Win7 Ultimate - Student upgrade from WinXP64 - Startup crashes -

[Irishdonkey]

Hi computer has been crashing randomly for about 3 weeks now. Typically its a problem on start up and if I keep trying it finally starts and stays stable. I have tried all the usual suspects, drivers, applications, safemode. Nothing makes any difference. If you could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

System Specs are:Win7 Ultimate - (Fully Service Packed)
Student upgrade from WinXP64 (bitlocker in use on a spare drive)
Been installed less than 1 year (10mths approx)
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
RAM total: 6.00gb - 2x2gb OCZ PC2-6400 (400mhz) - Corsair 2x1gb CM2X1 PC2-6400 (400mhz)
Graphics: Radeon HD 5770 (Code name RV840)
Hard Drive: 128GB SSD - M4-CT128 M4SSD2 SCSI Disk - (2 other Samsungs Storage)
Sound: Creative SB X-FI

Firewall - Windows7 Firewall Control
Antivirus - Microsoft Security Essentals (recently removed AVGfree)

Reports attached as required

 

[zigzag3143]

All of the crashes are from 2011 so not relevant to today. If you have more upload them.

 

[Irishdonkey]

many thanks

Hi ZigZag

Thanks for the reply. I have used a proggie called 'whocrashed' to look at the mini dump files and yes this just did show crashes from 2011. I was hoping that using the app would pull the more recent crashes out but it seems that it hasn't.

When the recent crashes happen it does say that it is writing a memory dump and this process does complete so there must be some issue where the crash files aren't being saved.

Is there anything I can do to ensure the most recent files are being saved? I do have a feeling/worry that it could be a SSD problem which worries me a lot and this may confirm it if the files arent being saved correctly.

Is there anything I can do to check that I am getting the most recent files... or any other information which I can provide?....

One of the error earlier was to do with a NON_Paged_Area but it isn't always the same error. I can try and grab some pictures of the BSOD would this be of help.

Again many thanks.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi ZigZag

Thanks for the reply. I have used a proggie called 'whocrashed' to look at the mini dump files and yes this just did show crashes from 2011. I was hoping that using the app would pull the more recent crashes out but it seems that it hasn't.

When the recent crashes happen it does say that it is writing a memory dump and this process does complete so there must be some issue where the crash files aren't being saved.

Is there anything I can do to ensure the most recent files are being saved? I do have a feeling/worry that it could be a SSD problem which worries me a lot and this may confirm it if the files arent being saved correctly.

Is there anything I can do to check that I am getting the most recent files... or any other information which I can provide?....

One of the error earlier was to do with a NON_Paged_Area but it isn't always the same error. I can try and grab some pictures of the BSOD would this be of help.

Again many thanks.

I am a big fan of Nir Sofer's work, BUT blueScreenView more often than not, doesn't point out the correct causes. Similarly Who crashed is even worse.

I prefer to use WinDbg (the Windows Debugging Tools) to read the memory dumps. It is the Gold standard for those of us that do this and often will give us the answer by itself. (we don't need the full jcgriff2 report each time).





We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.

If you are overclocking STOP

You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.

To enable us to assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder.

The procedure:

* Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
* Zip up the copy.
* Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
*If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.

To ensure minidumps are enabled:

* Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
* Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
* Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
* Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
* Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
* OK your way out.
* Reboot if changes have been made.

 

[Irishdonkey]

Hi Zigzag. Thanks for the tips. I have enabled the 'Small memory dump (256 kB)' feature so hopefully I will get more recent memory dumps.

I also got a updated Firmware for my SSD which I have applied... one of the issues it was supposed to fix was 'Improvement for intermittent failures in cold boot up related to some specific host systems.' Not sure if this is my issue but it was a 'strongly rcommended' for my drive.

I will check back in tomorrow and let you know how I am getting on.

Best regards

d.

 

[Irishdonkey]

Hi All

First day in weeks the puter started without a crash. Not willing to declare fixed yet but fingers crossed.

For others I have applied a firmware update '0309' to my OCZ M4 SSD.

Will check back in a few days and let you know how I'm getting on.

Best regards

d.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi All

First day in weeks the puter started without a crash. Not willing to declare fixed yet but fingers crossed.

For others I have applied a firmware update '0309' to my OCZ M4 SSD.

Will check back in a few days and let you know how I'm getting on.

Best regards

d.

Good luck and good job

 

[Irishdonkey]

Update ---Latest Suspect - Win7 Gadgets

Since I did the SSD Flash update my system has been better but far from perfect. Still ramdon crashes with little rhyme or reason... and more importantly still no dump files to work with.

Since the fireware update the Win7 Benchmark shows the drive speed as one point higher at 7.5

Once when it crashed it restarted and the graphics driver wasn't loaded correctly.:sarc: (VGA Only) Typically I use Win7 auto update or Steam to look after the drivers... so off I popped to ATI and selected my own driver and downloaded it directly.

This again improved the stability system a little but still not perfect. I decided to edit out the msconfig file and clean up the startup (nothing major in there just a little spring clean). I also disabled all the gadgets and everything seems to have settled down again and no crashes since. The Gadgets I was using was AllCPUMeter and AVG. I suspect now with a problem with AllCPUMeter. I have been running the gadget for ages without problems but it has recently updated and that may have been what the issue was...... that and maybe a bad driver load.

So fingers crossed it all looks good. Hope this helps somebody else.

Again thanks for all the help. I will check in and update the thread should I get any more problems/solutions.

 

[writhziden]

We'll keep an eye out. Looks like good troubleshooting steps. Well done!