Solved Random BSODs during random tasks. Latest error: 0x1000007e

[SparkyXI]

Hey folks.

Acer AS4830TG-6808
Win7 Home Premium x64 Acer OEM
Machine is less than a month old
Added 4GB Ram stick (PNY, now total of 8GB)

Have been getting random BSODs over the last week or so. I'm not sure of the reasoning, however I suspect it may be gaming related. Errors began while running Call of Duty MW3 via Steam, now they've gotten out of hand - random crashes during normal, non-gaming related tasks. I'm just not sure at this point what's going on (after much Googling). Any help is appreciated - ask away with questions for me... I like to think I'm pretty savvy.

Thanks in advance everyone!!

 

[writhziden]

You have a lot of software running that is probably not necessary. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html and only have avast! set to run on startup and in services.

Regarding avast!, your current installation may be corrupted or old; avast! was blamed in a few of your crashes. I would suggest uninstalling with the avast! uninstall utility, downloading a fresh, up to date copy, and then installing the fresh copy. If that does not resolve the avast! related crashes, I may ask you to remove it with the avast! uninstall utility and replace it with Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows to test.


Post a screenshot of what you have in device manager under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers (Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager)


Many of your crashes were DirectX/graphics card related. DirectX comes installed with Windows, so this may indicate Windows corruption. It may also be that you have corrupted drivers or a graphics card hardware problem.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Check Windows for corruption. Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.

Follow the steps for Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX. To re-install your display card drivers as outlined in the DirectX link, use the following steps.

1. Download the drivers you want for your display card(s)
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For NVIDIA:
   • Uninstall the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (this should uninstall all NVIDIA software and drivers)
   • Restart your computer
   • Make sure NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver, NVIDIA 3D Vision Video Player, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and NVIDIA PhysX System Software are not still listed under Uninstall a program through Control Panel
   • If any remain of the above, uninstall one at a time
   • If asked to restart after uninstalling any of the above, do so, and continue uninstalling any remaining NVIDIA items until all are removed
6. For AMD:
   • Uninstall AMD Catalyst Install Manager if it is listed (this should remove all AMD graphics software and drivers)
   • If AMD Catalyst Install Manager is not listed, use the following method to uninstall the graphics drivers (this applies to onboard graphics, as well):
     1. Click Start Menu
     2. Right Click My Computer/Computer
     3. Click Manage
     4. Click Device Manager from the list on the left
     5. Expand Display adapters
     6. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
        
        Alternatively:
        1. Login as an adminstrative user
        2. Click Start Menu
        3. Click Control Panel
        4. Click Hardware and Sound
        5. Click Device Manager (the last link under Devices and Printers)
        6. Expand Display adapters
        7. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
           • Right click the adapter
           • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
           • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
   • Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
   • Install the driver you selected for the display cards once Windows starts

 

[SparkyXI]

Thanks for the diagnosis. I was out of town all weekend, away from my laptop. I will work through your instructions and report back. I am currently running selective startup with only Avast going. I'm totally okay with completely uninstalling Avast and using the MS solution, so long as it keeps me virus free.

More to come...

 

[SparkyXI]

ATA/ATAPI screenshot attached.

 

[SparkyXI]

sfc /scannow completed with no integrity violations. No crashes since last reboot. installing Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2718704)

 

[writhziden]

Alright, if you get any more crashes, let us know. Thanks for the info. That will help with further troubleshooting if it is necessary. Otherwise, post back in a few days how the system is responding.

 

[SparkyXI]

Alright, if you get any more crashes, let us know. Thanks for the info. That will help with further troubleshooting if it is necessary. Otherwise, post back in a few days how the system is responding.

Spoke too soon: Two more crashes today. Getting a fresh dump now, will post in a few minutes.

Pondering: I use a wireless Logitech mouse on a regular basis. Potential conflict with that and the touchpad?

 

[writhziden]

Not likely unless the Logitech drivers are out of date. I can check that with the .dmps once you have a chance to upload them.

 

[SparkyXI]

Not likely unless the Logitech drivers are out of date. I can check that with the .dmps once you have a chance to upload them.

Here you are: oh so freshy fresh.

 

[writhziden]

Run some hardware checks.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Run Disk Check with both boxes checked for all HDDs and with Automatically fix file system errors checked for all SSDs. Post back your logs for the checks after finding them using http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96938-check-disk-chkdsk-read-event-viewer-log.html (you may need to search for wininit instead of chkdsk).
  For any drives that do not give the message:
  Windows has checked the file system and found no problems
  run disk check again as above. In other words, if it says:
  Windows has made corrections to the file system
  after running the disk check, run the disk check again.
  
  
• Run the short and long tests with SeaTools for HDDs.
  SeaTools for Windows
  
  SeaTools for DOS​
  
  
• Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
  
  Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.​
  • Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
  • Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
  • HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
  • Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
    
    
  • Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
    
    
  • Follow the steps for doing CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
  
     Warning

  Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. :warn:WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!
  
  
  For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

 

[SparkyXI]

I am not overclocked. Running tests as prescribed. Will report back.

 

[writhziden]

Alright, let us know if you need any help as you proceed with tests. Also, let us know if you find the cause. Best of luck!

 

[SparkyXI]

First chkdsk log:

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is Acer.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.                         

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
  247040 file records processed.                                          File verification completed.
  185 large file records processed.                                      0 bad file records processed.                                        0 EA records processed.                                              60 reparse records processed.                                       CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
  328944 index entries processed.                                         Index verification completed.
  0 unindexed files scanned.                                           0 unindexed files recovered.                                       CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
  247040 file SDs/SIDs processed.                                         Cleaning up 42 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 42 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 42 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
  40953 data files processed.                                            CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
  34010856 USN bytes processed.                                             Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...
  247024 files processed.                                                 File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...
  86113786 free clusters processed.                                         Free space verification is complete.
CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the
master file table (MFT) bitmap.
CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the volume bitmap.
Windows has made corrections to the file system.

 472553471 KB total disk space.
 127634260 KB in 200603 files.
    102716 KB in 40954 indexes.
         0 KB in bad sectors.
    361347 KB in use by the system.
     65536 KB occupied by the log file.
 344455148 KB available on disk.

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
 118138367 total allocation units on disk.
  86113787 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 c5 03 00 99 af 03 00 97 8e 06 00 00 00 00 00  ................
65 01 00 00 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  e...<...........
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................

Will run it again.

 

[SparkyXI]

Chkdsk log #2: No errors found this time.

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is Acer.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.                         

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
  247040 file records processed.                                          File verification completed.
  186 large file records processed.                                      0 bad file records processed.                                        0 EA records processed.                                              60 reparse records processed.                                       CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
  329030 index entries processed.                                         Index verification completed.
  0 unindexed files scanned.                                           0 unindexed files recovered.                                       CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
  247040 file SDs/SIDs processed.                                         Cleaning up 8 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 8 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 8 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
  40996 data files processed.                                            CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
  37693184 USN bytes processed.                                             Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...
  247024 files processed.                                                 File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...
  85990761 free clusters processed.                                         Free space verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

 472553471 KB total disk space.
 128122260 KB in 200666 files.
    102788 KB in 40997 indexes.
         0 KB in bad sectors.
    365379 KB in use by the system.
     65536 KB occupied by the log file.
 343963044 KB available on disk.

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
 118138367 total allocation units on disk.
  85990761 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 c5 03 00 03 b0 03 00 22 8f 06 00 00 00 00 00  ........".......
67 01 00 00 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  g...<...........
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.

Continuing on with tests as prescribed.

 

[SparkyXI]

SeaTools Short Generic: passed. Would you still suggest that I complete the Long Generic?

 

[SparkyXI]

Ran FurMark for 5-7 minutes. Leveled out between 65°C and 68°C. RealTemp reported slightly higher temps.

 

[writhziden]

I would suggest you do the long generic test with SeaTools. The short can pass, and the long can fail, and vice versa.

 

[SparkyXI]

The long generic test passed. Have had a few BSODs since then. Report attached.

Are you seeing any patterns in my reports? Certain things standing out? Initial diagnosis?

 

[writhziden]

Nearly all crashes point to either your graphics card related drivers and installations / the graphics card itself or to your hard disk controllers / the hard disk itself.


Temperatures with Furmark looked good. Any artifacts on the screen?

Have you run the video memory tests, Prime95 test, the IntelBurn Test, or the Memtest86+ diagnostics?

 

[SparkyXI]

Gotcha. No artifacts on the screen.

Running the Video Mem test now. Will run others overnight.

Do you see anything related to the additional 4GB of RAM that I added? Would you suggest a full system restore as a possible troubleshooting method (to rule out hardware)?