Solved BSOD Random crashes - Bugcode_USB_Driver_Error 0x000000FE

[Brogues]

I think I only have a Dell Recovery Disk so not sure if this will be possible - but will take a look, thanks. Very strange though - I've never attached a USB hub to my laptop? But agree that it has come up on each report. I feel a total restore coming on! I will report back. Again, thank you for your time

Do you think it's worth me sorting out the PCT issue first - just in case this is creating the issue?

Yes, I had already done the system check before I contacted SevenForums - dell had done this remotely so I knew my hard drive was OK.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Okay, and you could do, and use may also use the Dell Recovery Disk also instead of the Repair Install

 

[Brogues]

Yes I will try that - I think a complete reinstall might be in order

In the meantime, I reinstalled PCT and uninstalled in Safe Mode but those 2 files were not uninstalled!!

I will do a complete restore I think in the next couple of days. Will update you after that

Many thanks

 

[Brogues]

Well here's a question.... I booted up on the re-installation disc tonight and was going to reinstall windows after trying to repair first. However, the only Drive that came up on the list was Drive D. My hard drive is partitioned and C holds the system files and D is for my documents, etc. So I cannot run a repair because it's C I'm trying to repair! Any ideas?

 

[x BlueRobot]

Are you trying to do a repair install with the Dell Recovery Disc?

 

[Brogues]

Actually the Recover Disk I referred to earlier turns out to the a Re installation Disk and I have another one with all the drivers, although these would obviously need to be updated. I had decided to go a total re-installation but saw there was a repair option but this only gives me the D drive. My drive is partitioned with the operating system on the C drive. If I chose Install, I get the option to choose either of the drives. The smaller one is in fact the C drive because the Dell Engineer took it upon himself to partition the drives initially. The machine was BSOD on arrival and they had to replace most of the parts. I was at work at the time and just left him to it so I ended up with a partitioned drive which, as it turns out, might be quite useful because hopefully a total re-installation might not affect my other drive. But most of my documentation is on Dropbox anyway so hopefully not a crisis and I have a backup. I think I will do an Install now of the C drive. Cannot face it today(!) but will tackle it tomorrow but it would have been good to have tried to repair it first. No idea why it only sees the D drive?

 

[x BlueRobot]

You read the red box within this tutorial, it may provide you with a further insight:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[Brogues]

Yes it is my own disk that came with the laptop so no reason for it not to work. It will run a repair, just not on the disk I want it to? However, I'm not sure why it gives me the option to repair if this is not possible? But I am resigned to reinstalling everything now which is probably the best option anyway so will go for the Install option and see how it pans out. Will keep you posted. Again, thank you - really appreciate having you on the other end of this! Chris

 

[x BlueRobot]

I will look forward to seeing your results

 

[Brogues]

Well.... a full install done which was relatively straight-forward as my data was on the D drive. A few little glitches with drivers which I think I have sorted but I would have expected that anyway. So far so good so hopefully I won't need to continue giving you grief for this problem - fingers crossed!

I cannot thank you enough for all your help, patience and support. I am really grateful.

Best wishes, chris

 

[Brogues]

Ha! I might have spoken too soon. I had not changed any of the power options and when I closed the lip the laptop went into sleep mode (as per the settings). However I was unable to get it out of sleep mode and ended up having to switch it off but before it did that the ?!?!?! BSOD (same error) was there! I am hoping this is just a problem with sleep mode as I have read before this can be an issue. Will monitor and get back if not. Actually, if I do get any further BSOD, it will just have to go back to Dell because I cannot do much more than re-install Windows!

 

[x BlueRobot]

Have you disabled sleep mode? Sleep mode can be issue as you have correctly said

 

[Brogues]

Yes I have now! My laptop is going through a ton of updates so it might have been something to do with that also - although it seems odd that it was the same BSOD error! I had disabled it on the original version before the reinstall so that wasn't the issue originally. I will continue with the updates (some of the last lot have failed!) and see how it goes over the next few days. Think I will wire it up whilst it's updating - could be trying to update hundreds of windows files is not such a good idea on wireless! Thank you

 

[x BlueRobot]

Yes I have now! My laptop is going through a ton of updates so it might have been something to do with that also - although it seems odd that it was the same BSOD error! I had disabled it on the original version before the reinstall so that wasn't the issue originally. I will continue with the updates (some of the last lot have failed!) and see how it goes over the next few days. Think I will wire it up whilst it's updating - could be trying to update hundreds of windows files is not such a good idea on wireless! Thank you

Your welcome, and remember to install the Optional Windows Updates too, it may take longer installing all the updates, but there is quite a few Windows Updates which improve the security and stability of the operating system.

Try and install the failed updates afterwards

 

[Brogues]

yep I'm doing the lot - leaving nothing to chance here! I REALLY hope this works - I don't want to have to go through it again! The good news is (if it works) is that I have cleaned up my C drive and I'm now installing all programs (other than windows) my my D drive, including MS Office, etc. so should make life a bit easier if I do have to reinstall Windows again..... will keep you posted. Thanks again

 

[x BlueRobot]

No problem hope everything goes okay!

 

[Brogues]

Well spent all day yesterday installing and updating windows files - the final ones being installed around 2AM this morning! Left it running and in the morning...... BSOD!! Can I swear on this forum? Probably not so please just use your imagination as to my reaction! I have called Dell and had a major tantrum and they are sending out a Dell Engineer tomorrow to replace some hardware parts. This doesn't fill me with confidence to be honest but at least if they do that and maybe reinstall Windows again (my broadband allowance may be pushed to it's limits this month!) then I am passing some responsibility to them at least. If that doesn't work, then I will ask them to come and collect the machine and take it away until it's fixed! Enough is enough! I have read so many forums on this problem and there never seems to be a 'resolve' so I will keep you posted and try and find out what the issue is and what the resolve was (if there is a resolve). In the meantime, I think I will take a visit to the AppleMac shop

 

[x BlueRobot]

Why did it have to crash?

The only cause, I can think of is, one of the USB ports may be faulty, but let's see what Dell find.

 

[Brogues]

Well they have recently replaced the motherboard and they will replace it again tomorrow and various other bits and bobs. It has crashed several times this morning but I am beyond caring now. I know I have done absolutely everything I can do so it's almost satisfying to know it's out of my hands and there is nothing more for me to do to resolve this! I will update you after tomorrow sometime.

 

[Brogues]

Well.... having waited in all day Tuesday for a Dell Engineer who couldn't be bothered to turn up, I eventually saw someone today who came on a booked appointment time after giving them hell (!) and and put a new hard drive, motherboard and memory into my machine. Have been installing all my apps today and so far, so good. However, I am definitely not holding my breath yet as I would want a week of no crashes before I can be sure that all is well - but I have to assume it will be or this laptop is going back to Dell and I will demand a new one (apparently if you have a Dell engineer more than 3 times on a similar call they normally replace). It's frustrating not to be able to confirm what the problem was (if it is fixed) as it is always helpful for others if there is a resolve. But given that I had already installed windows, then if it is fixed, I would have to assume that it was, after all, a hardware problem - we shall see. Will report back in about a week to confirm all is well. And again, thank you for your total support during my quest to resolve this. Chris