BSOD During Diablo III

[Zehla]

I have no idea what the error number is because the report didn't tell me. Here are the problem details.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 3b
BCP1: 00000000C000001D
BCP2: FFFFF800031CD326
BCP3: FFFFF88003AC2E50
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\060112-25178-01.dmp
C:\Users\Danielle\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-31917-0.sysdata.xml

This computer is a few years old, but I had it built to have a long life. It's done this once before, so badly that it was freezing on the BiOS screen - I had to have it professionally fixed. I do not have the money to keep bringing this thing back to the computer store nor do I have the money to build another one. I don't know why it is acting up when it is IDENTICAL to my boyfriend's machine, and his has never had any problems whatsoever.

My System Specs are as follows:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
AMD Athlon II x4 635 Processor 2.91 GHz
12 Gigs of RAM
OS was OEM; I've never reinstalled
Graphics Card is an ATI HD 5800 Series.

This computer has been able to run any game flawlessly on max settings ever since I got it. It was a complete mystery as to why it was screwing up so badly the first time this happened, and it is a mystery now. There is absolutely no reason why this machine should be malfunctioning; I update my drivers whenever they are available (My Graphics Card does it automatically actually), I have very good protection with my Anti-Virus (AVG - I've NEVER had a virus because of this program), and while I may not be a bonafide computer nerd, I know enough not to do stupid crap to my system files and keep my computer healthy.

I am very irritated right now.

 

[writhziden]

Alright, let's start with your graphics related drivers first. ATI drivers in the 12.x versions have caused similar issues on some systems. Try 11.9 instead.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Check Windows for corruption. Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.

Follow the steps for Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX. To re-install your display card drivers as outlined in the DirectX link, use the following steps.

1. Download the drivers you want for your display card(s)
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For AMD:
   • Uninstall AMD Catalyst Install Manager if it is listed (this should remove all AMD graphics software and drivers)
   • If AMD Catalyst Install Manager is not listed, use the following method to uninstall the graphics drivers (this applies to onboard graphics, as well):
     1. Click Start Menu
     2. Right Click My Computer/Computer
     3. Click Manage
     4. Click Device Manager from the list on the left
     5. Expand Display adapters
     6. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
        
        Alternatively:
        1. Login as an adminstrative user
        2. Click Start Menu
        3. Click Control Panel
        4. Click Hardware and Sound
        5. Click Device Manager (the last link under Devices and Printers)
        6. Expand Display adapters
        7. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
           • Right click the adapter
           • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
           • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
   • Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
   • Install the driver you selected for the display cards once Windows starts

After each installation, make sure AMD Vision Engine Control Center is not overclocking your graphics card without your knowledge.


If the above does not work, try installing only the ATI drivers and not the software that comes with it.

• You should already have the installer downloaded and installed the drivers/Catalyst software, so your drivers probably exist in C:\AMD\Support\xx-x_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc where the x's replace your version number of the driver software.
  
• Uninstall all AMD software related to your graphics card by uninstalling AMD Catalyst Install Manager in Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program
  
• Restart your computer.
  
• Re-install your drivers from the C:\AMD\Support\xx-x_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc folder using a similar method to that in OPTION TWO of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/98073-drivers-install-vista-drivers-windows-7-a.html

 

[Zehla]

Thanks for the info. Since I have 12.x, I am pretty sure its my graphics drivers, since I JUST updated them. I was told that you should always keep them up to date to have a healthy system, is that a myth?

I am however VERY uncomfortable with uninstalling my entire Catalyst manager. It warns me it will remove everything related to the card, which, last time I uninstalled something of that nature on a computer, it ceased to work indefinitely. If I uninstall everything related to my card, then reboot, will it not simply just display a black screen since there are no drivers to support the display anymore (that is what happened with the last computer I did this on)? Is there a safer way to do this?

I've found that you can roll back a driver through Device Manager, but it won't let me because I need to be logged in as Administrator. Problem: I *AM* Logged in as administrator.

 

[writhziden]

A safer method: prior to doing the steps I gave, create a system restore point.

Driver updating should not be done as a routine maintenance step. Most of the time, driver updates improve or at least maintain system stability. However, there are occasions, like with the 12.x drivers for the ATI cards, where driver updates actually reduce system stability. In my experience, it is best not to update drivers unless a specific device or specific driver is causing problems.