BSODs return!!!

[pjramsay]

Hello forum,

You once kindly aided me in eliminating BSODs from my life, however they have returned!! I would be extremely grateful if anybody could advise me in ridding them once more!! They occur during gaming and web browsing, mainly video. Hpw many runs of memtest should I do to try eliminate a memory hardware fault?

Thank you kindly,

pjramsay

 

[zigzag3143]

Hello forum,

You once kindly aided me in eliminating BSODs from my life, however they have returned!! I would be extremely grateful if anybody could advise me in ridding them once more!! They occur during gaming and web browsing, mainly video. Hpw many runs of memtest should I do to try eliminate a memory hardware fault?

Thank you kindly,

pjramsay

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

 

[pjramsay]

memtest failure

Hello,

Thanks for the fast reply and astute advice! I ran memtest as instructed, only to reveal a volume of errors. I tested both sticks independently in all four slots of the MoBo and quickly recieved errors in each run...

Is this the end of my motherboard? I'm guessing so.

Many thanks,

pjramsay

 

[zigzag3143]

Hello,

Thanks for the fast reply and astute advice! I ran memtest as instructed, only to reveal a volume of errors. I tested both sticks independently in all four slots of the MoBo and quickly recieved errors in each run...

Is this the end of my motherboard? I'm guessing so.

Many thanks,

pjramsay

Could be memory or the motherboard. If there is a known good stick try it in each mobo slot

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Totally agree with zig. You need to find a good ram stick either by testing yours in another PC or having a known good ram stick to test in your machine.

More often the ram than Mobo though.

Having looked at your CPU-Z piccies, your bios is from 2009. Is there an update?

Also, if you look on the SPD tab, you'll see an "EPP 1.0" setting. Is that available to set in your bios? If so. try it.

 

[pjramsay]

Thanks for further advice!

I thought you may say that :S Looking at the price of DDR3 compared to DDR2 and new motherboards, both very cheap, I think an upgrade is in order! Suppose I could treat myself to a AM3 processor while I'm at it after all it's nearly Christmas (at least I don't have to buy a hdd which are apparently all underwater!)

Massive thanks for all your help,

pjramsay

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

(at least I don't have to buy a hdd which are apparently all underwater!)

Nicely thought through!