Occasional BSODs and Lock-Ups on new computer build

[frkr]

Hello, I'm posting here as a last resort after being unable to get my new build to work cleanly. I first put together this computer 1-2 months ago and within a week started experiencing freezing issues, categorized into one of these 3:
1) rare BSODs
2) the most common, simple computer freezing (monitor frozen, can't use mouse or keyboard, audio buzzes or buzzes and turns off) forcing me to hard reboot after 15+ minutes
3) computer stuttering (similar to 2 except it recovers, lasting from a few seconds to a minute)

This would *usually* happen when I was either playing a game (Team Fortress 2, Counter Strike: Global Offensive) or more commonly, watching any random youtube video or stream (like twitch.tv). Although to be honest if I'm using my computer then I'm usually doing one of those anyhow so... The episodes would vary in frequency from anywhere from 1-2 times a day to once a week. At first it seemed like a RAM issue and memtest86+ confirmed because although my memory had passed an initial scan; when I tested more intensively a bunch of errors cropped up and I RMA'd it. Two weeks later I received a brand new RAM kit which passed 12+ hours of memtest86+ perfectly.

Unfortunately, the freezing problems continued even with the new RAM installed (trying the sticks individually and together). Suspecting a gpu issue I tried disabling hardware acceleration from youtube videos yet I would experience freezes even without my video card being used. I also considered overheating issues but there is no dust and two working case fans alongside the existing cpu/gpu/psu fans and running CPUID HWMonitor gave perfectly standard temperature readings. I also ran prime95 for 10+ hours and ran several cpu+gpu intensive benchmark tests without crashing.

Some of the BSOD dump files and events from eventviewer (they don't appear during the non-BSOD freezes though) pointed to a driver issue so I attempted updating some drivers. A couple of my drivers were actually embarrassingly out of date (I swear I had downloaded the newest ones when I first built the computer...) so I updated them... only one seemed to have any effect. When I went to the website for the network card in my wireless adapter (Drivers for Atheros AR9285 and Windows 7) I saw a newer driver than the one on my manufacturer's website (Rosewill.com - Computer Case, Power Supply, Computer Accessories, Networking, Peripherals. Price, Quality, and Services.) although my specific adapter wasn't actually listed on the network card's website. Nonetheless I tried installing it anyhow and coincidentally or not my computer freezes disappeared. Up until I randomly BSOD'd again after a week without issues.

Frustrated, my friend suggested I reformat entirely, which I did reluctantly this past weekend. It hasn't fixed my problems and I've seen possibly even more freezes than the couple of weeks before I reformatted but after I received my new RAM and updated all my drivers (where I "only" bsod'd twice and didn't suffer any other freezes). I had 1 random freeze within half an hour after reformatting where all I was doing was configuring my firefox settings (I then went into safemode and uninstalled/reinstalled to my manufacturer's wireless driver), had 1 BSOD last night right after playing a CS:GO game (uninstalled/reinstalled back to the atheros wireless driver), and 1 freeze this afternoon watching a youtube video.

I tried using driver verifier testing all drivers a couple nights ago (using this guide Windows BSOD analysis - A thorough usage guide) and my computer started BSODing on boot. The BIOS would load but it wouldn't even let me get into safe mode. Thankfully I was able to use system restore and load an earlier restore point. I also tried using the utility WhoCrashed on the dump files which pointed to my wireless or usb drivers. After my crash today I loaded verifier using this guide http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...-driver-verifier-identify-issues-drivers.html and was able to reboot fine. I should be still running it; though my machine hasn't BSOD'd yet.

I plan on running SeaTools overnight (SeaTools | Seagate) to test my HDD because a friend noticed I had a couple events that showed HDD controller errors (something like that) after my hard reboots and am also considering lowering the voltage/speed on my RAM (I am currently running at default settings and NOT overclocking or undervolting or anything) because another friend told me that he stopped having crashes after lowering the voltage on his RAM. My last step would be to RMA my video card or god-help-me my mother board (I desperately don't want to do either).

I've attached my SF Diagnostic tool folder to this post. Thank you for your time.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi,

From your crash logs:

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************
Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.
[COLOR=red]BugCheck C9[/COLOR], {23e, fffff8800423b324, fffff9800611cea0, 0}
Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\dtsoftbus01.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for dtsoftbus01.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for dtsoftbus01.sys
Probably caused by :[COLOR=red] dtsoftbus01.sys[/COLOR] ( dtsoftbus01+1324 )
Followup: MachineOwner
---------
3: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************
DRIVER_VERIFIER_IOMANAGER_VIOLATION (c9)

STOP 0x000000C9: DRIVER_VERIFIER_IOMANAGER_VIOLATION
Usual causes: Driver verifier

These drivers need updating, if you are unable to update (if they are the latest) then
attempt to :ar: Roll Back The Drivers

Driver:[COLOR=red]dtsoftbus01.sys[/COLOR]
Dated: Fri Jan 13 13:45:46 [COLOR=red]2012[/COLOR]
Refers to: Daemon Tools driver Possible BSOD issues in Win7

Please uninstall Daemon tools. If Deamon tools is no longer on your system
then navigate to:

C:\windows\system32\drivers and locate dtsoftbus01.sys
Rename to: dtsoftbus01.sys.old
Reboot your computer and see if any issues arise?
If no issues arise then return to the drivers folder and right click driver dtsoftbus01.sys and delete.

Driver: [COLOR=red]VKbms.sys[/COLOR]
Dated: Thu Sep 30 17:16:33 [COLOR=red]2010[/COLOR]
Refers to: HID mini driver for USB Fx2 Device (Razer driver)

:ar: http://www.razersupport.com/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=view

Driver: [COLOR=red]atikmdag.sys[/COLOR]
Dated: Fri Mar 29 02:27:04 [COLOR=red]2013[/COLOR]
Refer to: ATI Video Drivers

:ar: http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx
(If this is latest roll bak driver)

Driver: [COLOR=red]athrx.sys[/COLOR]
Refer to: Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 network adapter driver
Dated: Mon Mar 11 11:04:29 [COLOR=red]2013[/COLOR]

Try reinstalling this driver from here:
:ar: http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=37&system=5

You can disable driver verifier if you havent already.

Cheers

Dave

 

[frkr]

Hello, since those logs I have indeed already uninstalled daemon tools (there is no longer a dtsoftbus01.sys in my computer) and changed to that atheros network adapter driver.

I will try installing the razer synapse 2.0 driver and installing an older GPU driver though (there are no older ones to roll back to since this is a new install).

Also I will turn off driver verifier (is all the information I could get from it already in those logs? I wasn't sure).

Thanks for your post! I will be sure to update if I crash again.

 

[Northernsoul55]

According to your logs, dtsoftbus01.sys is present on your system as of 22/05/2013,
can you check the driver folder to confirm please?

Try reinstalling the ATI driver, just install the driver only.

Also for an Anti-virus we recommend:

Microsoft Security Essentials.
Recommended from a strict BSOD perspective, compatibility & stability
compared to other antiviruses/internet security software.

:ar: Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

   Note

Once downloaded, update and run a full system scan

cheers

Dave

 

[frkr]

I checked again and I did not see the daemon tools driver in the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers folder... and daemon tools is no longer in programs + settings either. I'm uploading another SF Diagnostic zip that will maybe confirm that it's no longer on my computer?? I really thought I uninstalled it several days ago but...

Also yes, Microsoft Security Essentials was one of the first programs I installed on my computer and is the only anti virus I use, none of the scans have come up with any viruses since I installed it. I'll try installing only the driver part of the ATI update although I believe that is what I was initially using several weeks ago before I updated all my drivers completely. Also now that I think about it I'm certain that my first crash after my reformat came before I had installed daemon tools or my razer drivers, but probably after my GPU and network card drivers.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Yes the driver is present, but that log was from 22/05/2013.

See if updating the GPU and network drivers resolve your issue?

Asus support page may have some drivers also:

:ar: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8H77V_LE/#support_Download_30

 

[frkr]

I've experienced crashes in the past with those same gpu and network drivers so i'm not that hopeful, but I'll see I guess. That Asus website is also where I downloaded most of my basic drivers for my computer (chipset, audio, usb, and LAN). Not sure what other drivers there would possibly help me, maybe the ASUS USB3.0 Boost in utilities is worth trying? or one of the other utility ones?

 

[Northernsoul55]

I would say definately the USB 3.0 drivers, as there have been a few
BSOD relating to USB 3.0 lately.

Then once you have the drivers sorted for GPU and Networking, test the system
and see if your BSOD issues remain?

cheers

Dave

 

[frkr]

Well, as expected I suppose, I bsod'd again earlier tonight. This time it was in between games of CS:GO (I was just idling on the main menu after a game).
The utility WhoCrashed output this:

[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial][SIZE=4][B]  Crash Dump Analysis[/B]  [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Crash dump  directory: C:\Windows\Minidump[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Crash dumps are enabled on your  computer.
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On  Fri 5/24/2013 3:43:22 AM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\052313-17284-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=ntoskrnl.exe"]ntoskrnl.exe[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] (nt+0x75C00) 
Bugcheck code: 0x50  (0xFFFFF8804983C5F8, 0x0, 0xFFFFF800031CFB3C, 0x5)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA"]PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft® Windows® Operating System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: NT Kernel &  System
Bug check description: This indicates that invalid system memory has  been referenced.
This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not  likely to be caused by a hardware problem. 
The crash took place in the  Windows kernel. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver that cannot be  identified at this time. 


[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Fri 5/24/2013 3:43:22 AM GMT your computer  crashed[/B]
crash dump file: C:\Windows\memory.dmp
This was probably  caused by the following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=ntkrnlmp.exe"]ntkrnlmp.exe[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] (nt!KeBugCheckEx+0x0) 
Bugcheck code:  0x50 (0xFFFFF8804983C5F8, 0x0, 0xFFFFF800031CFB3C, 0x5)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA"]PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
Bug check description:  This indicates that invalid system memory has been referenced.
This appears  to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware  problem. 
The crash took place in the Windows kernel. Possibly this problem  is caused by another driver that cannot be identified at this time. 
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

no idea what that means though. I'll also upload the relevant dump file and my event log.

also, I already had installed the USB 3.0 drivers because those are pretty basic, just not the "usb 3.0 boost" utility. Let me know if there's any other information about the crashes I can provide. I wasn't sure what to upload besides the dmp files.

edit: and I didn't have Driver Verifier running either because you said to disable it, should I maybe turn it back on??

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi,

All your driver issues are exactly as I described in post :ar: #2

No changes have been made to any of these drivers since my last analysis.

Driver: [COLOR=red]atikmdag.sys[/COLOR]
Dated: [COLOR=red]Fri Mar 29 02:27:04 2013[/COLOR]
Refer to: ATI Video Drivers

So for your Graphic drivers, I suggest you try updating to the latest version dated: 4/24/2013
(Just install the driver only)
:ar: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonaiw_vista64.aspx

or from Sapphire web-site:

:ar: http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/downloads/download_index.aspx?psn=0006&lid=1

Hopefully that should sort out your GPU driver issues.

dtsoftbus01.sys is now not showing in your logs, so that's good.

So the only driver left to sort (providing GPU drivers are ok) is:

Driver: [COLOR=red]athrx.sys[/COLOR]
Refer to: Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 network adapter driver 
Dated: Mon Mar 11 11:04:29 [COLOR=red]2013[/COLOR]

I will try to locate another driver for you.


cheers

Dave

 

[frkr]

Hi, thanks for replying,
I think I might have been updating the gpu driver incorrectly before; I was using the AMD manager to only select the video driver. This time I tried using this guide (ATI video cards - DRIVER ONLY installation procedure - Sysnative Forums) to update JUST the driver, so hopefully it worked.

 

[Faladu]

Just FYI, Microsoft Essentials is very weak for anti-virus against NEW ones.

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Nov/Dec 2012

Sort by Protection column, it's by far the worst of 25 tested.

I use the one in 6th place, and will probably switch to the Bitdefender Suite (#1) once it runs out.

If you visit Bitdefender for a trial you can luck into a very fair offer.

Firewall + Antivirus/malware is critical....

 

[Northernsoul55]

Nice work,
For your Atheros driver, you have version 10.0.0.234 installed.

If you goto the Atheros website and scroll down you will see version 10.0.0.227

Try installing that version :ar: Atheros Drivers

Cheers

Dave

 

[frkr]

Thanks for the tip but I'm not as concerned about malware at the moment as I am about possible hardware or driver problems, and I think MSE is supposed to be good about that? This is a very new install and I've never had or suspected malware problems. If you see anything suspicious in my logs though please point it out and I'll definitely reconsider

edit: I'll definitely try going down to that driver as well, thanks.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Just FYI, Microsoft Essentials is very weak for anti-virus against NEW ones.

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Nov/Dec 2012

Sort by Protection column, it's by far the worst of 25 tested.

I use the one in 6th place, and will probably switch to the Bitdefender Suite (#1) once it runs out.

If you visit Bitdefender for a trial you can luck into a very fair offer.

Firewall + Antivirus/malware is critical....

MSE is recommended from a strict BSOD perspective, advising other AV's in the middle of
an analysis is confusing at best :sarc:

 

[Arc]

If you cannot add anything positive, if you cannot go through the issue rightly, please leave it for them who can.

We know why we use MSE and why we suggest MSE to others. And we dont want to get into any contriversy relating to it; as we want to concentrate to the issue only.

 

[frkr]

I just crashed again; no BSOD so no dump files to upload though.

 

[frkr]

I ran the standard SeaTools tests and they all passed perfectly. Completely lost still on what to do. Starting to really regret not buying a pre-built computer.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Did you update this driver?

Driver: [COLOR=red]VKbms.sys[/COLOR]
Dated: Thu Sep 30 17:16:33 [COLOR=red]2010[/COLOR]
Refers to: HID mini driver for USB Fx2 Device (Razer driver)

Also update this driver:

Driver: RTKVHD64.sys
Refers to: Realtek High Definition Audio Function Driver
:ar: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=8&PFid=14&Level=3&Conn=2

Or Asus may have an update:

:ar: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8H77V_LE/#support_Download_30

Also I see that your Realtek PCIe GBE Family controller appears disabled
Navigate to device manager and enable the device.

cheers

Dave

 

[frkr]

Yes I already updated that Razer driver, although that legacy one was something that I had downgraded to previously anyhow to try to stop the crashes. Same with disabling the Realtek family controller, although I can re-enable that too.

As for my audio driver, like I said in my posts previously, I have the latest audio driver on the ASUS website (which is where I got all of my basic drivers when I first installed windows etc.) The one on the RealTek website was published more recently however so I'll try that. I'll upload my SF diagnostic folder right after to confirm I have those installed correctly.