Random BSOD usually at start up

[nusters]

I keep getting random blue screens. It mostly happens when starting up but can also happen when using the computer. There doesn't seem to be any particular program that's in use when it blue screens. The error codes also differ each time.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[koolkat77]

Welcome

Are you having Zone Alarm installed in your computer? If yes, uninstall it and see if the problem persists.

• Google

 

[nusters]

I do. I'll give that a go. Thanks

 

[koolkat77]

No problem. Keep us posted of further BSoDs

 

[nusters]

I'm back. Another BSOD, new mini dump attached. I'm afraid I wasn't the one on the PC at the time so I can't provide any further information about when it happened.

 

[koolkat77]

STOP 0x0000003B: SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION  
Usual causes:  System service, Device driver, graphics driver, ?memory
BugCheck 3B, {c0000005, fffff80003167ec5, fffff88006a53b40, 0}
Probably caused by : memory_corruption ( nt!MiGetTopLevelPfn+65 )

Update to the latest driver for your "Standard VGA Graphics Adapter" Check for it in optional windows update.
Source: vgapnp.sys: VGA/Super VGA Video Driver Windows Update

• Driver Reference Table

Run Disk Check on your hard disk for file system errors and bad sectors on it:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Take memtest. Run for 8 passes and test each stick in a know good slot for an additional 6 passes.

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html
• Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums

The goal is to test all the RAM sticks and all the motherboard slots.

Check your motherboard manual to ensure the RAM sticks are in the recommended motherboard slots. Some motherboards have very specific slots required for the number of RAM sticks installed.

If you get errors, stop the test and continue with the next step.

1. Remove all but one stick of RAM from your computer (this will be RAM stick #1), and run Memtest86 again, for 7 passes.
Be sure to note the RAM stick, use a piece of tape with a number, and note the motherboard slot.
If this stick passes the test then go to step #3.

2. If RAM stick #1 has errors, repeat the test with RAM stick #2 in the same motherboard slot.
If RAM stick #2 passes, this indicates that RAM stick #1 may be bad. If you want to be absolutely sure, re-test RAM stick #1 in another known good slot.
If RAM stick #2 has errors, this indicates another possible bad RAM stick, a possible motherboard slot failure or inadequate settings.
3. Test the next stick of RAM (stick #2) in the next motherboard slot.
If this RAM stick has errors repeat step #2 using a known good stick if possible, or another stick.
If this RAM stick has no errors and both sticks failed in slot#1, test RAM stick #1 in this slot.
4. If you find a stick that passes the test, test it in all the other motherboard slots.

If Part 2 testing shows errors, and all tests in Part 3 show errors, you will need to test the RAM sticks in another computer and/or test other RAM in your computer to identify the problem.

In this way, you can identify whether it is a bad stick of RAM, a bad motherboard, or incompatibility between the sticks.

 

[nusters]

OK, so that took a lot longer than I imagined.

I updated the graphics driver and got BSOD as soon as I attempted to log in. Tried and failed 3 times to log in before I went into safe mode and rolled back the driver.

I then ran check disk and no errors found.

I ran memtest and got an error so stopped it and went through the above instructions, stick by stick, slot by slot but didn't get a single error. I then put all 4 sticks back in, ran memtest again and it went through the full 8 passes without any errors.

I then decided to try to updating the graphics driver again and straight away got BSOD. PFN_LIST_CORRUPT 0x0000004E the first time, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION 0x0000003B the 2nd. I rolled back the driver.

So I’m back to the old Standard VGA Graphics. I’m not sure what happened on the first run of memtest, I’m guessing one or more of the sticks was loose or not quite pushed in properly?

The last memtest with all 4 sticks was just last night so I’ll use the comp over the next week and see if that fixed the issue. Will keep you updated.

 

[koolkat77]

Continue with memtest.

For monitoring the heat/celsius of the system, use Speccy or HWinfo:

• Speccy - System Information - Free Download
• CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

Upload a screenshot of your hard disk using crystal disk info and HDD health:

• HDD Health - CNET Download.com
• CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html