BSOD when rebooting/restarting

[mzimmer4]

Hey, this is my first post here at SevenForums, so let me know if I've forgotten anything important. Basically, when I'm booting or restarting my computer, I get a BSOD error and the computer restarts itself. After several attempts, usually restarting 5 or 6 times, it finally reaches the desktop and runs completely fine, even with games and web browsing. I've searched other similar problems on the site, but have been unsuccessful in finding a solution. Basic information is as follows:

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM
Age: roughly 3 weeks since build completion
Mobo: Gigabyte 870A UD3
CPU: AMD Athlon II x4
HDD: Seagate Barracuda SATA 500G / 16mb cache
Graphics: Gigabyte w/ ATI Radeon HD4670 1G DDR3
Memory: G.Skill DDR3 2x2G
Power: Rosewill 500W

 

[mzimmer4]

correction to original post:

I'm now experiencing crashes and BSOD stop errors in the middle of random activities, such as browsing through file folders and playing media files. I cannot provoke a crash, it just seems to happen randomly... and on start-up, of course.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

correction to original post:

I'm now experiencing crashes and BSOD stop errors in the middle of random activities, such as browsing through file folders and playing media files. I cannot provoke a crash, it just seems to happen randomly... and on start-up, of course.

Hello and Welcome !

Seems like the it's pointing to Windows Core Files. I would recommend to do some basic steps.

Run a Hardware Diagnostic (Memory and Hard Drive) follow this link for instructions Hardware Diagnostic !! « Captain Debugger

Then run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Enable Driver Verifier http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...-driver-verifier-identify-issues-drivers.html

Hope this helps,
Captain

 

[mzimmer4]

Ok, so after a few diagnostic tests... here's what I have so far.

Ran SeaTools for Windows (since I have a Seagate hard drive):
SMART Check - Fail
Short DST - Fail
Long DST - Fail
Short Generic - Pass
Long Generic - Pass

Ran Windows Memory Diagnostic:
No errors detected

Ran SFC / Scannow:
Did not find any integrity violations

Also, after one of the crashes the other day, I ran the built-in Windows Repair feature that pops up after a crash during start-up. It basically said that there was something wrong with my hard disk and it was unable to repair the problem automatically. Before researching this problem on SevenForums, I downloaded and ran HD Tuner and it told me that I had 4095 bad sector on the HDD and that it failed the Health Check. The only suggestions that it gave was to replace the hard drive.

 

[Jonathan_King]

I would also recommend a hard drive replacement.

First, try a couple of things.

Test your HD temps with Speedfan: SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

Run a disk check. Open an elevated command prompt and enter chkdsk /r.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hello,

I would recommend to start backup up your data immediately and check if the HDD covers warranty. If so claim it. Or else it best to get a new one. Often there isn't much troubleshooting can be done if manufactures tools fails and gives error. I'm sorry my friend i wish i was more helpful in this case.

Hope this helps,
Captain

 

[mzimmer4]

Yes, captain, I'm afraid that may be the route I end up going. But, I wanted to give an update before heading to work. After running chkdsk /r through the night, I awoke to a DOS-style screen from Windows Boot Manager, saying this at the bottom:

Error: 0cx0000428
Windows cannot verify the digital signature on the file.

Also with this message was some other information telling me to run Windows Repair (which have been unsuccessful in both identifying and repairing the problem).

Basically I wanted to verify that the hard drive was what was giving me the BSOD problems.

 

[mzimmer4]

So this hard drive is still under warranty from Seagate... I will be sending it to get a replacement. Hopefully the next one will be error-free.

I've researched compatibility issues with Seagate hard drives and Windows 7 and found that many people experience problems with the drive not being recognized during the initial Windows setup (although the drive is recognized in BIOS). Perhaps I would avoid installation/partitioning problems with a Western Digital or other brand?

Just one more thing that I'm curious about... When I receive my new hard drive and go through the Windows 7 install again, am I going to run into problems activating Windows? I've read several sites that say that I won't; however, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that "OEM" meant that the OS can only be installed once. That is, it's tied to one "computer" (whereas retail versions are tied to one "user").

 

[Bill2]

Just one more thing that I'm curious about... When I receive my new hard drive and go through the Windows 7 install again, am I going to run into problems activating Windows? I've read several sites that say that I won't; however, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that "OEM" meant that the OS can only be installed once. That is, it's tied to one "computer" (whereas retail versions are tied to one "user").

1) If you have a win7 OEM restore disk provided by the vendor (also called OEM recovery disk), you can reinstall win7 simply by booting from the disk and running install. Win7 will auto-activate and you will not be required to input any key.

2) If you dont have such a disk, you have 2 options. You can order one from your OEM vendor (dell, HP whatever) for a small price. Heck, if you explain your circumstances to them, they might even ship the disk free.

The other option is to get hold of a generic win7 disk (borrow from a friend or download etc.), then install, and activate using the COA key at the back of or beneath the battery of your computer. You'll need to phone activate.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

3) In case you mean, you've installed from a System builder's OEM disk (like the ones from Newegg etc.), those behave and activate like retail ones, except that MS has no responsibility for tech support. In that case, you would have activated ONLINE. To reactivate after reinstalling from a such a disk, you'll again need to go online and unless you've changed hardware like crazy in recent times, it should go through. Thats because certain weightages are assigned to certain hardware changes and simply changing a hdd should not upset the balance.


4) See, OEM activation is tied to the first computer it is installed on, you cant transfer the license to another machine. Thats about it.

 

[mzimmer4]

Ok... so I ended up just buying another hard drive (Seagate 1TB) and reinstalled Windows on it. After copying some video files over, I wanted to take it for a spin. About 2 minutes in, I encountered another BSOD. Attached is a zip file containing some reports. Let me know what's up. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jonathan_King]

I immediately suspect your outdated Realtek drivers. Please install these ones: Realtek

Rt64win7.sys Thu Feb 26 04:04:13 2009 (49A65B0D)

...Summary of the Dumps:

[FONT=lucida console]
Built by: 7600.16385.amd64fre.win7_rtm.090713-1255
Debug session time: Thu Aug 26 20:36:16.707 2010 (UTC - 4:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 4:06:07.501
BugCheck A, {30, 2, 1, fffff800028dd6ef}
Probably caused by : afd.sys ( afd!AfdTimerWheelHandler+19d )
BUGCHECK_STR:  0xA
PROCESS_NAME:  System
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
[/FONT]

 

[mzimmer4]

Ok, I'm not too sure about what to do next. I went to the Realtek site linked in the previous post, and clicked on the download for "Win7 and WinServer 2008 R2 Driver"... but it just downloaded a zip file with some other files inside. I'm kind of used to self-installing drivers that are available on discs and autorun files. What do I do with this zip file?

Also, after installing a buttload of updates from Windows Update, I installed some drivers (which is something I neglected to do in my haste after installing Windows again). Still nothing though, perhaps this Realtek thing is what's holding me back. I'll attach the most recent reports.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Go to Device Mananager, right-click on your Realtek card (in the Network Adapters section), and select "Update driver software". Then select "Browse my computer for software" and point it to the folder you have extracted the zip files to.

 

[mzimmer4]

Ok, got the Realtek drivers installed... but I still seem to be having a problem with random crashes. Even with NO activity whatsoever, the system will crash and attempt to reboot. Sometimes it will sit on the BSOD for an indefinite length of time until I manually turn off the computer and power it on again. Other times, I get to the DOS-style screen where I have the option to run Windows Repair or Start Windows Normally. I tried running Windows Repair (which was recommended), but it simply crashed after selecting this option.

Also, after installing the driver, I clicked on the Start menu and got a message that said "Windows Explorer has stopped working..." shortly followed by another crash.

Attached are the most recent performance monitor reports and dump files.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hello,

Since you have replaced the Hard drive run the Diagnostic again maybe something wrong the cable or Motherboard itself. I assume you haven't connected your old Hard drive. If so please disconnect it and let the new one run. Anyhow here is the link Run a Hardware Diagnostic (Memory and Hard Drive) follow this link for instructions Hardware Diagnostic !! « Captain Debugger

Disconnected NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller from your USB Port for few days and see if that makes any difference.

Update the ASUS DRW-24B1ST Driver Acer DRW-24B1ST Drivers - Asus Drivers Download

Hope this helps,
Captain

 

[mzimmer4]

Nah, the old hard drive is in the box ready to be returned to Seagate for warranty replacement... however, I DID just keep the old cable in line (for convenience purposes). I'll replace it with a new SATA cable and run the recommended hardware diagnostics afterward. Before I do though, something I'm curious about... Would plugging the hard drive into a different SATA port do anything? I have 4 SATA ports on my motherboard, one being used by the hard drive and the other being used for the eSATA plugin on the front of the case. Would I run into recognition problems or anything if I tried another port on the motherboard? Or is it safe to assume if one's bad, they're all bad?

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Nah, the old hard drive is in the box ready to be returned to Seagate for warranty replacement... however, I DID just keep the old cable in line (for convenience purposes). I'll replace it with a new SATA cable and run the recommended hardware diagnostics afterward. Before I do though, something I'm curious about... Would plugging the hard drive into a different SATA port do anything? I have 4 SATA ports on my motherboard, one being used by the hard drive and the other being used for the eSATA plugin on the front of the case. Would I run into recognition problems or anything if I tried another port on the motherboard? Or is it safe to assume if one's bad, they're all bad?

I don't think you'll run into problems if your changing the Port. I'm not a hardware expert but i used to do so never had any problems. So you should be good in changing it. Do change the cable.

Good Luck,
Captain

 

[mzimmer4]

Hey Capt., had yet another question regarding a previous post of yours...

Disconnected NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller from your USB Port for few days and see if that makes any difference.

...is this something done inside the case on the motherboard? I believe that the only USB 3.0 ports are on the I/O panel that sticks out of the back of the case. I'm not sure if it is a cable that runs into a port, but I'll see in a couple minutes when I open it up.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

If you have a external Host Controller then disconnect it or else leave it alone.

 

[mzimmer4]

So... after switching out the SATA cable with one supplied with the motherboard, I finally got my computer to turn back on (after having some grounding issues with the motherboard and chassis). The problem still exists though. Upon rebooting, I encountered 4 or 5 BSODs and finally got Windows to boot up as it should. Included are some more perfmon reports and dump files.

Also, before I changed out the SATA cable, I ran Memtest86+ and also Seatools for Windows. On the plus side, both checked out good (whereas the hard drive check failed miserably with the previous hard drive). Seems like my hardware is in good shape. You guys definitely know your diagnostics, I'll give you that. Please help before I jab a pencil in my ear!