Ransom BSODs just browsing the internet...

Blubird302 · 29 Sep 2013

Hey guys I'm new to this forum but have visited several times, great site! Anyways, I have got two BSODs just today and I'm trying to figure this out. I was getting them a few weeks ago also and device manager told me two of my drivers were either not installed or installed incorrectly, so I updated them and it seemed to be fine until today.

Yesterday I received a dongle (Accell B086B-008B-2) so I can have two monitors and my TV all plugged in at the same time, it worked just fine yesterday and all night then all the sudden a few hours ago BSOD, then another one not too long after that so I have it unplugged at the moment.

Anyways I'm not sure what all information you guys need but I have set up my dump files for "complete" and ran the SF Diagnostic Tool and have the zip file uploaded, could you point me in the right direction on how to solve this problem, I would greatly appreciate it thanks!

Blubird302 · 29 Sep 2013

Anything guys? There's been over 100 views and no responses, I don't wanna sound dramatic but I would like to get this solved, also sorry about the title it's suppose to be Random not Ransom, I was going to change it but no options for that, thanks guys.

koolkat77 · 29 Sep 2013

People here stay in different time zones world wide. So there's always a chance few threads go unattended for a certain period of time. Please be patient.

First, we want to make sure the computer is saving your dump files. Go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Startup and Recovery [Settings] Make sure that "Write Debugging Information" is set to Small Memory Dump (256kb) if it is not already.

Create a Dump File when you get a BSOD

Next, make sure that the folder C:\Windows\Minidump exists. If not, create it (allow permission if asked). Make sure any dumps you want to analyze, whether yours or others', are in this folder. You can ZIP/RAR the files and send them to someone else to analyze as well.

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Avast often causes BSOD's. Please remove it and use Microsoft Security Essentials & the Free version of Malwarebytes, update and make full scans separately:

Note

Do not start the trial version of MalwareBytes

You may also take a look at:

Good & Free System Security Combination

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Please update the drivers below:

pcouffin.sys Tue Dec 5 20:39:30 2006 (457584A2)
low level access layer for CD devices (A part of many different CD/DVD burning programs)
Driver Reference Table - pcouffin.sys

mcdbus.sys Tue Feb 24 16:34:07 2009 (49A3CD1F)
MagicISO SCSI Host Controller driver
Driver Reference Table - mcdbus.sys

If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.

Warning

RTCore64.sys Tue Sep 6 18:24:50 2011 (4E661112)
RivaTuner/EVGA Precision/MSI Afterburner (known BSOD issues w/Win7)
Driver Reference Table - RTCore64.sys
This is overclocking software and can lead to system instability and BSOD's. Please reset all components to their stock speeds and then remove the software.

Information

Download

and install Revo Uninstaller.

Opt for "Advanced Mode" and uninstall the software (also delete the leftover registry entries).

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To perform a clean install of a driver, follow this tutorial:

How to Clean Left Over Driver Files with Driver Sweeper

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Make scans with these tools -

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Run the System File Checker that scans the of all protected Windows 7 system files and replaces incorrect corrupted, changed/modified, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible:

Click on the
Type CMD on Search
Left click and Run as Administrator
Type SFC /scannow - read here

Run Disk Check on your Hard Drive for file system errors and bad sectors on it - read here
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Upload a screenshot using:

CrystalDiskInfo For how to upload a screenshot or file, read here

Test your Hard Drive(s) by running:

Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

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Reduce the start-up items, Antivirus software is basically whats required.

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Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+:

RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Tip

Pay close attention to Part 3 of the tutorial "If you have errors"
Test the RAM with Memtest86+ for at least 7-10 passes. It may take up to 22 passes to find problems. Make sure to run it once after the system has been on for a few hours and is warm, and then also run it again when the system has been off for a few hours and is cold.

BSOD BUGCHECK SUMMARY:

Code:

Built by: 7601.18229.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.130801-1533
Debug session time: Thu Sep 12 16:02:53.703 2013 (UTC + 6:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:31:02.405
BugCheck 1000007E, {ffffffffc0000005, fffff80002ec723b, fffff880033168c8, fffff88003316120}
Probably caused by : ntkrnlmp.exe ( nt!ExpScanGeneralLookasideList+a0 )
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x7E
PROCESS_NAME:  System
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
Built by: 7601.18229.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.130801-1533
Debug session time: Thu Sep 12 13:19:38.988 2013 (UTC + 6:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 6:49:59.300
BugCheck 24, {1904fb, fffff880089f9f78, fffff880089f97d0, fffff88001265d5f}
Probably caused by : Ntfs.sys ( Ntfs!NtfsPrepareSimpleBuffers+7f3 )
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x24
PROCESS_NAME:  sidebar.exe
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``

Blubird302 · 30 Sep 2013

Thanks for getting back with me Koolkat, sorry for seeming to be impatient it was not my intention, I just found it odd that my post had 100+ views and no replies, not use to that!

As for Avast, I've used it for many years and kinda hate to give it up, but it could be what is giving me my problems, I will uninstall it and install the MS Essentials and Malwarebytes, give it a go with those. I do run MSI Afterburner but have nothing overclocked, all I use it for is to control my fan speed, do you have anymore suggestions on what to use instead of that?

I do use Revo Uninstaller as it is a great way to uninstall software, although it doesn't seem to pick up "everything" that is on the PC but the majority of it is there. I will do all of this when I get home later today and let you know how things go, I've got to get ready for work soon, again thanks for getting back with me I really appreciate it!

Blubird302 · 30 Sep 2013

Well I didn't get very far lol, I tried updating the drivers you suggested, not sure really the right way going about that but I downloaded the newest version of Imgburn and Magic Disk. I also used the Avast uninstall utility and got rid of that, and put MS Essentials on.

So I came home from work and go to it, first thing was to run the fullscan of Essentials and about 3-5 mins in to the scan another BSOD, the reason I think it's not my MSI is because I have used it for a few years now and no problems at all, I'm wondering now if it might be the RAM because I have had problems with G.Skill RAM before.

Anyways, I'm uploading another zip file of the things you guys check out, let me know how it goes thanks!

koolkat77 · 30 Sep 2013

There are no new dumps.

Did you configure to collect them as my earlier post?
Please perform RAM test if you can.

Blubird302 · 01 Oct 2013

Thanks Koolkat, yes I went to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Startup and Recovery [Settings] and made sure write debugging was checked and set to small memory dump, not sure why there are no new files. I made sure there is a folder in Windows for Minidump and there is, but no new files since September 12th, odd...

I ran Memtest last night, about 7 1/2 hours and 6 passes with 0 errors, I figured it would pick something up at that time if this was the case. I was hoping it was the RAM, at least that would show something wrong lol, anyways something is stopping it from doing certain things like installing software and what not, I will try Malwarebytes again today along with the TDSSKiller and Online Virus Scanner Eset.

In fact I will also try the system file checker as well, I'll let you know how it turns out thanks again!

Edit: Ok, system file checker did not find any errors so good there, also ran MSE and MB and MSE found nothing on fullscan and MB found 38 items I believe, which I deleted. Have not ran any other scans yet but also no BSODs yet either so that's great!

I will get the other scanners and pass them as well, just to be sure, thanks for the help KK

Blubird302 · 11 Oct 2013

Well I just wanted to say, it's been a week or so and still no BSODs so my guesses are either it was some malware on my PC or the drivers that you suggested to update Kat, haven't had one bluescreen once since then!

One thing that I thought was odd, I used the Eset virus scanner also and it found files that I know are not viruses so I did not delete them since I wanted to keep those. Also it seems that my PC runs smoother using MSE instead of Avast as well so I'm going to stick with it.

A question, would you recommend getting the Malwarebytes Pro version and running it all the time or just stick with free and manually running it once a week or so? It's only about 25 bucks for a year subscription, not bad at all, your thoughts? Thanks again KoolKat for your help and recommendations, I have learned a few things on troubleshooting these problems and will remember them!

koolkat77 · 11 Oct 2013

I would stick with the free MBAM and scan once in a week or when needed. As pro activates a real time protection program, which is not very reliable.