Randomly occurring BSODs

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    Randomly occurring BSODs


    Hello. Recently, my computer has been constantly crashing while I am doing work, gaming, watching videos, and surfing the web. The system is about a month old, with a Windows 7 Professional x64 operating system (OEM). I have also noticed that the BSODs are becoming more frequent. I appreciate any help that is to follow. Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2


    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!!!

    * If you have a Raid update its Driver.




    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 5-7 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+






    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.

    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).

    In Windows 7 you can make a Startup Repair disk by going to Start....All Programs...Maintenance...Create a System Repair Disc - with Windows Vista you'll have to use your installation disk or the "Repair your computer" option at the top of the Safe Mode menu .

    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 "Low Resource Simulation"IRP Logging and Force Pending I/O Requests. and click "Next"
    NOTE: You can use Low Resource Simulation if you'd like.
    From my limited experimentation it makes the BSOD's come faster.
    - 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.

    If you are using win 8 add these

    - Concurrency Stress Test
    - DDI compliance checking

    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.

    Thanks to JCGriff2 & Usasma.

    Sysnative Forums

    Driver Reference Table (DRT)


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

    Driver Verifier

    Using Driver Verifier (Windows Drivers)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I ran memtest and it shows no errors, no logs from verifier after so many crashes, the BSODs won't let me even go on a web browser anymore. After all this, I decided to Factory reset (BSOD still came up in the process of restoring that it messed up windows but I finally managed to get the restoration to completion). In the end, it still crashes to blue screen.

    EDIT: after clean start and more crashes, I decided to try verifier one more time. I'm posting the dmps now. (included are crashes from before verifier, 1 while verifier running, and one more crash after verifier was off)
    Last edited by Shimapan; 19 May 2012 at 15:12. Reason: To add info
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #4

    No DMPS included in upload try this method.
    We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.

    Please attach the DMP files to your next post not to post one.


    If you are overclocking STOP

    You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.

    To enable us to assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder.

    The procedure:
    * Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
    * Zip up the copy.
    * Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
    *If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.
    To ensure minidumps are enabled:
    * Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
    * Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
    * Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
    * Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
    * Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
    * OK your way out.
    * Reboot if changes have been made.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    You were right, the minidump folder was empty... anyways it has crashed twice and here are the dmps. Also, a pop-up came up after start up which gave me some info regarding the crash and I'm including it in the zip file as error.txt
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #6

    Shimapan said:
    You were right, the minidump folder was empty... anyways it has crashed twice and here are the dmps. Also, a pop-up came up after start up which gave me some info regarding the crash and I'm including it in the zip file as error.txt

    In both the analysis was inconclusive. My gut feeling says it is your McAfee.



    McAfee is a frequent cause of BSOD's. I would remove and replace it with Microsoft Security Essentials AT LEAST TO TEST!

    http://download.mcafee.com/products/...tches/MCPR.exe

    Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It hasn't crashed for a while now after uninstalling McAfee (dam anti-virus, would've never used it if it didn't come pre-installed and a 1 yr subscription). I'll give it more time to see if the problem persists or is now completely gone.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #8

    Shimapan said:
    It hasn't crashed for a while now after uninstalling McAfee (dam anti-virus, would've never used it if it didn't come pre-installed and a 1 yr subscription). I'll give it more time to see if the problem persists or is now completely gone.
    Good luck
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Aaand it crashes on me 3 more times after a mere restart.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #10

    Just out of curiosity please run malwarebytes. Your crashes are virtually all inconclusive, and since your memtest comes back clean it is eaither a software driver or malware.

    Was all the ram included when you bought the computer or did you upgrade?

    Please download the free version of Malwarebytes.
    Update it immediately.
    Do a full system scan
    Let us know the results at the end.

    Malwarebytes : Download free malware, virus and spyware tools to get your computer back in shape!
      My Computer


 
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