Frequent BSODs on Win 7 64 bit, 'bad pool header'

[Rossmcc]

Okay driver verifier activated again. For once I am actually hoping for a BSOD so I can identify this pesky driver!!

 

[Rossmcc]

Me again! Haven't been able to use my computer much over the week as I've been busy at work. However, started using it again today with driver verifier on and annoyingly Windows has freezed a couple of times to the point of having to do a hard reset, but hasn't actually crashed to BSOD.

So it seems there is some sort of driver causing problems, but am I right in thinking if driver verifier doesn't make it BSOD there is no way of knowing where the problem is?

Edit: And another freeze with no BSOD just 10 minutes after posting this, they seem to be getting more frequent

 

[Arc]

What was you doing when it freezes?

 

[Rossmcc]

Hey Arc. I was just browsing the internet on Google Chrome, probably had around 4/5 tabs open. Other than that just playing music through iTunes, so nothing too demanding on the system. Haven't played games on it much recently as I'm scared it will crash and I'll lose my progress!

Another new Cloud signature I see, nice

 

[Arc]

This sig is made by my friend Dan, Trevers1987!

Just a thought, you may try it: Disabling hardware accelerated video playback - YouTube Help

 

[Rossmcc]

Okay I have done that, I am willing to try anything! I wish driver verifier would actually cause a BSOD so I can find out what driver is causing problems

 

[Arc]

Ross, let us know the situation, ok? I am trying to understand the situation, hope your issue will be over soon.

 

[Rossmcc]

Hi Arc. I've been on the computer for a couple of hours this morning with driver verifier still active (haven't used it for 24 hours yet so going to keep it on a bit longer in hopes of identifying the problem driver) and no freezes so far, which I think is some kind of record at the moment!

I've been having a look at windows event viewer to see if any errors coincide with crash times. I noticed 'Bonjour' was causing multiple errors (33 in the last 7 days) so I disabled that. It's something to do with iTunes but isn't needed for it to run it seems.

I've also been getting errors from Microsoft Security Essentials, Event ID 3 (21 in the last 7 days). The error message is:

'Session "Microsoft Security Client OOBE" stopped due to the following error: 0xC000000D'.

However I've had one of those errors this morning with no freeze, so I don't think they're the problem.

There have also been some 'LoadPerf' errors, Error ID 3011 & 3012 (also 21 in the last 7 days so maybe related to the MSE one). The message is:

'Unloading the performance counter strings for service WmiApRpl (WmiApRpl) failed. The first DWORD in the Data section contains the error code.'

Not sure if any of this info is actually useful or related to the BSODs, but just thought I'd let you know in case it helps.

 

[Rossmcc]

Hi Arc. Just as a follow up I've found something that consistently makes Windows completely freeze with driver verifier running. I was just looking for some new shoes for work, and on this site (can I link to this? I am just showing it as an example of something that is causing a crash, but I'll happily remove if it's a problem):

ECCO Ecco Turn (Black) - Official UK Online Shop

If I hover my cursor over the shoe itself so that it zooms in and the cursor becomes a four way arrow, it freezes my whole system if driver verifier is running. I tried this 3 times and the same result every time. It doesn't happen when driver verifier is not running. Sadly driver verifier is still not causing BSODs, just complete freezes.

I wonder what it is about this that is making it freeze? Maybe this could suggest it's something graphics related.

 

[Arc]

OK, you spend enough time with it, disable it now.

Use the computer normally now. In the next freeze, post it immediately. So that, you can describe the freeze and your activities during that freeze can be explained in a better way.

 

[Rossmcc]

Hey Arc. After not having used my computer all week I've just started using it again this weekend and had another memory management BSOD.

I decided to run Memtest86 after reading around on these forums a bit and after half an hour and only 70% of the first pass it's found over 300,000 errors! So maybe I have some faulty RAM which is causing my problems.

 

[Arc]

after half an hour and only 70% of the first pass it's found over 300,000 errors! So maybe I have some faulty RAM which is causing my problems.

:shock:
You did it right.
Go for a replacement, but before that, test the memory modules at each slot.

 

[Rossmcc]

Just tested the sticks of RAM on their own, one got errors straight away and one is fine after 4 passes of Memtest86. I don't have time to do more passes now but considering the other one was getting errors within 10 seconds I think that's okay for now.

I'm now running off just the stable 4GB stick, and I've taken the other one out. I activated driver verifier and tested things that were causing freezes before (USB bluetooth adapter, zoomable images in web browser) and neither caused a freeze.

Don't want to jinx it but it seems that faulty stick of RAM may have been causing my problems, so I will get it replaced! I will wait and see if I have any more BSODs as it's early days yet, and keep you updated.

 

[Arc]

Ross, most probably your bad times are over. You really have done a good job. Kudos!

 

[Rossmcc]

I hope so, all seems good so far so fingers crossed. Thank you very much for all your help!

 

[Arc]

Best of luck, Ross
And you are most welcome!