Random BSODs or message saying no bootable device

[joeya]

My Toshiba Satellite laptop crashes at very random times. Sometimes not for a day or two, sometimes once a day, sometimes 6 + times a day. I either get a blue screen with error code 0x00000f4 and sometimes with the black screen. I will upload screen shots of it.

and

Have tried system restore, deleting any new or somewhat newly installed programs. Scanned with microsoft security essentials and avast antivirus. None of these has helped.

Any clue? Any help is VERY appreciated. Thank you.




EDIT: Trying to add the files of crash report like suggested. Hope I did it right.

 

[joeya]

Forgot to mention. Many times it crashes when watching/listening to something the sound starts skipping for a few seconds before completely crashing. Not sure if that could be a problem with a sound driver? Sorry for more info. Just want to be as detailed as I can in hopes of finding the correct problem, correct solution. I also purchased it in January of this year so can we rule out the hard drive dying already? Thank you.

 

[koolkat77]

Bugcheck F4 is usually hard drive/storage related.

Upload a screenshot of your hard disk using crystal disk info:

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

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

Hard drive test both short and long with:

• SeaTools for Windows

Also the DOS version of:

• SeaTools for DOS
• and a Guide SeaTools for DOS tutorial

Also keeping two antiviruses will rather create conflicts. Did you remove MSE before installing Avast?
Run this tool and delete anything it finds:

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller

ESET online scanner:

• Free Online Virus Scanner | ESET

Let us know the results

 

[joeya]

First off, thank you!

I will upload the screenshots from CrystalDisk. Had to use SafeMode for easier use. Sorry for larger font.
Also ran the run disk check, nothing was deemed an error or problem. About to DL SeaTools. Wanted to post this screen shots beforehand. And I only had Avast. I DL'd Microsoft Essentials because someone suggested it. Have only been using Avast for the most part.

http://oi49.tinypic.com/spxksi.jpg

 

[koolkat77]

Avast can contribute in BSOD-s so I'd suggest you to uninstall it for the time being. Keep MSE only.

Download and install HDD health and post a screen shot of it too.
HDD Health - CNET Download.com

Is the laptop under its warranty?

 

[joeya]

Uninstalled Avast. Did the scannings with the other links posted. Nothing is noted.

Here's the screenshot from HDD Health.

According to Toshiba's site with info entered, the warranty is good until January 2013. Any clue what the problem is?

 

[koolkat77]

Did you test with seatools as yet? Let us know the results.
Can you post a snip of the result of S.M.A.R.T using speccy? You'll have to click on the "Hard Drives" tab.

• Speccy - System Information - Free Download

Speccy can also be used for monitoring temperatures of all hardware.

 

[joeya]

Seatools did not show anything. I did a complete system restore back to factory settings (after transferring files to my external) to make sure it wasn't something of my own fault, any of my files that was causing the problem as I'd assume I would have to contact Toshiba this week if it continues.

Screen shots from Speccy:

 

[koolkat77]

Looks ok. And contacting toshiba is a good idea.

Can you test the ram sticks?

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.