BSOD error 0x000000f4, randomly

olivert · 03 Jun 2018

Had BSOD errors about 6 mo back, apparently it resolved with reseating HDD connectors.

New BSOD occurring frequently, at least daily. Often happens with any or no particular program running.

I have tried to follow steps in various other posts that include this error code, but after thinking it was resolved, got a BSOD with the same error again. Event ID 41 for all BSODs that I've been having.

I have run various diagnostics on the HDD and have found no errors or loss of integrity. Any help or creative ideas would be much appreciated.

olivert · 03 Jun 2018

Almost forgot. As an added bonus I can hear some kind of processing error from the inside of my case ~10-5 seconds before the computer crashes. Not certain if that can be used to troubleshoot anything else.

olivert · 05 Jun 2018

Had another BSOD but had a 7a code this time.

**axe0** · 07 Jun 2018

Please run Malwarebytes and scan your pc.
When the scan is finished, if something is found, click "Save Results" and choose "Copy to Clipboard" and paste it in your post.

olivert · 07 Jun 2018

Unfortunately couldn't just paste, so exported to .txt. I think maybe I should clean up some of these programs...

**axe0** · 07 Jun 2018

I noticed you have/had some PUP's (Potential Unwanted Programs) that are completely useless to many users and often provide unrealistic information, like in the case with Reimage which claims that a system has hundreds of errors even after it's clean installed.

I hope you haven't used programs like DriverToolkit too much, those programs are generally not recommended because, among other reasons, they often contribute to BSOD issues.
If you have, I recommend to reinstall all drivers on your system from the right source which would be either Windows Update or ASUS mainly.

olivert · 07 Jun 2018

Most of the freeware I've tried to install/use hasn't resulted in changes to drivers. That said, I have used https://www.solvusoft.com/en/driverdoc/ to try to update my drivers (as I was unable to update some of my hardware drivers on my own... computer didn't recognize them?).

I have not had a BSOD since yesterday, however in the interest of having no more, do you have any recommendations or instructions on how to safely update drivers via Windows Update or ASUS directly? I ask because I do not see any updates from Windows Update right now and I'm not sure how to force an update with that program :/

**axe0** · 08 Jun 2018

With Windows Update there are a few options:

If Windows Update is configured to automatically install updates, it will install any drivers automatically.
If Windows Update is configured so you control the update flow, simply select any drivers it may find in the list of updates that can be installed and download & install it. Depending on what drivers are installed, you may get some strange effects, like the mouse temporary not properly working or the screen flickering. After installing the drivers via Windows Update a reboot is what I would recommend.

Downloading drivers from ASUS:

Go to P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Driver & Tools | Motherboards | ASUS Global
Select Windows 7 64-bit at 'Please select OS'
Download the drivers you want/need
Extract the zip file
Double click 'Setup.exe' and give it permission if you get a prompt
Follow the instructions
After the installation process has finished, reboot the system and continue with the next

If you have issues, please don't hesitate to let me know

olivert · 08 Jun 2018

Wow. Thank you for that. I have Windows Update configured to update automatically, so that should be taken care of.

For the ASUS drivers, thank you for finding that page, it looks like it has everything I could need. Should I try to update my BIOS? I have never updated (~6 years). I have heard of bad things possibly happening but it seems that maybe it could help stabilize things as well.

**axe0** · 08 Jun 2018

A BIOS update could render your motherboard useless yes, but I have never seen that happen.
Only if there are power issues you shouldn't do it, as in a power source that's unreliable and you don't have the resources to change that, once again never seen that happen so don't worry

Updating the BIOS is a little tricky, I recommend to do it yourself once again. There's software that can do it for you, but manually is so much more trustworthy.
I looked up your motherboard manual for updating the BIOS, it's a little bit different from what I'm used to.
The manual: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...V_PRO_GEN3.pdf (no download link)
Go to chapter 3.10.4 and follow the instructions carefully. It's the part called ASUS BIOS Updater which is a process of backing up the current BIOS and updating the BIOS using DOS mode. I would understand if you prefer to use a different method for updating, but I do recommend to follow the ASUS BIOS Updater until at least the part for backing up the current BIOS.