Solved Random BSODs Multiple Stop Codes

[Larhleolynx]

Hi there,

I've had this PC for several years now, and its always been quirky but manageable. Just recently though I've been having increased BSODs and I've tried everything I can think of to mitigate the issues.

When I first started installing Windows 7 on the machine when I got it I had a few random BSODs which I believe were bios setting related. I managed to fix those, and have a fairly stable machine. One BSOD a month perhaps. I tried a few times to fix the underlying issue to no avail. Including updating the BIOS on the motherboard. This particular motherboard from Gigabyte (GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3) came with BIOS version F8 which I updated to BIOS F12 but later was updated to a UEFI BIOS U1H. I had major issues with UEFI BIOS U1H so I reverted to BIOS F12 and lived with the once a month BSOD occurrences.

I've run MemTest86+ to make sure the memory is good, and I've had no errors from them. I've tried different SATA controllers on the motherboard, disabling parts of the motherboard I don't use like the Firewire, LAN, sound card, graphics, and serial port.

Just recently, within the last 2 weeks my BSODs have become once a day or more depending on how hard I push the computer. I cannot install a game called ArcheAge as the game files become corrupt after downloading and the computer BSODs during decompression of the files. I've also lost my Home Group and cannot seem to reconnect to it, I also lose my internet connection randomly but not my router connection. I've tested both of my hard drives alone to see if one or the other might be failing but I get BSOD with either of them or both connected. I'm at my wits end honestly. If anyone can find a fix for me I'd be grateful.

Note: In an attempt to fix the issues, I have flashed the BIOS to U1L and formatted the SSD and reinstalled Windows 7, BSODs persist.

 

[Larhleolynx]

While waiting for a reply I was browsing other posts and read that Memtest should be ran for 8 passes. So as I only ran it for 2 passes this afternoon I have restarted Memtest and will let it run for 8 total passes.

 

[Arc]

Hi Larhleolynx.

The versatility of the bugcheck codes are a nice indication of failing memory. Though a failing memory is not necessarily a failing RAM, but that is the first place to look at.

You decided it rightly to complete the 8 continuous passes of memtest86+. For your 16 GB RAM, it will take a long time.

Let us know the result. We will go for any further troubleshooting depending on the result.

 

[Larhleolynx]

Hey there Arc,

So Memtest6 has done 8 passes and is 75% through the 9th with no errors. I'll let it continue while I'm busy with some other work. What is the next step if the memory does not fault?

 

[Arc]

The next step is to enable Driver Verifier to monitor the drivers.

Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable
​

Run Driver Verifier for 24 hours or the occurrence of the next crash, whichever is earlier.

   Information

Why Driver Verifier:
It puts a stress on the drivers, ans so it makes the unstable drivers crash. Hopefully the driver that crashes is recorded in the memory dump.

How Can we know that DV is enabled:
It will make the system bit of slow, laggy.

   Warning

Before enabling DV, make it sure that you have earlier System restore points made in your computer. You can check it easily by using CCleaner looking at Tools > System Restore.

If there is no points, make a System Restore Point manually before enabling DV.

   Tip

• If you fail to get on the Desktop because of DV, Boot into Advanced Boot Options > Safe mode. Disable DV there. Now boot normally again, and try following the instruction of enabling DV again.
• If you cannot boot in Safe mode too, do a System Restore to a point you made earlier.

Let us know the results, with the subsequent crash dumps, if any.

 

[Larhleolynx]

I left Memtest86 chugging along over the 2nd night it completed 12 passes and 75% of the 13th with zero errors. I'm now attempting the driver verifier step.

Edit - The computer crashed. No BSoD this time just scrambled screen as attached photo will show. No dump file was created...

 

[Arc]

Did it happen during memory test?

 

[Larhleolynx]

No I was attempting to install Archeage since its a known reason for the system to BSOD. I was trying to get a .dmp file with Driver Verifier turned on. But it didn't produce a.dmp file I assume because the PC froze up completely.

 

[Arc]

Have a try. Uninstall the driver to ASUS Xonar Xense and then install Version 7.12.8.1794 from ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download Xonar Xense

Then see how it goes.

 

[essenbe]

Sorry to jump in the thread, but isn't Archeage a Beta game? You are the second person who has had a lot of trouble with the game. I'm just wondering if it could be a coding problem and if the game forum may shed some light on it? I'm gone now, just wanted to throw that out,

 

[Larhleolynx]

I completely agree that Archeage could be causing it itself. But I know the computer has some underlying issue as it has had blue screens since I built it. It definitely hates Windows 7 installing. I typically have to mess with BIOS settings before the OS will install without a blue screen. File transferring across hard drives tens to cause Bsod as well. But most are just random.

Also with Driver Verifier on the PC was idling while I went to make lunch and it locked up hard again. No dmp file created

 

[Arc]

The Official ArcheAge Forums

 

[essenbe]

You have one of the best BSOD Analysis's around helping you, so I'll but out and let him do his work without interruption. I just wanted to mention that game.

 

[Larhleolynx]

So the computer kept freezing up hard with Driver Verifier on within 10 to 15 minutes no matter what the PC was doing idling or file transfers, is this regular behaviour for Driver Verifier running? Or should the PC just be laggy. No .dmp files were ever created, I suspect due to the hard freezing.

Would it help if I stripped all the non essential hardware out of the PC and tested as I built it back together? Or would that be a waste of time?

Edit1 - On a whim I moved the ASUS Xonar Xense sound card from the 2nd PCIe 3.0 x16 slot to the very top PCIe 2.0 x1 slot above the graphics card. I don't know if this will help the problem. But I think it could have been causing an issue perhaps.

 

[Larhleolynx]

I've had 3 new crashes. One produced a .dmp file. I had turned Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Firewall off to download ArcheAge and see if the info on the forums for the game was correct that antivirus and firewall settings were causing the issue. (They were not, same crash happened no .dmp files)

Anyway when I tried to turn MSE back on, thats when the BSOD happened, and the new .dmp file arrived.

 

[essenbe]

Arc is not online right now and he will look at the files when he comes back online. I will show you what I found. Arc will surely find things I missed, but this should get you going,

 RTL8192cu
start             end                 module name
fffff880`0285d000 fffff880`0299f000   RTL8192cu T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: RTL8192cu.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\RTL8192cu.sys
    Image name: RTL8192cu.sys
    Timestamp:        Fri [COLOR=red]Mar 25 02:54:21 2011[/COLOR] (4D8C4A2D)
    CheckSum:         000E880B
    ImageSize:        00142000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

that is your Realtek RTL8192C Wireless USB drive It is pretty old and should be updated from the Manfacturer if it is your USB dongle. Anything that is a part of the Motherboard can be updated from their site for your particular board. Make sure this is the site for your board. If so, all the Motherboard drivers can be found here. I never use the driver disk, The web site has more updated drivers http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3853#dl

cmudaxp
start             end                 module name
fffff880`0707d000 fffff880`073a8000   cmudaxp  T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: cmudaxp.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\cmudaxp.sys
    Image name: cmudaxp.sys
    Timestamp:        [COLOR=red]Thu Mar 10 01:44:15 2011[/COLOR] (4D78814F)
    CheckSum:         002A05E0
    ImageSize:        0032B000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e

Your C-Media Audio Interface Driver (WDM) by C-Media
ASUS Xonar DG Audio Interface driver Asus site for your card should have updated drivers. With all of these drivers, make sure you are getting the correct Windows 7 version for your board.

iaStorA
start             end                 module name
fffff880`01280000 fffff880`0153a000   iaStorA  T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: iaStorA.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\iaStorA.sys
    Image name: [COLOR=red]iaStorA.sys[/COLOR]
    Timestamp:        Thu Aug 01 20:39:52 2013 (51FB0DE8)
    CheckSum:         000AC609
    ImageSize:        002BA000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

That is your Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) driver Update the driver from the Gigabyte web site Or, if Gigabyte does not have an updated driver, you can try the Intel® Driver Update Utility . I recommend you make sure your OCZ SSD firmware is up to date, if not update it. You should be able to do that here Download OCZ Toolbox and Firmware Updates. After doing that I suggest you download and run Western Digital's Data Lifeguard for DOS on your Western Digital drive. Rub the long and the short tests. The instructions and download are on this page WD Support / Downloads / SATA & SAS / WD Black. Is your sata controller in BIOS set to raid? If it is set to AHCI or IDE, if you upgrade your SSD Firmware and test your mechanical drive and no problems are found, and you have another dump listing IaStor, uninstall it.

 atikmdag
start             end                 module name
fffff880`0f4a3000 fffff880`103b3000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        Thu Apr 17 21:13:16 2014 (53508A3C)
    CheckSum:         00EAEEE6
    ImageSize:        00F10000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

That is your graphics card driver. Update it to the latest version. If that is the latest version, check for an earlier more stable version. I wouldn't try the Beta drivers, stay with the WHQL drivers. Here is the way to update it. It will give you a clean install and not put drivers in your system you don't use and which can conflict with other drivers.

I am going to give you some links that will help you get a good clean install and not have any drivers you don't need that will conflict with other drivers. Download a WHQL driver from http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/329659-latest-amd-catalyst-video-driver-windows-7-a.html . Once you have them downloaded, uninstall you current driver from control panel. next clean up any left over drivers from following this tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/83814-drivers-clean-left-over-files-after-uninstalling.html and select only ATI Display Drivers. After you have done that and rebooted, install the new driver, only select custom install and install only what you have to. Very few people need most of what they include. You do not need the audio/HDMI drivers as you already have that in your Motherboard drivers. Unless there is some reason you need them, the only thing you really need is the Display Driver.

 

[Arc]

In addition, I would remind to follow post #9.

 

[Larhleolynx]

I'm currently running the extended Data Life Guard test on the WD drive. Approx 3 hours left. All drivers and firmware are as upto date as the manufacturers have listed on their sites, atleaat to the best of my abilities and knowledge. Perhaps Realtek and C-media would have a newer driver offering for the wireless adapter and soundcard respectively? I have uninstalled the sound card drivers and reinstalled them as per post #9. Thank you both for your continued patience and support I do appreciate it immensely.

 

[Arc]

Unfortunately there is not a newer update for the sound card driver.

 

[Larhleolynx]

So, I spent the entire day attempting to fix this Bsod issue along with fixing a friend computer. Friends PC is all fixed. Mine might be as well. I ended up breaking down all the hardware and re-seating everything. I also uninstalled iaStorA and everything seems stable right now. I just need to install my Radeon graphics card drivers again. I will update tomorrow.