Random BSOD Need help

[anj123]

Hi, I really need some help with an issue that keeps occuring randomly. So i thought i should subscribe to this forum.
My computer was custom built about a year or 2 ago. From the day it was built this BSOD occured and i cant seem to find a solution. Here are the specs for it:

Windows 7 64bit OEM
CPU - Intel I5 760
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-P55-US3l
Hard drive - 1TB
RAM - 4GB
power supply - ATX 450 watt
Graphics - Nvidia GeForce GT 240

Basically, my computer will show the BSOD when it wants to, So I could be doing anything and then a sudden BSOD. The BSOD sometimes occurs many times a month. I have tried re installing windows but the problem persists. When i look at the dump files they mostly point out ntoskrnl.exe. Ive tried googling it but cant find a solution.

Here are the Dump files and the computers health report

View attachment 214810

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me out please.
Thank you!

 

[writhziden]

Your crashes indicate hardware issues. Run some hardware checks.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
  
  Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.​
  • Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
  • Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
  • HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
  • Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
    
    
  • Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
    
    
  • Follow the steps for doing CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
  
     Warning

  Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. :warn:WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!
  
  
  For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

 

[anj123]

Hi writhziden thanks for the reply i have done everything you told me to. I used all the tools you mentioned and got no errors. However when i came to use memtest86 i tested each ram stick with both of the slots on my motherboard. I did seven passes. They were all successful as i got no errors. Then i tested the ram sticks again but this time i left them over night and when i woke up in the morning there were 23 passes that were done and i also had 5 errors on the ram stick. I then put the same ram stick in the other slot and ran it for 23 passes and it had no errors. I think that i am going to test the other ram stick overnight too with both slots. once i have tested the RAM sticks again i will reply with the results. I really appreciate the advice you have given me thank you.​

 

[writhziden]

You're welcome. It is possible it is the RAM module that has failed and memtest86+ just did not catch the errors the second time, but it is also equally possible you have a bad module slot. Your troubleshooting strategy is sound to check the slot to be sure.

Best of luck finding the culprit! Look forward to you posting back with your results when you are able to do so. No rush.

 

[anj123]

Hi writhziden, I have finally tested the RAM sticks for a third time but i first disconnected the hard drive before i ran memtest86 as i thought it might be interfering with memtest86. I tested both of the ram sticks overnight for like 24 to 35 passes i got no errors. The first time i did the test, memtest picked up no errors but i only ran it for 7 passes but the second time i got 5 errors on one of the ram sticks when i left it running overnight. However when i tested the ram sticks the third time overnight there were no errors. I also ran the widows memory diagnostic each time and it too said there were no errors. I feel now that because i have done the test three times that the ram may not be the cause of the BSOD. What do you think and Please could you tell what else i could do to solve this BSOD? Thank you.

 

[writhziden]

If you get errors in Memtest86+, it always means there is something wrong with the memory. That may not mean the memory is failing, however. It could just mean the timings or voltages are not configured properly.

• Download and install CPU-Z and Upload screenshots of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs. In the SPD tab, upload an image of each slot.
  
  Also, go into your BIOS and post all Voltages (CPU, RAM, NB, IMC, etc.) and all RAM settings (timings, frequency, etc.)
  
  Thanks to Dave76 for help learning RAM Stability

 

[anj123]

Hi, thanks for the reply i have got the print screens from CPUz and i have taken pictures of the bios. Ive uploaded them so please when you get time could you take a look. Thank you!


CPUz images
View attachment 215412


Bios images
View attachment 215411

Thanks

 

[writhziden]

Manually set the first four timings to 9-9-9-20 and the command rate to 2. Bump the QPI/VTT Voltage to 1.2 V (or as close as you can get). See if the system runs more stable.

 

[anj123]

Hi, thanks for the quick response. I have changed the settings you said. I will let you know if the computer is more stable. Below are the changes i made to the bios.

Here are the timings changed
View attachment 215499
View attachment 215500

Here are is the QPI/VTT changed.
View attachment 215504

For the QPI/VTT i couldnt select 1.2volts so i just selected 1.19 volts. is that ok? or should i have selected 1.21 volts.

Thanks

 

[writhziden]

Should not matter whether you do 1.19 or 1.21, although 1.19 will cause less heat and is safer. Look forward to hearing back how the system responds with these changes made.

 

[anj123]

Hi mate, im afraid that the BSOD has occurred again. its happened three times in the same day but with different errors each time. Please could you have a look at the zip file when you have time.

View attachment 216137

Thank you

 

[writhziden]

Crashes indicate Windows corruption. Do the following:

• Read through steps 1-3 and 5-7 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164. Those are the only steps you need to do; no need to do a clean re-install (yet).
  
  
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html Windows 7.

 

[anj123]

Hi there writhziden i have followed all the steps you said to take. Hopefully this will have solved the BSOD. Thank you very much for helping me out. I will let you know if the BSOD has been solved but If the BSOD does however does continue i will post back. Thanks again.

 

[writhziden]

You're welcome. Thank you for keeping us updated. Look forward to finding out whether the problem was solved.

 

[anj123]

Hi there writhziden the bsod has happened again. I have attached the zip file. please could you take a look when you have time and suggest what i could do. thanks

View attachment 217336

 

[writhziden]

Your most recent crash was DirectX/graphics card related. DirectX comes installed with Windows, so this may indicate Windows corruption. It may also be that you have corrupted drivers or a graphics card hardware problem.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Check Windows for corruption. Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.

Follow the steps for Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX. To re-install your display card drivers as outlined in the DirectX link, use the following steps.

1. Download the drivers you want for your display card(s)
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For NVIDIA:
   • Uninstall the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (this should uninstall all NVIDIA software and drivers)
   • Restart your computer
   • Make sure NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver, NVIDIA 3D Vision Video Player, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and NVIDIA PhysX System Software are not still listed under Uninstall a program through Control Panel
   • If any remain of the above, uninstall one at a time
   • If asked to restart after uninstalling any of the above, do so, and continue uninstalling any remaining NVIDIA items until all are removed
6. Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
7. Install the driver you selected for the display cards once Windows starts

Remember to try multiple versions of the graphics drivers, download them fresh, and install the freshly downloaded drivers.

 

[anj123]

Hi, i have followed the steps you mentioned and then I have uploaded the SFC text file. Thanks and sorry for the late reply.

View attachment 218045

 

[writhziden]

SFC was clean. How are things going with the display card driver changing?

 

[anj123]

Hi, The driver that i downloaded was the same as the one installed. So i just uninstalled the current one and installed the new one. I got a bluescreen today please could you have a look, i have attached the file. could it be that the hard drive is faulty which is causing the BSOD.

View attachment 218331

Thanks

 

[writhziden]

The crash may have been caused by a corrupted install of Microsoft Security Essentials.

• Uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials from Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program.
• Download a fresh installer for the software from Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
• Install the fresh version of Microsoft Security Essentials

Also, the crash still points to memory, so if the above does not resolve it, remove one stick of RAM and see if the system runs more stable. Test the memory slots and modules as follows.

1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all power sources to the tower (unplug the power from the outlet/surge protector or PSU).
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds (for your safety and the safety of the components) to close the circuit and drain all power from components.
4. Remove the casing.
5. Remove all but one memory module making sure you are grounded while doing so.
6. Replace the casing and put the remaining memory modules in a safe, static free environment.
7. If the problem persists, repeat steps 1-4 and move the memory module to another slot (while staying grounded, of course).

Do this until all slots have been tested. If all slots fail, the memory module may be bad. Test with one of the remaining modules. Continue one module at a time in one slot at a time until you find a good module and good slot. Test remaining modules in the good slot, test good modules in other slots to find bad slots, etc.


Test by doing your normal routine in Windows for twice as long as it takes to get a crash or until you get a crash, whichever comes first. You can also test by doing the tasks that generally cause crashes.