Solved System Crashes and occasional BSOD with no clear pattern

[DarthVrooks]

About two months ago my system started giving me problems, first time in the 4 years since I built it. At first it was just an occasional freeze then a random reset. It then progressed to a BSOD that mostly disappeared before I could read. "IRQL not less then or equal" appeared a couple of times and the event viewer started showing "Event 41" errors after every reset. I had planned on replacing the motherboard and memory this christmas to get ready to upgrade to a newer CPU next year so I went ahead and replaced them early only to have the problems worsen. I've run driversweeper wondering if it was leftover drivers, ccleaner and still no fix. Sometimes it happens when I'm watching a video and\or browsing other times the system just boots up and freezes.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[koolkat77]

Welcome to SevenForums.

There are no dump files in the attachment.

Please follow: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html

Start Menu\Programs\Comodo\COMODO Internet Security    Public:Start Menu\Programs\Comodo\COMODO Internet Security    Public
Start Menu\Programs\Spyware Tools\Spybot - Search & Destroy    Public:Start Menu\Programs\Spyware Tools\Spybot - Search & Destroy    Public

Comodo Internet Security can often be a cause of BSOD-s. Spybot can slow down the system. Please uninstall both and use Microsoft Security Essentials to test.

Use the free version of Revo uninstaller to uninstall. (Use advanced mode)

• Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

Recommended antivirus program for Windows 7 based on stability compared to others:-

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

:warn: 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.

Run the System File Checker that scans the of all protected Windows 7 system files and replaces incorrect corrupted, changed/modified, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible:

• Click on the 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

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

Free up the start-up, nothing except the antivirus is usually needed.

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

Let us know the results.

 

[DarthVrooks]

Thank you for the welcome and reply. I have Malwarebytes pro on my computer and have run a full scan. I have also run the scannow as well as chkdisk functions. I should have included that in my first post but the system was crashing while I was trying to post. Of course since posting I have had no problem yet. After changing my motherboard I had uninstalled comodo to make sure the new drivers installed properly even when it was not there it still behaved similarly. I will uninstall spybot and perform your other suggestions.

I have set the system to create a minidump as provided and will update upon the next crash.

 

[koolkat77]

Thanks & good luck.

*How does the computer work in safe mode?

Let us know.

 

[DarthVrooks]

Several lockups but only two minidumps created after brief BSOD. I have edited my attachments to include the latest one.

Fourth dump now included in zip.

I have uninstalled spybot and comodo as suggested and installed micorsoft security essentials. I used Revo uninstaller to get rid of comodo. Before installing security essentials I ran a comodo uninstaller cleanup utility I found to make sure it hadn't left any traces behind this time.

 

[koolkat77]

OK.

From the dumps it looks as if comodo is still present:

e21e6200  cefdc909Unable to load image [URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/search.php?id=inspect.sys"]inspect.sys[/URL], Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for inspect.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for inspect.sys
 inspect+0x1909

Recheck once again, make sure they're gone.
Click on the Start rb: ► Control Panel ► Programs ► Uninstall a program ► Uninstall everything related to; Realtek. Delete remnants of its drivers/older drivers using Driver Fusion/Sweeper

Update these drivers: Realtek NIC

0: kd> lmvm Rt86win7
start    end        module name
d3405000 d3484000   Rt86win7 T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: Rt86win7.sys
    Image path: Rt86win7.sys
    Image name: Rt86win7.sys
    Timestamp:        Thu Feb 16 11:36:34 2012 (4F3C95E2)
    CheckSum:         0008406C
    ImageSize:        0007F000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

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.

:tip: Errors are sometimes found after 8 passes.
:tip: Do this test overnight, before going to bed.

 

[DarthVrooks]

Rechecked for anything comodo left behind and found nothing, ran the cleanup tool again as well as another one I found that someone created. System ran fine for two days then started up again with the crashes about an hour ago. The first time the system locked up I heard a type of clicking sound I usually hear when my computer shuts down or goes into sleep mode from the hard disk, the screen went black the sound occurred like the system was going into sleep mode then it restarted. The other times it just either goes black and restarts or windows freezes then restarts. Other times I have to hit the reset button. The series of crashes averages about an hour, then it works for a day or two then it repeats. Memtest kicked back no errors in the allotted time period but I'll give it another shot tonight. I have included the latest dump collection from the system in this post. I played about two and a half hours of Saints row the third tonight with no problems what-so-ever. Very irritating.

I sincerely appreciate your patience and assistance with this.

 

[koolkat77]

I;ll take a look at the files soon.

Please test your hard drive(s): Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

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

 

[DarthVrooks]

I ran Sea Tools on my drive, all 3 tests short long and acoustic and it found no errors. I also found my old copy of Hard Disk Sentinel version 4 and it found nothing. Getting quite fed up I formatted the drive and re-installed Windows XP then the Windows 7 upgrade I have. It installed XP fine but when I went to install the 7 upgrade it froze after unpacking 2% of the windows files. At this point I was ready to just set the whole thing on fire then for some stupid reason I yanked a RAM chip out and restarted it and the setup went fine. I've just finished updating windows 7 again and both ram chips are back in the machine. I have no clue as to what is going on memtest showed no errors with either chip. I am desperately hoping whatever was messed up is now gone. If not then at least I know it's a hardware issue and I'll have to wait for the next crash.....that I am REALLY hoping does not come...

 

[koolkat77]

Woops sorry about not checking the recent files.

But I think you found the problem. You should see how the computer works with that RAM stick out.

 

[koolkat77]

OK so, I checked the dumps.

2 out of 3 come with bugcheck 1000000A from the BSOD INDEX there's no usual cause stated but it should be similar to the A bugcheck but they do not relate to your situation.
From the other dump there was an error with your NVIDIA Driver. Can you tell me which version were you using?

Let us know if you were able to rule the ram out

 

[DarthVrooks]

The RAM was brand new, bought with the new motherboard. When the problem started I moved the RAM around in the old motherboard and it worked for a while so I figured it was the DIMM slots going out and that's when I decided to replace it. I bought the new RAM because it was on sale and a step faster then what I had. Since formatting the drive I haven't had any problems at all, though I'm sure I tempted fate by stating that just now...

I guess I'm going to go ahead and mark this problem solved since it's been a couple days with no recurrence of a problem. I would like to thank you for all your assistance with this matter and may the great bird of the galaxy bless your house and home.

 

[koolkat77]

Thank you!

Post back if there are any other issues