Windows 7 Random Black Screens

Vayetze · Nov 25, 2012

Not sure if I posted in the correct place, so please do move the thread if it's in the wrong area.

When I'm using my computer I tend to get a black screen at random times. So far they usually occur while I'm browsing the web and while I'm playing games while on Skype. This happened before and the problem was that I needed a new DVI cable. After getting it fixed it was working fine until about a week ago where I started getting few crashes. Now I'm getting 1 crash everyday.
There are times where I go to start my computer, but after the Windows logo I am left with a black screen. I usually keep restarting my computer until it turns on normally.

I don't know why but I have a hunch that it might be PSU, temperature, or compatibility problems.

I'm not sure if I've attached everything you need, so do let me know if I'm missing anything.
Also, I don't really understand some of the computer terms, so I would be grateful if you could 'dumb it down' for me. :redface:

Thanks for reading!

usasma · Nov 25, 2012

All the reports aren't included in the uploaded files - in particular you're missing the systeminfo, MSINFO32, and the Event Viewer log files (both System and Application logs). The first 2 are for general troubleshooting, while the last 2 will help see if there's specific issues showing up for the black screens.

Please rerun the collection app and let it run for at least 15 minutes. When it's done it'll give instructions about zipping up the files - so you'll know it's done then.

Vayetze · Nov 25, 2012

Oh right. I was having an issue with the collection app.
It says "Make sure you Right click on the program icon and click on Run as administrator." However, I did run it as admin.

error:

See the end of this message for details on invoking just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.IOException: Could not complete operation on some files and directories. See the Data property of the exception for more details.
at Microsoft.VisualBasic.FileIO.FileSystem.FxCopyOrMoveDirectory(CopyOrMove operation, String sourceDirectoryPath, String targetDirectoryPath, Boolean overwrite)
at Microsoft.VisualBasic.FileIO.FileSystem.CopyOrMoveDirectory(CopyOrMove operation, String sourceDirectoryName, String destinationDirectoryName, Boolean overwrite, UIOptionInternal showUI, UICancelOption onUserCancel)
at Microsoft.VisualBasic.MyServices.FileSystemProxy.CopyDirectory(String sourceDirectoryName, String destinationDirectoryName, Boolean overwrite)
at W7F_Diagnostic_Tool.Form1.Button1_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5466 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
W7F Diagnostic Tool
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Users/Ruta/Desktop/W7F%20Diagnostic%20Tool/W7F%20Diagnostic%20Tool.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5466 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5460 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5462 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

usasma · Nov 25, 2012

Sorry, but I don't know nothing about that stuff!
Try the procedure from here (it's written by another author) so it may work on your system: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions - Windows 8, 7 & Vista

If that doesn't work, then post back and we'll go step by step through generating:
- systeminfo.exe report
- msinfo32.exe report
- System log from eventvwr.msc report
- Application log from eventvwr.msc report

I'm getting ready for work in 15 minutes - so I may not reply for a while.

Vayetze · Nov 25, 2012

Ok I think that worked. I have attached the files here and updated my first post.

usasma · Nov 25, 2012

MSINFO32 shows that there's issues with HotSpotShield. Please un-install it and see if that helps.

Daemon Tools (and Alcohol % software) are known to cause BSOD's on some Win7 systems (mostly due to the sptd.sys driver, although I have seen dtsoftbus01.sys blamed on several occasions).

Please un-install the program, then use the following free tool to ensure that the troublesome sptd.sys driver is removed from your system (pick the 32 or 64 bit system depending on your system's configuration): ~~[DEL] DuplexSecure - FAQ [/DEL]~~ Link broken as of 21 Jul 2012
New link (15 Aug 2012): DuplexSecure - Downloads (pick the appropriate version for your system and select "Un-install" when you run it).
Alternate link: Disc-Tools.com
Manual procedure here: Registry and SPTD problems | DAEMON Pro Help

Please update these older drivers. Links are included to assist in looking up the source of the drivers. If unable to find an update, please remove (un-install) the program responsible for that driver. DO NOT manually delete/rename the driver as it may make the system unbootable! :

adfs.SYS Thu Jun 26 16:52:37 2008 (48640195)
Adobe File System Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=adfs.SYS

hamachi.sys Thu Feb 19 05:36:41 2009 (499D3639)
LogMeIn Hamachi Virtual network interface driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=hamachi.sys

taphss.sys Tue Sep 15 15:58:23 2009 (4AAFF1DF)
Anchorfree HSS Adapter [br] Possible BSOD cause seen in mid-2012
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=taphss.sys

AppleCharger.sys Mon Jan 10 04:57:29 2011 (4D2AD809)
GIGABYTE On/Off Charge driver. See here for details - GIGABYTE ON/OFF Charge [br]May cause BSOD on Win7 systems - uninstall to test
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=AppleCharger.sys

dtsoftbus01.sys Fri Jan 13 08:45:46 2012 (4F10358A)
Daemon Tools driver [br] Possible BSOD issues in Win7
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=dtsoftbus01.sys

hssdrv6.sys Mon May 14 19:06:22 2012 (4FB18FEE)
Hotspot Shield Routing Driver [br] Possible BSOD cause seen in mid-2012
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=hssdrv6.sys

Analysis:
The following is for informational purposes only.

Code:

[font=lucida console]**************************Sat Oct 27 16:14:05.693 2012 (UTC - 5:00)**************************
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\John\_jcgriff2_\dbug\__Kernel__\102812-21044-01.dmp]
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (4 procs) Free x64
Built by: [B]7601[/B].17944.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333
System Uptime:[B]0 days 0:33:33.885[/B]
BugCheck Code: [B]BugCheck D1, {8, 2, 1, fffff8800aef8f86}[/B]
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for hssdrv6.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for hssdrv6.sys
Probably caused by :[B]hssdrv6.sys ( hssdrv6+2f86 )[/B]
BugCheck Info: [B]DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (d1)[/B]
Arguments: 
Arg1: 0000000000000008, memory referenced
Arg2: 0000000000000002, IRQL
Arg3: 0000000000000001, value 0 = read operation, 1 = write operation
Arg4: fffff8800aef8f86, address which referenced memory
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  WIN7_DRIVER_FAULT
BUGCHECK_STR:  0xD1
PROCESS_NAME: [B]System[/B]
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: [B]X64_0xD1_hssdrv6+2f86[/B]
CPUID:        "Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz"
MaxSpeed:     3300
CurrentSpeed: [B]3292[/B]
  BIOS Version                  F10
  BIOS Release Date             03/20/2012
  Manufacturer                  Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
  Product Name                  Z68XP-UD3
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
[/font]

3rd Party Drivers:
The following is for information purposes only.
Any drivers in red should be updated or removed from your system. And should have been discussed in the body of my post.

Code:

[font=lucida console]**************************Sat Oct 27 16:14:05.693 2012 (UTC - 5:00)**************************
[COLOR=RED][B]adfs.SYS                    Thu Jun 26 16:52:37 2008 (48640195)[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=RED][B]hamachi.sys                 Thu Feb 19 05:36:41 2009 (499D3639)[/B][/COLOR]
intelppm.sys                Mon Jul 13 19:19:25 2009 (4A5BC0FD)
[COLOR=RED][B]taphss.sys                  Tue Sep 15 15:58:23 2009 (4AAFF1DF)[/B][/COLOR]
amdxata.sys                 Fri Mar 19 12:18:18 2010 (4BA3A3CA)
[COLOR=RED][B]AppleCharger.sys            Mon Jan 10 04:57:29 2011 (4D2AD809)[/B][/COLOR]
nvBridge.kmd                Fri May 20 23:58:23 2011 (4DD7385F)
tmtdi.sys                   Wed Jun 29 06:26:34 2011 (4E0AFDDA)
tmevtmgr.sys                Tue Jul 12 07:12:20 2011 (4E1C2C14)
tmcomm.sys                  Tue Jul 12 07:12:24 2011 (4E1C2C18)
tmactmon.sys                Tue Jul 12 07:12:34 2011 (4E1C2C22)
LHidFilt.Sys                Fri Sep  2 02:23:09 2011 (4E60764D)
LMouFilt.Sys                Fri Sep  2 02:23:15 2011 (4E607653)
LUsbFilt.Sys                Fri Sep  2 02:23:19 2011 (4E607657)
HECIx64.sys                 Wed Nov  9 19:52:25 2011 (4EBB2049)
IntcDAud.sys                Tue Dec  6 06:23:07 2011 (4EDDFB1B)
[COLOR=RED][B]dtsoftbus01.sys             Fri Jan 13 08:45:46 2012 (4F10358A)[/B][/COLOR]
Rt64win7.sys                Thu Feb 16 00:39:50 2012 (4F3C96A6)
EtronXHCI.sys               Thu Mar  1 09:58:37 2012 (4F4F8E9D)
EtronHub3.sys               Thu Mar  1 09:58:43 2012 (4F4F8EA3)
igdkmd64.sys                Mon Mar 19 19:31:54 2012 (4F67C1EA)
RTKVHD64.sys                Tue Mar 27 05:01:50 2012 (4F7181FE)
nvhda64v.sys                Wed Apr 18 13:07:54 2012 (4F8EF4EA)
GEARAspiWDM.sys             Thu May  3 15:56:17 2012 (4FA2E2E1)
[COLOR=RED][B]hssdrv6.sys                 Mon May 14 19:06:22 2012 (4FB18FEE)[/B][/COLOR]
nvlddmkm.sys                Tue May 15 03:35:36 2012 (4FB20748)
[/font]

usasma · Nov 25, 2012

nVidia problems throughout the System log file.
WMI errors (in CIMV2) in the Application log file.

Un-install all the nVidia stuff, then use this link to install the drivers only: nVidia Video Cards - DRIVER ONLY installation procedure

I'm not familiar with fixing WMI, but there's a start point here: How to Reset Windows 7 WMI - Taiwan CSS Platform Team - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

Vayetze · Nov 25, 2012

Thanks so much for the info. Unfortunately I have an exam tomorrow, so I'm unable to attempt these fixes until after it. I'll try get back to you in a day or two.

usasma · Nov 25, 2012

Not a problem. I get notified by email when you reply - so just let me know the results when you get to it.
Good luck with the exams!

Vayetze · Nov 30, 2012

Sorry for the wait, I've been quite busy lately.
I checked for hamachi on my computer but I'm pretty sure I deleted it before. Same goes for Hotspot Shield and Anchorfree HSS Adapter. Daemon tools I think I'll remove if I really have to. I also uninstalled the Gigabyte Apple Charger. However, I'm not quite sure if these programs are 100% removed from my computer. Is there any solution/program I could use to 100% remove them.

As for the nVidia drivers, I wasn't able to use control panel to remove the drivers. When I tried to uninstall them nothing happened. Am I suppose to go into driver manager to remove them?

Also, sorry for being so noob!

GeneralHiningII · Nov 30, 2012

1. UNINSTALL Daemon Tools. It's known to cause BSODs, and you're not doing yourself a favour by delaying the uninstall.
2. If it's not in Control Panel, it's not there (unless it's a really extreme case). However, if you're still worried, this is a good uninstaller that I sometimes use: Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems
or a different program that can also fully uninstall programs (from my experience):
IObit Uninstaller, Software Uninstaller, Advanced Uninstaller - IObit

My instructions on how to install it (although feel free to use usasma's link here: nVidia Video Cards - DRIVER ONLY installation procedure)

Downloads required before doing these instructions:
Download link for NVIDIA driver: Drivers | GeForce
Download link for Driver Sweeper: Guru3D - Driver Sweeper
Also remember to create a system restore point before attempting these instructions. If you're not sure how to do that: Create a Restore Point for Windows 7 or Vista’s System Restore - How-To Geek

1. Reboot the computer, repeatedly press F8 to access Advanced Boot Options. Select Safe Mode.
2. When Safe Mode has loaded, Start > QuickSearch “Device Manager” or Start > Control Panel > View by: Large Icons > Device Manager.
3. On Device Manager - Display Adapters > [select onboard GPU] – right click > Uninstall. Do not select the option Delete the driver software for this device.
4. Uninstall the GPU.
5. Now Run Driver Sweeper. Tick the Boxes "NVIDIA PHYSX" and "NVIDIA CHIPSET". Now select "Clean". Let it run through, and reboot when prompted.
6. On Windows, wait for the card to reinstall. When the card is reinstalled, you should receive the message “Device [GPU Name] has been successfully installed – [GPU NAME]”. When you receive this notification, reboot your computer one more time.
7. After the reboot, install the pre-downlaoded driver. Select the box on the install menu "Clean install" (NOTE: That button just resets the drivers, you still have to do steps 1 to 6). Install the driver.
8. Reboot the computer one more time, and retest the problem.

Vayetze · Nov 30, 2012

In your instructions you say to tick the boxes NVIDIA CHIPSET but in usama instructions he says be careful about uninstalling the chipset. Do I go ahead and tick it?

GeneralHiningII · Nov 30, 2012

My instructions are from personal experience, but usasma's are also probably from his experience.

However:
From my knowledge, Driver Sweeper simply checks for old/outdated/corrupt drivers in the ticked selections, and removes them. It's not uninstalling the chipset, more like checking for bad driver softwares and removing them instead.

Your choice though, on whether to tick it or not (IMO, I'd probably clean it anyway, just saying).

GeneralHiningII and all associated names, groups or anything that has the trademark General, GHII or GeneralHining, are not responsible for your computer if in the unlikely event an irreparable event occurs. Help tips offered by GeneralHiningII are simply a tip, not a forced instruction. By following GeneralHiningII's tips, you accept that GeneralHiningII is not responsible for any events that occur thereafter. Please have a nice day, and remember, be safe around roads.

usasma · Nov 30, 2012

You're not being a n00b - this is fairly advanced stuff that we're dealing with here.

We wait and see if you get further BSOD's - that'll tell us if the drivers are still running. You can check the MSINFO32 report to see what's still running on the system also - but, IMO, that's not as accurate as the contents of the memory dump file.

As for the nVidia, uninstall them in Device Manager then (make sure to check the box to remove the driver software if it gives you that option) - and then follow the instructions for installing the DRIVER ONLY.

Vayetze · Dec 1, 2012

Ok I've been playing Dishonored for about an hour now and it seems ok. However, I did get a black screen once when the game was closed. It said something along the lines of "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" (sorry can't remember exactly.) So far that's the only problem, other than that there's been a huge improvement.
Thanks guys!

usasma · Dec 1, 2012

If you've got a problem after installing the new video drivers, then it's most likely NOT a problem with the video drivers (but the likelyhood is increased because of the difficulties in removing it).

The next thing to check would be the video card itself.
Check for :
- power to the card (wiggle connectors)
- clogs in the card's cooler
- card fan working
- air getting to the card
- card temperature
You can also use these free diagnostics to help test it (select the video tests): Additional Hardware Diagnostics

Vayetze · Dec 1, 2012

I started my computer this morning and I got "Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown" but I don't remember it crashing. It gave me a minidump file which I attached here.

GeneralHiningII · Dec 1, 2012

Code:

Debug session time: Sat Dec  1 16:22:28.741 2012 (UTC + 11:00)
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\MZ\SysnativeBSODApps\120212-19843-01.dmp]
Built by: 7601.17944.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333
System Uptime: 0 days 1:05:53.599
BugCheck 117, {fffffa8009f8f010, fffff8800f169a88, 0, 0}
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for nvlddmkm.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for nvlddmkm.sys
Probably caused by : nvlddmkm.sys ( nvlddmkm+14ba88 )
Bugcheck code 00000117
Arguments: 
Arg1: fffffa8009f8f010, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff8800f169a88, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g owner tag).
Arg3: 0000000000000000, The secondary driver specific bucketing key.
Arg4: 0000000000000000, Optional internal context dependent data.
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_TIMEOUT
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x117
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x117_IMAGE_nvlddmkm.sys
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``

See if you can get a different (but functional and compatible) graphics card to test on your system. Probably see if a friend is willing to lend you their graphics card for a week or two, and test that one out on your system.

TDR_TIMEOUT means that the specified device/driver failed to respond within the set time. Put GRAPHICS_DRIVER in front of that, it means your graphics card failed to do what it's supposed to do in (~2 milliseconds).

Vayetze · Dec 3, 2012

So far the problem seems to have settled. Haven't had a black screen for awhile. I've asked around and no one seems to have a spare graphics card. If I do get a black screen, I'll probably take it in stores for them to have a look.

Thanks so much for the help usasma and GeneralHiningII.

Windows 7 Random Black Screens

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