Computer keeps crashing

[GiZmOtmk]

Hello all,

I am the proud owner of a Desktop PC setup, but I've been having quite a few problems.

The machine just keeps crashing. After booting up, it works fine, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes considerably longer, but then freezes for a few seconds, gives me the BSoD and then restarts.

Sometimes, the BSoD gives me the message "KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR". Other times, it says "CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED".

I have twice sent the machine in for repairs, which have not worked, and even had it replaced completely, only to develop the same problem.

After googling these messages for a bit, I have found some potential problems and solutions, but none have worked:

-Some sources say it is due to corrupt windows core files. I have used Windows 8's "Refresh" and "Restore" functions and neither have worked. This is also unlikely due to the repairs/replacement.

-Some sources also suggest it is due to a badly installed HDD. Again, the number of repairs, and the replacement, make this very unlikely.

-Many sources claim these errors are due to faulty drivers. I have attempted to update my drivers via Intel's Driver Update Utility, and a program called SlimDrivers Free. According to these, my drivers are completely up to date, yet the problem continues.

I have also begun to suspect the damage has been caused by a dodgy program I once used, called Classic Shell. I acknowledge that this is very unlikely as the program has been proven legitimate (even appearing in a magazine), and no other users appear to have reported this problem. Uninstalling this program had no effect. Attempting to remove any traces using Microsoft's FixIt tool also had no effect. I attempted to use System Restore as well, to "rewind" the system to a date prior to installing Classic Shell, but for some reason I get a message saying this is not possible (turning off my antivirus as this message suggests has no effect).

I have noticed that others with this problem have been asked to provide minidumps. I'm not sure how to obtain these, however I have been able to create reports using a program called BlueScreenView, which I understand is equally useful. The report can be downloaded here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uxprres7txf1ja9/BluScreen.txt

Does anyone know how I can fix this problem?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Driver update utilities including Windows Update should be used to notify you of diver updates....NEVER let them install them....do this manually and only from component manufacturers web site

for minidumps just search ya HD for dump files *.dmp

 

[SirSub42]

Ok, so the entire machine was replaced or only the hard drive? I am going to skip the basics since it does not appear software related, so we can skip the SFC scan, Chkdsk and malware/virus scans.

Another cause of the KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR is faulty page file or system RAM. Download a copy of Memtest86. Download the CD version, which will be an .iso and then use a program such as UNetbootin to burn that .iso to a USB thumb drive. Next, boot from that thumb drive and run a memory test. If you receive any results, this indicates defective RAM. If you have multiple sticks, run the test with one stick at a time to narrow down the bad stick.

When you say "after booting up" are you turning on the computer from a completely off state or do you go into hibernation/sleep mode? What kind of hard drive is it? Solid State or SATA?

Lastly, I highly doubt the ClassicShell had anything to do with this, but I would double check that you are up to date with current windows updates as well.

Best of luck and keep us updated. - Sub

 

[smorizio]

Have someone check your outlet and circuit the pc is on for weak or unstable power. If this is a work pc and you have an it guy. Start with the pc in repair depo and try a know good brand of power supply. Lot of new pre built pc using cheap parts and under sized power supply. Run hd tune check drive smart warnings and run vendor test tool. Question I have how did you put your data back on the new pc. Did you run a drive copy tool or did you reinstall all your aps.

 

[GiZmOtmk]

okay, So here's some extra information that you guys have been requesting.

-as far as I know, every component was replaced - except for the case, which has a built-in 500W power supply. I've also just realized the power cable I'm using is quite a bit old - but I have been told this doesn't matter.

-I got Memtest86 and only had time to run a single pass, which returned no errors. I'll run it overnight and report the results.

-When I say I "boot up" I mean a boot from a completely off state, not from Sleep or Hibernate.

-My hard drive is a Western Digital Caviar Blue, which I believe is SATA.

-I am currently up-to-date with Windows Updates.

-I put my data back on the PC through backups and reinstalling. I do not use a Drive Copy tool.

-I have managed to find some Minidump files. Two of them read "KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR", the other reads "CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED". Here they are:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5337698/090513-15453-01.dmp
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5337698/090513-20515-01.dmp
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5337698/090813-17984-01.dmp

 

[SirSub42]

Where did you take the computer for service? Not to judge first, but I have gone for an oil change and asked for a tire rotation, secretly marked my tires. And sure enough they didn't rotate them. If EVERY component was replaced, I find the odds extraordinarily high that this problem would persist.

I think we need to look back at the hard drive. Try running a command prompt as an administrator and then type in " chkdsk volume: /f /r ". If /r does not work, try /p. You may need to reboot. After that, download Ultimate Boot CD. They should have some Western Digital hard drive diagnostics, which will scan for corrupt sectors in the hard drive and remap them to properly working. If data is being stored in a corrupt spot on the drive, then this error would make sense.

Here is a direct Link to Western Digital's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic program. You may be able to boot from a usb if you don't have a floppy drive (Who the hell does anymore...)

 

[GiZmOtmk]

Try running a command prompt as an administrator and then type in "chkdsk volume: /f /r"...Download Ultimate boot CD. They should have some Western Digital hard drive diagnostics...

Sadly, I have already tried Chkdsk and WD Data Lifeguard. Neither detect any errors, nor do they fix the problem.

 

[SirSub42]

Have you tried the whole UBCD package? Can't hurt to just plug and chug with tests for now.

One last idea...This tool. If it is infact a driver problem, the best way to start is with a complete list. This way perhaps we can match a memory location from the error to the driver. Start by confirming the big ones, Hard Drive, NIC, Video Card etc. I came accross this idea in a post for a problem similar to yours, he had an Intel Driver issue, so by removing the old one and reinstalling, problem solved.

*Add-on* You may want to see if any of the drivers displayed refer to that Classic shell software as well. If you suspected that from the beginning, it still very well may be.

*Add-on2* Try turning the indexing function on the drive and/or the windows searching service. Another guy seems to have ran into the problem and found the indexing process was attempting to write critical files to a dead spot on the drive.