BSOD playing Sims Medieval and when streaming TV or dl win updates

I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. It is the OEM version. I've had it for maybe 2 years and these problems started a few months ago.

I keep getting these crashes when I'm playing a game or streaming TV content. I reset my laptop to "factory settings" hoping this would fix it. Then when I was downloading all the windows updates the crash happened again.

All the dump files and the system health report is attached. Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide to make this easier for you to solve.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: a
BCP1: FFFFF68000011580
BCP2: 0000000000000000
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: FFFFF80002EA3D4A
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1

Software Concerns:

Security Software: ??? Make sure to install security software. I recommend either of these:

• Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows coupled with Malwarebytes. Do not start the free trial of Malwarebytes. Just use the standalone version, update it, and scan your computer once a week with Malwarebytes and with Microsoft Security Essentials.
  
  
• Good and Free system security combination.

After installing your security software, update it, and then run full scans today with each program. Report back the results of the scans.

Analysis:

Crashes are pointing to hardware issues. Run some hardware checks.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• If you have an SSD, make sure the following are up to date:
  • SSD firmware
  • BIOS Version
  • Chipset Drivers
  • Hard disk controller drivers/SATA drivers
  • If you have a Marvell IDE ATA/ATAPI device, make sure the drivers are up to date from the Intel site or Marvell site and not from your motherboard/vendor support site.
  
  
  
• Run all but the advanced tests with SeaTools for HDDs.
  SeaTools for Windows
  
  SeaTools for DOS
  
  
• Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
  
  Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.
  • Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
  • Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
  • HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
  
  
  • Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
    
    
  • Run Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95 to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
    
    
  • Follow the steps for doing CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
  
     Warning

  Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!
  
  
  For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
  
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

Thanks for all this information! I've downloaded and ran the Anti-malware software and it came back clean. I am running the Microsoft Security Essentials scan now.

I had a few questions as I'm new to some of the more technical terms:

Overclocking - I'm not sure what this means and everything I've read about it sounds incredibly technical so I don't think there's anyway I could be doing this. Clarification?

SSD - I don't think I have an SSD. I haven't changed any of the hardware my notebook came with and I know it's a HDD.

Checking the temperature:
What am I looking for with the Real Temp monitor? I attached a screenshot of it.

Still waiting on this security scan before I can do the Seagate tests.

There are some programs that overclock the system without the user's knowledge, but it is typically done manually by changing settings through the BIOS. If you do not know how to do so, then you are not likely overclocking.

You do not have an SSD if you have 640 GB available. That would be very expensive to buy an SSD with that much space.

Your temperatures seem a bit high for idle (63 and 58 C), but that may have been due to the security scan. As long as you are not getting over 85 C when the system is under stress (playing games, running the tests I gave, editing video, etc.), you should be fine. :)


Let us know how the security scans and SeaTools tests go.

Thanks for the responses! When I get home from work today I'll monitor the temp while playing a game to see how that goes. The security scan came back clean with no problems. I ran all the basic seagate tests and they all passed. I booted my computer with the seagate dos cd and so far it passed the short test. I left it running the long generic when I left for work this morning, so I'll have more tonight.

Passed the Seagate DOS long test... moving onto the hardware stress test

Sounds like the hard drive is good. :)

Let us know how the hardware tests go and what temperatures you see under stress.

I was playing Sims Medieval and monitoring the temp - it bounced around between 75 Celsius and at its highest 88 Celsius.

I did the Fur mark Burn-in test for awhile and it evened out basically immediately. I included a screenshot. I did it for like six minutes, should I have done the test longer?

No problems with the VMT - ran it seven times.

Could the BSOD error have to do with my computer overheating? Maybe getting up to 88 for long enough is why it's shutting down?

heres the screen shot

The CPU got up to 88 C?

I would not think that is a problem since the max is 105 C. 88 C is still a bit hot, though. I would recommend you make sure the system is clean of dust:

Dust Removal:

To remove dust, follow the subsequent general procedure. If you have a desktop bought from Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, etc. make sure removing the desktop casing will not void your warranty first. Call the company if you are still under warranty and ask if it is okay to remove the casing and blow dust out. The procedure described is fine for laptops; just make sure no stickers are on panels saying if you remove the panel it will void the warranty.

1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
4. Remove the casing for a desktop, or remove any screwed on panels and disc drives for laptops.
5. Blow out the dust inside by using a can of compressed air or a low pressure compressor. You will want to put the computer on a desk or table so you can maintain the can in an upright position if using a can of air. Blow into all crevices on the motherboard, heat sinks, cards, modules, etc. for a desktop. Blow into vents, opened panels, disc drive areas, USB ports, and the keyboard if it is a laptop. You may also want to blow inside the disc drive by replacing the drive to the laptop, starting the computer, opening the drive, and then turning off the computer and removing all power as described above including the 30 second power button step. For a desktop, you may also want to blow inside the disc drive by starting the computer, opening the drive, and then turning off the computer and removing all power as described above including the 30 second power button step.
6. Replace casing for the desktop. Replace panels and disc drive (if you have not already done so) for the laptop.
7. Plug power supplies in. AC adapter for the desktop. Battery and then AC Adapter for the laptop.
8. Start the computer and see if performance is better.

Easier Laptop steps:

1. Get a can of compressed air...
2. Shut down and turn off your system...
3. Unplug the system from any docking stations...
4. Remove the AC Adapter and then remove the battery...
5. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to ensure all power is drained from the components. This closes the circuit and allows any remaining power to dissipate; it also clears the temporary memory of corruption and resets hardware/software connections. No permanent changes are made to the system doing this step...
6. Use the can of compressed air to blow into every vent, crevice, keyboard key, USB port, VGA/monitor port, etc...
7. Replace the battery and then plug in the AC Adapter...
8. Replace the docking station...
9. See how the system runs after doing all these steps...

   Warning

WARNING: Never use a vacuum cleaner or hair drier to clean dust out of your system!!