My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start

BabylenTatarsky · Sep 16, 2011, 09:36 PM

My dad has a computer connected to the TV that he uses to stream videos to the TV. However, lately it has been getting BSOD a lot. It's always happened, really, but he just got on with it, but now it's doing it so often he can't watch a film without a BSOD interruption.

He keeps asking for help but I don't really know where to start.

He has avast AV and it says it's clear. I've not ran spybot or cccleaner or anything else because I don't know how worthwhile those apps are to defeat the regular crashes.

I know it could be hardware related, but he would really love a definite answer as to what's causing the problem.

Is there anything I should do? Or any more info I can provide that'll make it easy to help me out?

Thanks a lot for any help. I hope we can get to the bottom of this.

Tyrsonswood · Sep 16, 2011, 09:59 PM

Memtest+

mkk · Sep 16, 2011, 09:59 PM

Check the temperatures and/or make sure the fans/heatsinks aren't too dusty inside. That's a good start, especially if the system has been right where it is for a while. If it's not a temperature problem then it's likely that some part of the hardware has gone bad. If there are important files on it then make backups and test the drive(s) with some diagnostics tool like "Seagate SeaTools for Windows".

Then there's memory diagnostics, Vista and Win7 has a decent one built in(Windows Memory Diagnostic) but I wouldn't immediately suspect a memory problem here. If problems persist, tell us more about the system.

Judas · Sep 16, 2011, 10:21 PM

always start with the general stuff.... hardrive diag/memtest over night/try and eliminate unnecessary programs and such from running...

then work backwords on connected devices. printers/scanners/tv even (use a normal monitor)...

It would not shock me if avast was causing it somehow.....

BabylenTatarsky · Sep 16, 2011, 10:42 PM

I'll tell him to open it and check it's not dusty, while I'm at work tomorrow.

After that, we'll figure out memtest+ and have a look at that seagate seal tools, on sunday.

thanks for the replies.

Oh- what makes you suspect avast is the problem?

***craig5320*** · Sep 16, 2011, 11:49 PM

Run BlueScreenView Blue screen of death (STOP error) information in dump files.

Download link: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluescreenview.zip

It will list the error and any potential drivers that are causing it, post in here the outcome.

Judas · Sep 17, 2011, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabylenTatarsky

I'll tell him to open it and check it's not dusty, while I'm at work tomorrow.

After that, we'll figure out memtest+ and have a look at that seagate seal tools, on sunday.

thanks for the replies.

Oh- what makes you suspect avast is the problem?

Because I've had numerous machines come in with avast either loaded earlier... or just recently... and combined with different software that may be used.. or updates be it windows or avast itself..... frankly i have a huge distaste with avast as it has resulted in corrupting windows beyond recovery.

What i find is that avast generally will play nice about 75% of the time.. otherwise i can for no apparent reason turn pure evil....

Tipstaff · Sep 17, 2011, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig5320

Run BlueScreenView Blue screen of death (STOP error) information in dump files.

Download link: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluescreenview.zip

It will list the error and any potential drivers that are causing it, post in here the outcome.

Agreed. No sense in running all those scans until you've determined what code was posted on the BSOD screen as it could be anything from a driver conflict, to software conflict, virus, or hardware failure.

On a side note, if there is no memory dump you can check out Control Panel | Administration Tools | Event Viewer | Windows Logs, and look under the "Application" and "System" sections for any errors.

BabylenTatarsky · Sep 19, 2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig5320

Run BlueScreenView Blue screen of death (STOP error) information in dump files.

Download link: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluescreenview.zip

It will list the error and any potential drivers that are causing it, post in here the outcome.

Okay, finally done this and I've uploaded the reports.

The only webspace I have is pretty slow so you might need to refresh a few times for it to load. Here it is: Crash List

I've linked all the reports to the list that shows in the bottom box of BlueScreenView. Sorry there's no 'back to index' button but it was just a quick job. First time I uploaded, it went Chinese!

Anyway, I hope what I've provided shows some insight into why it keeps getting BSOD. ntoskrnl.exe seems to be the problem?

I dunno, I'll let you tech experts tell me what do to next!

Tipstaff · Sep 19, 2011, 07:39 PM

I'm leaning towards a memory problem too, but whether it's a physical problem, or a software/driver conflict, I can't say.

2 things:

1) Disable any startup items you do not need. You could also uninstall any startup protection programs, like anti-virus and anti-malware programs to see if that helps. If you do uninstall these software be sure to disconnect the computer from the Internet.. just in case.

2) Personally I do not trust Memtest ability to "prove" that there is a bad stick of RAM in your system. Too many times Memtest will run just fine, and come back with no errors, yet time and again if I switch out a stick of RAM, lo and behold 1 of them, or more, will be bad. So, my advice, if there's more than 1 stick of RAM in the computer pull all of them 'cept 1, and run off that stick. If it crashes switch out the sticks until you find the bad one.. or until you find out none are bad. You can also run Memtest too, but do so with just 1 stick in the system at a time, not with all of them installed.

3) Question: is that system being overclocked at all? For instance, you never mentioned the specs, but if, say, if it's an Intel system running DDR3 1600mhz are you manually setting the RAM to run at that rating, or letting the system default to 1066 or 1333? Are you running any other type of overclock?

BlueMak · Sep 20, 2011, 08:12 AM

It could be a virus or driver issue. Have you installed software lately or otherwise copied...potentially unsafe data to it? Have you recently updated drivers either manually or let windows update do it?

Also, Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

Sep 16, 2011, 09:36 PM	#1
BabylenTatarsky Rocks Your Socks Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: St. Helens [UK] Posts: 1,656 Rep Power: 63 System Specs	My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start My dad has a computer connected to the TV that he uses to stream videos to the TV. However, lately it has been getting BSOD a lot. It's always happened, really, but he just got on with it, but now it's doing it so often he can't watch a film without a BSOD interruption. He keeps asking for help but I don't really know where to start. He has avast AV and it says it's clear. I've not ran spybot or cccleaner or anything else because I don't know how worthwhile those apps are to defeat the regular crashes. I know it could be hardware related, but he would really love a definite answer as to what's causing the problem. Is there anything I should do? Or any more info I can provide that'll make it easy to help me out? Thanks a lot for any help. I hope we can get to the bottom of this. __________________

Sep 16, 2011, 09:59 PM	#3
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start Check the temperatures and/or make sure the fans/heatsinks aren't too dusty inside. That's a good start, especially if the system has been right where it is for a while. If it's not a temperature problem then it's likely that some part of the hardware has gone bad. If there are important files on it then make backups and test the drive(s) with some diagnostics tool like "Seagate SeaTools for Windows". Then there's memory diagnostics, Vista and Win7 has a decent one built in(Windows Memory Diagnostic) but I wouldn't immediately suspect a memory problem here. If problems persist, tell us more about the system.

Sep 16, 2011, 10:42 PM	Thread Starter #5
BabylenTatarsky Rocks Your Socks Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: St. Helens [UK] Posts: 1,656 Rep Power: 63 System Specs	Re: My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start I'll tell him to open it and check it's not dusty, while I'm at work tomorrow. After that, we'll figure out memtest+ and have a look at that seagate seal tools, on sunday. thanks for the replies. Oh- what makes you suspect avast is the problem? __________________

Sep 16, 2011, 11:49 PM	#6
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,579 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	Re: My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start Run BlueScreenView Blue screen of death (STOP error) information in dump files. Download link: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluescreenview.zip It will list the error and any potential drivers that are causing it, post in here the outcome. __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Sep 19, 2011, 07:39 PM	#10
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Re: My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start I'm leaning towards a memory problem too, but whether it's a physical problem, or a software/driver conflict, I can't say. 2 things: 1) Disable any startup items you do not need. You could also uninstall any startup protection programs, like anti-virus and anti-malware programs to see if that helps. If you do uninstall these software be sure to disconnect the computer from the Internet.. just in case. 2) Personally I do not trust Memtest ability to "prove" that there is a bad stick of RAM in your system. Too many times Memtest will run just fine, and come back with no errors, yet time and again if I switch out a stick of RAM, lo and behold 1 of them, or more, will be bad. So, my advice, if there's more than 1 stick of RAM in the computer pull all of them 'cept 1, and run off that stick. If it crashes switch out the sticks until you find the bad one.. or until you find out none are bad. You can also run Memtest too, but do so with just 1 stick in the system at a time, not with all of them installed. 3) Question: is that system being overclocked at all? For instance, you never mentioned the specs, but if, say, if it's an Intel system running DDR3 1600mhz are you manually setting the RAM to run at that rating, or letting the system default to 1066 or 1333? Are you running any other type of overclock? __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Sep 20, 2011, 08:12 AM	#11
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,483 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: My dad's computer keeps BSOD and I don't know where to start It could be a virus or driver issue. Have you installed software lately or otherwise copied...potentially unsafe data to it? Have you recently updated drivers either manually or let windows update do it? Also, Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*