Solved Random BSODs

[wisecraker1]

Hello,

I have had an issue with my HP laptop for a few months now. It crashes at least twice a day when I'm using it, often having separate causes. It will crash while playing a game, i.e. Skyrim, Borderlands 2 or Minecraft; while recording with FRAPS, while surfing the internet with Safari and/or Internet Explorer, or simply while sitting idle with no open programs.

I have been attempting to diagnose the issue, Memtest was ran for 6 passes, after which zero errors were found. SFC/scannow command was ran in CMD and found no errors, Chkdsk was also run and found zero errors.

I have been in contact with HP about the issue, and their solution was to have me send in the laptop and they would diagnose it. They just replaced the ram, reloaded the OS and sent it back. It crashed the first day I got it back, shortly after taking it out of the box, as well as intermittently thereafter.

I also have updated all drivers, and tried other versions of drivers as well.

I am attaching the SF Diagnostic Tool Zipped Folder as well.

-Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[koolkat77]

Welcome to SevenForums.

* How old is the laptop?
* Have you checked for any accumulated dust?
* Overheating issues?
* Any BSOD-s in safe mode?

Your video card drivers are out of date.

Driver	c:\windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys (8.17.12.9555, 13.66 MB (14,324,544 bytes), 1/2/2011 2:49 AM)

METHOD:

Click on the Start rb: ► Control Panel ► Programs ► Uninstall a program ► Uninstall everything related to NVIDIA and restart the system. Delete remnants of its drivers/older drivers using Driver Fusion/Sweeper

Link: NVIDIA Driver Downloads - Automatically Detect NVIDIA Products

Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html

Monitor your temps with Speccy during these tests

• Speccy - System Information - Free Download

Video Card - Memory Test

• |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download

---

Norton is known to cause BSOD, consider uninstalling it with the Norton Removal Tool and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials at least to test.

• Norton Removal Tool

Microsoft Security Essentials.

Recommended from a strict BSOD perspective, compatibility & stability compared to other antiviruses/internet security software. It is free and lightweight:-
​

• Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
  
  • Malwarebytes - Free
    • http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/206705-good-free-system-security-combination.html

:ar: Do not start the free trial of Malware Bytes; remember to deselect that option when prompted.

Run a full scan with both (separately) once downloaded, installed and updated.

---

Hard drive

Upload a screenshot of your hard disk using CrystalDiskInfo:

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

Make a hard drive test from the hard drive manufacturers website:

• Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

---

Reduce items at start-up. Nothing except anti-virus is required:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

---

Perform a System File Check:

• Click on the start rb:
• Type CMD on Search
• Left click and Run as Administrator
• Type SFC /scannow

Full tutorial here:

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

---

If the above does not bring stability run memtest:

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

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.

   Information

Errors are sometimes found after 8 passes.

   Tip

Do this test overnight, before going to bed.

Post back your results.

 

[wisecraker1]

Sorry for the delay

The Laptop is new. I actually just got finished with another round with HP in which they simply decided the best course of action is to replace the laptop. However, the BSOD's are still occuring. I have tried updating all drivers that I can, and even uninstalling one completely, and using the generic Microsoft driver.

No accumulated dust, and temperatures never go above 75* C (for the GT 650m) and 80* C for the i7-3610qm

Norton has been removed, and MSE has been installed. A majority of my BSOD's are ntoskrnl.exe, fltmgr.sys, and ntfs.sys

Those are the frequent ones that I was also experiencing with my previous laptop.

SFC/scannow was also run, no integrity violations. Memtest ran for 8 passes, no errors found.


I am at a loss as to what is causing the crashes.

Is it possible the OEM operating system from HP is buggy?

 

[koolkat77]

Do you mean you're getting BSOD-s on a new laptop?
Please upload the latest dump files.

Have you reinstalled windows? Does it still crash?

NTFS.sys and fltmgr.sys sound like a hard drive problem. Does the laptop have a SSD or a HDD?

You may want to start with a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html. Do not install the factory bloatware that comes with the system. Go through this link: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html for that.

Let us know the results.

 

[wisecraker1]

I have not reinstalled windows on this laptop. Previously I did do a factory re-install. I will do the steps provided and get back with you.

 

[koolkat77]

Take your time.
Look forward to the results.

 

[wisecraker1]

Before I jump into formatting and reinstalling the OS, is it possible that an external HDD may be the cause of my BSOD's?
I use a 1TB Seagate USB 3.0 HDD
I am attaching a new .zip with the SF Diagnostic Tool results.

Edit: The BSOD's don't always occur when the HDD is connected. But, it is/was (as far as I know) connected within the same boot. Would formatting the External HDD help be worth trying even though Chkdsk /f and /g showed no errors?

 

[koolkat77]

Crashes are all over the place. I would do a clean install.
Anyway, can you upload screenshot using crystal disk linked on my first reply?

BTW, do you get BSOD-s in safe mode?​

Edit, I saw them.

They look OK.

 

[wisecraker1]

I have not experienced a BSOD in safe mode. I'm not often in safe mode for too long though (a few hours one day).

 

[koolkat77]

How many hours?

Can you stay in safe mode for 12 hours and report if you got blue screens?

 

[wisecraker1]

Oops. I already installed the retail version of the OS. If I get another blue screen, I'll keep it in safe mode for 12 hours.

 

[koolkat77]

Oh that's great!

Now carefully install the drivers(from appropriate source) and programs I listed.

Update the thread if you get a BSOD.

 

[wisecraker1]

Okay, most drivers are updated.
And my essential programs are installed as well:
FRAPS, Adobe Premiere Elements 10, Cygwin, Putty, FileZilla, Java, adobe flash, safari 5.0, Nvidia system monitor(Nvidia driver 310.90).

Are all of these okay?

 

[koolkat77]

Okay, most drivers are updated.
And my essential programs are installed as well:
FRAPS, Adobe Premiere Elements 10, Cygwin, Putty, FileZilla, Java, adobe flash, safari 5.0, Nvidia system monitor(Nvidia driver 310.90).

Are all of these okay?

Yup

 

[wisecraker1]

Good news, my computer has only BSOD'd twice since the clean install. However, it didn't generate a .dmp file. I think it is an issue with my Bluetooth mouse [HP x4000b]. Well, the driver for it. However, I am using the most up to date driver for the Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230. I suspect it because both times it crashed it was when my PC was idle for a few minutes and then I came back and tried to use the mouse and just after I did, it would crash. Is there any way around this?

Edit: Also, when the mouse is on, and Windows restarts, I get a black screen, instead of the Windows Logo, that only goes away once I turn the mouse off. Noticed this when updates were installing.

 

[koolkat77]

Also, when the mouse is on, and Windows restarts, I get a black screen, instead of the Windows Logo, that only goes away once I turn the mouse off. Noticed this when updates were installing.

This indicates hardware issue.

Since warranty isn't up yet, you should take the laptop to the vendor.

 

[wisecraker1]

Hmm. Are you certain it isn't just still a buggy driver from Intel?

And, what do you make of this crash report (gathered using WhoCrashed):

On Sat 1/12/2013 5:52:59 PM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\011213-29998-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: Unknown ()
Bugcheck code: 0x0 (0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0)
Error: CUSTOM_ERROR
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error.
Google query: CUSTOM_ERROR


Would Driver Verifier be a good option in diagnosing this, or should I just RMA the laptop (for the third time), which I would prefer to avoid as it takes a minimum of two weeks to go through the process?

 

[Pauly]

I havent actually run through your dumps but from what you are saying it does sound possible something in your machine does not like your wireless mouse and is possibly clashing with the driver or something, have you tried uninstalling it to get rid of driver

You could also try turning off usb selective suspend first as it may be related to sleep http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/147369-usb-selective-suspend-turn-off.html if that has no effect then i would lose it and run with touchpad for a few days see how you go

 

[wisecraker1]

As per your instruction, I have disabled the USB Selective Suspend.

How would I go about uninstalling the driver for the mouse, or would it be the actual Intel Centrino N-2230 Bluetooth 3.0/4.0 + High Speed Adapter?

 

[Pauly]

Thats a good question, as its bluetooth im not 100%
Can you locate the mouse in device manager under Human Interface Devices, if so right click and uninstall