Solved BSODs on random occasions

[Colecat]

Hi everyone,

I have been getting a lot of BSODs recently. They have occurred while running antivirus and malware scans, programming in Eclipse, and while just browsing the internet. Another issue that has coincided with this is that Chrome tabs seem to start crashing soon before the BSODs occur.

When my comp has made it through the scans without crashing, Malwarebytes and Comodo both found nothing. I've run CHKDSK and no errors were reported. I also ran Memtest86+ the other night for 6 passes with no errors.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. SF Diagnostic folder is attached. Thank you!

 

[Arc]

Your crash dumps are not showing any finite probable cause.

Free up the startup.

1. Click on the Start button
2. Type “msconfig (without quotes), click the resulting link. It will open the System Configuration window.
3. Select the “Startup” tab.
4. Deselect all items other than the antivirus.
5. Apply > OK
6. Accept then restart.

Download and install this particular version of Intel Rapid Storage Driver:

• Version: 11.2.0.1006
• Date: 06/07/2012

Test your RAM modules for possible errors.
How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+
Run memtest for at least 8 passes, preferably overnight.

If the memtest comes to be clean, and the BSODs are still occurring, enable Driver Verifier to monitor the drivers.
Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable
Run Driver Verifier for 24 hours or the occurrence of the next crash, whichever is earlier.

   Information

Why Driver Verifier:
It puts a stress on the drivers, ans so it makes the unstable drivers crash. Hopefully the driver that crashes is recorded in the memory dump.

How Can we know that DV is enabled:
It will make the system bit of slow, laggy.

   Warning

Before enabling DV, make it sure that you have earlier System restore points made in your computer. You can check it easily by using CCleaner looking at Tools > System Restore.

If there is no points, make a System Restore Point manually before enabling DV.

   Tip

• If you fail to get on the Desktop because of DV, Boot into Advanced Boot Options > Safe mode. Disable DV there. Now boot normally again, and try following the instruction of enabling DV again.
• If you cannot boot in Safe mode too, do a System Restore to a point you made earlier.

Let us know the results, with the subsequent crash dumps, if any.

 

[Colecat]

Thank you for the suggestions. I've just run into a problem trying to install the driver from Intel. Following the link, I downloaded iata_enu.exe and ran it. I got an error saying "The setup program failed to install one or more device drivers. Setup will exit." How can I get the driver install successfully?

 

[Arc]

Sometimes a restart works fine.

If not, take the first one and follow the method : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/97061-driver-install-device-manager.html

 

[Colecat]

So I have two issues now. The first is that I still can't get the driver to install properly. I tried restarting and running the installer but it failed again. I attempted to follow that guide and install using Device Manager, but I don't see Intel Rapid Storage listed anywhere.

The second issue is that Memtest is now showing a ton of errors. I have run Memtest previously on this machine, after the crash on 4/1 but before the crash on 4/7. I left it on overnight and it ran for 6 passes with no errors. Last night I went to run it again, but now within 5 seconds of running it is showing about 900 errors. I haven't tried testing individual sticks since I think it might void the warranty on this laptop.

 

[Arc]

So I have two issues now. The first is that I still can't get the driver to install properly. I tried restarting and running the installer but it failed again. I attempted to follow that guide and install using Device Manager, but I don't see Intel Rapid Storage listed anywhere.

Try here:
View attachment 263319

The second issue is that Memtest is now showing a ton of errors. I have run Memtest previously on this machine, after the crash on 4/1 but before the crash on 4/7. I left it on overnight and it ran for 6 passes with no errors. Last night I went to run it again, but now within 5 seconds of running it is showing about 900 errors. I haven't tried testing individual sticks since I think it might void the warranty on this laptop.

A single error is enough to rule out the RAM. Now you may follow the part 3 of How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+ to determine which stick is bad, or change the entire kit.

I would suggest you to follow the part 3, as the fault may occur due to a faulty DIMM slot, too, which is a motherboard component. Using memtest86+, you can discriminate between a faulty RAM and a faulty motherboard.

How? Say you have two RAM sticks and two DIMM slots. You obtained errors at the test with all RAM sticks installed. Now, remove all the sticks but one. Test it in all the available slots, one by one. Continue the same procedure for all the available sticks.
How to make the inference that is it a RAM issue or it is a motherboard issue? Suppose you have got the result like that:

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.

Let us know the results.

 

[Colecat]

Under that tab in Device Manage I have listed Intel(R) 7 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller. When I attempt to install the driver as shown in the tutorial, I get the following error message: "Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it. There is no driver selected for the device information set or element."

Is there without a doubt a problem with either the RAM or the motherboard? My laptop is still under warranty, but if I tamper with it to continue testing the RAM then I will void it. If there is a hardware problem I might as well send it to the manufacturer.

 

[Arc]

As RAM is showing errors, it is hardware problem, for sure. And it is also true that if you try memtest as I suggested, it will void the warranty.

Then? Yes! Use the warranty ....

 

[Colecat]

Alright. I will contact the manufacturer then. Thank you for the help!

 

[Arc]

You are welcome, and best of luck, mate