Solved Random BSODs during different tasks each time

[donmerdjan]

Hi,

I wonder if you guys would help me figure this mystery out, about my PC giving me random BSODs. I don't remember when this started, but at the beginning was very rare, maybe once in a few months. Recently, it is happening more often - once a week, and some days couple times a day.

I did some research and performed the following:

1. Windows Update - recent
2. Drivers - up to date
3. Checked for viruses - Kaspersky IS (always running); Malwarebytes; Comodo Cleaning Esentials; ComboFix (bleepingcomputers) - all clean.
4. MemTest - run for almost a day - No errors
5. Chkdsk - no problems.

After that, I installed the WinDbg and tried to debug the crash dumps. It was showing that dxgmms.sys was probably the cause. Uninstalled my graphics drivers completely, and downloaded the latest from ATI, installed and rebooted. The PC was working for a week without any sign of a BSOD. I thought that I fixed it, but suddenly, it happen again. I was just browsing the internet. Not playing games or anything like that. The debugger showed the dxgmms as the problem again.

Followed some instructions and enabled Driver Verifier. After a day running on it, the computer crashed again. (The last two dumps in the zip file are Driver_Verifier_Enabled dumps). Turned off the verifier and tried to debugg, but the tool is getting stuck at "Loading Symbols" and it stays for hours like that.

Downloaded the BlueScreenView and it shows that the last two dumps (verifier enabled) are caused by ntkmpla.exe and snapman.sys

The weird thing for me is, that the snapman never showed before as a problematic. So my question is, is it my CPU failing or a driver issue?

My system is custom made: MSI K9N SLI Platinum, 4GB Corsair Memory; AMD Athlon 64 X2; ATI Radeon HD5570

The system is almost 5 years old, except the ATI - 2 years old.

The original OS was XP Pro, then I did a fresh install of Retail Windows 7 Ultimate x86, 3 years ago. Never reinstalled since then. I've had a faulty HDD, an year ago, and replaced it with cloning.

I hope you guys help me with this. Attached you may find all the required reports.

Thanks in advance.

Don

 

[zigzag3143]

First all of the chrashes were memory exceptions. Usually caused by a driver, or RAM. The two verified crashes point to an OS file which is highly unlikely. Please run a system file check to confirm.

The other crashes all point to your directX which seems to make more sense, but can be cuased by your video driver, heat, power, video card, etc.

I would run the system file check and read here for directX. If I were you I would also re-install the most recent video driver using the below method.


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7




Run DirectX Diagnostic Tool


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.

 

[donmerdjan]

Dear zigzag3143,

Thanks for the quick response and highly appreciate your help.

1. Did the SFC three times and the result says "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the log..."

I have included the log to my post. I am not sure how to read that file and where to look for corrupt files.

2. Ran the Dxdiag and have included the report. Everything seems to be OK. It only says under the Sound tab, that the drivers are not digitally signed. I have Asus Xonar DS sound card and I downloaded the drivers straight from asus.com and they are up to date.

3. When I remove the drivers, should I first uninstall ATI Catalyc Control Center and then use the Sweeper?

Thank you so much for your time.

Don

 

[zigzag3143]

Unable to fix means you need to do a repair install.

 

[donmerdjan]

Followed your recommendations and performed repair install. Did SFC again after it and found no errors.

Should I reinstall the graphics drivers as you recommended or wait to see if there will be another BSOD?
And if I remove the drivers, should I first uninstall ATI Catalyc Control Center and then use the Sweeper or straight to the Sweeper?

Thanks again.

 

[zigzag3143]

Lets wait and see if the problem has been resolved. We dont want to introduce any further variables unless we have to.

Good Job BTW

 

[donmerdjan]

My PC crashed again this morning. It was working fine for the last few days and I had hopes that the repair install of the OS had fixed it. But unfortunately, no.

The WinDbg points again to dxgmms.sys. Attached you may find the latest crash dump.

Should I go ahead and reinstall the graphics drivers? How exactly should I proceed?
I assume:

1. Uninstall ATI Catalyc Control Center with the programs uninstaller.
2. Run Driver Sweeper.

Thanks in advance.
Don

 

[writhziden]

Your 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; even after a repair install, there can still be corruption. It may be you have bad installation media, or it may be your OS is damaged beyond the ability of even a repair install to fix which would require a clean install.
  
  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. For AMD:
   • Uninstall AMD Catalyst Install Manager if it is listed (this should remove all AMD graphics software and drivers)
   • If AMD Catalyst Install Manager is not listed, use the following method to uninstall the graphics drivers (this applies to onboard graphics, as well):
     1. Click Start Menu
     2. Right Click My Computer/Computer
     3. Click Manage
     4. Click Device Manager from the list on the left
     5. Expand Display adapters
     6. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
        
        Alternatively:
        1. Login as an adminstrative user
        2. Click Start Menu
        3. Click Control Panel
        4. Click Hardware and Sound
        5. Click Device Manager (the last link under Devices and Printers)
        6. Expand Display adapters
        7. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
           • Right click the adapter
           • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
           • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
7. Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
8. 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.

 

[donmerdjan]

I think I solved the mystery around my PC. It hasn't been showing Blue Screens for almost a month.

What I did was to overclock my Graphic Card a little bit. I used the AMD Overdrive and moved the sliders for the GPU clock settings, as well as the Memory Clock settings, with just couple steps to the right.

So far, almost a month without BSODs. I will re-post if it happen again.

I hope this helps other people in their efforts to eliminate the BSODs.

Thanks

 

[writhziden]

The first step with system instability is to turn off all overclocking. I won't argue that it may have worked for you, but I would not suggest it for other users having problems.

In your case, if it is working, don't change anything.