Windows 7 mystery surrounding dump file creation

[srinpraveen]

Hello buddies.
I have been plagued by a bsod errors on my windows 7 home premium 64 bit (sony vaio laptop AMD core 4GB RAM) for the past 4 months namely by the title "kernel_inpage_error". The error codes are usually like 0X00000F4 or 0X000007A. I have been banging my head for days regarding the mystery regarding why dump files are not created after a crash.

If I had a dump file, I could post it here. But its so frustrating. I have done all the pre-requisites to help in the creation of the minidump. But it just fails to be created. I tried memory dump that too is not being created in the event of a crash.
Here are the stuff that I have already done.
1) Created Minidump folder on C:\Windows manually. This is because at first, I was of the opinion that the minidump folder will be automatically created in the event of a crash. But since it was never created, I manually created a folder named "Minidump" in C:\windows.
2) Paging file size is more than sufficient to facilitate the creation of a *.dmp file. Initially this was system managed and was kept at 3740MB, But since the dump files were not created, I customized it to around 1.5 times more value around 5500MB. Still no creation of a dump file on bsod.
3) Pagefile.sys is on C:\ which is the OS partition
4) I have done memtest for 7 passes. Says no errors.
5) Tested the hard-drive through all the tests provided by seagate tools. No errors.
6) Complete System Scan, rootkit, MBR through avira. No viruses detected. KIS 2012 also throws no virus detections.
7) I did chkdisk commands , scannow commands no errors on system files or hard-disk sectors.
8) I use ccleaner regularly to clean the registries and also use reginout to clean up the system.

The highest tendency for bsods to occur usually is when I video chat in skype. Or when I do several stuff parallely such as view a streaming video, download a file, virus scan all simulataneously then the bsod happens. But there is no way I can generalise like that. This is just my hunch. There have been cases when they have randomly occurred as well. So till I have the dump file, I can absolutely do nothing.

Pls Pls help me. WHAT exactly do I do to create a dump file?


here are some images for you to view.
This one is after running this file Link Removed.
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Here is an image of my temperatures ie.core temp etc.
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I have all the windows sdk tools from windbg.org but what's the use when I don't have a dump file?

 

[Elmer]

By all means use a driver updater utility. BUT! Don't let it update your drivers. Very often there data bases are out of date. Use it to tell you then go look yourself (google is your friend!!).

Just remember Realtek and graphics related do a monthly update. Chipsets drivers not so often. Intel has a Driver update facility. AMD, not sure as I'm Intel!! If you could fill in your User Specs in your profile (click Settings at top of general screen of The Forum and then Edit profile in left hand column) I can give you some links to bookmark.

 

[Elmer]

From the driver list you provided, you want this: Win7 and WinServer 2008 R2 Auto Installation Program (SID:1457675)

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[srinpraveen]

Hi Elmer,
As you mentioned my Laptop settings in my user profile. Its not complete because I don't know how to get some parameters of my laptop. I used CPU-Z to find my laptop internal details and fill up my user profile. I have attached CPU-Z reports as well. Also I have attached the updated driver list. Pls have a look at it and if possible, mention the outdated drivers because I am kind of having a tough time determining whether or not my drivers are up to date. Most of the driver update softwares appear inaccurate and fake. That's the problem.

 

[nmsuk]

Hi,

When looking at your spec's and noticed your 50c at Idle and 68c during load. This is a little on the high side. AMD recommend 50C full load 100% both cores. Can you check to see if any of the cooling vent's are blocked. Could you get Link Removed . Run the 1024M test and monitor your temps post them back here please can see if your overheatiing.

 

[srinpraveen]

As far as I can see, there is no dust blockage on the vents. And yes, I will run the application you suggested and send back the reports.

 

[Elmer]

Just for info. I once tried MagicISO on my 64bit system. Immediately gave me two BSOD's that I hadn't intentionally provoked. If you are after a virtual drive I'd personally suggest:
Link Removed - Invalid URL Very small at just over 1Mb installed and can emulate up to 18 drives.(My preference).
Link Removed - Invalid URL (The program is a trial but the drive emulation is free forever).
Virtual CloneDrive

• Download and install Driver Sweeper.
• Uninstall your current Graphics setup through Programs and Features
• Boot to Safe Mode
• Run Driver Sweeper to clean up the remnants of your current Graphics set up.
• Reboot to Normal Mode.
• Install your new Graphics set up.

Links to your Realtek drivers. These get updated virtually every month.

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Trying to edit this post and it's coming out wrong. will try later! (DOH! Missed an " ] " out!!)

 

[srinpraveen]

@nmsuk, I tried running wprime.exe but it was just saying that it was "processing" and it went on and on and did not come up with anything. Maybe should I give it another try? Does it a long time for the results to pop out from wprime?
@Elmar,
Are these the only stuff that are appearing outdated Any other stuff a bit outdated? And yes I will follow all your steps and let you know. So drive sweeper is used for a clean uninstall of drivers right if my inference is correct?

 

[nmsuk]

When it does that press the shift key. Sorry should have mentioned that. Give it ago and monitor your temps. The 1024M test should take a few minutes.

 

[Elmer]

@Elmar,
Are these the only stuff that are appearing outdated Any other stuff a bit outdated?

Yes, everything else looking good.

So drive sweeper is used for a clean uninstall of drivers right if my inference is correct?

For your graphics drivers, yes. If you open DriverSweeper you'll see a list of items it can remove. Note that not all these items will be present on your system.

 

[srinpraveen]

When it does that press the shift key. Sorry should have mentioned that. Give it ago and monitor your temps. The 1024M test should take a few minutes.

Hi nmsuk, thanks for giving gprime.exe...Atleast it helped me to figure out that my core is heating up too much. I followed your instructions. I pressed shift. Then the app started executing a bunch of threads. And I started monitoring my cpu and other temperatures through CPUID hD monitor. Initially the steady state temperature of the core was 55 degree celcius (131 degree Farenheit) and in the midst of gprime run, the temperature rose up to 95 degrees (203 degree farenheit). And Whoa!! I have never seen my core temperature so hot before. All the other temperatures were also pretty high. So does this point to something?

 

[srinpraveen]

Yes, everything else looking good. For your graphics drivers, yes. If you open DriverSweeper you'll see a list of items it can remove. Note that not all these items will be present on your system.

@Elmer, I will report back after updating all drivers and uninstalling the old graphics driver through driversweeper. ( i understood from your statements that driversweeper is used for uninstalling the graphic driver in specific. )

 

[srinpraveen]

Here are the screenshots that I took while I ran wprime. The core was absolutely flaming hot. And when the temperature got to around 99 degrees celcius, the screen froze and I got the usual bsod with the error code 0X00000F4. I have enclosed that screenshot as well. And followed by that, I got the operating system not found error on the black screen as always. Then that gets rectified once I power off and on a couple of times. That's the story so far.

And yes I forgot to add something. The gprime took quite a lot of time to complete. It was not quick by any means.

 

[nmsuk]

Wprime is definately not quick, did confirm a cooling problem though. If your comfortable with taking the laptop apart you could check to see if the fans ok. If your not or it's still under warranty take in to be serviced.

 

[srinpraveen]

Well, I need to get back and check if the warranty still holds good. I bought the laptop last year august end. And I think I need to buy the extended warranty from sony vaio. Well I am not too good with dismantling and examining stuff and so I would prefer getting it done by someone professional.

So the temps are high right or is it normal for amd cores to go this high if put under stress?

 

[nmsuk]

Well my quad core on a desktop never goes over 60c sits at the desktop at between 37-45c that's for a 125W cpu compared to your 25W cpu.

 

[srinpraveen]

@Elmer...I forgot to mention sth...I have uninstalled magiciso and magicdisc from my laptop as per your advice.

 

[srinpraveen]

Well my quad core on a desktop never goes over 60c sits at the desktop at between 37-45c that's for a 125W cpu compared to your 25W cpu.

Wow awesome...Looks like my laptop needs a service..