Random BSOD

Hi everyone. Ive been getting random BSOD the past few weeks. I'm running windows 7 ultimate x64. Every time the minidump shows a different cause. This is what Ive tried so far.
Ran memtest86+ for 14 passes with no errors
Restored a backup onto a different hard drive
Reinstalled a fresh copy of windows onto a different hard drive
Changed my cpu from q6600 to q9300 as I was upgrading anyway

My specs are:
Windows 7 ultimate x64
Thermaltake 1000w PSU
Asus rampage formula motherboard
OCZ Reaper x ram 2 x 2gb
GeForce 9800 GTX graphics card
Xfi soundblaster soundcard

Ive included the dump files to see if anyone can find the problem. Some dump files show memory corruption which seems to be if I get a BSOD after restarting. The others show random services and this is when its been on a while and just BSOD out of the blue even when system is idle. Thanks for any help.

 

The implicated driver in all the dumps is ntoskrnl.exe, as it's a Windows kernel file, it's most unlikely that it's the cause of any of them.

I do see some older drivers loaded (and some undated ones), these are shown in the attachment and will need to be investigated, either updated or uninstalled.

I'd pull the soundcard and uninstall the drivers during the initial troubleshooting phase, as well as uninstalling any software you won't need in the next few days.

Ensure that nothing is overclocked and update all hardware drivers to the latest version, consider whether updating the BIOS might help.

Then thrash it until you have a few more BSOD's and upload the new dmps.

 

Thanks for the info I will do as you suggest. I'm just wondering how you read the dump files as when I read them using windebug I dont get to see the drivers you suggested.

 

BlueScreenView

 

Well I have updated my bios to the latest version. Have tried to update some of the old drivers. Most are for my brother printer and seem to be the newest I can get. Have had this printer installed with windows 7 since its release and never caused BSOD before. Anyway I have just had 3 more BSOD in a short period of time and other drivers are implicated this time. Ive attached the latest dump files. Thanks for your further assistance. I'm writing this in safe mode because of the constant BSOD today. I might start removing hardware at this stage. I have spare graphics card, RAM and soundcard. Should I start with one at a time??

 

Now it's looking more like a problem with 3rd party security software.

McAfee is implicated in the IRQ not equal BSOD, uninstall all McAfee software, reboot then run their uninstaller to clear out any remnants, reboot again, test. Don't forget to set Windows Firewall to on once McAfee is gone.

 

Is the fan quitting or spinning slow on the power supply? I see it's an ample PSU, but it could be a cause of the problem. As far as removing hardware, I would try one stick of ram, and maybe a different video card and no sound card.

 

Hi Satrow. I understand your suggestion about McAfee but I have also had this software from the time windows 7 was released and had no BSOD with it previously. Also some of the other dump files when read through Windebug implicate McAfee process but also acronis true image and everest. Maybe mcafee could make these other programs have problems and implicate them in the dump files I'm not sure. But since I have not gone longer than 4 day's without a BSOD I can afford to loose McAfee for a week or two to see if the problem disapears. I will follow your suggestion and report back. Also, Thanks for subscribing to the thread to help me out. I really appreciate it.

 

Hi Holiday. The fan seems to be fine on the PSU but I have noticed the fan on the Graphics card don't seem so good. Sounding like a bearing or something is making noise. I will remove McAfee as per Satrow suggestion before trying any different hardware so as to get a definite conclusion on the problem cause. If removing McAfee doesn't fix the problem I will start with the graphics card replacement. Thanks for your suggestions and will post back any findings.

 

OK. I have uninstalled McAfee and enabled windows firewall and defender for now. I have also removed a VIA sata card that was installed because I don't use it anymore and replaced the Graphics card. If no BSOD occurs within 7 days I will reinstall mcafee and hope it was the graphics card or VIA card. If BSOD does occur I will have to look at the RAM, soundcard and maybe other software. I'm just hoping its not the PSU as its the only component I don't have a spare of.

 

Ok, good luck

 

Hi guy's. Just to update you on my problem. A week has passed and no BSOD. I previously never got passed 4 days without a BSOD. So, was it the graphics card, via card or McAfee. I would think Satrow was correct in suggesting McAfee because I installed McAfee on my brothers new laptop with windows 7 today and he called later and said he was getting a blue screen. I had him remove McAfee through their removal program and he hasn't had one since. So I decided to look into the issue further (google) and it seems McAfee brought out an update around mid september that has caused wide range BSOD to McAfee users. Hmm, mid september would coinside with my random BSOD's. I was about to reinstall McAfee today myself until my brother called and now I'm thinking twice as I don't think McAfee has sorted the issue yet. Any suggestions on a new anti virus to choose. Ive tried Bitdefender 2010 a few months back and it completely slowed down my internet connection and my father's too so that's out of the question for me. Any suggestions please on what's decent but not free one's I'd rather pay for something better. Thanks fella's.

 

Always been an avast! fan - fast, unobtrusive, never a problem. The Free and Professional versions are offered here - there's also a comprehensive Internet Security package at the avast! site.

Don't blame you for wanting to get rid of McAfee - MG and other forums are rife with McAfee issues.

 

I have seen Avast in action a friend has it. I like the fact that it uses little system resources. In your own opinion is it up to scratch in the protection department? I have been on top ten reviews and not seen it in the top ten so I was just wondering from your own personal experience with it.

 

OK I just want to say thanks to Satrow for spotting the McAfee problem and helping me with my BSOD problem. So far so good.:cool
And also thanks to Caliban for suggesting Avast. Ive just installed Avast pro internet security suit and so far I like what I see. No hogging of system resources and a friendly user interface. Running a scan now and it's pretty quick. And thanks to everyone else for your suggestions and helping me out. Look forward to talking to you on this forum in the future but hopefully we wont be problem shooting my PC next time. :-D

 

Been using some form of avast! personally for several years, and the free version I install on virtually every machine I work on locally.

The 'top ten' lists notwithstanding, I rate it very high - those lists don't always take into account the ergonomic factors of a program (ease of use, unobtrusiveness, etc.), the ability of a protection software to mesh well with all types of environments, the seamless definitions updating, etc., which avast! seems to do quite nicely.

Thanks for the feedback, and good luck - keep us posted. :major