get to the windows loading screen before freezing though.

    It was really random, and I worked desperately trying to figure out what was causing it but I could not seem to find the specific culprit. After a while of re-seating hardware it just randomly started working again! However, now it seems to BSOD a lot.

    I wound up buying a new larger power supply (since mine was a little lower than I would have liked), but it did not seem to solve anything.

    The last week or so it has been extra worse crashing multiple times per day. Some of the crashes will cause a string of crashes over and over for a bit before it'll let me get back to windows. It's very random where it happens. Tonight while playing a game a few times, a few days back a few times while just in firefox, sometimes just in different programs, or even just sitting at the desktop while I'm doing something at my desk.

    I consider myself fairly knowledgeable on fixing my computers, but this has really frustrated the heck out of me. I'm desperate for someone who knows the crash dumps better than I to be able to tell me what might be the culprit. The crash dumps within the last month are the important ones (I'm less worried about older ones).


    Computer Specs:
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    AMD Phenom II X4 3.2Ghz
    ASUS M4A77TD Pro
    G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB (4 x 2GB) 1333 (PC3 10666)
    GIGABYTE GV-N275UD-896I GeForce GTX 275 896MB


    Again - I'm sorry for the vagueness of all of this. Usually I am able to solve the issues very specifically but this is the first time I've been truly stumped. If there's more specific info you can use to help me please let me know and I will give whatever I can to help.

    Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Things that I have done in attempt to solve this:

    • Updated any drivers that were old.
    • Installed latest Windows updates
    • Defragged HD multiple times and ran check disk multiple times - nothing was ever found wrong.
    • Returned my memory (was manually timed with higher voltage for years and was stable) back to base safe settings.
    • Uninstalled all USB devices (had a weird suspicion it was an issue) and had windows re-install the drivers.
    • ^Same with Audio Drivers^.
    • Removed some programs that ran in the background (one was listed in a crash dumps) - Did not help.
    • Ran stress tests on Video card, CPU and Memory, finding no issues.
    • My CPU is running quite cool (Low/Mid 60s when playing games *typoed "50"*), the case is a phenomenal cooling system.
    • Replaced some cables (such as IDE) in case they were faulty
    • Tried running the system with as few things attached to the PS (when the system would not even boot) but it did not help.


    I'm just very confused since this all happened after that one day when the computer would suddenly not start. I suspect it must be a hardware issue at this point but I don't know how to decipher the crash dumps very well and I'm hoping someone here will be able to tell what item is causing this instability.
    Last edited by jonxwilliams; 16 Oct 2011 at 13:30.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Running Prime 95 Blend test right now. Been running for about 45min with no errors. However - my CPU temp is hovering around 68-71c! Is that too hot?

    Room where the comp is was pretty hot - AC on now and the temps seem to be under 69 pretty consistently.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Ok, after reading around on the forums (thanks) I turned on Verifier.

    Upon the first boot it kept BSOD every time before windows would load. Looking at the crash dump it appears it was wacomvkhid.sys causing that particular BSOD

    I booted in safe mode and disabled Verifier - then restarted in normal mode to take care of that file. Before I could however I got a more generic crash for win32k.sys (both crash dumps are attached). Went back into safe mode - googled around and wound up uninstalling "Pet Tablet" from my programs which removed the wacom drivers. I then booted in normal, turned on Verifier and restarted and am now in Windows with Verifier running.

    I will see if I can get any more BSOD now. At least I kinda feel like I'm working towards something rather than just hitting my head on the desk repeatedly!

    If anyone gleans more from these crash dumps please let me know.

    (Latest 2 crash dumps attached)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    2 more crash dumps while running Verifier. First was a Norton Antivirus related one. I attempted to disable Norton as much as I could after that while I kept testing.

    This one just happened and is "usbhub.sys"!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    *sigh*.... More crashes. After the USB one I realized the only "usb hub" i have is my Logitech G15 keyboard which has 2 usb ports and I plug a headset into it.

    I installed the latest Logitech Gaming software (drivers for keyboard), and the latest Logitech Setpoint (mouse drivers). I did have 2 crashes doing that.

    Then a crash seemed like it might be related to my videocard so I uninstalled and reinstalled the latest video card drivers.

    Crash dumps are attached. Does ANYONE have any idea here? I'm getting to the point where I just want to drive my car over this computer over and over.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:15.
Find Us