Solved BSOD at startup after loading a few drivers

[Keilnoth]

Hello guys,

While playing Starcraft 2 I crashed to desktop. Then, I tried to relaunch the game but my computer freezed and restarted and then I had a few BSOD and couldn't restart my computer.

I tried the safe mode and the loading stopped at the aswRvrt.sys file then crashed.

I have 2 boots with 2 systems so I tried to boot on my other Windows7 and it did the same thing. It loads until it must show the desktop and at that moment I have the BSOD.

Then, I shut my computer down "completely" to clean the memory and restarted it and it booted correctly to Windows.

Perhaps you guys can tell me what was the problem as I don't really know how to read minidump files.

 

[koolkat77]

Memtest86+
Run Memtest86+ for at least 8-10 passes. It may take up to 20 passes to find problems. Make sure to run it once after the system has been on for a few hours and is warm, and then also run it again when the system has been off for a few hours and is cold. How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+

   Note

Pay close attention to part 3 of the tutorial in order to rule the faulty RAM stick out.

   Tip

Do this test overnight.

 

[Keilnoth]

Hello Koolkat77,

Thanks for your fast answer. I will do the memtest tonight as suggested.

Small question for my personal interest, are you suggesting my RAM is somehow dead ? Because my computer is pretty much 7 years old and lately I was thinking about buying a few new components (Mobo, RAM, CPU, GFX Card). Assuming that my RAM is dead I will not hesitate much longer to go for that upgrade.

Thank you for your time,

 

[koolkat77]

Hello Koolkat77,

Thanks for your fast answer. I will do the memtest tonight as suggested.

Small question for my personal interest, are you suggesting my RAM is somehow dead ? Because my computer is pretty much 7 years old and lately I was thinking about buying a few new components (Mobo, RAM, CPU, GFX Card). Assuming that my RAM is dead I will not hesitate much longer to go for that upgrade.

Thank you for your time,

Well, I went through most of your threads and they did seem to show allot of memory corruption so I thought we should start off with testing the RAM first.

Take your time and let us know the results.

 

[Keilnoth]

Hello Koolkat77,

So, today I tried to run the memtest BUT, first time I booted on my #1 HDD with my main OS, it crashed right after the Windows 7 logo loading screen. I had to shut it down completely and then I was able to boot on my #2 HDD and download memtest on a USB key. I tried to boot again on my #1 HDD and was able to go to the desktop and load a few windows and then, I got a scary screen see as attached.

Now, I am completey unable to boot the computer. I have no video signal anymore and my screen keep being blank. So I still don't really know what's broken. So next step for me is probably buy a new mobo, ram and gfx card as I am pretty much unable to test anything as I do not have spare parts to change and test.

What's your guess about the scary screen ? Is that a video card problem ? A mobo problem ?

 

[essenbe]

The screen looks like a video error, but that too can be caused by bad ram. Remember, when you do the ram test, we are trying to test the ram sticks as well as the Dimm slots the ram fits into. They can be bad also. I assume your computer will POST, so you can get into BIOS. To run the memorytest, you need to boot into the USB key. I'm not familiar with your motherboard, but there are 2 ways to do it. You can use the one time boot menu key, which just affects that one time boot and select your USB key to boot from or you can go into bios and change the boot order to the USB key as the first boot device. With memtest, each pass has about 10 tests, and a minimum of 8 passes is required for each stick in each slot. The 8 passes will normally last about 8 hours. If you receive an error, you can stop the test. Any error means the ram or slot is defective. That's why so many tests are required, so we can tell which one. I know this is very long and tedious process. I've been through it several times myself. But, it is the only real way to properly test for the problem. If you have questions, please feel free to ask.

EDIT: To answer your questions, it could be anything. It could be bad ram, bad video card, bad motherboard or bad PSU. Any of those are possibilities. We find more cases of Ram problems than any other type, so that is why we are trying ram first. It would be easier for both of us if you would completely fill out your system specs. To see what we like, click 'My System Specs" at the bottom of this post and see mine. There is a way to do it for you automatically, if you like. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

 

[Britton30]

Hi Keilnoth, essenbe beat me to it. I think you have a video error too which could also be overheating.
If you still get the garbled video with memtest I would say your GPU is bad. You could take it out and blow any dust off the fan, if it has one, then reinstall it and confirm it is fully in the slot and any power connectors are connected fully.

 

[Keilnoth]

Hi guys,

So this morning I switched my computer on, pressed F8 to launch the boot dialog and selected my USB with memtest on it. The memtest lasted for about 20 seconds. Everything was red with errors and then it crashed.

I would love to fill my system specs more precisely but I cannot boot my computer anymore.

Right now and once again, my screen does not receive the video signal anymore. I cleaned my gfx card but it was not really dirty. Will try some more things and keep you updated...

 

[essenbe]

Keilnoth, Can you open the case and tell me the brand and wattage of your PSU? Also, check all the power connections in your computer especially the ones going to the graphics card. Have you been keeping close watch on the CPU temps and GPU temps? If not, I suggest you do that. Overheating will cause the computer to crash. If you do not have applications to monitor temps, I can recommend some.

Before you spend any money I would try an known good extra graphics card and PSU if you have one. If not, perhaps you have a friend who will be willing to help you out and loan you one for a few days. If you can find those things, try them out, one at a time so you can determine which is at fault. At least then, you will know which component needs replacing. Trust me, you can go broke replacing components to try to resolve a problem.

 

[Keilnoth]

Hello there,

Thank you all for your time trying to help me out.

My PSU is an Antec TruePower Trio - 650W and all the cables were right into their plugs. I am going to check my GFX card by a friend as I am now 99% sure the problem was the graphic card as when I rebooted my motherboard biped 3 times and my screen kept being blank. The 3 bips mean there is no VGA on board.

I know we can go broke by trying blindlessly to fix hardware but I wanted to upgrade my computer anyway so meanwhile I went to a store this afternoon and bought a few components and now everything is fine and 10x faster for about 700$.

So, the problem was not my OS, not the PSU, most probably the GFX card, a few chances for the RAM or motherboard. I am going to ask my colleagues to test the RAM + Mobo next week and will upgrade this post with the results.

Once again, thanks for your help and time.

PS: I upgraded my system specs as suggested.

 

[Britton30]

Good news on your upgrade. Your old board may have had some issues too but nearly impossible to tell without special equipment. I'd suggest your run memtest again on the new setup.

Your new hardware should do a good job for you.

 

[essenbe]

Nice sysyem specs. I agree with Britton30. Your new hardware should do you well. You can test the ram yourself with memtest86 and there is no way to test a motherboard, as far as I am aware. But, if everything is running well, you should do very well with your new rig.