Random BSOD on Toshiba laptop

[ladycetra]

I've been experiencing random BSOD's on my Toshiba laptop. We bought it brand new and have been using it for 3 months now. It was running fine till after 3 weeks ago...
I tried cheking my hard disk for errors and bad sectors (-though I doubt it has any since it's brand new-) and it came out clean. Neither was present.
I checked my memory and no errors were found.
So far from the results, I don't suspect that it's hardware related.

I tried updating the drivers but all of them resulted "up-to-date".
Even though, still, the drivers mentioned in the dumps(-below-) are the cause...

I tried to ask some help from the technicians from the Toshiba branch where we bought the laptop and advised to reformat and reinstall Windows since they suspect that something has gone wrong with the system and they also advised me to take care when downloading updates from Windows Updates. So I did.

After the reformat, I switched the settings of Windows Updates to manually download and install so it won't go by itself.
So I ran my laptop without the update and after a few hours of usage.. The BSOD's were up again. I don't know what else to do. I've tried going around forums and did what could have helped but nothing changes.

Here are my Specs:
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2430M (2.40GHz, 3 MB) with TurboBoost 2.0 up to 3.00GHz Sandy Bridge Processor
Chipset: Mobile Intel HM65 Express Chipset
Ram: 2GB DDR3
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M
HDD: 640GB
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601)

Here are the recent BSOD's that I encountered:
==================================================
Dump File : 010812-114504-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/8/2012 12:25:49 PM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x000000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x00000000
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000001
Parameter 4 : 0x8944f64a
Caused By Driver : iaStor.sys
Caused By Address : iaStor.sys+4564a
File Description : Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver - x86
Product Name : Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
Company : Intel Corporation
File Version : 10.8.0.1003
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+415fb
Stack Address 1 : iaStor.sys+4564a
Stack Address 2 : iaStor.sys+2713e
Stack Address 3 : iaStor.sys+5618
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\windows\Minidump\010812-114504-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7601
Dump File Size : 154,048
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 010812-89591-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/8/2012 12:20:11 PM
Bug Check String : BAD_POOL_HEADER
Bug Check Code : 0x00000019
Parameter 1 : 0x00000020
Parameter 2 : 0x01bc1cb0
Parameter 3 : 0x01bc2938
Parameter 4 : 0x09919191
Caused By Driver : ntkrnlpa.exe
Caused By Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+120c6b
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.1.7601.17713 (win7sp1_gdr.111025-1505)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+120c6b
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+2473d4
Stack Address 2 : ntkrnlpa.exe+26574f
Stack Address 3 : ntkrnlpa.exe+3e21a
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\windows\Minidump\010812-89591-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7601
Dump File Size : 160,208
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 010812-69108-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/8/2012 11:10:49 AM
Bug Check String : SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Bug Check Code : 0x1000007e
Parameter 1 : 0xc0000005
Parameter 2 : 0x832cea5c
Parameter 3 : 0x8b977b44
Parameter 4 : 0x8b977720
Caused By Driver : ndis.sys
Caused By Address : ndis.sys+a1d4
File Description : NDIS 6.20 driver
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.1.7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+7da5c
Stack Address 1 : ntkrnlpa.exe+208fda
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\windows\Minidump\010812-69108-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7601
Dump File Size : 156,896
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 010812-57392-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/8/2012 10:56:48 AM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x000000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x0136f33c
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000008
Parameter 4 : 0x0136f33c
Caused By Driver : nvlddmkm.sys
Caused By Address : nvlddmkm.sys+179261
File Description : NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 266.69
Product Name : NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 266.69
Company : NVIDIA Corporation
File Version : 8.17.12.6669
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+415fb
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 : nvlddmkm.sys+3c60ab
Stack Address 3 : nvlddmkm.sys+3c60ca
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\windows\Minidump\010812-57392-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7601
Dump File Size : 156,992
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 010712-34055-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/7/2012 7:07:11 PM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x000000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x00000000
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000001
Parameter 4 : 0x8924a448
Caused By Driver : iaStor.sys
Caused By Address : iaStor.sys+31448
File Description : Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver - x86
Product Name : Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
Company : Intel Corporation
File Version : 10.8.0.1003
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+415fb
Stack Address 1 : iaStor.sys+31448
Stack Address 2 : iaStor.sys+233c6
Stack Address 3 : iaStor.sys+5516
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\windows\Minidump\010712-34055-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7601
Dump File Size : 160,808
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 010712-71027-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/7/2012 7:37:46 AM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x000000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x00000000
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000001
Parameter 4 : 0x8925a448
Caused By Driver : iaStor.sys
Caused By Address : iaStor.sys+31448
File Description : Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver - x86
Product Name : Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
Company : Intel Corporation
File Version : 10.8.0.1003
Processor : 32-bit
Crash Address : ntkrnlpa.exe+415fb
Stack Address 1 : iaStor.sys+31448
Stack Address 2 : iaStor.sys+233c6
Stack Address 3 : iaStor.sys+5516
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\windows\Minidump\010712-71027-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7601
Dump File Size : 153,864
==================================================

 

[Tmagic650]

These look like memory problems... Try running with 1 Ram stick if you have 2

 

[ladycetra]

So these are really hardware related...
Would replacing my RAM do the trick? I don't mind spending money since I was already planning on upgrading my RAM. I only have 2 GB and am planning to upgrade it to 4GB at most (-since I still can't switch to 64-bit OS due to 32-bit limited programming we're doing at school...8GB upgrade should hold till then-), since AE eats a lot of my RAM and I hate it when it's so laggy while I'm working.

 

[Tmagic650]

The most memory a 32-bit OS can see or use is a bit over 3GB of Ram

 

[ladycetra]

Yes. That's why I'm holding the 8 GB upgrade since I wouldn't be able to fully utilize the RAM's potential with a 32-bit OS.

Oh yes. I would like to update that I did a memtest86+ two days ago and got 9 passes without errors within 4 hours and I only have one stick. So there's nothing wrong with the RAM, based from the results.

Are there any other causes?

My grandmother's been nagging me because of this... So I really need to fix it.

 

[Tmagic650]

As we already determined, the minidumps are reflecting memory controller or driver issues... You have tested the memory. Have you installed any programs or utilities recently? Maybe be a virus or malware infection. What antivirus/antimalware software are you running?

 

[ladycetra]

I'm using TuneUp Utilities 2012 right now though the BSOD's have occured before I installed the application. I'm using Avast Internet Security right now as my anti-virus.

Just asking. The IT at my school said that it's possible that the OS is responsible for the BSOD's and he also stated that Windows 7 is known for being quite buggy especially the Home Premium version. I looked at the causes and I saw that the Kernel System is always involved... Like the error with NVIDIA... And that concerns the OS right? Or am I wrong...
I just want to confirm.

 

[Tmagic650]

Believe me when I say most IT people have no clue when it comes to repairing computers. If your Windows 7 is fully updated to Service Pack 1 and beyond, you should be okay. I would suggest uninstalling Avast and going with Microsoft Security Essentials. Also, install and run this temp file cleaner:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/

 

[ladycetra]

Alright, thank you for informing me.

Would Microsoft Essentials keep me completely safe?
Or can you please suggest a better anti-virus if I have other options...

 

[Tmagic650]

"Would Microsoft Essentials keep me completely safe?"...

No protection program will keep you completely safe. Practicing safe computing is your responsibility... Microsoft Security Essentials is free and good. Did you run the temp file cleaner?

 

[ladycetra]

I know that I should be careful and I know the precautions so that my laptop wouldn't be infected but the problem is that I'm not the only one using it. Yes, I already told them but I can't monitor them at all times...

About the temp file cleaner. I saw the feedbacks below and some said that it would cause more bad than good. Sorry... It made me afraid to use it.

I use CCleaner though, is that still not enough?

 

[Tmagic650]

Temp File cleaner by Old Timer is much better than the old CCleaner, try it. Your afraid to use it and you have already had issues with BSOD's using your choices... Does this make sense to you?

 

[ladycetra]

Yes, I get it...

I got more BSOD's these past few days. It says the ntkrnlpa.exe is causing it.
With all these problems, I want to know if I just bought a bad laptop or it's only a software problem. The thing's driving me nuts-

 

[Tmagic650]

Bad memory or a corrupted hard drive= ntkrnlpa.exe
Please follow these instructions to test these components:
https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic51365.html