BSOD every time a few seconds after startup

[coswell]

Ok, actually I started memtest this morning and it's been running all day.

It has now gone through 11 passes and found 0 errors.

I have not yet done the step of running memtest on one stick at a time, but can do that next if you think it's advisable.

Would be grateful for any pointers on how to run memtest on one stick at a time. I've installed memory before (although not on this machine) but have not run memtest like that before. Pardon a very noob question, but I'm assuming I

1) turn laptop off
2) turn laptop over
3) unscrew plate
4) remove one memory stick
5) screw plate back on
6) run memtest again just as I did before?

 

[koolkat77]

1) turn laptop off
2) turn laptop over
3) unscrew plate
4) remove one memory stick
5) screw plate back on
6) run memtest again just as I did before?

Yup, you're right

 

[coswell]

Thanks. I am going to be out of town til Sunday but will run the next memtest then. Thanks again for all your help and pointers and I'll provide update as soon as I have more info.

 

[koolkat77]

Okay take your time.
We'll be here

 

[coswell]

ok, back now. Well, the mystery continues. I've now run memtest on

1) both memory sticks in place (original configuration)
2) just stick 1 in slot A
3) just stick 1 in slot B
4) just stick 2 in slot A
5) just stick 2 in slot B

for each test I let it run for between 10 to 20 passes (each test was either over night or all day when I was at work) and it found 0 errors in all tests.

Any advice on next steps would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[koolkat77]

Thanks for the results. Are you getting any BSoDs now?

Edit: I've done some searching in your previous dumps.
Uninstall the intel rapid storage that you have installed for the time being and observe for more BSoDs

 

[coswell]

Yes, unfortunately I am still getting the BSOD. I have to run to work but when I get home to night will uninstall intel rapid storage.

Here's another noob question: to uninstall it I'll need to boot up (into safe mode if necessary if normal mode keeps giving me BSOD) and then go to control panel > programs and features. Is that right?

Thanks

 

[koolkat77]

Uninstall it from device manager

 

[coswell]

Trying to uninstall from device manager but I keep running into problems
1) I finally managed to get the machine to boot up and opened device manager (I had to keep restarting because I kept getting errors)
2) I opened device manager
3) Could not find anything named "intel rapid storage" but clicked on IDA ATA/ATARI controllers (I know I'm spelling that wrong)
4) Saw one itel controller under there, so clicked on that
5) all of a sudden machine froze and area of screen that WAS occupied by device manager is now black

Would appreciate any pointers about how to uninstall this intel rapid storage. Have googled around and gone through several pages but could not find instructions for uninstalling.

Thanks

 

[koolkat77]

Try uninstalling the way you mentioned then.. (from control panel)?

 

[coswell]

Ok, I'm now booted into safe mode

1) went to device manager in control panel
2) based on info in this link http://support.lenovo.com/en_IN/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS029434#install on how to INSTALL rapid storage technology driver I clicked on IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
3) saw one controller Intel(R) ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller and right clicked on this and selected "properties"
4) clicked on tab that says "Driver" and I see several buttons
Driver Details
Update Driver
Roll Back Driver (greyed out)
Disable (greyed out)
Uninstall

I'm wondering if I should update this driver but was hoping for some advice before taking that step.

 

[koolkat77]

I'm wondering if I should update this driver but was hoping for some advice before taking that step.

Well I think you should go ahead..update it.

 

[coswell]

Ok, thanks. I just clicked on that, and it came back and said that the driver is up to date.

Yeesh.

Thanks for your patience through all of this. I know this is a lot to deal with to help someone you've never even met.

 

[koolkat77]

No problem.

Try updating from this link:
Download Center - Intel

 

[coswell]

Ok, more weird behavior. I updated the driver from the link you provided. Now here's what keeps happening
1) press power button
2) machine starts to power up but then screen goes black
3) press power button again
4) machine makes the startup chime sound but it sounds funny, kind of staticky
5) type in password at login page
6) machine seems to turn on fine
7) turn on itunes
8) machine freezes and screen turns black where itunes window was
9) go back to step 1

So, it seems to be progress of a sort because now the machine will boot without having to boot into safe mode. But it keeps freezing

I re-ran SF diagnostic tool, but then, following your advice about only uploading the recent .dmp files, I opened the folder and checked and the latest ones were from 10/08, so not sure what is going on.

As always would appreciate any thoughts on next steps.

 

[koolkat77]

Did you disable verifier? Are you getting blue screens or just freezes?

I think you should do a clean install or a repair install now if you prefer. Since you're still able to access data on your PC, take a back up of everything. Just don't install the programs I listed to you earlier in this thread.

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

If a clean install does not fix the problems you're having now, we'll do more troubleshooting.

Let me know your answer.

 

[coswell]

Did you disable verifier? Are you getting blue screens or just freezes?

Since I installed the new driver from intel, just freezes, no blue screens.
I have not disabled verifier, should I do that?

I think you should do a clean install or a repair install now if you prefer. Since you're still able to access data on your PC, take a back up of everything. Just don't install the programs I listed to you earlier in this thread.

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

If a clean install does not fix the problems you're having now, we'll do more troubleshooting.

Let me know your answer.

Ok, thanks. I'll try the repair install, then clean install if that doesn't work. Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted.

 

[koolkat77]

Yes disable it observe for more BSoDs. If they don't return, you don't need to do the clean/repair install.

 

[coswell]

Yes disable it observe for more BSoDs. If they don't return, you don't need to do the clean/repair install.

Ok, will do. Thanks.

 

[koolkat77]

You're welcome. Keep us posted