Solved Random BSOD's, error 0x0000003b... I don't know what to do!

[Savoysuit]

Hi guys, I have gotten a few more BSODS... I have attached the information.

This morning I turned on driver verifier (I'm trying everything OTHER than actually having to open the laptop)... when I loaded GPU-Z it froze and gave me a BSOD, so I decided to report that here...

I've been out of touch for a few days because I'm moving, I should be able to see any responses I get now though

thanks guys!

p.s. should I now turn off driver verifier?

 

[writhziden]

Your blue screens have system files in common, and possibly memory issues in common. We've already run memory tests, so try running http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html. You may have to run it three times to fix all issues. Then report back.

 

[Savoysuit]

So I ran it FOUR times just to be sure... and each time it reported back that there were no violations...

 

[writhziden]

Alright, that means everything checks out. I'm afraid that we're likely looking at a memory issue as we had suspected. Regardless of what country you are in, the warranty should cover you. You may have to read the terms to be sure. You really should send the laptop in and have it serviced. If you cannot, take it to a computer store and find out what your options are. They may be able to repair the memory issue at a fair price.

Before you take it in, you are welcome to try one more thing:

1. Click Start Menu
2. Click My Computer
3. For each drive containing system files or program files do steps 4-9
4. Right click the drive and click Properties
5. Click the tools tab
6. Click Check now...
7. Tick Automatically fix file system errors
8. Click OK
9. If prompted, click schedule disk check (the next time the computer starts)
10. Restart your computer.

 

[Savoysuit]

yes, sadly I have done that a couple times as well

If, perhaps I could open the computer myself (sending it in for warranty would take FOREVER... since I'm in Europe and I bought it in North America... and I have lots of stuff I don't want to lose on it)... would it be wise to just buy new RAM and put that in? It's not too expensive...

 

[writhziden]

yes, sadly I have done that a couple times as well

If, perhaps I could open the computer myself (sending it in for warranty would take FOREVER... since I'm in Europe and I bought it in North America... and I have lots of stuff I don't want to lose on it)... would it be wise to just buy new RAM and put that in? It's not too expensive...

You need to determine how to access your RAM first. Go to the vendor's site and find your model and download the manual for it to see if it is feasible for you to do.

 

[Savoysuit]

Well it is technically possible, as I have seen detailed Youtube videos on how to do it... with my exact model. It isn't easy the whole way, but it can be done. Would replacing the RAM be a good idea?

 

[writhziden]

You will first want to determine which RAM is bad and try to find the same manufacturer and frequency for that module. To do so, run Memtest86+ as described in the tutorial linked in post #6, paying close attention to part 3 of that tutorial.

 

[Savoysuit]

No, I mean what if I just replaced all of them? I believe I currently have 4 sticks for a total of 8 gigs of RAM. Testing each one would be very cumbersome and difficult with how my laptop hardware is laid out. Essentially I have 2 slots of RAM facing down (under the laptop) and two slots facing up (that are under the keyboard). I was thinking if I could remove all 4 and replace them with 2 sticks of 4 gigs each... in the slots facing downward. Would that be a good idea? If the RAM is causing problems, then that would solve the problem right?

 

[writhziden]

No, I mean what if I just replaced all of them? I believe I currently have 4 sticks for a total of 8 gigs of RAM. Testing each one would be very cumbersome and difficult with how my laptop hardware is laid out. Essentially I have 2 slots of RAM facing down (under the laptop) and two slots facing up (that are under the keyboard). I was thinking if I could remove all 4 and replace them with 2 sticks of 4 gigs each... in the slots facing downward. Would that be a good idea? If the RAM is causing problems, then that would solve the problem right?

Not necessarily. The reason we recommend the method in part 3 of Memtest86+ is the slots could just as easily be bad, so replacing the RAM into bad slots would not fix the issue.

 

[Savoysuit]

ok thanks.

One last time... before I try to fiddle with hardware. I got another few crashes with the regular msg... but then the latest one wa a new code, one that I hadn't seen before. I thought I would submit that to you before I open up the laptop, and see if it helps any. If you could look at it, I'd very much appreciate it

cheers!

 

[writhziden]

ok thanks.

One last time... before I try to fiddle with hardware. I got another few crashes with the regular msg... but then the latest one wa a new code, one that I hadn't seen before. I thought I would submit that to you before I open up the laptop, and see if it helps any. If you could look at it, I'd very much appreciate it

cheers!

The last one was hard drive related and requires a chkdsk to fix; it could mean your hard drive is failing, but I highly doubt it. More likely, the hard drive had not finished writing when the memory corruption blue screen error occurred. Sorry to say, but it still looks like a memory issue. Let us know how things go when you test the memory out.

 

[Savoysuit]

Opening up my laptop and testing each RAM module is way too stressful for me (especially testing the stuff UNDER the keyboard. So... I'm gonna take a chance.

On the spur of the moment I bought new RAM... two sticks of 4GB. Kingston... and it's 1333 mhz. So... I opened up the case, removed the old RAM and put in the new RAM in the bottom (back) slots. Let's hope that solved it! It says that it's running Dual channel thankfully.

It wasn't a very expensive solution... I NEED to have this PC working (for my work).... so if I have to take a chance and spend some money, then so be it.

If it wasn't the RAM modules and it was the RAM slots, then hopefully I can put the 2 sticks into the slots that are working well.

I'll let you know how it goes! *fingers crossed*.

 

[writhziden]

Opening up my laptop and testing each RAM module is way too stressful for me (especially testing the stuff UNDER the keyboard. So... I'm gonna take a chance.

On the spur of the moment I bought new RAM... two sticks of 4GB. Kingston... and it's 1333 mhz. So... I opened up the case, removed the old RAM and put in the new RAM in the bottom (back) slots. Let's hope that solved it! It says that it's running Dual channel thankfully.

It wasn't a very expensive solution... I NEED to have this PC working (for my work).... so if I have to take a chance and spend some money, then so be it.

If it wasn't the RAM modules and it was the RAM slots, then hopefully I can put the 2 sticks into the slots that are working well.

I'll let you know how it goes! *fingers crossed*.

Alright, keep us updated. Hope it works out!

 

[Savoysuit]

So.... I ran memtest again... got 1 error. However, I have not had 1 BSOD since I installed the new RAM... so I'm thinking it might be fixed! I know 1 error isn't perfect, but things seem to be stable....

 

[writhziden]

So.... I ran memtest again... got 1 error. However, I have not had 1 BSOD since I installed the new RAM... so I'm thinking it might be fixed! I know 1 error isn't perfect, but things seem to be stable....

Sounds promising, but you will probably need to run it for about a week to determine whether it really is stable. Hopefully it is, though.

Let us know how it is running in a week or so. Good luck!

 

[Savoysuit]

you mean run the computer for a week, or run memtest for a week (again sorry for my lack of knowledge)

 

[writhziden]

you mean run the computer for a week, or run memtest for a week (again sorry for my lack of knowledge)

The computer. Memtest just needs to run for 7 passes, or ~8-10 hours.

And when I say run it for a week, I just mean use your computer as you normally would. You don't need to leave it on at night or anything.

 

[Savoysuit]

oh ok, thanks

 

[Savoysuit]

so it's been a week and a half since I put in the new memory, and not one crash. I guess that fixed it!

thanks for all your help!