BSOD, Computer Restart

Emachines T5234
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit. Full Retail Version
3GB DDR2 Memory
GeForce 6150 OnBoard Video
2 WD 320gb Hard Drives

PC 3 years old, OS installed about 1 year. Have re-installed once

These crashes were caused by memory corruption (probably a driver).
Please run these two tests to verify your memory and find which driver is causing the problem.
If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!


1-Memtest.

*Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

*Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.

If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.

RAM - Test with Memtest86+



2-Driver verifier

Using Driver Verifier is an iffy proposition. Most times it'll crash and it'll tell you what the driver is. But sometimes it'll crash and won't tell you the driver. Other times it'll crash before you can log in to Windows. If you can't get to Safe Mode, then you'll have to resort to offline editing of the registry to disable Driver Verifier.

So, I'd suggest that you first backup your stuff and then make sure you've got access to another computer so you can contact us if problems arise. Then make a System Restore point (so you can restore the system using the Vista/Win7 Startup Repair feature).

Then, here's the procedure:
- Go to Start and type in "verifier" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Select "Create custom settings (for code developers)" and click "Next"
- Select "Select individual settings from a full list" and click "Next"
- Select everything EXCEPT FOR "Special Pool", "Force Pending I/O Requests" and "Low Resource Simulation" and click "Next"
- Select "Select driver names from a list" and click "Next"
Then select all drivers NOT provided by Microsoft and click "Next"
- Select "Finish" on the next page.

Reboot the system and wait for it to crash to the Blue Screen. Continue to use your system normally, and if you know what causes the crash, do that repeatedly.
The objective here is to get the system to crash because Driver Verifier is stressing the drivers out. If it doesn't crash for you, then let it run for at least 36 hours of continuous operation.

Reboot into Windows (after the crash) and turn off Driver Verifier by going back in and selecting "Delete existing settings" on the first page, then locate and zip up the memory dump file and upload it with your next post.

If you can't get into Windows because it crashes too soon, try it in Safe Mode.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, try using System Restore from your installation DVD to set the system back to the previous restore point that you created.

Using Driver Verifier to identify issues with Windows drivers for advanced users

Mroctober said:

Emachines T5234
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit. Full Retail Version
3GB DDR2 Memory
GeForce 6150 OnBoard Video
2 WD 320gb Hard Drives

PC 3 years old, OS installed about 1 year. Have re-installed once

Do what JMH suggests first and when that is done update these drivers (from as far back as 2001)

Code:

meistb.sys    1/30/2001 12:40:12 AM    0x962ca000    0x962cf300    meistb.sys+1d2f    0x00005300    0x3a7653bc                        
mstapeo.sys    8/4/2004 1:09:57 AM    0x962de000    0x962e9f80        0x0000bf80    0x41107db5                        
Afc.sys    2/23/2005 1:58:55 AM    0x9014e000    0x90156000        0x00008000    0x421c29af                        
yk62x86.sys    2/23/2009 9:44:18 AM    0x90156000    0x901a6000        0x00050000    0x49a2b642                        
hcw18bda.sys    5/28/2009 10:46:17 AM    0x90098000    0x900f7880        0x0005f880    0x4a1eb1c9

How To Find Drivers:

- search Google for the name of the driver
- compare the Google results with what's installed on your system to figure out which device/program it belongs to
- visit the web site of the manufacturer of the hardware/program to get the latest drivers (DON'T use Windows Update or the Update driver function of Device Manager).
- if there are difficulties in locating them, post back with questions and someone will try and help you locate the appropriate program.

- - The most common drivers are listed on this page: Driver Reference Driver Reference
- - Driver manufacturer links are on this page: Drivers and Downloads