BSOD on new Dell Vostro desktop

[trevboyd]

Hi,

This is my first post here, but I hope someone can help me out.

I recently bought a new Dell Vostro 430 desktop, with the following configuration:

Processor: Intel Core i 860
RAM: 6GB
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Hard Disks: 500GB SATA internal, 1TB USB external
Video: ATI Radeon HD 4300/4500 Series
Audio: Realtek HD audio

I've been having lots of problems with BSOD crashes and the system hanging. At one point, it was BSODing several times a day. It appears to be intermittent, not at set times of day or regular intervals, or during specific activities.

I've also had the USB controller "freeze", killing the mouse, keyboard and external hard disk. Sometimes, plugging the mouse and keyboard into the front USB ports makes them start working again, but not always.

I did have Server 2008 R2 installed to use Hyper-V, but suffered so many BSOD crashes that I replaced it with Windows 7 to see if that helped, which it hasn't.

I suspect it must be something to do drivers for something. All devices in device manager appear to be OK, with the exception of "PCI Simple Communications Controller", which has no driver installed (and I can't find one), and which I have disabled to see if that helps (it hasn't)

I've attached a set of minidump files that cover several BSOD events.

I'd really appreciate if someone could take a look and point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Trev

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi,

This is my first post here, but I hope someone can help me out.

I recently bought a new Dell Vostro 430 desktop, with the following configuration:

Processor: Intel Core i 860
RAM: 6GB
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Hard Disks: 500GB SATA internal, 1TB USB external
Video: ATI Radeon HD 4300/4500 Series
Audio: Realtek HD audio

I've been having lots of problems with BSOD crashes and the system hanging. At one point, it was BSODing several times a day. It appears to be intermittent, not at set times of day or regular intervals, or during specific activities.

I've also had the USB controller "freeze", killing the mouse, keyboard and external hard disk. Sometimes, plugging the mouse and keyboard into the front USB ports makes them start working again, but not always.

I did have Server 2008 R2 installed to use Hyper-V, but suffered so many BSOD crashes that I replaced it with Windows 7 to see if that helped, which it hasn't.

I suspect it must be something to do drivers for something. All devices in device manager appear to be OK, with the exception of "PCI Simple Communications Controller", which has no driver installed (and I can't find one), and which I have disabled to see if that helps (it hasn't)

I've attached a set of minidump files that cover several BSOD events.

I'd really appreciate if someone could take a look and point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Trev

Ho Trev

These are pretty straight forward memory corruption. i would download memtestx86 and run for 5 passes.

\

Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.11.0001.404 X86
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Loading Dump File [C:\Users\K\Desktop\Minidump\031810-14492-01.dmp]
Mini Kernel Dump File: Only registers and stack trace are available

Symbol search path is: SRV*F:\symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
Executable search path is: 
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7600 MP (8 procs) Free x64
Product: WinNt, suite: TerminalServer SingleUserTS
Built by: 7600.16385.amd64fre.win7_rtm.090713-1255
Machine Name:
Kernel base = 0xfffff800`02a03000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0xfffff800`02c40e50
Debug session time: Thu Mar 18 17:35:11.720 2010 (GMT-4)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:06:19.829
Loading Kernel Symbols
...............................................................
................................................................
............................................
Loading User Symbols
Loading unloaded module list
....
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck A, {fffff88000b790a8, 2, 0, fffff80002a72906}

Probably caused by : memory_corruption

Followup: memory_corruption
---------

4: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (a)
An attempt was made to access a pageable (or completely invalid) address at an
interrupt request level (IRQL) that is too high.  This is usually
caused by drivers using improper addresses.
If a kernel debugger is available get the stack backtrace.
Arguments:
Arg1: fffff88000b790a8, memory referenced
Arg2: 0000000000000002, IRQL
Arg3: 0000000000000000, bitfield :
    bit 0 : value 0 = read operation, 1 = write operation
    bit 3 : value 0 = not an execute operation, 1 = execute operation (only on chips which support this level of status)
Arg4: fffff80002a72906, address which referenced memory

Debugging Details:
------------------

 

[trevboyd]

Thanks for your quick reply, zigzag.

I'm running memtest now - will post with any results.

Trev

 

[howieeekim]

i get the EXACT same thing!
crashed twice.
first time i was 1. oovoo 2. aim 3. itunes 4. internet
no games were on. it just blue screened, and then restarted automatically.

second time i was 1. aim 2. itunes 3. internet
THIS time it just froze
comp just froze, BSOD didn't come out. just froze
and then my wireless mouse died.
it doesn't work. doesn't work for my laptop

trvboyd sorry for hijacking your post, but i believe we ahave a similar problem...
you getting any results from that?

 

[WindowsStar]

Flash the BIOS. I have had several issues with Windows 7 and Dell BIOS. Go to support.dell.com and enter your tag number then download the BIOS update. Make sure you close all your applications and save all your work before you run the flash. The flash can take up to 10 minutes so make sure you have good power day or you are connected to a UPS before flashing. You do NOT want the power to go out while flashing, fastest way to turn you computer into a brick.

 

[howieeekim]

Bios?what's bios. And mines not a Dell. It's a hp dv6 laptop. And how do I fix my wireless mouse then?

 

[trevboyd]

Zigzag,

I've run memtest86 on it - left it running all day today for over 9 hours and 9 passes. It found zero errors in that time...

I've also updated the bios by one minor version from 2.0.1 to 2.0.2. I'm going to leave the machine running overnight and see if it makes it through without blue screening.

I rolled it back to the factory image (Win 7 Pro x64) and have had it BSOD once so far. The minidump mentions memory corruption again. I did wonder if it is my external hard drive, as I have had issues with the USB controller when copying large files, which I've seen a lot of other people complaining about too.

Will keep you posted - thanks for your time so far (and WindowsStar)

Trev

 

[WindowsStar]

Bios?what's bios. And mines not a Dell. It's a hp dv6 laptop. And how do I fix my wireless mouse then?

@howieeekim, sorry the OP was for BSOD on new Dell Vostro desktop. So the advice given was for Dell. I have worked with HP as well but I have never flashed the BIOS for an HP to fix a BSOD, so I can not recommend a BIOS flash. If you do a BIOS flash and it works please post back here with your results.

 

[bpoole]

Resolution?

trevboyd did you ever solve the problem?

I and a collegue each have Dell Vostro 430s with the same problem.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Ben

 

[trevboyd]

Working now

Hi Ben,

Yes, my machine is now working fine, but I'm afraid it might not be good news for you and your colleague. I called Dell support and they sent an engineer to replace the motherboard and memory. No problems since!

I don't know how old your machine is, but they were very helpful. I had only paid for the standard collect and return warranty, but because it was a brand new machine that had the problem from day 1, they sent an engineer the next day to fix it on site for no charge.

Trev

 

[ldsdbomber]

I've had the same problem they are telling me to run their own DELL diagnostics which I cannot find the DVD for (and its not on boot menu as they claimed), also reseating the RAM. I also pass Memtest and similr, no bother, multiple passes over 12 hours.

They are telling me they cant take it back but I have 1 yr collect and return, what does that mean then? Does that not mean I am allowed to tell them to come and pick it up? It has been like this since day 1.

 

[bpoole]

Faulty RAM?

We had 2 Dell Vostros with the same issue, all we did was swap their RAM over and no blue screens since.

 

[ldsdbomber]

Thanks mate
when you say swap the RAM over, I have 6GB I think in 3 times 2GB sticks. I think the motherboard has 2 blue and 2 black RAM holders, maybe alternating? (Have not opened it up yet as am away until later this week). Are you saying I probably just need to pull them all out and reseat them in a different order, but using the same slots?