Solved BSOD while surfing the web - no gaming or heavy duty usage

[Brian Keefe]

Operating system is windows 7 home prem 64 bit. All stock Dell Inspiron 560 loaded and ready (Q8300 @2.5 ghz with 6 MB ram w/basic graphic and sound cards). Only software changes I've done were to load AVG and malware bytes upon delivery in June 2010. Computer drivers and hardware seem to be mostly 2006 vintage. All I do is surf with this computer. I store no files and documents of any size. No gaming. Computer has worked flawlessly for the past year except for an occasional virus or malware hit where the virus scanners weeked them out.

Currently getting a BSOD as often as every hour this past week. This first started happening a month or so ago when opening a thread on a blog to just read it. I thought I picked up a virus or malware and ran my usual stuff but nothing was found. Ran some earlier restore points to no avail. I eventually ended up running memory diagnostics. During the software portion it noted that I had a hardware problem. The software side passed fine. Then I ran the hardware portion and it came out clean. It then ran with no problems for a few weeks when it returned a few days ago worse than ever. It seems that having multiple web pages open tend to give a BSOD. Even running AVG, malware bytes, adware, and SFC /SCANNOW dumped the system.

 

[zigzag3143]

Operating system is windows 7 home prem 64 bit. All stock Dell Inspiron 560 loaded and ready (Q8300 @2.5 ghz with 6 MB ram w/basic graphic and sound cards). Only software changes I've done were to load AVG and malware bytes upon delivery in June 2010. Computer drivers and hardware seem to be mostly 2006 vintage. All I do is surf with this computer. I store no files and documents of any size. No gaming. Computer has worked flawlessly for the past year except for an occasional virus or malware hit where the virus scanners weeked them out.

Currently getting a BSOD as often as every hour this past week. This first started happening a month or so ago when opening a thread on a blog to just read it. I thought I picked up a virus or malware and ran my usual stuff but nothing was found. Ran some earlier restore points to no avail. I eventually ended up running memory diagnostics. During the software portion it noted that I had a hardware problem. The software side passed fine. Then I ran the hardware portion and it came out clean. It then ran with no problems for a few weeks when it returned a few days ago worse than ever. It seems that having multiple web pages open tend to give a BSOD. Even running AVG, malware bytes, adware, and SFC /SCANNOW dumped the system.

These crashes were caused by memory corruption. Please run these two tests to verify your memory and find which driver is causing the problem.


1-Memtest.

*Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

*Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

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



2-Driver verifier

I'd suggest that you first backup your data and then make sure you've got access to another computer so you can contact us if problems arise. Then make a System Restore point (so you can restore the system using the Vista/Win7 Startup Repair feature).

In Windows 7 you can make a Startup Repair disk by going to Start....All Programs...Maintenance...Create a System Repair Disc - with Windows Vista you'll have to use your installation disk or the "Repair your computer" option at the top of the Safe Mode menu .

Then, here's the procedure:
- Go to Start and type in "verifier" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Select "Create custom settings (for code developers)" and click "Next"
- Select "Select individual settings from a full list" and click "Next"
- Select everything EXCEPT FOR "Low Resource Simulation" and click "Next"
- Select "Select driver names from a list" and click "Next"
Then select all drivers NOT provided by Microsoft and click "Next"
- Select "Finish" on the next page.

Reboot the system and wait for it to crash to the Blue Screen. Continue to use your system normally, and if you know what causes the crash, do that repeatedly. The objective here is to get the system to crash because Driver Verifier is stressing the drivers out. If it doesn't crash for you, then let it run for at least 36 hours of continuous operation (an estimate on my part).

If you can't get into Windows because it crashes too soon, try it in Safe Mode.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, try using System Restore from your installation DVD to set the system back to the previous restore point that you created.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/101379-driver-verifier-enable-disable.html

 

[Brian Keefe]

More to the story

For fear of a dump in the middle of my explanation I had to give this info in multiple posts.

8 dump reports are zip attached. I don't have the software to read them. There were also some window's notes with each dump that I can't find. Most of these dumps have been labeled as "memory management." But I've also gotten a "service system exception" and "pfn list corrupt" messages on the bsod. Because I thought AVG 2011 might have been the cause of the dumps I reloaded with AVG 2012. It has a memory management tool and it was warning me at times that I had memory issues. But I figured those were just a nuisance report of using more than some arbitrary amount of memory at any time. My desk top gadget read between 25-40% memory usage when the dumps occurred, never higher. I do no overclocking or anything else high tech, just surfing, reading charts, graphs, and blogs. I think I even had on bsod during a safe mode check but the system always comes back up as if nothing happened. There are no programs, or new hardware loaded on my computer other than what Dell sent me. Only expection was adding virus or malware software. But I added absolutely nothing new when these BSOD's started appearing. Nothing had changed. But I've made changes since to try and find a cause. So far it's like shooting in the dark.

Some of the things I did in the past week to try and correct:

half a dozen system restores - but no restore older than about 4 weeks.
disk fragmenter - sat
disk cleaner - multiple times per day
disk check - took 1-1/2 hours but found no issues
event log at the critical point always reads "kernel power 41 (63). It is preceded by a few filter manager infos, a general kernal warning. A bug check follows the critical pt.

shifted my internet explorer to the newer version with no help.
shifted to google chrome to see if IE was the cause. No benefit.
the crash reports seem to link internet explore and a .dll programs as a cause. I note
jscript.dll listed just after the "crash." I reloaded java to no benefit.

It's possible my drivers are not up to date. I've not done any updating to them or the windows software since getting the computer. I tried adding some of the windows updates thinking they might help but the system crashed during those as well. Still not sure AVG 2012 might not be the cause I since removed it and loaded AVAST. But no change. I do note my mouse has been hanging up frequently and needs cleaning several times a day. It was actually causing screen lockups a few weeks back but not since then. I wouldn't think a break in mouse comms could be the cause of bsod's.

When running memory diagnostics this last time no hardware or software issues were detected. But unlike a month ago, it didn't clear the bsod.

If I can think of anything else pertinent I'll add those in another post. My computer skills are weak as today I learned how to zip a file for the first time. Posting a screen image for troubleshooting might be next...but no clue right now. My wife plays live pogo and hearts games via the internet but I don't think those are issues as she has never had a bsod.

Any help will be most appreciated since I work off this computer.

Brian

 

[Brian Keefe]

Nice. Got a "memory management" BSOD just sitting here reading my 2nd post for errors. Wasn't touching or doing anything. I will follow the recommendations listed by ZigZag3143 above...after getting some sleep tonight. Thanks for a place to start. Here's the windows note on my last dump. The only drivers on my system are the ones provided by Dell initially (C disk drive and CD drive, audio, visual, mouse, keyboard...that's it).

roblem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 1a
BCP1: 0000000000041790
BCP2: FFFFFA8000419490
BCP3: 000000000000FFFF
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1
Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\111311-13462-01.dmp
C:\Users\Brian\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-32198-0.sysdata.xml

and also this seemingly linking ntdll.dll (or jscript.dll) and I/E to the crash:

<ParentProcessPath>C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe</ParentProcessPath> <ParentProcessCmdLine>"C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -Embedding</ParentProcessCmdLine> </ParentProcessInformation> -<ProblemSignatures> <EventType>APPCRASH</EventType> <Parameter0>iexplore.exe</Parameter0> <Parameter1>8.0.7600.16385</Parameter1> <Parameter2>4a5bc69e</Parameter2> <Parameter3>ntdll.dll</Parameter3> <Parameter4>6.1.7600.16385</Parameter4> <Parameter5>4a5bdb3b</Parameter5> <Parameter6>c0000005</Parameter6> <Parameter7>0002de64</Parameter7>

 

[Brian Keefe]

Thanks for the help provided. I haven't had a blue screen after several hours of heavy use today.

When I first ran the MemTest86+ with all 4 memory sticks still in place, I received 3,000 errors in about 10 minutes and 15,000 after the first pass was complete. Yikes!

But following that I pulled all the sticks and blew out my computer with air. Then when I inserted sticks one by one (and in different slots) no errors of any kind were received again after several passes. I can only assume that either reseating the sticks and/or cleaning the computer removed the corrupted memory issue.

Thanks windows 7 forum!

Brian

 

[zigzag3143]

Thanks for the help provided. I haven't had a blue screen after several hours of heavy use today.

When I first ran the MemTest86+ with all 4 memory sticks still in place, I received 3,000 errors in about 10 minutes and 15,000 after the first pass was complete. Yikes!

But following that I pulled all the sticks and blew out my computer with air. Then when I inserted sticks one by one (and in different slots) no errors of any kind were received again after several passes. I can only assume that either reseating the sticks and/or cleaning the computer removed the corrupted memory issue.

Thanks windows 7 forum!

Brian

Probably the dust/heat. Good luck

 

[Brian Keefe]

Well zigzag3143 I'm back. I guess the problem wasn't fully solved. Or if it was due to heat, possibly I overheated my computer again. The computer was running fine for several days until around mid-day today under heaving surfing and charting. My memory gadget was up to 50% of memory being used (3 of 6 GB). I had 2 warnings that internet explorer had stopped working. But those went away w/o giving a blue screen like they had before. But an hour or so later while reading an email I got the first blue screen "PNF list corrupt." And on 2 reboots within the next 15 minutes I received 2 more in quick order but these were "Memory Management." Same indications as before. I ran the MEM TEST 86+ on all 4 memory sticks at once and immediately had 3,000 errors in less than a minute. In checking the sticks they were all still seated tight and no significant dust accumulated in just 4 days. I will note that I had not finished reinstalling the computer's side case cover. In was 95% in place but had not been screwed in. There were some 1/4" gaps at the fan end. I don't think that could make a difference. The unit didn't feel hot. After giving it 15 minutes to cool down and for me to inspect the insides, I ran MEM TEST again. Same thing with 3,000 errors in the first minutes.

It doesn't make sense that my sticks went bad when they just tested out good 4 days ago. I could pull out all the sticks and rerun MEM TEST one stick at a time but it might be something simpler. Just in typing this up I've already gone >5 minutes w/o a crash which is an improvement. Do I need to go back to square one or is there something more obvious here that I'm overlooking? I never did run MEM TEST the full 7 times once I got to the 0 error point 4 days ago. But considering I went from 15,000 errors in 1 pass to NO errors in 2 passes, it would seem that the original issue of mem stick seating, or dust/heat was the cause. Based on the huge amount of errors once again it would seem to point back towards seating and/or heat. Similar to last weekend on one of those dumps/tests the computer shifted the clock time back 4 hrs on its own.

I ran the installed Memory Diagonistics and it did detect a hardware problem. It also did that when this problem first appeared. Also just received this BSOD for the first time: "IRQ_Not_Less_Or_Equal." Last run of MEM TEST86+ only recd 300 errors in the first minute. Went back and reseated the memory cards. Then MEM TEST86+ gave about 400 errors in the first minute. A disk check ran automatically after the last startup and reshuffled/recovered some jumbled files. When running ARO2011 3 days ago it told me my computer had 12,000 temp internet files that could be deleted, most in the under IE5 folder. When checking I saw only 4 and deleted them. My computer is selected to delete those files after shutdown. It also found about 400 other issues it said would make my system more efficient...for $30. Only programs loaded this week were AVAST "free" anti-virus Google Chrome.

I'll start back at square one with one memory stick loaded and check each stick, and each slot for reliability.

Update: one 2gb mem stick failed in 2 diff slots within a minute on the 1st pass while the other 3 passed on 8 passes over 6 hours. Looks like I need a new memory stick.

Thanks

Brian