Random crashes/freeze - no BSOD - Windows 7 x64

M

monkos

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Posts
10
Hi

Im having some problems with my pc. Over a long periode of time the pc has been crashing and restarting with no BSOD. Or sometimes the pc will just freeze and I have to do a hard reset.

To me there is no particualar pattern. I happens when I play games, watch videos, when the pc is idle, at the windows login screen and even in safe mode (though not often).

Lately it's become more and more frequent up to the point, that I can hardly acces the pc anymore (unless in safe mode).

Im not sure what I should do, so I would really appreciate some help.

Thanks!
 
Let's check RAM first given the symptoms, run Memtest for no less than 8 passes:

Memtest86+:

Download Memtest86+ here:

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Which should I download?

You can either download the pre-compiled .ISO that you would burn to a CD and then boot from the CD, or you can download the auto-installer for the USB key. What this will do is format your USB drive, make it a bootable device, and then install the necessary files. Both do the same job, it's just up to you which you choose, or which you have available (whether it's CD or USB).

Do note that some older generation motherboards do not support USB-based booting, therefore your only option is CD (or Floppy if you really wanted to).

How Memtest works (you don't need to read, it's only for those interested in the specifics):

Memtest uses algorithms (specifically two), namely moving inversion & what is deemed Modulo-X. Essentially, the first algorithm fills the memory with a pattern. Starting at the low address, it checks to see if the pattern was changed (it should not have been), writes the patterns complement, increments the address, and repeats. Starting at the highest address (as opposed to the lowest), it follows the same checklist.

The reason for the second algorithm is due to a few limitations, with the first being that not all adjacent cells are being tested for interaction due to modern chips being 4 to 16 bits wide regarding data storage. With that said, patterns are used to go ahead and ensure that all adjacent cells have at least been written with all possible one and zero combinations.

The second is that caching, buffering and out of order execution will interfere with the moving inversions algorithm. However, the second algorithm used is not affected by this. For starting offsets of 0-20, the algorithm will write every 20th location with a pattern, write all other locations with the patterns complement, repeat the previous one (or more) times, and then check every 20th location for the previously mentioned pattern.

Now that you know how Memtest actually works, it's important to know that the tests it goes through all mean something different. It goes from Test 0 through Test 12, many of which use either one or the other algorithm discussed above, among many other things.

Any other questions, they can most likely be answered by reading this great guide here:

FAQ : please read before posting
 
Ok, I've now run Memtest. Here's a brief summary:

1st run: Memtest stopped responding after running for 04 minutes 05 second. I couldn't do anything, though the plus sign next to "Memtest86" was still spinning. I had to do a hard reset. I disconnected the power cable and held the power button for 30 seconds, having read that it helps clear some cache-something :)

2nd run: Ran for 16 hours 31 minutes 40 seconds, 15 passes no errors.

Does this give any indication about what could be wrong?
 
15 passes still takes some work. It could be the motherboard/CPU/PSU, although it's difficult to say.

Is your computer still under warranty?
 
@Patrick: I'll give it another run

@Jared: Unfortunately no. It's an Acer Aspire Predator G7750 bought in 2010.

Ill post the results from the Memtest run as soon as I'm done.
 
OK, 3rd run:

8 passes - no errors.

Im writing this in normal Windows mode - no safe mode. I'll try some stuff to see if I can make it crash.
 
OK, the computer has run some what smooth since, but just now I got a BSOD! Yay! "Bad Pool Header"... could that help in finding the cause of these crashes?
 
Can you check the timestamp of the large memory dump, if it's new compress it and upload it to a file sharing site such as Onedrive.
The dumps in the app collection folder date back to 2014, so they are of no use.
 
Code: 
5: kd> .bugcheck
Bugcheck code 00009088
Arguments fffff880`086198c0 fffff880`086198c4 fffff880`086198d0 fffff880`086198d4

//Unknown bugcheck, parameters are pretty much useless
//Most likely from the arguments of the last function before the bugcheck

5: kd> kn
 # Child-SP          RetAddr           Call Site
00 fffff880`08619858 fffff880`0107261e nt!KeBugCheckEx
01 fffff880`08619860 00000000`00009088 iaStor+0x4b61e
02 fffff880`08619868 fffff880`086198c0 0x9088
03 fffff880`08619870 fffff880`086198c4 0xfffff880`086198c0
04 fffff880`08619878 fffff880`086198d0 0xfffff880`086198c4
05 fffff880`08619880 fffff880`086198d4 0xfffff880`086198d0
06 fffff880`08619888 00000000`00000000 0xfffff880`086198d4

//Only recognised module is the Intel Storage Technology Driver

5: kd> lmvm iastor
start             end                 module name
fffff880`01027000 fffff880`01143000   iaStor   T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: iaStor.sys
    Image path: iaStor.sys
    Image name: iaStor.sys
    Timestamp:        Tue Oct 13 19:15:56 2009 (4AD4C3DC)
    CheckSum:         0006C526
    ImageSize:        0011C000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

A driver that is over five and a half year sold is bad enough, never mind the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver.
If you're not using a RAID setup, then remove the driver.

  1. To remove IRST you need to remove it on the Programs and Features
  2. Then go to Device Manager
  3. Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
  4. Then click uninstall on each one.
  5. Once removed reboot and it should've been removed

If you are using a RAID setup, then update the driver from the Intel download centre.
 

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