BSOD/Freeze while using Firefox

This has been the second time that I have had the BSOD in 2 months, and it has happened the same way each time: my computer will have been running for 3-5 hours, I would be using Firefox or checking my email or using Adobe Illustator or Photoshop when the screen (and any sound that was playing) freezes. I noticed that each time the cursor is enlarged by 2 or 3 times and it is all pixel-y. I wait for a second and the BSOD pops up, but it has pink/purple static all over it, making it impossible to read anything on the screen (even thought i know its the BSOD).

Like I said, this is the second time for the BSOD to come up in the past two months, but I also have a freezing problem. Same conditions for this (running for 3-5 hours, usually Firefox/Windows Live Mail/Adobe Illusrtator/iTunes is open). The screen freezes and the sursor gets really bog and pixel-y, but this time I wait and it doesn't go to the BSOD it just stays there for a really long time (until I hold the power button to make it hard-shut down). This happens about 6-7 times a month.

This error information popped up after my computer was powered back on and after i was logged on:

"Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 101
BCP1: 0000000000000019
BCP2: 0000000000000000
BCP3: FFFFF880009B2180
BCP4: 0000000000000004
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\110511-24788-01.dmp
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-179603-0.sysdata.xml

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MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1.
This is the original OS, an OEM.
My laptop (Dell studio 15) is about 1.5 years old.
I have not reinstalled the OS.

Your error (BCC 101) means:

Best advice that I've seen about this error (from here: https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tml#post356791 )

What you're looking for will be in one of the following categories:

a) BIOS bug
b) a driver whose activity is causing the target processor to lock up
c) a hardware defect (temperature, voltage, dust, RFI, outright borkedness...)

So, check the drivers
Then check the inside of the case (temperature, voltage, dust, etc).
Then run some hardware stress tests

Try this free video stress test: FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net
Try this free stress test: Free Software - GIMPS

Prime95 Setup:
- extract the contents of the zip file to a location of your choice
- double click on the executable file
- select "Just stress testing"
- select the "Blend" test. If you've already run MemTest overnight you may want to run the "Small FFTs" test instead.
- "Number of torture test threads to run" should equal the number of CPU's times 2 (if you're using hyperthreading).
The easiest way to figure this out is to go to Task Manager...Performance tab - and see the number of boxes under CPU Usage History
Then run the test for 6 to 24 hours - or until you get errors (whichever comes first).
The Test selection box and the stress.txt file describes what components that the program stresses.

Then try replacing parts.
Then look up the versions of your BIOS to see what changes were done.

Hey, thanks for the quick reply...I'm not very tech-savvy, but isnt there a way to just reset the BIOS, and then update it to the current version?

Do you think just wiping my drive and starting from scratch (i have the W7 installation disks) would work?

trace11 said:

Hey, thanks for the quick reply...I'm not very tech-savvy, but isnt there a way to just reset the BIOS, and then update it to the current version?

Do you think just wiping my drive and starting from scratch (i have the W7 installation disks) would work?

There isnt an easy fix. I would start by updating the BIOS (be sure to have a backup and win 7 dvd)

ok thanks for all of the help!

trace11 said:

ok thanks for all of the help!

My pleasure and good luck