Random Crash

[DanK]

I am having similar problems to others within this forum. I have random crashes that include the following.
Firefox 3.5 - running Pandora radio, computer locks and sound loops continuously - I am forced to hard stop the computer.
iTunes - same problem as above.
The firefox and itune problem does not always occur.
I also have random crashes when multi-tasking i.e. playing video and downloading files simultaneously.

I have updated video driver, sound driver and bios. I have run memtest for 20 hours with no errors. I am at a total loss to figure it out. Your advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lordbob75]

Does it go to a blue screen? If so, please link the dump file.

If not, then this is a hardware freeze...

~Lordbob

 

[Wishmaster]

It could possibly still be a RAM related issue.
Memtest is a great tool, but it can be wrong.

I have seen MEmtest 86 pass for 22+ hrs, yet still get occasional lock ups, looping sound, and everything frozen during a few gaming sessions. or oddball things happen that shouldnt. Forcing a HARD restart.

I eventually ran intel burn test, and at pass 12 it flagged it as instable. further testing indeed showed it to be a bad stick of RAM.

This may not be the case for you, but it was for me in past experience.



just to clarify ... When you say crash, do you mean the entire PC crashes and reboots or just the application you're working with?

BSOD, Error message?

 

[DanK]

Does it go to a blue screen? If so, please link the dump file.

If not, then this is a hardware freeze...

~Lordbob

I get the BSOD about 1 out of every 15 - 20 crashes. The other times the computer just freezes. The last memory dump file is dated December 19 yet it has frozen at least 20 times since then.

 

[DanK]

Does it go to a blue screen? If so, please link the dump file.

If not, then this is a hardware freeze...

~Lordbob

Sorry, here is the December 19 minidump file.

 

[DanK]

It could possibly still be a RAM related issue.
Memtest is a great tool, but it can be wrong.

I have seen MEmtest 86 pass for 22+ hrs, yet still get occasional lock ups, looping sound, and everything frozen during a few gaming sessions. or oddball things happen that shouldnt. Forcing a HARD restart.

I eventually ran intel burn test, and at pass 12 it flagged it as instable. further testing indeed showed it to be a bad stick of RAM.

This may not be the case for you, but it was for me in past experience.



just to clarify ... When you say crash, do you mean the entire PC crashes and reboots or just the application you're working with?

BSOD, Error message?

BSOD only about 1 for every 15 - 20 crashes. Most times the entire computer locks up. Nothing works except to shut it down., hard stop.

 

[Lordbob75]

Wow, thats a really rare stop code. But I do know it points to a hardware issue. So lets do this: Take your computer completely apart, except for the bare minimum it needs to run. If the BSoD continues, then its a bigger issue. If it stops, then add hardware back in until it returns.

~Lordbob

 

[usasma]

Please provide this info, it may help to point out the cause of the freezes:

MSINFO32
Please go to Start and type in "msinfo32.exe" (without the quotes) and press Enter
Save the report as an .nfo file, then zip up the .nfo file and upload/attach the .zip file with your next post.

If you're having difficulties with the format, please open an elevated (Run as administrator) Command Prompt and type "msinfo32 /nfo C:\Users\Public\Desktop\TEST.NFO\" (without the quotes) and press Enter. Then navigate to the C:\Users\Public\Desktop directory to retrieve the TEST.NFO file. If you have difficulties with making this work, please post back.

While the error doesn't point directly to this, it does suggest that there are video issues (from the presence of the video driver in the stack text).
Update your video drivers to the latest version available at Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (if it's already updated, uninstall it and reinstall the driver only (NOT the Catalyst Control Center))

Also, please update these older drivers:

tdrpman.sys  Mon Nov 12 08:36:33 2007
timntr.sys   Wed Aug 29 08:38:23 2007
tifsfilt.sys Wed Aug 29 08:37:29 2007

Also, check inside the case to make sure that the video card is clean and dust free (especially in the cooler), that the power connetions to it are firmly seated, that the fan is operating and the card is getting good air circulation.

Should the BSOD's continue - please post them as you get them.

 

[Wishmaster]

Those 3 drivers:
tdrpman.sys Mon Nov 12 08:36:33 2007
timntr.sys Wed Aug 29 08:38:23 2007
tifsfilt.sys Wed Aug 29 08:37:29 2007


Should belong to Acronis True Image

Most likely know this already, but just in case the OP doesn't realize.

 

[usasma]

Thanks Wishmaster! I didn't know that!

 

[DanK]

Lordbob ~

Your reply prompted me to closely examine my moboard. I found that the MSI 790GX has a FSB overclock switch. The default settings for the two toggle switches have reverse logic. Both were switched so that I was inadvertently overclocking. I changed it and for two days my system is crash free. I even reinstalled by NvDia GT9500 graphics card. I have run the computer hard for the past several days and have no problems.

Lordbob & usasma - thanks for pointing me in the right direction. You rock!

 

[Lordbob75]

DanK, thats great. That points towards your stuff overheating. Good thing you found that! Glad it works.

~Lordbob