Constant BSODs When trying to boot

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  1. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Done. I remember running Driver Verifier once before (don't remember what settings i used that time though but it definitely differed from your instructions) only to have the system crash as soon as I tried to boot up. This time it obviously didn't happen but I'm sure it will happen sooner or later (hopefully sooner, heh). Will get back to you ASAP when the BSOD occurs.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,705
    Win7 x64 + x86
       #12

    I got my intructions (initially) from a post by Mark Russinovich.
    After reading a bit more on what we are actually trying to do with Driver Verifier, I changed things a bit to make sure that I:
    - tested all possible scenarios provided by Driver Verifier (with the exception of Low Resource Simulation because of how slow it makes the system).
    - tested all loaded 3rd party drivers (as my experience shows that these are the primary cause of most BSOD's that fit the criteria to use Driver Verifier).

    Good luck!
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #13

    OK it's been well over 36 hours since I started Driver Verifier and there have been no blue screens. Does this mean that I am well rid of the problem, whatever it was? Or should I apply more stringent settings to Driver Verifier?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,705
    Win7 x64 + x86
       #14

    If Driver Verifier doesn't give any blue screens, and you've got it set to verify ALL 3rd party drivers - then (presumably) there are no issues with the 3rd party drivers. Please don't forget to turn Driver Verifier OFF

    That leaves either Windows problems or hardware problems. Hardware problems are by far the more common of the two - but there isn't much that you can do with the hardware on a laptop.

    I'd suggest trying these 2 free diagnostic tests:
    Try this free video stress test: FurMark: Graphics Card Stability and Stress Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net
    FurMark Setup:
    - If you have more than one GPU, select Multi-GPU during setup
    - In the Run mode box, select "Stability Test" and "Log GPU Temperature"
    Click "Go" to start the test
    - Run the test until the GPU temperature maxes out - or until you start having problems (whichever comes first).
    - Click "Quit" to exit
    Try this free stress test: Free Software - GIMPS
    Prime95 Setup:
    - extract the contents of the zip file to a location of your choice
    - double click on the executable file
    - select "Just stress testing"
    - select the "Blend" test. If you've already run MemTest overnight you may want to run the "Small FFTs" test instead.
    - "Number of torture test threads to run" should equal the number of CPU's times 2 (if you're using hyperthreading).
    The easiest way to figure this out is to go to Task Manager...Performance tab - and see the number of boxes under CPU Usage History
    Then run the test for 6 to 24 hours - or until you get errors (whichever comes first).
    The Test selection box and the stress.txt file describes what components that the program stresses.
    If the tests don't reveal any further problem, then the next step would be a clean installation of Windows:
    - only install one free antivirus program.
    - install all critical Windows Updates
    - don't install optional updates unless the drivers are missing in Driver Management.
    - don't install anything else and see if that fixes the problems.

    Good luck!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Hey, I ran the Prime95 torture test overnight for 9 hours, 20 minutes. No errors found. Will try the GPU one later.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #16

    OK, I ran the GPU test today for about 35 minutes straight, but the program said that my GPU temperature was 0 degrees C, which was kind of odd. Either way there were no errors.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,705
    Win7 x64 + x86
       #17

    I had a power failure while posting my last reply.
    The gist of it was - you have a problem that's either hardware or Windows
    You've tested the hardware as far as is possible with free tools

    You do have an issue with your video chip since it doesn't display temps (and this link shows that they've used your video chip with FurMark: FurMark: Graphics Card Stability and Stress Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net (see the Comparative table down towards the bottom). Also, if you search the AMD website, you'll find that the video chip does have a temperature monitoring sensor built in (I lost the link when I lost power).

    That being the case, I'd suspect a problem with your video chip - but cannot be 100% sure (as there's no test for this A F A I K). The fact that Driver Verifier didn't cause crashes is pretty consistent with a hardware failure.

    The only other test that I can suggest is to wipe your hard drive clean and reinstall Windows. DO NOT install any 3rd party devices or software - and make sure that you install all critical Windows Updates. Install the Microsoft Security Essentials for protection while testing this. If the system continues to crash, then you can be sure it's hardware.
      My Computer


 
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