Solved BSOD with various messages

[MLeaney]

Hi!
I have been experiencing Blue Screen of Death, and other similar types of freezing/crashing of system. I have attached the dump files. The advice I have been getting is that it could be drivers, could be hardware. I have tried several things already by getting advice from Samsung technicians, but not getting closer to fixing. So fare I have tried
- Complete System Restore
- updating graphics drivers
- updating windows updates

The problem occurs mainly when using high graphic content game, or multitasking. However, nothing out of the ordinary. I am using laptop in same way I have for past 18 months, without problems.

Hope you can help.. I am one step away from sending the laptop off for hardware repair but would rather find out if it is simply a software thing!

Thanks

 

[x BlueRobot]

BSOD Analysis:

[COLOR="Red"]BugCheck 3D[/COLOR], {fffff880031fcf60, 0, 0, fffff88004b4a8f3}

Probably caused by : [COLOR="Red"]atikmdag.sys[/COLOR] ( atikmdag+e18f3 )

3: kd> [COLOR="SeaGreen"]lmvm atikmdag[/COLOR]
start             end                 module name
fffff880`04a69000 fffff880`05391000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        [COLOR="Red"]Thu May 26 05:12:42 2011[/COLOR] (4DDDD33A)
    CheckSum:         008DEADE
    ImageSize:        00928000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Please update to the latest WHQL version of ATI graphics driver from here -

• AMD Graphics Drivers & Software

WHQL
Release Date: April 24th 2013
Version: 13.4
In Device Manager: 12.104

3: kd> [COLOR="SeaGreen"]lmvm athrx[/COLOR]
start             end                 module name
fffff880`05a85000 fffff880`05d2b000   athrx    T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: athrx.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\athrx.sys
    Image name: athrx.sys
    Timestamp:        [COLOR="Red"]Tue May 24 08:24:19 2011[/COLOR] (4DDB5D23)
    CheckSum:         002A98B1
    ImageSize:        002A6000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Please check for any potential updates for your Atheros network adapter driver from here - ATHEROS drivers for Microsoft Windows (Atheros?????)

The model number may be listed in Device Manager.

Internet Security programs are known to cause problems with the network drivers and other networking components.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Remove:

Start Menu\Programs\Norton Internet Security
Start Menu\Programs\Norton Online Backup

Norton is known to cause BSODs with Windows 7, please remove the program completely, using the Norton Removal Tool, and then install and run full scans with these free and proven alternatives which work the best with Windows 7 due to compatibility and lightweight nature on system resources.

Install and perform full scans with:

• Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download
• Microsoft Security Essentials | Protect against viruses, spyware, and other malware

   Information

Remember to install the free version of Malwarebytes not the free trail; untick the free trial box during installation. MSE is the most lightweight and compatible with the Windows 7 operating system

You can also view this thread for a complete free and lightweight security protection combination:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/206705-good-free-system-security-combination.html

 

[MLeaney]

HI BlueRobot,
Thanks so much! I have followed your instructions. I have removed Norton, and intalled Security Essentials and Malwarebytes, and will go ahead and check that thread for more protection, looks great.

However.. on the drivers...
1) Atikmdag.sys is confusing the hell out of me. My graphics cards are not ATI. I know that AMD took over ATI... but this particular error, is weird. Because, my drivers that are compatible when i look for correct drivers for my product are not ATI, but are AMD. I have dual graphics - AMD Radeon (TM) HD 6620G and AMD Radeon 6630M Graphic. I have already updated this driver a couple of times, and in device manager it says both these drivers are up to date. The atikmdag.sy_ seems to be one small component of this driver update, as I can see it sitting there inside one of the folders. What it WHQL?
2) Atheros.. I went into Device Manager, and that is saying the Atheros driver is up to date.

Since the blue screen errors identify different things all the time, is it drivers? Or could it be a hardware problem like mother board etc?

Thanks for your help.... really want to get this sorted!

 

[x BlueRobot]

Device Manager never tell you if a driver is completely up to date or not, and WHQL means Windows Hardware Quality Labs approved, it means the driver has been tested by Microsoft for stability and compatibility.

With the graphics card drivers, using the AMD site, you can select the automatic detection and installation option.

Could you please post a screenshot of your Device Manager, with the Network Adapters section expanded?

 

[MLeaney]

Thanks so much for your help so far BlueRobot. I have been three days now without blue screen. The longest stretch of time since this problem started to occur. I have not yet taken screen shots as you suggested, as I am having a little trouble with that as I have not yet reinstalled office to save them into a document. However. I am really hoping the steps I already took that you suggested may have resolved my problem. The things I have done are:
- changed my security/antivirus/antispyware set up as you suggested
- the spyware program found 121 case of adware, which i removed
- i updated malwarebytes, and i did have a residual malwarebytes icon from this program before i had not been able to remove even though i had previously uninstalled the trial when it ran out. So not sure if that was it

Do you think any of these things could have been the thing that caused my bluescreen problems and these changes may have already fixed it? I guess i will know after i have no blue screen for a week or so!?

 

[x BlueRobot]

There's no need to save the screenshots in a Word document like in the XP days - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

I think the Snipping Tool is explained in that tutorial too.

The graphics card drivers seemed to be the main cause, and yes, performing all the steps I provided should have solved or least partially solved the BSODs.

If you don't have any other blue screens over the weekend (well it's probably already Saturday for you now ), then mark this thread as solved.

I'm glad to be able to help

 

[VistaKing]

MLeaney

If you have adware or viruses please create a new thread in the System Security section of the forum .

 

[MLeaney]

There's no need to save the screenshots in a Word document like in the XP days - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

I think the Snipping Tool is explained in that tutorial too.

The graphics card drivers seemed to be the main cause, and yes, performing all the steps I provided should have solved or least partially solved the BSODs.

If you don't have any other blue screens over the weekend (well it's probably already Saturday for you now ), then mark this thread as solved.

I'm glad to be able to help

Hi BlueRobot.. it has been a few weeks, and I have had no where near the number of BSOD episodes. I would say for about 3 weeks I had one or two events a week, rather than the multiple events in one day previously. However, they have been increasing again. Today I have had about six times of getting BSOD or other crashes. Sometimes it is black screen.. sometimes blue screen. Sometimes just a frozen image with brightly coloured speckled lines through the screen. I have now attached the screen shot of Device Manager with Network Adapters expanded for you to see.

 

[x BlueRobot]

There isn't a driver for your network adapter on the Atheros website, have you checked your model support page?

Please also upload the new crashes with - http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

 

[MLeaney]

HI there
I have clicked on this item just now and updated the driver. And I have also attached the latest information using the SF Diagnostic tool. Hope that has everything you need.

 

[x BlueRobot]

[COLOR="Red"]BugCheck 7F[/COLOR], {[COLOR="Blue"]8[/COLOR], 80050031, 6f8, fffff80002ed9ef6}

Probably caused by : ntkrnlmp.exe ( nt!KiDoubleFaultAbort+b2 )

Usual causes:  Memory corruption, Hardware (memory in particular), Overclocking failure, Installing a faulty or mismatched hardware (especially memory) or a failure after installing it, 3rd party firewall, Device drivers, SCSI/network/BIOS updates needed, Improperly seated cards, Incompatible storage devices, Overclocking, Virus scanner, Backup tool, Bad motherboard, Missing Service Pack

2: kd> [COLOR="SeaGreen"]k[/COLOR]
Child-SP          RetAddr           Call Site
fffff880`02f6ace8 fffff800`02ecd129 nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff880`02f6acf0 fffff800`02ecb5f2 nt!KiBugCheckDispatch+0x69
fffff880`02f6ae30 fffff800`02ed9ef6 nt!KiDoubleFaultAbort+0xb2
fffff880`0bd91f00 00000000`00000000 nt!MmAccessFault+0xd6

The system seems to have crashed, due to a exception (error) occurring during the processing of another exception. The exception which seems to have been a memory access fault, this is usually drivers referencing memory which is invalid or not present, therefore the MmAccessFault routine is called, which is essentially the exception handler for the access fault.

Run Driver Verifier to scan for any corrupted drivers which may be causing problems, this program works by running various stress tests on drivers, in order to produce a BSOD which will locate the driver; run for least 24 hours:

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

   Information

Additional Help - http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...-driver-verifier-identify-issues-drivers.html

Please also enable the Special Pool option, it should be listed underneath "Select individual settings".

 

[MLeaney]

awesome.. i will try that!! thanks

 

[MLeaney]

Hi!
I have been running the Driver Verifier, according to your instructions, for about 24 hours now (with a few hours off when i went to work). I have had no blue screens, but have had two of the other kinds of crashes. One when the screen just goes black, and another where the screen goes white with a lot of static lines across it. In both of these instances when this happen I am left with no option but to power off and restart the computer with the on/off switch to get it going. Are these the same as a blue screen? Do they create the dump files too?

 

[x BlueRobot]

You may disable Driver Verifier, and those not related to BSODs, a black screen is usually a hardware incompatibility issue or hardware failure.

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

Run Memtest86+ for least 9-10 passes, and preferably overnight as it can take a while to fully complete.

Test each RAM stick individually, if an error is found then move the same RAM stick into the next DIMM slot and test again, if errors are found for the same RAM stick in every available slot then you have a faulty RAM module. On the other hand, if no errors are found in the next slot or the other slots for the same RAM module, then you have a faulty DIMM slot.

Test each RAM stick and every motherboard DIMM slot available.

test|Slot1|Slot2
RAM1| Error | Error
RAM2|Good|Good

It is a RAM, a bad RAM.

But if you have got a result like that:

test|Slot1|Slot2
RAM1| Error |Good
RAM2| Error |Good

It is a motherboard issue. The particular slot is bad.

 

[MLeaney]

Ok, thanks I will try that also. However, I have just found out that I was not running the driver verifier properly. I had gone in to check the special pool option, but there I think i needed to also re-tick the Force pending I/O requests and IRP Logging. Which I had ticked on page before, but was lost when i went into individual settings selection. When I did that, it also required that I tick I/O verification to allow the force pending I/O requests. So I did that. Once i restarted my system, the crashes started right away. But they were not BSOD. They were just screen freezing.. looking like either a white or blue screen.. depending on what background had been at time of crash, with static lines in it. Only way to get system back on was to force a reboot by powering off and on. It crashed repeatedly either on start up.. or very soon after the moment I tried to operate anything. This happened about 5 times within minutes of turning on verifier. I turned it off at that point. Should I run the verifier for 24 hours if it is doing this, and not creating BSOD? Will it record what you need to see?

 

[x BlueRobot]

After the MemTest86+ test, go back into Driver Verifier, and then enable all the individual driver settings, apart from the Low Resources Simulation.

 

[MLeaney]

thanks will do. A question on the Memtest. How do i know if i only have one RAM stick. MY laptop came with 8g RAM. Would that be one stick?

 

[x BlueRobot]

Check your laptop support page, and it's most likely like 2x4GB sticks.

 

[MLeaney]

Ok, tried the Memtest. However the computer black screens every time without even completing one pass. You are right, there are two memory sticks. Do i take it that it is a hardware problem and send it to the warranty people for repairs?

 

[x BlueRobot]

Do you have warranty? If so, I would use it.