BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and random freezes

[Nisym]

Hello,

I've been having some issues with my computer and I'm not sure how to remedy it. I've followed the instructions from the BSOD posting instruction page. Hopefully I've gathered the right information to be reviewed. I appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

[Arc]

Hi Nisym.

A failure from the part of the display driver is found.

fffff880`0431d650  fffff880`055ed000Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys, Win32 error 0n2
[COLOR=Red]*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmdag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmdag.sys[/COLOR]
 atikmdag+0x50f000

And it is too old.

fffff880`050de000 fffff880`056f5000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
[COLOR=Red]    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        Thu Jul 02 23:15:07 2009[/COLOR] (4A4CF223)
    CheckSum:         005C2509
    ImageSize:        00617000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

HP does not have any feasible update to AMD HD Graphics driver for Pavilion DV7. I would suggest you to try AMD Driver Autodetect to find any feasible update for the Radeon HD 4650 GPU and apply it.

It is the prima facie issue but not necessarily the only issue. So let us know how the computer is running after the driver update.

 

[Nisym]

Hello Arc,

Thank you for replying. I've done just as you've suggested and have restarted my computer. Out of curiosity, what other issues are there? How strange though, I'm sure I've updated the graphics driver before.

I will report back should the problem once occur.

 

[Arc]

Hi Nisym.

That is a laptop aging a few years. Apparently the installation is also aged. So outdated drivers etc plus laptops normal aging issues will be there.

You need not to be afraid. I just wanted you to not get frustrated if you see another issue emerges up after updating the display driver.

Edit: If there is a question why I said it a laptop despite of what is stated in the specs; I see the computer under analysis is a HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC, which is more reliable information to me than what is written in the specs.

 

[Nisym]

Hello Arc,

Oh, I see. Well that makes sense. I suppose I will just have to care for this old fellow more carefully, eh? Once again, thank you. Should I mark this thread as solved? Or should I wait to see if anymore/same problems arises?

 

[Arc]

After making it sure that you updated the display driver properly (not like what you did before ), wait for at lease one week. If it is all stable, then you might think about marking it as solved.

But if the issues bounce back again, unmark the thread and continue.

 

[Nisym]

Hello,

Unfortunately, the problem came back. This time, however; the laptop restarted on it's own before I could even see the BSOD screen, but according to Whocrashed, it is once again IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. The BSOD happened as I was watching a news clip.

 

[Arc]

Everytime you report a BSOD, you click on the button below ....



It will download the DM log collector. Right click on the application and run as administrator. It will generate a .zip file on your desktop. Upload the .zip.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[Nisym]

Oh, I'm so sorry. Here is the zipped file.

 

[Arc]

Test your RAM modules for possible errors.
How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+
Run memtest for at least 8 passes, preferably overnight.

If it start showing errors/red lines, stop testing. A single error is enough to determine that something is going bad there.

If it does not show any error, enable Driver Verifier to monitor the drivers.
Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable
Run Driver Verifier for 24 hours or the occurrence of the next crash, whichever is earlier.

   Information

Why Driver Verifier:
It puts a stress on the drivers, ans so it makes the unstable drivers crash. Hopefully the driver that crashes is recorded in the memory dump.

How Can we know that DV is enabled:
It will make the system bit of slow, laggy.

   Warning

Before enabling DV, make it sure that you have earlier System restore points made in your computer. You can check it easily by using CCleaner looking at Tools > System Restore.

If there is no points, make a System Restore Point manually before enabling DV.

   Tip

• If you fail to get on the Desktop because of DV, Boot into Advanced Boot Options > Safe mode. Disable DV there. Now boot normally again, and try following the instruction of enabling DV again.
• If you cannot boot in Safe mode too, do a System Restore to a point you made earlier.

Let us know the results, with the subsequent crash dumps, if any.

 

[Nisym]

Hello Arc,

I've completed the Memtest86+ test with no errors. I will now start the process of Driver Verifier. I will report back upon completing the 24 hour test or should I get a BSOD during the test.

Edit: There was a random freeze. I lost function to use the computer as I was surfing the internet, not even ctr+alt+del; however, no BSOD yet though. I've uploaded the DM Log collector just in case. I should note, I was launching Pidgin chat client when the froze occurred.

 

[Arc]

Disable driver verifier.

Free up the startup. Windows does not need any other program to auto start with it, but the auto start programs often conflicts and causes various problems including BSODs.

1. Click on the Start button
2. Type “msconfig (without quotes), click the resulting link. It will open the System Configuration window.
3. Select the “Startup” tab.
4. Deselect all items other than the antivirus and the touchpad driver, SynTPEnh.
5. Apply > OK
6. Accept then restart.

Then enable Driver verifier again. Hopefully we will get a crash dump to analyze this time.

 

[Nisym]

Hello Arc,

Alright then, I've done as you've asked. Hopefully something will turn up. Oh! a quick question, should I leave the computer on all day even if I'm not using it? Or is it okay to put it to sleep? I don't want to disrupt Driver Verifier. I apologize if it's a silly question.

 

[Arc]

You may put it to sleep, or you may turn it off. But keep DV enabled for 24 running hours less sleep and/or off time, if it does not cause at least one BSOD within this time. .

 

[Nisym]

Hello Arc,

So it's been 24 hours. Unfortunately, I did not get a single BSOD. How peculiar. The only problem I ran into was my computer freezing when I tried to launch certain applications. Another problem I ran into was, after waking up from sleep, if I were to say, stream a video or so, the computer screen would turn off and I can hear a static sound coming from the speaker. Sometimes it'll auto restart by itself, or I'll have to manually press the power button to power off. Another thing that I noticed, the hard drive led would blink red when this happened.

 

[Arc]

Whatever, you tried to use all corners of the computer with DV enabled and it did not cause a BSOD. And RAM also detected to be free from errors.

Disable DV now. Run the computer normally. If it again BSODs in normal mode, we will have to readjust our thoughts.

DV causes things laggy on purpose. It tries to make a BSOD. So some abnormal behavior with DV enabled is expected. Dont be worried about those, unless it happens in normal mode.

 

[Nisym]

Hello Arc,

My computer screen just lost power while I was browsing in normal mode. It appears to be random as I was just scrolling through a site. And it just did it again as I was replying to you. The fan seems to pick Do you have any idea what could be causing this problem?

 

[Arc]

It may be many a things.

May be the GPU is failing to render display tome to time.
May be it is a heat issue.

Stress test the Graphics Card using Furmark.
Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

Is the computer hot? Report us the heat of the computer after a couple of hours of your normal usage. Upload a screenshot of the summery tab of Speccy. Alternatively, you can publish a Speccy snapshot too: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/311593-speccy-publish-snapshot-your-system-specs.html .

 

[Nisym]

Lots of crashes this morning. I got a BSOD. Here's the DM Log collector file.

I'll start stress test now.

 

[Arc]

Display driver is still crashing despite of the update. Which makes my thought of display failure stronger. So waiting for the two results.

Network driver failed here, too. Download and install Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows.