BSOD during Chrome, IE, or Windows Explorer

[summonsum1]

I bought this computer new in the box in the late Winter of 2012 and the following issue has presented itself since the first month I owned it. Upon waking up the laptop from slumber, it soon had Chrome freeze for a few minutes before I forced it to close. The only other application open was a request from Malwarebytes updater requesting I update the software, to which I said yes and then waited about 20 minutes while the application never progressed and appeared to be frozen as well. I tried to cancel the update and when it did not respond, I used the Windows menu to execute a restart. The restart got to the logging off message screen and stalled there for about 10 minutes before the screen went black and would not wake up to key press or any other action, although the hard drive was still spinning and the power lights all remained on. This is typical of previous symptoms. Almost as frequently the computer goes to blue screen.

I would love to have someone offer advice on how I might pursue a possible fix after the 12 month warranty has passed on this ASUS laptop, especially since I had sent it into them in that 12 month window and all they did was replace the Hard Drive. My concern is that it is a Motherboard manufacturing error and I am without any recourse of having the $1000 dollars I spent on this laptop somehow made good on with a laptop that works for more than a few hours before freezing and resting in a broken state until restart. Any ideas where I could begin to investigate my options?

 

[Arc]

Hi summonsum1.

First of all, you update three drivers:

• Atheros AR9002WB: Drivers for Atheros AR9002WB and Windows 7
• Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000: Intel® HD Graphics Driver for Windows* 7/8/8.1 64-bit
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M: 340.52 WHQL

Though the root of the issue appears to be deeper, it is needed to see how the computer reacts with the up-to-date drivers at first.

So let us know the result. And dont get frustrated if the updates could not be able to stop the BSOD.
______________________________________

 [  0, 0]   0  0 00000000 00000000 00000000-00000000    

            Args: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
 [ 16, 0]   0  0 fffffa8008009a10 00000000 fffff8800f1a60b4-fffffa800bb36650    
           \Driver\pci    nvlddmkm
            Args: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
>[ 16, 2]   0 e1 fffffa800a3b1480 00000000 00000000-00000000    pending
           \Driver\nvlddmkm
            Args: 00000000 00000001 00000001 00000000
 [  0, 0]   0  0 00000000 00000000 00000000-fffffa800cbbec50    

            Args: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000

Device object (fffffa800a3b1480) is for:
 InfoMask field not found for _OBJECT_HEADER at fffffa800a3b1450
 \Driver\nvlddmkm DriverObject fffffa800a3d4d20
Current Irp 00000000 RefCount 0 Type 00000023 Flags 00002004
DevExt fffffa800a3b15d0 DevObjExt fffffa800a3b1f88 
ExtensionFlags (0x00000800)  DOE_DEFAULT_SD_PRESENT
Characteristics (0x00000100)  FILE_DEVICE_SECURE_OPEN
AttachedTo (Lower) fffffa8007ffd970 \Driver\ACPI
Device queue is not busy.

 

[summonsum1]

I have installed the drivers. What is the next step?

 

[Arc]

Wait and observe how the computer works with the up-to-date drivers.

Let us know for any further BSOD, as per the BSOD posting instructions.

 

[summonsum1]

My computer froze on a black screen about 2 hours ago and would not wake up until I had to hard reboot it

 

[Arc]

Well, actually the root of your issue is Nvidia Optimus Technology. It switches the graphics between the two possible GPUs namely Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M. The switching process takes place in the background only, and whenever it switches, the issue occurs.

The only feasible solution is to disable either of the graphics (still I wanted you to update the drivers, just for a testing purpose). If you disable the nvidia driver (comparatively easier to do) it will reduce your gaming experience. If you disable the integrated Intel graphics (comparatively harder to do), it will put an extra stress on your battery.

Think and decide which display you want to sacrifice. We will guide you accordingly.

EDIT: Though the visible issue is a chrome freeze, but it is neither a fault of chrome nor a fault of networks. It happens due to the display settings for applications controlled from nvidia control panel > manage 3D settings.

 

[summonsum1]

Lets just kill the NVidia card which I dont use for games anyways

 

[Arc]

Lets just kill the NVidia card which I dont use for games anyways

Well, first set the integrated graphics as preferred .....

1. Open Nvidia control panel.
2. Click on "Manage 3D settings".
3. Click on the button below "Preferred Graphics Processor"
4. Change it to "Integrated graphics"from the drop down menu.
   
   
5. Apply it.

Now restart the computer.

Now, disable nvidia graphics card in the device manager.

1. Click on the start button.
2. Type Device Manager in the search bar.
3. Click on the resulting link. The Device Manager window will open.
4. The third one should be "Display Adapter". Expand it by clicking on the "►" in front of it. Your nvidia card name will be shown.
5. Right click on it. Choose "Disable" in the context menu.
6. A dialog will appear with some scary words. Dont be afraid. Click on "Yes" .
7. Restart the computer.

Hopefully the nvidia display is out of use now, and so there will not be any further chance of graphics switching.

Let us know how the computer is running after doing it.

 

[summonsum1]

I followed your instructions to disable the NVidia video card, however the issue occurred again. Chrome froze and when I tried to restart the computer from the menu, I arrived at the shutting down message screen and stalled there for about 10 minutes before the screen went black and would not wake up to key press or any other action, although the hard drive was still spinning and the power lights all remained on. What are the next steps?

Thank You

 

[Arc]

Disable chrome hardware acceleration as suggested here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-hel...e-screen-error-dell-xps-i5-5.html#post2905792