BSOD at random times

Simek · 23 Oct 2013

Hi guys,

I have a BSOD that happens at completely random times (infrequently, so it's not a serious issue, but it is an annoyance). This BSOD has completely stumped me, especially since Windows doesn't seem to be writing a dump file even though I specifically set it to in the Windows settings (maybe it's crashing before the drive has time to respond).

Whenever this BSOD happens, the system will behave strangely for about 15 seconds (all my apps crashing, Windows explorer turning Aero off, sound freezing, mouse cursor not responding) and then the BSOD will happen.

As I said before, for some reason Windows is not writing the dump, but one time I disabled auto-restart on system failure and waited for the BSOD to happen. The error code was 0xF4 (CRITICAL_OBJECT_TERMINATION). Parameter 1 was 0x3.

Here's the part that really stumps me though: first, I started checking out my hardware. I ran memtest86 all night and let it do 4 passes. It passed the tests. Then I ran HD tune on my drive. That test also came back OK. So then I figured it was a software issue, so I reformatted my system. And I'm still getting the error. Perhaps it's my hard drive controller or something? I don't know.

At this point I just hope there's someone here who can figure out what it is. I don't mind paying for replacement hardware if I absolutely have to.

Specs:

Core i7 950 @ 3.06Ghz (stock)
Corsair Vengeance 12GB triple-channel DDR3 @ 1600Mhz
Sabertooth X58
Corsair TX750M
3 60Gb Corsair Force GTs in RAID0.
1TB WD Caviar Black
2 GTX 560s in SLI

I followed the posting instructions for this thread. I'm not sure how useful the ZIP would be, given that the tool said no dumps were found (and I have it in my settings to write dumps...)

- Simek

Arc · 24 Oct 2013

Daemon Tools, Alcohol 120% and Power Archiver Pro uses SCSI Pass Through Direct (SPTD), which is a well known BSOD causer. Uninstall Daemon Tools at first. Then download SPTD standalone installer from Disk-Tools.com, and execute the downloaded file as guided below :

Double click to open it.
Click this button only:
If it is grayed out, as in the picture, there is no more SPTD in your system, and you just close the window.

One thing I need to know here .... what is the 180 GB disc? Any description about its make/model/manufacturer? Need to know, coz a Stop 0xF4 is mainly storage related; and storage means primary storage, the 180 GB one.

BTW, The zip you uploaded does not contain any crash dump.

Follow it: Dump Files - Configure Windows to Create on BSOD
Go to Option Two, Point 2. Download the .reg file and merge it in registry by double clicking it.

Now wait for another BSOD. When it occurred, search the .dmp files manually in the default path: C:\Windows\Minidump or %SystemRoot%\Minidump. See if the crash dump is recorded or not (hopefully it will be recorded).Post it following the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions.

Simek · 25 Oct 2013

I said before that I followed the BSOD posting instructions. I have Windows set to create a dump. But it doesn't (maybe the drive doesn't have time to respond).

I'll try uninstalling SPTD.

The 180Gb disk is my 3 60Gb SSDs in RAID0. They are what I use to store my OS and oft-used programs. They are Corsair Force GTs. I bought them around late 2011\early 2012.

Thanks for replying!

Arc · 25 Oct 2013

Simek said:

The 180Gb disk is my 3 60Gb SSDs in RAID0. They are what I use to store my OS and oft-used programs. They are Corsair Force GTs. I bought them around late 2011\early 2012.

Not a bright idea to use RAID there. RAID is always problematic, and it may cause stop 0xF4 on its own virtue. Anyway, you need to update the firmware to those SSDs.

You are suggested to post following BSOD posting Instructions after configuring and obtaining crash dumps.