BSOD after upgrade

[Zinarei]

Hello everyone. I recently had my computer upgraded, but since then I've been experiencing a barrage of problems. The problems include browsers behaving in peculiar ways, applications refusing to launch for no evident reason, and random crashing, and BSOD's occurring randomly. They typically happen when I'm playing games like Skyrim, but that's definitely not the extent of it. I've been literally doing nothing and a BSOD will happen. It often occurs as I sleep as a matter of fact. I was hoping someone can offer me some help.

My friend believes it's an issue with the video card and it's drivers, but I don't know.

Here's my system info:

Operating System
MS Windows 7 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz 48 °C
Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
RAM
8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-10-10-25)
Motherboard
MSI H61M-P23 (MS-7680) (SOCKET 0) 28 °C
Graphics
HP 2509 (1920x1080@60Hz)
1024MB GeForce GTX 550 Ti (EVGA) 42 °C
Hard Drives
625GB Western Digital WDC WD6400AAKS-22A7B2 ATA Device (SATA) 44 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH15F ATA Device
DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
Audio
High Definition Audio Device

And here's the minidump.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0X12DKV8

 

[zigzag3143]

These crashes were caused by memory corruption (probably a driver). Please run these two tests to verify your memory and find which driver is causing the problem.

If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!


1-Memtest.

*Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

*Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.

If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html



2-Driver verifier

I'd suggest that you first backup your data and then make sure you've got access to another computer so you can contact us if problems arise. Then make a System Restore point (so you can restore the system using the Vista/Win7 Startup Repair feature).

In Windows 7 you can make a Startup Repair disk by going to Start....All Programs...Maintenance...Create a System Repair Disc - with Windows Vista you'll have to use your installation disk or the "Repair your computer" option at the top of the Safe Mode menu .

Then, here's the procedure:
- Go to Start and type in "verifier" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Select "Create custom settings (for code developers)" and click "Next"
- Select "Select individual settings from a full list" and click "Next"
- Select everything EXCEPT FOR "Low Resource Simulation" and click "Next"
- Select "Select driver names from a list" and click "Next"
Then select all drivers NOT provided by Microsoft and click "Next"
- Select "Finish" on the next page.

Reboot the system and wait for it to crash to the Blue Screen. Continue to use your system normally, and if you know what causes the crash, do that repeatedly. The objective here is to get the system to crash because Driver Verifier is stressing the drivers out. If it doesn't crash for you, then let it run for at least 36 hours of continuous operation (an estimate on my part).

If you can't get into Windows because it crashes too soon, try it in Safe Mode.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, try using System Restore from your installation DVD to set the system back to the previous restore point that you created.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/101379-driver-verifier-enable-disable.html


Further Reading
Using Driver Verifier to identify issues with Windows drivers for advanced users

 

[Zinarei]

Thank you very much for your response. I'm sorry I got back to you so late.

My friends who worked on the computer tried that before I posted this complaint, and everything seems to be fine in those regards, but the problem still persists. I'm getting some mixed feedback.

The guys who worked on my computer are thinking that it's just a problem with where I'm keeping my PC. You see, before it was in a cabinet-like spots in my computer desk that made it run a lot warmer than when they tested it. Whenever they test it, they get no issues. I moved it to a more ventilated area, and now the graphics card (which seems to be the biggest issue) is now at a temp of 45-50 C. This is a pretty good change from the 60 C it was at before. Still though, I've run into a blue screen and the video card drivers are still acting strangely. I also have been asked to leave the lid off and have a desk fan blowing air into it, but I don't like leaving the inside of the machine exposed due to easier dust collection.

My one friend who looked at my specs (didn't actually look at the physical computer) is pretty confident that I'm using an inefficient power supply for my rig. I have a 600 watt power supply. He told me to get something at least at 800 watts. He believes that the video card can't draw enough power, so it basically shuts down for a second and the drivers then detect no card, so they restart.

What the latter friend said seems the most plausible to me, but I wanted to run it buy any of you guys. I'm fairly confident that I need a new power supply, but based on my rig what do you think I need?

Or are you thinking something else entirely? Any feedback would be great, thanks. I tried to be as thorough with the information as I could. If you need more info just say the word.

Edit: I'm not overclocking anything by the way.

 

[zigzag3143]

Thank you very much for your response. I'm sorry I got back to you so late.

My friends who worked on the computer tried that before I posted this complaint, and everything seems to be fine in those regards, but the problem still persists. I'm getting some mixed feedback.

The guys who worked on my computer are thinking that it's just a problem with where I'm keeping my PC. You see, before it was in a cabinet-like spots in my computer desk that made it run a lot warmer than when they tested it. Whenever they test it, they get no issues. I moved it to a more ventilated area, and now the graphics card (which seems to be the biggest issue) is now at a temp of 45-50 C. This is a pretty good change from the 60 C it was at before. Still though, I've run into a blue screen and the video card drivers are still acting strangely. I also have been asked to leave the lid off and have a desk fan blowing air into it, but I don't like leaving the inside of the machine exposed due to easier dust collection.

My one friend who looked at my specs (didn't actually look at the physical computer) is pretty confident that I'm using an inefficient power supply for my rig. I have a 600 watt power supply. He told me to get something at least at 800 watts. He believes that the video card can't draw enough power, so it basically shuts down for a second and the drivers then detect no card, so they restart.

What the latter friend said seems the most plausible to me, but I wanted to run it buy any of you guys. I'm fairly confident that I need a new power supply, but based on my rig what do you think I need?

Or are you thinking something else entirely? Any feedback would be great, thanks. I tried to be as thorough with the information as I could. If you need more info just say the word.

Edit: I'm not overclocking anything by the way.

More likely software than hardware.

The random freezes and lags are usually indicative of software conflicts.


Have you run the two tests?

 

[Zinarei]

My friends told me that they ran the first test and everything went over well. I just had the chance to do the second, and I got the minidump file for it. I'm not sure how to read it myself, but here it is:

http://www.mediafire.com/?uit7174q7ut4cci

Again, sorry for the late replies. Been busy with work and such.

Edit; Is my RAM possibly running too low or something? 8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 at 665MHz

 

[jnager]

This is because you have problems in Windows Registry. It is a common cause of Windows crashes and error messages. Registry problems can occur for many reasons, including references left behind after uninstalling, incorrect removal of software, missing or corrupt hardware drivers or orphaned start-up programs. This will significantly increase the Registry size and slow down your computer, because Windows will need more time to load, search, and read data from the Registry. Scan your system for errors with <spam link removed>

 

[Zinarei]

I've tried registry cleaner, but still nothing. I mean it helps on some fronts, but its not the source of the issue unfortunately. Though we ran the tests numerous times, my friend is going to replace the RAM next week. We're thinking one's dead. When I look at my specs RAM runs at 600-something, but in the BIOS its 1333, and 1333 is what it SHOULD be running.

 

[bassfisher6522]

What hardware components did you upgrade with? With any major hardware upgrade, especially mobo and cpu, it is always recommended to do a clean install. Because 9 times out of 10 there is some sort of hardware/software conflict.

 

[Zinarei]

We replaced mostly everything save the hard drive. We did a clean install as well. I reinstalled the operating system since the problems arose thinking it would do something, but it didn't.

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

I think you need to follow zigzags advice yourself.

Driver verifier will throw a dump file if you have a problem. If not you'll still be running fine.