Solved Frequent BSOD

[themaverick]

My Dell Inspiron Desktop is crashing to BSOD many times per day (not stable for more than 10 minutes). This happened 2 months ago and I couldn't restore as there were no restore points and this is the same again - there is one restore point to 3 days ago but it won't work which is the problem I had 2 months ago. This is despite following advice here and setting it up to make regular restore points.

Is there a way out of this without a windows reinstall?

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi themaverick,

'BSODs' may occur due to a 'Hardware issue' also; please run 'Hardware Diagnostics' to check 'Hardware functionality'. If no 'hardware issue' is detected, you may share the 'Mini-dump' for better understanding.

To run 'Diagnostics' please refer to the following steps:
- Power off the computer
- Power it back on and at 'Dell splash screen', repeatedly tap 'F12 key'
- Use 'arrow key' to highlight 'Diagnostics' and tap 'Enter'
- If no 'error occurs' you may run 'Custom Test' on 'Hard Drive' and 'Memory' (Custom Test is an advanced diagnostic test)
- Capture error message, if any

Have a look at the following 'web article' for detailed steps on running 'Diagnostics': http://dell.to/OUGnqT
You may find the video on 'Hardware Diagnostic' useful: Video Support Center

If no 'Hardware issue' is detected, please share the details of 'Mini-Dump' for further research: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Hope this helps. Do reply if you have any further questions; would be glad to assist.

 

[themaverick]

OK - No errors from diagnostic test (F12) :

Not sure what to do next:

If no 'error occurs' you may run 'Custom Test' on 'Hard Drive' and 'Memory' (

 

[themaverick]

Hope I've done this right!

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi themaverick,

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Good that the basic 'Hardware Diagnostics' have passed; appears that you were not able to run the 'Custom Test' on 'Hard Drive / Memory'.

To initiate the 'Custom Test', please follow the steps listed below:
- Run basic diagnostics (as before)
- After the completion of 'basic diagnostics' a prompt appears: 'Would you like to run the remaining memory tests' > Select 'No'
- Select option 'Boot to utility partition' > You should be able to select the option of 'Custom Test'
- Run 'Custom Test' on 'Hard Drive' and 'Memory' one by one > Capture errors if any

Thank you for sharing the 'log files'. They are just about fine; only the 'mini dump' is missing. You may share the 'mini dump' using the following steps:
- Navigate to C:\Windows\Minidump and tap 'Enter' > Share all 'mini dump files' / You may also copy all files in a single folder and compress (using Winzip/Winrar) > Share this folder for more research

Do reply with the findings; glad to assist.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hey Maverick,

Just a thought, can you boot the computer into safe mode (F8) and see if your BSOD stops, if it does then its quite likely that its a software/driver related issue...just to eliminate that as a cause?

Cheers

Dave

 

[themaverick]

I have navigated here:

C:\Windows\Minidump

But the folder is empty.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi Maverick,

1.Click Start, point to Computer, and then click System Properties.

2.Click the Advanced system settings in left pane, and then click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
3.In the Write debugging information list, click Small memory dump

And on your next BSOD your minidump files should be present.

Hope this helps

cheers

dave

 

[themaverick]

Is this right click on computer? I cant see start up and recovery.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi Maverick,

Click start, left click computer in menu or just open up "computer" on your desktop.
Top left menu....left click system properties...then you should see Advanced system settings on the left pane which should bring up the System properties box in which you will then see Start up recovery.

Then hopefully you can get your minidump files and Saurabh will be able to assist you further.
Cheers Dave

 

[themaverick]

Just recovered from BSOD and found your post, so - next time hopefully will get it.

 

[themaverick]

Slightly AT A TANGENT BUT MAYBE RELATED in device manager other devices> Ethernet Controller there is a yellow exclamation sign and it says drivers are not installed, I try updating driver, but as I have always found with device manager it never finds a driver.

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi themaverick,

Thank you for the reply.

Would like to know if you performed 'advanced diagnostics' on 'Hard Drive' and 'Memory'; is important to verify the 'Hardware functionality'.

In the mean while, you may also use the computer in 'Safe Mode' to see if it still crumbles. To enter into 'Safe Mode' environment, power on the computer and at 'Dell splash screen' repeatedly tap 'F8 key'. Use 'arrow keys' to highlight 'Safe Mode' and tap 'Enter'.

Also try to capture details of 'Blue screen'; screen shot would be most useful. If the 'Blue screen' does not stay on the screen for long or causes an immediate crash, try the following steps:
- Power off the computer > Power it back on > All Dell logo repeatedly tap 'F8 key' > 'Advanced Startup Menu' appears > Use 'arrow keys' to highlight 'Disable automatic restart on system failure' > Tap 'Enter' (This will not crash the system after the 'Blue screen' and will allow you to capture the details)

Also share the current status of 'Device Manager'; please capture the details of all devices with any 'yellow mark' / 'exclamation mark'. You may use the following link to install the 'Ethernet card' drivers installed in Inspiron 580 (Compatible with Windows 7 64 bit): Driver Details | Dell United States

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings.

 

[themaverick]

Are you sayng thios is the driver I need for the ethernet controller:

Broadcom BCM57788 LOM

I have done a Windows upgrade reinstall of windows, so have hopefully solved the BSOD _ i wish I knew about that option before it would have save hours of having to resinstall stuff.

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi themaverick,

We did not have any conclusive evidence that suggested the 'Ethernet driver' in your system as the main culprit. Therefore its installation may or may not have fixed the issue.

Now that you've repaired/re-installed 'Windows', the issue should stay fixed if it originated due to 'software corruption'; was wondering if the 'custom test' on 'Hard Drive/Memory' had passed.

Good luck. Do reply if you have any further questions; would be glad to assist

 

[themaverick]

Yes the memory test passed. I still have ther problem of the ethernet controller not having a driver - can you help?

Also when I boot I now have to choose from windows 7 or Windows 7 Home Edition (recovered). I choose Windows 7 (hopefully right?) and wonder how to get rid of the message - ie the other Windows 7 (recovered)?

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi themaverick,

Thank you for the prompt reply; glad that the 'Memory Test' passed successfully.

It appears that you've performed a 'parallel installation' of 'Windows' (2 copies of 'Windows' on your computer). One of the 'Windows account' is the new environment and may also include a folder with 'old system configuration; and data' (Windows.old)

You may use the link to installed the 'Ethernet driver' that I shared in my previous post. I can also share steps that will 'discard' the 'old Windows copy' at 'Start-up' and will only open the new 'Windows environment'; however, that would be a work-around.

I would suggest you to backup all personal data from the computer from the following location (Windows.old in C drive) on an external media. Once data is backed up, you may perform a 'clean Windows re install'. That may provide you with more 'disk space' and 'stability'.

Do reply if you have any further questions; would be glad to assist.

 

[themaverick]

Ethernet driver now installed, but we still have BSOD crashes despites all memory tests positive and new windows install, where do I go from here?

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi Maverick,

Hey Maverick,

Did you try my suggestion?

Just a thought, can you boot the computer into safe mode (F8) and see if your BSOD stops, if it does then its quite likely that its a software/driver related issue...just to eliminate that as a cause?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi themaverick,

Thank you for the reply.

Wanted to check if you ran 'Custom Diagnostics' on 'Hard Drive' also; please share the results.
If no 'hardware issue' is detected in the 'diagnostic test', it indicates 'software corruption' and needs a 'fresh Windows Re-install'. (Note: Fresh re-install of 'Windows' leads to loss of data; please backup all personal files/folders/data on an external media before attempting the re-install)

You may use the 'Windows re-install media' for the re-installation; for detailed information check this link:
Windows 7 Manual Reinstall | Dell

Hope this helps. Let me know with the findings; would be glad to assist.