BSOD from pretty much anything

[Laith]

Your looking for a BSOD. If it occurs then the ..... is failing.

 

[Machinepriest]

I did get a BSOD while running Prime95 for over an hour, but that might just have been a coincidence since I get BSOD several times a day.
Reading the log, I can't see any errors, just passed tests.

I also called the company I purchased the system from (Inet.se) for advice, but they were sadly pretty clueless.
They thought that it was either my CPU or the power supply, but I think they were just guessing as I have already replaced the memory and the SSD.
They advised me to send the system to them which isn't really an option at the moment.

This is starting to feel quite hopeless.

 

[Boozad]

OK, from the two screenshots you posted you have a 0xD1 (usually down to a device driver) and a 0x109 which denotes CRITICAL_STRUCTURE_CORRUPTION and can often be attributed to failing RAM. Either way I think we really need those dump files.

I understand you may have performed one or more of the instructions below, but please follow them again on the offchance something works.

Follow these steps:

1. Configure Windows to create minidumps:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html

2. Set the paging file on C: to be the same size as the physically installed RAM:
Virtual Memory Paging File - Change

3. Set the Windows Error Reporting service to MANUAL:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2495-services-start-disable.html

4. Test to see that dump files are created:
- Open Windows Task Manager
- Navigate to the Processes tab
- Right-click on explorer.exe, and click Create Dump File

- Note the location of the saved file

- Check that location and confirm that explorer.dmp exists

And let's rule out your RAM, it's possible this could be the cause of all of your issues so best find out sooner rather than later.

Download and run MemTest86+ to test your RAM. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

   Note

Run MemTest86+ for at least 8 passes. Ideally set it off before you go to bed and leave it overnight, we're looking for zero errors here. A single error will show something's going bad with your RAM.

 

[Machinepriest]

Thank you for chiming in Boozad.
My system didn't crash at all yesterday so I thought and hoped that my troubles were over.
They weren't... I had two crashes this morning. One didn't give me a BSOD, instead the system rebooted, but I couldn't get back into windows because of this message: "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

I'm up and running now though and I've gone through all the steps you advised me.

Step 1: I've done this before, but I went through the settings again to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
Here's a screenshot, all in Swedish (Sorry about that)

Step 2: I have 8 gigs of ram and according to the guide you posted that amounts to 8192 of each GB is 1024, so I set my minimum to 8192 and my maximum to 12274 as that's what Windows recommended.
Screenshot:

Step 3: It was already set to manual.

Step 4: The dump files were created without a problem. Not sure if that means that mini dumps are though as my BSOD always tend to freeze at the Initializing crash dump phase.


RAM: Like I mentioned earlier, I scanned my old RAM with Memtest86 several times which gave me many errors, which i interpreted as the cause of all the crashes, but the BSOD kept coming after replacing the RAM, so I doubt that the new sticks could be broken as well.
I did run a test the other night though which didn't show any errors.
It only ran for two passes though, which is strange as the previous tests with my old ram gave me ten passes from the same amount of time.

I'm going to give it another try tonight though.


Here are my specs:

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 64bit
CPU: Intel Core i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80 GHz
CPU COOLER: Corsair Cooling Hydro H50CPU-kylare
Motherboard: MK Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4ATX, S1156
RAM: 2x 4 GB CL9 1600Mhz VENGEANCE LP
GFX: Asus GeForce GTX 780 DirectCU II OC HDMI DP 2xDVI 3GB
SSD 1: Samsung SSD EVO 850-Series 250GB
SSD 2: 80GB Intel X25-M G22,5-tum, 34nm
HD: 1TB Samsung SP SATA-27200RPM Spinpoint F3
Power source: Corsair HX 650W80+

 

[Laith]

Hmm,

BSOD always tend to freeze at the Initializing crash dump phase.

Hmmm,

I scanned my old RAM with Memtest86 several times which gave me many errors, which i interpreted as the cause of all the crashes, but the BSOD kept coming after replacing the RAM, so I doubt that the new sticks could be broken as well.

I think you need a new mobo. My last advice is to replace the mobo.

 

[Boozad]

RAM: Like I mentioned earlier, I scanned my old RAM with Memtest86 several times which gave me many errors, which i interpreted as the cause of all the crashes, but the BSOD kept coming after replacing the RAM, so I doubt that the new sticks could be broken as well.
I did run a test the other night though which didn't show any errors.
It only ran for two passes though, which is strange as the previous tests with my old ram gave me ten passes from the same amount of time.

MemTest86 or MemTest86+? There's a big difference. Please run the test I posted for a minimum of eight passes, anything less is inconclusive. It's not just the RAM being tested but the DIMM slots too.

 

[Machinepriest]

Laith: What makes you think that?
I'm fairly certain myself that it's faulty hardware that's causing me this grief and since I've replaced the SSD and the RAM I'm guessing it can only be the motherboard, the CPU or the power source.
I hate that it's so hard to diagnose it though. I mean, maybe it's a faulty wire or a pin. I have a feeling all my hardware will be replaced in the end :/

Boozad: Good thing you pointed it out. I had previously been running Memtest86. I will try the + version tonight.
What are DIMM slots? Could they be causing this type of problems if they are faulty?


I've been experiencing different issues since my last post. Even while running Windows in safe mode. A LOT of freezing and crashes, but only a couple of BSOD strangely enough. Now my system freezes and I get error messages from the running programs, which I didn't before.
This morning I found that the computer had restarted, and when I tried to open programs I kept getting messages telling me that windows couldn't find the programs or the explorer. This happened a couple of times today. Also the start menu was totally empty.

Translation: "The object couldn't be opened - It may have been moved, been renamed or been removed. Would you like to delete the object? YES/NO"


Here's a screenshot from a later freeze which gave me a iTunes error message:

Translation: "The iTunes-libraryfile can't be saved. The needed folder could not be found."

And here's another screen from a crash while I was working in Photoshop:

 

[Laith]

The DIMM slots are the slots the RAM is in. What makes me think of the motherboard is that we've pretty much tested everything with success. Run MemTest86+, it is very important to run it.

 

[Boozad]

Laith: What makes you think that?
I'm fairly certain myself that it's faulty hardware that's causing me this grief and since I've replaced the SSD and the RAM I'm guessing it can only be the motherboard, the CPU or the power source.
I hate that it's so hard to diagnose it though. I mean, maybe it's a faulty wire or a pin. I have a feeling all my hardware will be replaced in the end :/

Boozad: Good thing you pointed it out. I had previously been running Memtest86. I will try the + version tonight.
What are DIMM slots? Could they be causing this type of problems if they are faulty?


I've been experiencing different issues since my last post. Even while running Windows in safe mode. A LOT of freezing and crashes, but only a couple of BSOD strangely enough. Now my system freezes and I get error messages from the running programs, which I didn't before.
This morning I found that the computer had restarted, and when I tried to open programs I kept getting messages telling me that windows couldn't find the programs or the explorer. This happened a couple of times today. Also the start menu was totally empty.

Translation: "The object couldn't be opened - It may have been moved, been renamed or been removed. Would you like to delete the object? YES/NO"


Here's a screenshot from a later freeze which gave me a iTunes error message:

Translation: "The iTunes-libraryfile can't be saved. The needed folder could not be found."

And here's another screen from a crash while I was working in Photoshop:

I/O errors are pointing towards your SSD/HDD, or possibly the cabling or the SATA ports on the motherboard. Let us know the results of MemTest86+ then we'll look at the drives.

 

[Machinepriest]

I can't seem to start Memtest86+
I had no problems starting Memtest86, but this version is giving me trouble.
"As I use a usb stick for this I chose the link that says: Download - Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) *NEW!*
When I press F12 and try to boot from the usb stick it just keeps repeating something like "Can't load operating system" over and over again.

 

[Boozad]

Have you booted into BIOS and tried to boot from USB that way?

 

[Machinepriest]

I managed to get it started last night but man does it work slow. It's been running for over seven hours and it's only on pass 3 of 10 (22% in total) and it seems to be standing still.

When I scanned my old RAM I got through ten passes in the same amount of time.

Any idea why it's taking so long? I used to have 4x2GB sticks, and now I got 2x4.

 

[Boozad]

It does take a long time, just persevere and let it run for eight passes.

 

[Machinepriest]

Something just ocurred to me. I'm scanning my RAM but I'm not sure I'm using Memtest86+. It doesen't look like the screenshots I've seen and the screen says "Windows memory diagnostics tool"
I started the program on the USB stick so it would be weird if I'm running some default Windows tool.

 

[Layback Bear]

I can't read your pictures.
Take your time and read through this Tutorial. It should help you get through the memory test the way it should be done.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

While doing this test properly and your get a report of bad ram you can stop the test and report back to the good folks helping you.

I will go back to watching.

 

[Laith]

That isn't MemTest86+ that is the regular Windows Memory Test. It should take a long time as the DIMM & every sector of the RAM is being scanned.

Download the image again and burn it again to the USB.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

With regard to the memtest mate - unless I have missed something you might use these ditties of mine
SLOT CLEANING
Now as for the slots to clean them use a strip of old credit card (or any card thin enough some are better than others ) about 1/2 inch wide nip the corners off one end - preferably round them off hold a piece of thin lint free cloth over the end dab on some form of alcohol - isopropyl alcohol (what we swab the skin with before an injection) is good and GENTLY swipe along the slots.
This can also be done for the GPU slot/s and also the contacts of the sticks or cards - not the stick but some lint free cloth of course. See my pic for the sick but please be very gentle doing it if you are in any doubt - please ask before doing it but I use this all the time and have yet to damage anything
MEMTEST
The memtest you will need to make a bootable disk / stick and set the BIOS to boot from the optical or USB and it will take a fair time to run- some leave it overnight. see the attached document.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html
But one thing is very important you must let the test run for at least 8 passes any less and the findings are no good. Now if errors come up straight away then you can stop it - see my pics. Now if there are errors and you have more than one stick of RAM in then you will need to test each stick ie remove the sticks and replace stick 1 in slot 1 and test no errors do the same in slot 2 with stick 1 no errors then repeat the process with stick 2 - that will show up the faulty stick - the other thing is it could be a faulty slot but most unusual. With more than two sticks the process is even longer as one may realize.
It is a very lengthy and tedious process but worth it if you have errors.

 

[Machinepriest]

Hello again.
So when I tried to boot Memtest86+ the first time I somehow managed to start Windows own memory diagnostics tool instead (Don't ask me how...)
I let that run for 9 1/5 passes which took over 30 hours without finding any errors at all.

I've been trying to get Memtest86+ to boot now, but I just can't seem to get it to work.
I followed the link and installed it to my USB stick, but I can't get it to boot in bios.

Heres what I do. I press F12 to get to this menu:

When I try USB-FDD or USB-HDD windows boots.
When I go into + Hard Disk and choose my Kingston USB memory to boot first...

This happens and I have to shut down the computer:

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Laith]

Uhh, have you burnt it to USB or Floppy? Set it to USB-CD.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

As Laith says mat e because if it is set to floppy then it will look there first and it should search further but obviously yours isn't.

Personally I have always used a disk as it wastes less space say on a USB stick and can be kept as a dedicated boot (and is cheaper).