Solved Multiple types of BSOD randomly

[Cmstreib]

Hello, I've been having problems with my computer since I got it, a blue screen every once in a while and when it would get bad I would just reinstall my system and then it would be fine. But recently it's been really bad (5+ BSOD a day some times) and I can't find a way to fix it.

Computer Specs:
-Windows 7 Professional x64 (full retail version)
-Computer is only a year and a half old
-Reinstalled my OS this past Saturday (1/14/12)

Dump files and system health check attached.

 

[JMH]

These crashes were caused by memory corruption (probably a driver). Please run these two tests to verify your memory and find which driver is causing the problem.

If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!


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.

Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.

If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.

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



2-Driver verifier

Using Driver Verifier is an iffy proposition. Most times it'll crash and it'll tell you what the driver is. But sometimes it'll crash and won't tell you the driver. Other times it'll crash before you can log in to Windows. If you can't get to Safe Mode, then you'll have to resort to offline editing of the registry to disable 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


Further Reading
Using Driver Verifier to identify issues with Windows drivers for advanced users

*** I notice you have AVG which can be a contributing cause of BSOD'S .
Please remove and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials AT LEAST TO TEST.

Download tools and utilities | AVG Worldwide

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

 

[Cmstreib]

I tried Memtest and I let it run for 6 passes and there was no error. I'm attempting the Driver Verifier now.

 

[JMH]

OK.
Report back when finished.

 

[Cmstreib]

So I ran the test yesterday and the computer crashed last night and it crashed again this morning. Hopefully these two newest dump files will help figure out what's wrong with my computer.

Thank you for your help by the way.

 

[Cmstreib]

One thing I've also noticed is that firefox seems to stop responding randomly for a few seconds quite often, and some times this is followed by a blue screen. Don't know if it will help or not.

 

[JMH]

I don't think Firefox is involved.

> Your analysis suggested that atikmpag.sys may be responsible.
Please remove & reinstall.

When upgrading your graphic driver you MUST remove all traces of the current driver.
In order to do that we recommend using

Phyxion.net - Driver Sweeper

When it is removed then download and install the fresh copy.

> AVG can be a contributing cause to BSOD'S .
Please remove and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials AT LEAST TO TEST.

Download tools and utilities | AVG Worldwide

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

 

[Cmstreib]

I got rid of my old AMD driver and then restarted the computer. Then I installed the newest version from the AMD website, so hopefully that takes care of that problem. I will switch to Microsoft Security Essentials tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[JMH]

Ok.
Report back after testing please.

 

[Cmstreib]

When I woke my computer up this morning I got a new blue screen and then another right before I installed MSE. I don't know if they'll help or tell anything new, but here they are. I've also uninstalled AVG and am now running MSE to test.

 

[JMH]

The latest DMP indicates that AVG is still installed. See snip below.
Did you use the appropriate uninstall tool to remove same?

Your latest DMP's are inconclusive as to the crash cause.

It is much easier to find patterns, etc, when there is more than one crash.
We prefer you wait until you have at least two so that if one is corrupt the other probably wont be.
So we wait... Patience is a virtue!


View attachment 194654

 

[Cmstreib]

So i've been running my computer as much as I can over the past day and it's crashed 5 times. The first 2 didn't create a dump file for some reason though. After the first crash I deleted my video driver again and reinstalled the driver from Dell's website instead of the AMD website to see if it would make any difference and it hasn't.

Here are the latest dumps. Hope they can tell you something because I still can't find a pattern in the crashes.

 

[zigzag3143]

So i've been running my computer as much as I can over the past day and it's crashed 5 times. The first 2 didn't create a dump file for some reason though. After the first crash I deleted my video driver again and reinstalled the driver from Dell's website instead of the AMD website to see if it would make any difference and it hasn't.

Here are the latest dumps. Hope they can tell you something because I still can't find a pattern in the crashes.

These 3 from today have 3 different and inconclusive causes. We need to wait for the next few or re-run driver verifier.

 

[Cmstreib]

So I called Dell today and I worked with them and they were able to determine that it was a problem with my motherboard. So a technician is coming out tomorrow to fix it and hopefully the blue screens will stop.

 

[JMH]

Wonderful news.
Thanks for letting us know.
Good luck too!

 

[zigzag3143]

So I called Dell today and I worked with them and they were able to determine that it was a problem with my motherboard. So a technician is coming out tomorrow to fix it and hopefully the blue screens will stop.

Great news Dell isnt often that responsive.

 

[Cmstreib]

It took me calling Dell 3 times to finally get a person who knew what they were talking about. So they really weren't that responsive.

 

[Cmstreib]

So far so good. I believe that the new motherboard has fixed the problem. Thank you for all your help.