Unpredictable BSOD, incl: atikmdag, ntoskrnl and disappearing dumps

[BigSP]

Hey all,

I put together my first computer a few weeks ago from parts I'd bought and things seemed to be going well until I started experiencing multiple BSODs. Having triple checked everything is all put together right in the case and updated to the latest drivers via the manufacturers sites (no beta firmwares mind, just the stable stuff) I'm at a bit of a loss of what to do. I've also run memtest86 and Prime 95 and passed both with seemingly flying colours. I've tried numerous fresh installs including using other versions of windows to no avail. A possible anomaly I've experienced quite a bit is that often after a restart I've noticed the files in my minidump folder often get deleted and replaced with a new culprit; that said, sometimes they stay there and I accrue a mass of them. The common errors I see listed include ones pertaining to atikmdag (I've tried clearing my drive of everything to do with ATI/AMD using Driver Sweeper and reinstalling) and ntoskrnl. As of this post, Windows Update says I'm up to date.
I'm hoping the experienced minds here can spot something obvious as I'm rather happy with my setup I just want it to be more stable

My system particulars are listed in my profile and the necessary attachments can be grabbed below, thanks in advance for taking time out of your day! PS, please note that at the time of running the tests I had security programs disabled but ordinarily I run MSE and Malwarebytes.

 

[JaidynM]

You don't have all the necessary files attached. Please run the BSOD Dump & System File Collection app from the below link and upload the .rar file.
http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

The dumps may be disappearing due to CCleaner. Make sure the option to sweep dumps is unchecked.

 

[BigSP]

How silly of me to have not noticed I didn't attach it right earlier, that's early morning computing for you. Cheers for the heads up mate, the files are attached now. Additionally, you were right with CCleaner and the memory dumps, it's funny how something so simple can be so easily missed (by me at least).

 

[JaidynM]

Drivers

Update your ATI video card drivers from the below link. Make sure you uninstall the old drivers first.
http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/1810-latest-amd-catalyst-video-driver-windows-7-a.html

Please update your Realtek/Creative Audio driver from the below link.
Realtek
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Software

What anti-virus are you using?
​

Hardware

Run a chkdsk on the system partition to check for bad sectors or system errors.
Disk Check

​

 

[karlsnooks]

BigSP,

Here's a checklist for you to make sure that you collect minidumps.

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


Enable automatic management of the Paging file
WIN + PAUSE/BREAK 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/BREAK 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

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