Strange case of BSOD

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  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 (64)
       #1

    Strange case of BSOD


    Hi everyone,

    First of all, I carefully read the BSOD posting instructions... but haven't run the programme on my machine yet, because it refuses to start.

    BUT, please bear with me a minute:
    I think mine is a strange case: the same problem happened on two different computers I own, operating under different OS, only when connected to the same monitor (not at once).

    I'll explain: I suffered a number of BSODs on my regular PC for a week (Acer OS Windows 7, regulardly updated) - initially after long periods of standby and/or power save, then at random, sometimes I couldn't even start the PC.
    I did all I could, rebooted in safe mode, ran anti-virus scans, spyware scans, didn't find anything malignant, and I thought it seemed to be working again (well it worked for a whole day just doing the scans). Then crashed again, and again, and... So I gave up and though I'd use my small laptop until I had time to do something about it, just getting my work done at least.

    My small laptop is mini MSI machine, running under Windows XP, totally different/independant, which I only use to work in the garden or on holiday etc..
    It runs with a minimum of useful programmes and files. I soon connected it to my regular keyboard and mouse for comfort, and resumed work.

    Then I thought - the MSI screen being impossibly "mini" - why not connect it to my regular 19" widescreen LCD monitor (Philips)?
    Which I did. Thought I was very clever for a few minutes... until bang, BSOD (to be honest, I'm not sure whether it was black with strange characters or blue), but the laptop crashed.

    Once past my initial "oh, not again" reaction, I unplugged the monitor (which had gone into "no signal/video input" before turning itself off), and looked more closely at the MSI... which looked "dead". And using the on/off switch (which, incidentally, is also the switch to exit powersave mode and return to Windows), I ressucitated it. The machine started again, looking just like it does when I switch it back on after a long period of standby. No error message, nothing, as if nothing had ever happened.
    I've stuck to NOT using the big monitor since, and my little laptop is still perfectly fine (if a little small).

    One last thing - in case it may be of use - when the main PC crashed, the blue LED that means it's running always remained lit, I had to force-switch it off (pressing the power switch until it went dead) every single time.
    It never went really "dead" nor rebooted (like I've seen with previous PCs following BSODs).

    Any idea? Could it be the monitor?
    Please. Suggestions/diagnosis welcome.

    PS: now I feel stupid because I've been writing from my mini-laptop connected to the big monitor the whole time hoping something would happen to help with the diagnosis, and it hasn't crashed... yet.

    Next step, I'll download the JCGriff programme on the main PC if I manage to get it started (would it still work I I start it in safe mode?) and will let you know...
    ----------------

    System spec info:
    Is Windows 7 . . .
    - x86 (32-bit) or x64 ? no sure, need to check when I can restart the machine
    - the original installed OS on the system? YES
    - an OEM or full retail version? OEM

    - What is the age of system (hardware)? 1-2 years old (more or less)
    - What is the age of OS installation (have you re-installed the OS?) - same as before: never re-installed it.
    And the monitor is under 18 months old.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #2

    Yes, the jcgriff2 report would work in Safe Mode. The perfmon report will not run in Safe Mode, but it is not that important. If you cannot get the jcgriff2 report to run:
    • Dump Files - Upload to SevenForums

    • Please upload your msinfo32.nfo file. To get this: Start Menu -> Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box -> When it opens, go to File, Save -> Save as msinfo32.nfo and save in a place you will remember -> Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info -> Right click the .nfo file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder -> Upload the .zip file here.



    For the monitor related issues, they may be due to a graphics card or display device conflict. We will need to analyze the .dmps to know more.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 (64)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks a lot writhziden for taking the time to reply to my (long) post :)

    I'll see if I can start my PC & run the programme later on today, then will upload the info you requested.

    Bye for now,
    Honeybun
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #4

    You're welcome. Look forward to the reports. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 (64)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    BSOD JCGriff report


    Dear writhziden :), and everyone who's around to help,

    I've finally got round to running the JCGriff program, and you should find attached to this post the resulting zipped file as instructed.

    Now, regarding the news... I've been mostly working on my mini laptop using the main monitor, without further mishaps, the one time it bugged while using my laptop must have been my accidentally touching the monitor plug I guess...
    I've also switched on the PC on a couple of occasions, making sure it never went into "power save" mode, and it didn't blue-screen me again... I was able to sync my iphone, to do accounts on Money, upload files I needed, etc., no problem. I'm using it right now, with the "power save" mode de-activated (there's only a basic slideshow / screen saver, which comes up after 5 minutes, it doesn't seem to cause any problem).

    Regarding the PC specs, now that I've got the computer up and going, I can complete the "bit" thing:
    System spec info:
    Is Windows 7 . . .
    - x86 (32-bit) or x64? x64
    - the original installed OS on the system? YES
    - an OEM or full retail version? OEM
    - What is the age of system (hardware)? 1-2 years old (more or less)
    - What is the age of OS installation (have you re-installed the OS?) - same as before: never re-installed it.
    ----
    I hope the attachment will work alright... it said it was uploaded, but didn't generate a link(?)

    There we go, this was my message in the bottle, bye for now,
    and thanks in advance for any help given.
    Honeybun
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #6

    You have some out of date Intel drivers. Intel® Driver Update Utility is the best place to resolve them. Even if the scan says the drivers you have are valid, that does not mean they are up to date. You should update them by following the link to the driver site itself.

    Your Intel storage drivers are out of date.
    1. Go to Intel® Driver Update Utility,
    2. run the utility,
    3. click on the link for Chipset Family,
    4. scroll down and select Standard Version.
    5. There is a page that loads with information on other Intel drivers for your system including Intel storage drivers. You may have to let it load for 10-15 seconds before it displays your particular drivers link.
    6. Go to that link, download the drivers, and install them.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #7

    After doing the recommended things from Writhziden. When you switch to the bigger screen do you do a normal restart or a cold boot to let Windows 7 pick it up. When coming out of a power save mode to a larger screen demanding more power might be confusing to the system.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 (64)
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hi writhziden & layback bear, and thanks for the comments.
    Will update the drivers as soon as possible.
    I'm back on the mini laptop/main monitor as the PC crashed this morning, so the problem is still there.
    Will let you know of further developments...

    Layback Bear, regarding how I switch back to the main monitor... I just switch off the mini laptop, unplug the monitor cord to plug it back onto the PC unit (which, at that point, is still switched off), and then start the PC normally using the on/off switch.
    So, unless when I switch the PC on the black screen comes up saying "windows didn't shut down properly, what do you want to do, etc.", I let it do its thing, and it does pick up the monitor.

    One last thing, when the PC crashed this morning, no BSOD, the monitor just went black (like in standby mode) and the keyboard went dead. At which point I had to force the PC to switch off, because I didn't know what else to do (same as before).

    Thanks again for your time, will update the drivers and let you know how it goes.

    Honeybun
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #9

    It may be a display issue, or it may be the chipset driver is not providing proper support for the display driver. We will have to see which is the case once you have updated the drivers.

    Your blue screen crashes from over a month ago pointed to the Intel storage drivers, which is why I recommended updating those. I realize now I was not clear on that point. Those are important drivers for your hard disk to interface properly with the system, so it is not surprising that those being out of date would cause conflicts.

    See how things go once all Intel drivers are downloaded and the latest versions installed.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 (64)
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Hi there!

    Well, I 've run the Intel® Driver Update Utility, it said my chipset drivers were up-to-date (?).
    Two other categories of drivers were not, so I updated them.
    I also manually updated my NVIDIA drivers (I think it's my graphics card?) - apparently, they were way behind, I updated them all, including the display drivers (could that be it?).

    Now Windows Update's suggesting two more updates that didn't install successfully this morning (2 out of the 18 on the list were unsuccessful), one of them concerns my keyboard... so you never know...
    I'm going to run the updater now, and will keep you posted.

    Thanks for the help so far
    Honeybun
      My Computer


 
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