Solved Random System Crashes

[Ravendon]

I had installed some new ram and a new graphics card and had a bunch of bsods, around 20 a day.

I has posted in another thread, http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-...n-hd-7850-2gb-doing-anything.html#post2096904, and it had cleared up after the network driver was updated. So I assumed that the issue had been resolved since I was able to go a full day without any issues.

But, now I'm getting a few, random crashes throughout the day.
I'd be working in Firefox usually when it happens.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[karlsnooks]

Ravendon,
First go here:
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Check and see if you don't need to update a couple of drivrers.

Especially, notice that HP has marked some of them as Critical

Don''t worry. If your computer came with the updates already installed, then the install/reinstall will do no harm.

2nd: Fully and completely fill out your System Specs.
Read this carefully as there some examples therein which you need to implement in your system specs:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Ø Manufacturer and Model OR Custom build.
Ø ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

With Speccy, you can select with your mouse/touchpad info from the display
and paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

=================================
==================================
3rd. I'll now proceed to view your sf diagnostics file and will be back with some recommendations.

karl

 

[karlsnooks]

Problem:
There are no DMP files!

Most probably the DMP files are in:
C:\Windows\Minidump

Are there any files there?

 

[Ravendon]

No, it's empty. Does it empty out after each restart or if I login with a different id?

 

[karlsnooks]

Ravendon,

Please carry out following. Don't miss a single part as each is necessary.

[FONT=&quot]MEMORY DUMPS – REQUIREMENTS[/FONT]


CREATE MINIDUMP FOLDER
WIN | type %systemroot% | ENTER
If Minidump is not shown, Then
CTRL + SHIFT + N keycombo |
CONTINUE button | type Minidump | ENTER

Enable automatic management of the Paging file
WIN + PAUSE key combo |
Advanced system settings (left-hand side) |
Advanced tab, Performance section, Settings |
Advanced tab, Virtual Memory section, Change |
checkmark Automatically manage paging file size for all drives |
OK | OK | OK



STARTUP AND RECOVERY SETTINGS
WIN + PAUSE key combo |
Advanced system settings (left-hand side) |
Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery section, Settings |
System Failure section | checkmark Write an Event to the system log
| uncheck Automatically restart |


Under Write debugging information, select Small memory dump |
in the Small dump directory: box, enter %SystemRoot%\Minidump| OK

If Overwrite any existing file is checked, then:
Ø Under Write debugging information, select Kernel memory dump
Ø Uncheck Overwrite any existing file
Ø Under Write debugging information, select Small memory dump
Ø OK button
If you get a crazy message from Win 7 about your paging file being too small, then just ignore the message since we have already made sure that the paging file is set to be managed by Win 7.

ENABLE THE WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE
WIN key | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER |
Scroll down to Windows Error Reporting Service |
Rt-clk on Windows Error Reporting Service | Properties |
General tab | for Startup type, choose Automatic |
In Service status, Start button (unless grayed out) | OK


ASSURE THAT CCLEANER IS NOT DELETING DUMPS
CCLEANER | Cleaner icon | Windows tab | System category |
Uncheck Memory Dumps


WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE must NOT be disabled!
· WIN | Services.msc | Enter
· Under Name, locate Windows Error Reporting Service
· If Status is not Started, then
Right-click on Windows Error Reporting Service |choose START
· If Startup Type is not Automatic, then
Right-click on Windows Error Reporting Service |
choose Properties | General tab |
set Startup type to Automatic
· Close Services.msc (I like to use ALT + F4)

After a crash, the minidump file will be in %SystemRoot%\Minidump
%SystemRoot% is generally C:\Windows

 

[Ravendon]

Whew! CCleaner was set to destroy the memory dumps AND the error reporting services was DISABLED.
Took care of that and also configured the memory dumps like you asked.

I did logon to my gf's side and found 4 minidumps under the old settings. Should I bother posting those or should I wait until after a crash under the new settings?

It's my gf's profile that's getting most of the crashes as she uses the computer a lot more than I do.

 

[karlsnooks]

I'll await a fresh dump or dumps.

In the meantime, I have a strong suspicion that your computer has either a hard disk or a solid state disk and a couple of other components.

Please read this, carefully, and carry out:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Ø Manufacturer and Model OR Custom build.
Ø ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

With Speccy, you can select with your mouse/touchpad info from the display
and paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.
=========================================
=========================================

After and only after completion of the above, then:

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[Ravendon]

Strange. This only seems to happen on my gf's profile.
I went 14 straight hours of Diablo 3 at full resolution and not a single crash.
She goes a few hours browsing in Firefox and she gets BSODs.
I updated the Broadcom ethernet driver and it fixed the crashes while I was on my side.
I don't think I need to do that for every profile right?

Also, should I get the Broadcom or any other system driver from the manufacturer's website or from the system maker's site? From Broadcom or from Dell in my case?

They both have the Broadcom BCM57780 LOM driver.

 

[karlsnooks]

Ravendon,
Please complete the last part of my last post.

 

[Ravendon]

Logs

Sorry, missed that last section.
Here are the 3 files.

Ravendon,
Please complete the last part of my last post.

 

[karlsnooks]

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
Uncheck ALL except for:

ccleaner    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner64.exe" /AUTO
MSC    Microsoft Corporation    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey

REBOOT!

You have just told Win 7 to not run unchecked programs at start up time.

You have not disabled the programs. They will be run when needed.

WIN = key with the Microsoft logo on top
=====================================
=====================================
After the REBOOT is finished, then:
CCLEANER | TOOLS icon | STARTUP tab | SCHEDULED TASKS tab |
Use DISABLE button to disable ALL except for:

CCleanerSkipUAC    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" $(Arg0)

Close CCleaner.

REBOOT!

You have not disabled any programs. You have disabled the scheduled running.
Later, after your system is running smoothly, you may reenable desired programs.
==================================
After the REBOOT is finished, then:
UNINSTALL

  Bonjour    Apple Inc.    6/17/2012    2.00 MB    3.0.0.10
µTorrent        7/15/2012        3.2.0

REBOOT

REMOVAL OF P2P PROGRAMS
There are signs of one or more P2P (Peer to Peer) File Sharing Programs on your computer.
As long as you are using any form of P2P networking to download files, you can anticipate malware infestations.

References citing the risk of using P2P programs:
How cyber criminals infect victims via P2P with pirated software on Vimeo
Malware: Help prevent the Infection
Perils of P2P File Sharing
How to Prevent the Online Invasion of Spyware and Adware
The Hidden Security Risks of P2P Traffic


I strongly recommend that you uninstall:
µTorrent
BitTorrent
Vuze
LeechCraft
Tixati,
qBittorent

=======================================
=======================================

HOW TO USE MICROSOFT'S OFFLINE MALWARE REMOVER
Windows Defender Offline
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 785 kB)
You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
· Requires an Internet Connection.
· Insert 512 mB or larger USB stick into a usb port.
· Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
· NEXT button
· Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
· NEXT button
· NEXT button
.
The install program will:
· format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
· download less than 230 mB.
· name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
· use less than 300 mB.

How to UPDATE the Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download less than 65 mB.

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

 

[Ravendon]

Problem has not returned. Strange.
I had her test all day without a single bsod.
The only thing I did was to reinstall the Dell version of the Broadcom network adapter driver from her profile.
The same one I had installed on my profile to fix the same issue.
The same driver should apply to all profiles, at least that's what I thought.
No other software or drivers were updated.
Every other driver is the latest according to Windows.
So I'll mark this resolved for now.

 

[Ravendon]

Well so much for that. The problem went away for a few days and now it's back.

Here are the 5 dump files from yesterday and today.