Solved BSOD Playing League of Legends, Using Skype, MS Security Essentials

[Scry]

Hi,

So I didn't have any issues for 5 days so I hoped the problem was gone. Unfortunately, it happened again today WITHOUT the game running. Once the usual blue screen happened ("DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE"), the computer blue-screened again, this time with a different error that I hadn't seen before. It said something like "IRQL_NOT_LESS_EQUAL," but I'm not sure if that's exactly right-- the screen disappeared after a couple seconds.

I have a sneaking suspicion now that the problem is my RAM, so I'm going to run a memtest as soon as I can get my hands on a blank CD (I'm a college student). I figured I should upload this latest problem in case it sheds any light on the issue.

Thanks for your continued support.

 

[richc46]

Almost forgot

Run memtest for 8 passes
Then test each individual stick in a good slot for 6 passes.
If you have dual channel, the results may be incorrect, if shows pass.
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums

I think thats wise.
The most current update does not even contain the BSOD information (dmp report)

 

[Scry]

Maybe it didn't include the information because my computer automatically did a system restore?

Also, I ran an 8-pass standard memtest and no errors were picked up. I'm going to run the more extensive, long test now.

 

[Scry]

So even the extensive, ~24 hour RAM test with 8 passes didn't catch any problems. Do you have a recommendation for the next step?

 

[richc46]

Yes, part two of the test. You must test each stick for about 6 passes in a good slot.

 

[Scry]

So you're saying that it's possible there are problems with individual sticks that weren't able to be detected when they are used together?

 

[richc46]

Yes,
It is also possible that the slots in the MB may be bad. As far as BSOD analysis however, if you get a fail for any reason, at that point, it is assumed that memory caused the BSOD. This is what you can do. Take a stick that you know works and test it in each slot. If all the slots are good then we know the problem is with the ram.
If thats the case it is with an individual stick, I doubt that all sticks go bad at the same time.

 

[Scry]

Is there an easy way to tell if overheating is the issue? Have we eliminated overheating as a possibility? Thanks.

 

[richc46]

Download speed fan, and tell me your temps. If too high that may be the cause. If not too high continue to use speed fan and at the next BSOD, we read the temp
SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

 

[Scry]

Okay, just from having an internet browser (Chrome) open and listening to music, I'm getting the following temperatures. That's not possible, right? The numbers look way too high. My computer doesn't even feel hot to the touch at this point (and there are definitely times when it does). Am I using it correctly?

 

[richc46]

All computers have different tolerance for heat. We start to get concerned at about 65. Use the machine and at the next BSOD lets look at the temp.
Since you have the problem with the game, the cause probably has something to do with stres. If it is not overheating, Ill give you a stress test.

 

[Scry]

Okay, so my computer blue screened about an hour ago but I was headed out and didn't post about it. The computer was shut down for about an hour, then when I returned I started writing this post while listening to music. After only about 5 minutes, my computer blue screened again. I'm writing this on my old laptop. Also, Speedfan didn't seem to create any useful log file-- the file had one column that simply said "Seconds" and was just a list of many 5-digit numbers in sequence.

I've never had bluescreens this close in proximity-- are we close to the problem?

edit: I meant to say before that I think the little fire icon by the computer temperature is supposed to signify that it is too hot-- there are supposed to be little green checkmarks there. What's your opinion on that?

 

[richc46]

Yes, the fire icon means to hot. BSOD or not you have to give overheating priority, it can destroy your hardware.

 

[Scry]

Okay, so what should I do? Now I'm worried about using the new machine at all.

Additional, possibly relevant information:
1) The new machine has an intel i7 processor that supposedly automatically clocks itself according to your demands. Could it be a driver is erroneously causing the processors to work too hard?

2) Out of curiosity, I ran the same speedfan program on my old laptop (no overclocked processors, also on acer aspire, but an older model), and it also registered that my CPUs were running way too hot. I've definitely felt my old laptop getting a lot hotter (on the outside) than my new one ever has, but my old computer has never blue screened as a result. This makes me a little skeptical as to whether or not overheating is the problem, but I simply don't know.

Thanks for your continued support.

 

[richc46]

You have to realize my limitations, Im not there, I only have the test results to go by and so far the only problem that we have encountered is potential overheating, which can cause BSODs.
To test download speccy, it will give temp, too
You may want to start now with a system restore point so we can get rid of some of this software, if you want, after we are done.

You can use the macine, it will BSOD to protect itself, if overheating is the cause.
If overclocking restore default settings. You may want to stay away from performing functions that cause stress, such as games, for now.

 

[Scry]

I'm just hoping for some direction regarding what tests to run. Anyway, I'm going to try reinstalling Windows (I'm really grasping at straws here).

If it sheds any light on the issue, I've attached the SF Diagnostic files that should cover the last several crashes.

And to clarify the overclocking-- it is an automatic, default feature of the processors. They are supposed to be able to do it without a problem, and they are supposed to manage themselves. Of course, if this reinstall doesn't work I'm going to research how to manually disable the overclocking.

 

[richc46]

Ill check your reports shortly. If you tell me what you are doing when you get the BSODs, that will help determine which tests to give first.
Only with the games, skype and MSE?

 

[Scry]

No, today it's happened twice without anything stressful happening at all. I was listening to a song in Windows Media Player and browsing the internet both times it happened today. Neither Skype nor the game were running at this time.

 

[richc46]

I think this is what you have to do before anything else.
Find your computer manual or online, try to find the maximum temp that your computer to work at safely.
If below the number shown as your temp, I would download speccy and get those temps, if the same, you have to get the overheating fixed. Reinstalling will not help that problem.
Usually cleaning out the fan area will correct overheating.

 

[Scry]

According to the manual the computer should be okay up to 78C (assuming the fan correctly adjusts to the corresponding RPM) and the lowest critical temperature is 83C. However it also says "Throttling 0%" underneath the chart from which I got these numbers. And it turns out the version of Windows I have cannot be installed on this machine, so I haven't done that yet.