Windows 7 Random BSOD (multiple ones)

[roelst]

I am having serious issues with my laptop. Something is causing a BSOD on random occasions so it might just be a program that is always running (like google chrome or messenger). I am having these quite often (a few per day lately) and don't get any helpful support from Dell. I am considering re-installing windows, but I would rather solve it without loosing all my programs and maybe a fresh version of windows doesn't even solve the problem.

It probably isn't causing the problem, but according to CPU-Z my graphics memory is -1GB instead of +3GB. My Nvidia driver shows the normal +3GB.

A photo of one of the blue-screens is attached as well.

One last thing: Not all blue-screens are showing up at the minidump files.

UPDATE: I got a different BSOD this time, but i noticed something before i got it. All the items on the desktop disappeared as well as all the items in the start menu exept for 'recycle bin'. Which is odd, since the system language of this system isn't English. I placed a foto and the minidump in a new attachement

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're dealing with some complex issues on your laptop. Let's address them step by step:

1. BSOD Crashes:​

• Possible Causes: Random BSoD crashes can be triggered by various factors, including driver issues, hardware problems, or conflicting software.
• Troubleshooting: Here are some steps you can take to diagnose the issue:

• Check Event Viewer: Look for critical errors in the Windows Event Viewer that may provide more details on the crash.
• Run Diagnostics: Use tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for memory issues or hardware problems.
• Update Drivers: Make sure all your drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers, are up to date.
• Check for Conflicting Software: Try running your system in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists, which can help identify if a third-party program is causing the problem.

  2. Graphics Memory Display Issue:​

  • CPU-Z vs. Nvidia: The discrepancy in reported graphics memory between CPU-Z and Nvidia is likely just a display issue with CPU-Z rather than an actual problem. The correct value is what you see in the Nvidia driver.

3. Missing Desktop and Start Menu Icons:​

• Desktop & Start Menu Issue: The disappearance of icons from the desktop and Start menu could be related to a Windows Explorer or system settings problem.
• Faulty Profile: There could be corruption in your user profile causing these issues.

4. Reinstalling Windows:​

• Considerations: Reinstalling Windows is an option if the issues persist and troubleshooting doesn't resolve them. Here are some considerations:
  • Backup Data: Ensure you have backups of important files before proceeding.
  • Recovery Options: You might be able to reset Windows while keeping your files intact. This could help without a full reinstallation.

    Next Steps:​

    1. Diagnostic Tools: Run diagnostics like Windows Memory Diagnostic.
    2. Driver Updates: Ensure all drivers are updated, especially graphics and chipset drivers.
    3. Event Viewer Check: Look into Event Viewer to gather more details about recent crashes.
    4. Consider Backup: Prepare a backup of essential data before exploring major changes like reinstalling Windows. If you need further assistance with any of these steps or details from the attached photos, feel free to share them for a more focused approach to resolving these issues.