BSOD random occurances

[LOKIDOG]

I'm having Blue Screens of Death again. It is the same problem I had in thread616-1124170. Also it's the same as described in the forum at:

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=394911

It is fairly random. It often is a IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error or UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP.

I examine the crash dump - using WinDbg and examinined the crash minidump. But I get many different errors, and none seem to point to a particular driver or hardware problem, but I'm not sure I'm looking at the dump properly. I don't get all possible errors here mostly they are related to the two types mentioned above. I can post these if they will help.

I have read that memory problems could cause this. I've used a program called Checkit Diagnostics to test the memory, and found no errors, but then someone said this is not a stress test? Is there some sort of stress test to do - if so what is it.

Also the PCU - can I test this. This has been a problem on m y old computer - it was replaced twice. And on this machine I upgraded it with added hardware - so I know this can be a weak point. I only replaced it when I took the computer in to the shop and they recommended it be done, I had no symptoms that I recognised as being the problem.

Also motherboard issues or BIOS, but I'm a little dubious about all these core problems being the real problem as it never happens in safe mode.

Also, the last time this happened, It stopped when I reloaded Windows on the machine. I only did this as a last resort, as it takes me weeks to recover from this with all the software and drivers and settings to reset.

I would really like to find out exactly what the problem is here and fix it.

 

[franklin97355]

What has happened between September and now?

 

[electronicsfreak]

First off heres a few suggestions of things to try. Keep in mind im not sure what may be causing the problem im just posting some things that might help solve it as this is what I would do to go about fixing it myself. First off run scandisc and defrag. Then put your system disc in close whatever window it loads and run sfc/scannow from command prompt. In case your using a different sp then your disc has follow the link below to make a new one.

http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2000_xp_sp_slipstreaming.htm

Another thing flash your bios to the newest version that is out there. Also double check all your settings in the bios. Clean the computer itself if theres dust on it. Blow everything out , cpu fan, board, power supply, etc. For heat can cause errors as well. Also a good memory tester below is memtest. However test with only one chip in the board at a time. If you get any errors either your ram is configured wrong or you have a bad chip. Let it do one complete test than stop it or it will continue for eternity.

http://www.memtest86.com/

And also just for safe being to make sure no malware is present run this scan below.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

If I think of more ill post it, but for now this is what I have. Give these suggestions a go and see what happens.

 

[LOKIDOG]

Since September, I've installed a new hard drive, and restored an image to it. No BSOD for quite awhile. Then they slowly started again. There were no real coincident software installations or hardware updates. But since it's a sort of random occurance, there could be something software related.

Also, I just noticed that when my telephone answering program, PHONEBOT, answered a call, BSOD instantly. I had just reinstalled my Motorola SM86 modem - because it might be the culprit? Well PHONEBOT then was using both my modems, the internal and external HAYES modem. Once I deselected my internal modem, it not longer triggered the BSOD. Don't know if this is related or not. I also have WINFAX loaded and it uses the internal modem. A portion of this program automatically loads at startup - and I can't disable it - I've tried the startup registry entries too - but it is more buried than that. So I think I'll completely remove the program, and disable the internal modem and see what happens. I'll let you know...

Well, I enabled only the internal modem, called, and the computer went into the BSOD. This modem has never worked with answering machine software - that's why I have an external HAYES. But I did not have BSOD happen. I have removed it (control panel - not phisically), as well as the WINFAX software.

I'll also try some of the other suggestions in electronics freak's post.