BSOD at seemingly random times. Often when web browsing/playing games.

[JDHill]

Hi, I'm new to the forums as a poster, but often find solutions here (thank you).

I've been having issues with my computer for a while now, it crashes at unpredictable times. I believe the crashes started about the same time I installed my current video card. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[marsmimar]

Hello JDHill and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm not a BSOD expert. The experts on this Forum are seriously back-logged helping others. So until one responds to your thread there are a few things to check. First, it would help to know your system specs. Top of each page click User CP and in left column click Edit System Spec. If you aren't sure about the specs a free utility called Speccy will give you everything you need to know.

Speccy - System Information - Free Download

- Make sure your memory sticks, GPU, etc are seated properly
- If using multiple memory sticks test each stick by itself in slot # 1 (or whichever slot the motherboard manufacturer recommends for a single stick)
- After checking each stick, check each slot
- Check your power management options.
- Check your PSU.
- Use default BIOS setting if you overclock

You could also run a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) It will look for damaged or corrupt system files and try to replace them with the correct versions. If problems are found run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

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

If still no luck, you could work through these troubleshooting steps prepared by one of the forum experts. It's time consuming but may help isolate the problem.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html

 

[JDHill]

Thanks marsmimar.

I've updated my system info.

sfc /scannow comes back clean.

Everything appears to be seated correctly.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by:
- Check your power management options.
- Check your PSU.
Check for what in particular?

I'll check memory and slots next chance I have then go through the troubleshooter.

 

[marsmimar]

Sorry for not being clearer.

Sometimes the Power Options icon disppears from Control Panel for no apparent reason. Power settings could have been altered affecting computer operation. For example, this previous thread:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/233363-no-power-management-options.html

The Power Supply Unit for a desktop could go bad. Fluctuating power output, etc could cause BSODs. Likewise a damaged power cord going to the computer or from the PSU to the wall outlet could cause issues. Same for a laptop AC adapter. Check for damaged cord going to computer or wall outlet.

 

[JDHill]

I've tested each memory stick and slot, all work fine.
I also tested the memory using the guide here:
-http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html
Everything comes back clean.

Cables all appear to be connected properly, no frayed or bad cables.

Power options don't seem to be an issue.

I changed the timings manually in the BIOS for my memory rather than leaving them Auto. The voltage setting doesn't give me the option for 1.5 that is recommended. is it better to go slightly higher or lower for memory voltage? I went lower for now to avoid burning anything up.

While rechecking that everything seated properly, I moved my video card to the other PCIe slot and (finally) my on-board video stopped showing up in the Device Manager screen.

The on-board has been disabled through bios and device manager for a long time, but could having the video card in the other slot make a difference?