[BSOD] laptop constant random bsod's (IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)

grub · 22 Aug 2014

Laptop brand: Acer
Model: Aspire 5560-sb653
OS: Windows 7 Home 64 bit

Problem:
Started 2 days ago. I was checking my email using Firefox and a "Display driver stopped working/ successfully recovered" message popped up, followed by first BSOD. After that, BSOD appeared at start-up. Tried updating AMD drivers to no avail. BSOD continues 2 out of 3 times when I boot computer, either before Windows starts or after. Happens in safe mode/safe mode w/ networking also. Another thing that happens is the screen glitches out then goes to BSOD or when I shut it down screen will flicker messed up looking image. I've never had a problem like this before, and I hope I am explaining it to you correctly. Thank you.

grub · 23 Aug 2014

Blue screen happens all the time now. At startup and random intervals when in use... BSOD happens 3 out of 4 times I turn on laptop. Message reads BAD_POOL_CALLER
If anyone could help me fix this machine I will immensely appreciate it.

Arc · 23 Aug 2014

The BSODs last day.

One display failure for a very old driver....

Code:

BugCheck 116, {fffffa8008187010, fffff8800401240c, 0, 2}

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by : atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+740c )

Followup: MachineOwner
----------------------------------------
    Image name: atikmpag.sys
    Timestamp:        Thu May 26 08:58:48 2011 (4DDDC8F0)

One Double Fault ....

Code:

BugCheck 7F, {8, 80050033, 6f8, fffff80002e93c10}

Probably caused by : ntkrnlmp.exe ( nt!KiDoubleFaultAbort+b2 )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

And another one .... storage controller failure.

Code:

BugCheck 1E, {0, 0, 0, 0}

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for ntoskrnl.exe
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for ntoskrnl.exe
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for amd_sata.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for amd_sata.sys

Probably caused by : ntoskrnl.exe ( nt_fffff80002400000+3713 )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

Three things are to do there.

First, it is apparent that the laptop is running with factory install over a number of years. Drivers are not ever updated, too. So it is the best to perform a clean reinstall of OS. Make it driver complete as guided there, the computer will acquire all the driver updates timely, automatically.

Second, Is the computer hot? Report us the heat of the computer after a couple of hours of your normal usage. Upload a screenshot of the summery tab of Speccy. Alternatively, you can publish a Speccy snapshot too: Speccy - Publish Snapshot of your System Specs .

Third, as there are multiple different errors in a short period of time, test your RAM modules for possible errors.
How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+
Run memtest for at least 8 passes, preferably overnight.

If it start showing errors/red lines, stop testing. A single error is enough to determine that something is going bad there.

Let us know the results.

grub · 23 Aug 2014

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE, ARC :)

I was finally able to run through a Microsoft Security Essentials scan without it BSODing out on me, and it showed that I had the virus called "Rovnix.gen" I also noticed that the virus was making all these random iexplore.exe things pop up in my processes. I would end process tree but they would come back up immediately...slowing things down, making my system get way too hot/crash out completely.

MSE told me to burn Windows Defender Offline to a start-up disc, so it could scan my start-up processes... which I just did. Defender said it took care of the Rovnix and I'm on my computer now. No BSOD, yet, and the iexplore.exe things have not returned. Laptop is running cool now, temperature wise. There are definitely some display issues- things just looking wonky here and there. I'm currently running a thorough scan with Smart PC Care, which should hopefully show me which drivers it can update for me. I'm going to try that route and before I go to sleep later tonight I'm gonna run a MemCheck disc and let it go at least 8 cycles like you said, to see whats up.

Arc · 24 Aug 2014

Well done!!!

I would suggest you to observe the situation for a few more days before calling the issue as solved.

grub · 24 Aug 2014

Thank you. And yes, saying it's solved now would be foolish. The virus is gone (fingers crossed), but I still got some fixin' to do. Will probably take your advice and reinstall OS so my drivers can all be excellent.