Random BSODs every 3-4 days..

[Route44]

First, glad the BSODs are gone! Second, when it freezes are you doing anything in particular or they just random?

 

[BlackAzrael]

Hmmm well, of the 3 times it happened, it was all in games (the first time in killing floor, second in borderlands and this afternoon in diablo 1 lol).

So i bet it would be my graphics card.....that would suck tough....

 

[Route44]

I'm thinking more along the lines of video card drivers.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Well, i have the latest nvidia drivers...

 

[Route44]

Well, i have the latest nvidia drivers...

You might want to roll back to see if that does the job. This step has worked for many people.

 

[BlackAzrael]

OK....do you have any suggested versions, like popular ones? And could you guide me trough removing video drivers cleanly?

If that can help and i didn't say it yet, i have a GeForce 9800GTX+ 512mb.
Thanks!

 

[BlackAzrael]

I already did a scan and repair with TuneUp Utilities, and it's not blue screens i'm having, it just freezes. But i guess the dump might help...

Is it the .dmp file in C:\windows\system32\minidump ? If so i'll post it later after school then.

 

[Archean]

Is it the .dmp file in C:\windows\system32\minidump ? If so i'll post it later after school then.

It is, posting it shall be helpful in for people here to identify problem(s) you may have.

 

[Route44]

@ BlackAzrael, I suggest doing the following...

1. Download Driver Cleaner Pro or Driver Sweeper (both have free versions; make sure it is for your OS) to your desktop screen and install.

2. Download the latest diver(s) -- or in your case the previous driver -- for your video card but don't install them.

3. Uninstall your video card drivers and reboot your PC into Safe Mode. Run Driver Cleaner Pro or Driver Sweeper. If it doesn't find any video card drivers that is quite okay.

4. Reboot and install new video card drivers.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Alright, i just did that on both windows 7 and windows xp. So, i'm now using version 190.62 instead of 196.21.

I guess now i'll just have to wait and see. I will give you news on how it goes.

Edit : oh and it seems the last computer freeze didn't make a minidump.

 

[Route44]

Alright, i just did that on both windows 7 and windows xp. So, i'm now using version 190.62 instead of 196.21.

I guess now i'll just have to wait and see. I will give you news on how it goes.

Edit : oh and it seems the last computer freeze didn't make a minidump.

Okay, here is hoping the problem is resolved. Look forward to your latest report.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Yep, and thanks for all the help so far. You guys rocks! I've never had this much help on a forum before

 

[Route44]

We aim to please. Seriously, we glad we could help.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Damn, it just froze again in diablo 1 x_x

I fear it's the video card.....which would suck.

Edit : There was one thing weird, i was on teamspeak at the same time playing my game when it froze. And i waited a bit more during the freeze and i could hear my brother speaking still but i couldn't do anything at all and it was of course doing a repeated bugged-like sound, like it hanged.

 

[Route44]

I am wondering if we need to look at a whole new other area such as your NIC/internet connections/hardware/software.

 

[BlackAzrael]

I have no idea really, but i will note this tough. It never froze like this with my previous motherboard, it just blue screened, it didn't freeze.

Personally, i would bet it's either the video card itself or the power supply. Can't be sure tough...

 

[Route44]

Have you ever used a multimeter to test a power supply? It isn't hard and I can link you to some easy to follow instructions. You can get a good Craftsman digital for $20.

Attach your latest minidump.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Is a multimeter that thing you use for testing voltage? If so, yes i tested it with one that my teacher have. And there was no minidump created...

 

[Route44]

Do you remember what your readings were?

The general range of safe voltages is as follows (plus or minus 5%, according to the ATX standard)
+12v rail (11.40v - 12.60v)
+5v rail (4.75v - 5.25v)
+3.3v rail (3.13 - 3.47v)

Just because it's within that range does not mean it's doing its job.

Good Results would....
-have little variation between idle and load
-stay very close to intended voltage (12.6 is not desirable)

Bad Results would....
-have a larger variation between idle and load
-go below the 5% ATX standard

 

[BlackAzrael]

Ummm....ok i guess it's not the same thing we were talking about. The thing i used was a tool where you just plugged the different psu cables in and either a green light or a red light popped. I got all green lights.

And thinking of it, why would the psu be messed up when with my previous motherboard it worked all fine (well blue screens aside of course )? And i dont think i have a multimeter....but maybe some shops have one and could test it for me.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Well i don't know, is that dangerous?

 

[Route44]

Well i don't know, is that dangerous?

Please clarify; what are you referring to?

 

[BlackAzrael]

About testing with a multimeter. Because, i'm not even sure of what it is exactly.

 

[Route44]

About testing with a multimeter. Because, i'm not even sure of what it is exactly.

It is quite safe. A couple of things to keep in mind is a) the main connector from the power supply to the mobo has to be attached and b) the system must be on. If you are still interested in testing this way I can link you to some good links.

 

[BlackAzrael]

Please do so, afterall i really want to fix that problem. And hopefully it's the last one lol. Well at least, last major one