Freezing or BSOD when playing games or watching flash videos

[und]

I recently built a computer for someone, with relevant specs as follows:

Gigabyte SKT-1155 PA65-UD3-B3
Intel 2500K
Komputerbay 1333Mhz PC3 10600 / PC3 10666 8-8-8-24 1.5v 8 GB KIT
ASUS GTX 560

Ever since I delivered it to him, it's been either freezing (often with popping from his headphones) indefinitely or producing BSODs. These can be as often as a couple of times a day.

Generally the crashes occur when he is gaming or watching Youtube videos, but sometimes they also occur upon restarting the computer immediately after a crash.

Since we both have little time on our hands, it's become a game of trying to troubleshoot the computer remotely, thus far with limited success. I've tried replacing the memory as I thought this might have been the issue, but that didn't help.

I would be immensely grateful if somebody could have a look at the contents of his MiniDump folder, as having tried to interpret them myself I haven't got very far.

Thanks

 

[zigzag3143]

I recently built a computer for someone, with relevant specs as follows:

Gigabyte SKT-1155 PA65-UD3-B3
Intel 2500K
Komputerbay 1333Mhz PC3 10600 / PC3 10666 8-8-8-24 1.5v 8 GB KIT
ASUS GTX 560

Ever since I delivered it to him, it's been either freezing (often with popping from his headphones) indefinitely or producing BSODs. These can be as often as a couple of times a day.

Generally the crashes occur when he is gaming or watching Youtube videos, but sometimes they also occur upon restarting the computer immediately after a crash.

Since we both have little time on our hands, it's become a game of trying to troubleshoot the computer remotely, thus far with limited success. I've tried replacing the memory as I thought this might have been the issue, but that didn't help.

I would be immensely grateful if somebody could have a look at the contents of his MiniDump folder, as having tried to interpret them myself I haven't got very far.

Thanks

Several of these were related to your Macaffee.

I would remove and replace with Microsot Security essentials at least to test.


ALSO, AND IMPORTANT

Please remove any CD visualization programs such as Daemon Tools and Alcohol 120%.

They use a driver, found in your dmp, called sptd.sys, that is notorious for causing BSODs.

Use this SPTD uninstaller DuplexSecure - Downloads DuplexSecure - FAQ

when you're done you can use this Freeware MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM(MagicDisc) in its place.

 

[und]

I recently built a computer for someone, with relevant specs as follows:

Gigabyte SKT-1155 PA65-UD3-B3
Intel 2500K
Komputerbay 1333Mhz PC3 10600 / PC3 10666 8-8-8-24 1.5v 8 GB KIT
ASUS GTX 560

Ever since I delivered it to him, it's been either freezing (often with popping from his headphones) indefinitely or producing BSODs. These can be as often as a couple of times a day.

Generally the crashes occur when he is gaming or watching Youtube videos, but sometimes they also occur upon restarting the computer immediately after a crash.

Since we both have little time on our hands, it's become a game of trying to troubleshoot the computer remotely, thus far with limited success. I've tried replacing the memory as I thought this might have been the issue, but that didn't help.

I would be immensely grateful if somebody could have a look at the contents of his MiniDump folder, as having tried to interpret them myself I haven't got very far.

Thanks

Several of these were related to your Macaffee.

I would remove and replace with Microsot Security essentials at least to test.


ALSO, AND IMPORTANT

Please remove any CD visualization programs such as Daemon Tools and Alcohol 120%.

They use a driver, found in your dmp, called sptd.sys, that is notorious for causing BSODs.

Use this SPTD uninstaller DuplexSecure - Downloads DuplexSecure - FAQ

when you're done you can use this Freeware MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM(MagicDisc) in its place.

Thank you very much for your prompt reply! I just sent him an email advising him to uninstall McAfee and the SPTD driver, and I do hope that the problem will be solved after that because it's frustrating to build a new computer only for it to cause unexpected problems.

Is there a possibility that either of the problems are in any way related to hardware? I'll return to the thread if the crashing continues.

Many thanks,
und

 

[zigzag3143]

I recently built a computer for someone, with relevant specs as follows:

Gigabyte SKT-1155 PA65-UD3-B3
Intel 2500K
Komputerbay 1333Mhz PC3 10600 / PC3 10666 8-8-8-24 1.5v 8 GB KIT
ASUS GTX 560

Ever since I delivered it to him, it's been either freezing (often with popping from his headphones) indefinitely or producing BSODs. These can be as often as a couple of times a day.

Generally the crashes occur when he is gaming or watching Youtube videos, but sometimes they also occur upon restarting the computer immediately after a crash.

Since we both have little time on our hands, it's become a game of trying to troubleshoot the computer remotely, thus far with limited success. I've tried replacing the memory as I thought this might have been the issue, but that didn't help.

I would be immensely grateful if somebody could have a look at the contents of his MiniDump folder, as having tried to interpret them myself I haven't got very far.

Thanks

Several of these were related to your Macaffee.

I would remove and replace with Microsot Security essentials at least to test.


ALSO, AND IMPORTANT

Please remove any CD visualization programs such as Daemon Tools and Alcohol 120%.

They use a driver, found in your dmp, called sptd.sys, that is notorious for causing BSODs.

Use this SPTD uninstaller DuplexSecure - Downloads DuplexSecure - FAQ

when you're done you can use this Freeware MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM(MagicDisc) in its place.

Thank you very much for your prompt reply! I just sent him an email advising him to uninstall McAfee and the SPTD driver, and I do hope that the problem will be solved after that because it's frustrating to build a new computer only for it to cause unexpected problems.

Is there a possibility that either of the problems are in any way related to hardware? I'll return to the thread if the crashing continues.

Many thanks,
und

Possible yes, proabable no.

some hardware tests should you be inclined (though i dont think you need to)



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


Try this free stress test: Free Software - GIMPS

Prime95 Setup:
- extract the contents of the zip file to a location of your choice
- double click on the executable file
- select "Just stress testing"
- select the "Blend" test. If you've already run MemTest overnight you may want to run the "Small FFTs" test instead.
- "Number of torture test threads to run" should equal the number of CPU's times 2 (if you're using hyperthreading).
The easiest way to figure this out is to go to Task Manager...Performance tab - and see the number of boxes under CPU Usage History
Then run the test for 6 to 24 hours - or until you get errors (whichever comes first).
The Test selection box and the stress.txt file describes what components that the program stresses.

 

[und]

He followed the steps I outlines but his computer has blue-screened again. However, the blue screens haven't been creating mini-dump files since about three weeks ago. Does anybody know how I can resolve this and obtain dumps?

 

[zigzag3143]

He followed the steps I outlines but his computer has blue-screened again. However, the blue screens haven't been creating mini-dump files since about three weeks ago. Does anybody know how I can resolve this and obtain dumps?

We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.

You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.

To enable us to assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder.

The procedure:

* Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
* Zip up the copy.
* Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
*If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.


To ensure minidumps are enabled:

* Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
* Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
* Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
* Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
* Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
* OK your way out.
* Reboot if changes have been made.

 

[und]

Unfortunately the computer continues to freeze. One thing to note is that sometimes artifacts can be seen on the Aero taskbar and on windows, but the artifacts seem to be 'stuck' to the background, so moving a window around will bring up different artifacts and moving it back will bring the same artifacts back. I've already reinstalled the graphics card drivers, but this didn't help. Does anybody have some ideas for what I could try next?

Thanks