Random Freezing/BSOD, Boot Disk Failure, OK Cold Boot then Repeat

[cblackstar7]

Yesterday Windows Explorer began to stop responding fairly frequently, but would restart itself without issue and continue to run fine. Today, Windows now freezes completely every 45ish minutes - usually a random program stops responding followed by everything, the mouse gets stuck, CTRL+ALT+DELETE does nothing, and it stays frozen this way. I've had one BSOD happen right after this occurs (I couldn't get the error code with auto-reboot but I just turned that off). The most recent freeze I got a "The logon process was unable to display security and logon options when CTRL+ALT+DELETE was pressed" message, and Windows just stayed frozen that way with nothing responding.

Upon hitting Restart button on my case or following the BSOD auto-reboot, my OS drive (a Crucial M4) it isn't detected in the BIOS, leading to a "Disk Boot Failure" message. Oddly, if I do a cold boot from this point and power back on, the Crucial M4 is detected and Windows starts normally. I can also boot normally after shutting down and restarting from within Windows. But no matter what, around 45 minutes later Windows then freezes again in the exact same way, repeating the cycle. I'm totally at a loss, please help!


System Specs:
Core i5 2500k @ 3.3 ghz
Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Windows 7 64 Bit SP 1
8 GB Ram
Crucial M4 64GB, Firmware 0001 (OS drive)
Seagate 1TB (for storage)

 

[koolkat77]

Hi.

There are no .dmp files in the attachment. Please check this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.htmland configure for Small Memory Dumps.

In addition, please go through this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/232749-bsod-f4-ntoskrnl-exe-7f1c0.html

Let us know if the troubleshooting steps mentioned help resolve your problem.

 

[cblackstar7]

Apologies; there was no .DMP file because one still hasn't been created. There hasn't been a single BSOD within Windows since configuring it to create a dump file in accordance with the tutorial here. Windows has only been freezing and getting stuck indefinitely until a cold boot. Despite repeated attempts, the
%SystemRoot%\Minidump folder remains empty and SF Diagnostic Tool isn't finding a .DMP file after the inevitable freezes.

I've done everything I could included in the linked thread. I've ran several Disk Checks and all have reported no problems, and Memory Diagnostics is also reporting no problems. I have also ran numerous Malwarebytes/Avast/Avira scans, some in safe mode, and have no infected items.

However, when I tried to update the firmware on the SSD drive with my OS, I get a "Windows failed to start, Insert windows install disc" message which says:
File \grldr.mbr
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: Selected entry could not be loaded because application is missing or corrupt

I had the option from this screen to run a memory diagnostic under "tools," which I proceeded to run. This led to a "stop 0x000000F4" BSOD. The complete error corde is: 0x0000000000000003, 0xFFFFFA800A433340, 0xFFFFFA800A433620, 0xFFFFF8000299C460

SF Diagnostic Tool still isn't finding a .DMP file however, and the Minidump folder remains empty. Is it time to put in the Windows disc and use Repair?

 

[koolkat77]

Wait..
Are you using two antiviruses together?

 

[cblackstar7]

Sorry, I should have specified: I am not using both together. Uninstalled Avast after it seemed to start having problems updating, then tried Avira. I'm aware that more than one at once can cause conflicts.

 

[koolkat77]

Can you upload a screenshot of your hard drive(s) using CrystalDiskInfo:

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

 

[cblackstar7]

Thanks for the assistance. I hope this is what you're looking for:

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 starting with establishing a Clean Boot with only the AV starting with Win7, scan the logs for repeat errors to resolve, utilize System Resources to find solutions to problems, Generate a System Health Report, complete the memtest86 for 5-6 passes.

Report back results as you go as there may be other steps indicated.

 

[cblackstar7]

Just set up a clean boot, will work through those other steps and report back. Thank you both sincerely.

 

[cblackstar7]

Working through the list:
1. Malwarebytes has found nothing both in normal and safe mode with full scans
2. Currently have it and Avast running
3. Cleanboot is established

4. Event Viewer shows a variety of warnings, most relating to internet timeouts, with two recurring "Error" issues that span over the last few days. They don't seem to lineup with the the time when Windows freezes and/or crashes (I'm keeping track). One is "Service control manager" related and the other is "DistributedCOM." On 1/5, when all this began, there are .NET Runtime errors and Application errors both related to when Explorer.exe began to crash, but neither of these recurred after that day. If there is a way to include this log please let me know and I will do so.

5. Performance Log didn't report any issues. Upon generating a system health report, Performance Monitor had a warning saying Security Center has not recorded an anti-virus product, which is untrue because I have Avast and MalwareBytes both running. Other than that all Basic System Checks passed and all Resource Overwiew was normal.

 

[gregrocker]

I'd run the memtest for 5-6 passes or overnight to stress the RAM.

 

[cblackstar7]

I managed to flash my SSD's firmware manually today, which seems to have taken care of the hourly freezes which required constant cold booting. However, after running fine most of the day I'm now getting "Explorer.exe stopped working" messages again, which is how all this began, so I remain concerned something is still wrong. I will run memtest overnight and report back.