Blue screen help

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
I built a new PC back in March. Had no issues until a couple weeks ago and now I'm getting BSOD's.
It's happened a couple of times while just surfing the web or doing something else, but sometimes I have no issues with surfing, using Photoshop, iTunes, etc.
But every time I play BF:BC2, I get a blue screen within 20 minutes.

I ran a crash analysis utility and it suggested it might be a thermal issue. So I installed HWMonitor, started recording temps, and played BF until it crashed. But it looks like HWMonitor might only safe the files after you tell it to stop recording, so nothing got saved and I wasn't able to see if the temps were getting high before the crash.

Is there any monitoring software I could use that would log temps in a way that I could see them after a crash?

Any other help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is what WhoCrashed gave me:
[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial][/FONT]
Code:
[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial][SIZE=4][B]System Information (local)[/B]  [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]computer name:  MILLER7-PC
windows version: Windows 7 , 6.1, build: 7600
windows dir:  C:\Windows
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz  Intel586, level: 6
4 logical processors, active mask: 15
RAM: 8572559360  total
VM: 2147352576, free: 1980825600
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial][SIZE=4][B]  Crash Dump Analysis[/B]  [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Crash dump  directory: C:\Windows\Minidump[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Crash  dumps are enabled on your computer.
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Sun 7/10/2011 1:40:26 PM GMT your computer  crashed[/B]
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\071011-21106-01.dmp
This  was probably caused by the following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] (hal+0x12903) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0,  0xFFFFFA8007FEB028, 0xBF800000, 0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Sun  7/10/2011 1:40:26 PM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\memory.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]  (hal!HalBugCheckSystem+0x1E3) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0, 0xFFFFFA8007FEB028,  0xBF800000, 0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Fri  7/8/2011 8:58:20 PM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\070811-19484-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]  (hal+0x12903) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0, 0xFFFFFA8007FE0028, 0xBF800000,  0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Thu  7/7/2011 3:11:00 PM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\070711-16692-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]  (hal+0x12903) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0, 0xFFFFFA8007796028, 0xBF800000,  0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Tue  7/5/2011 2:33:30 PM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\070511-16770-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=atikmpag.sys"]atikmpag.sys[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] (atikmpag+0x73BC) 
Bugcheck code: 0x116  (0xFFFFFA8007F104E0, 0xFFFFF88003F853BC, 0x0, 0x2)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+VIDEO_TDR_ERROR"]VIDEO_TDR_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\drivers\atikmpag.sys
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=AMD%20driver"]AMD driver[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Advanced%20Micro%20Devices,%20Inc."]Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: AMD  multi-vendor Miniport Driver
Bug check description: This indicates that an  attempt to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout failed. 
A  third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system  error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver:  atikmpag.sys (AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.).  
Google query: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=atikmpag.sys+Advanced%20Micro%20Devices,%20Inc.+VIDEO_TDR_ERROR"]atikmpag.sys Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.  VIDEO_TDR_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]


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[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Sun 7/3/2011 4:10:58 PM GMT your computer  crashed[/B]
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\070311-17565-01.dmp
This  was probably caused by the following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] (hal+0x12903) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0,  0xFFFFFA8008019028, 0xBF800000, 0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Sun  7/3/2011 3:36:48 PM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\070311-18049-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Unknown[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] (0xFFFFF80002CC6700) 
Bugcheck code:  0x124 (0x0, 0xFFFFFA80077E4028, 0xBF800000, 0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
Bug check description: This  bug check indicates that a fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check  uses the error data that is provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture  (WHEA). 
This is likely to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This  problem might be caused by a thermal issue. 
A third party driver was  identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you  look for an update for the following driver: Unknown . 
Google query: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Unknown+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]Unknown  WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]


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[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Mon 6/27/2011 2:13:42 AM GMT  your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\062611-18860-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]  (hal+0x12903) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0, 0xFFFFFA8008049028, 0xBF800000,  0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][B]On Mon  6/27/2011 1:53:39 AM GMT your computer crashed[/B]
crash dump file:  C:\Windows\Minidump\062611-23992-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the  following module: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=hal.dll"]hal.dll[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]  (hal+0x12903) 
Bugcheck code: 0x124 (0x0, 0xFFFFFA80077B8028, 0xBF800000,  0x200001)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR"]WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
file path:  C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll
product: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%C2%AE%20Windows%C2%AE%20Operating%20System"]Microsoft® Windows® Operating System[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI,  Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=Microsoft%20Corporation"]Microsoft Corporation[/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
description: Hardware  Abstraction Layer DLL
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a  fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is  provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA). 
This is likely  to be caused by a hardware problem problem. This problem might be caused by a  thermal issue. 
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your  system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by  another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.  
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,718
15,117
146
Please list ALL your hardware.

CPU
Heatsink
Motherboard
Hard Drive
RAM (how much, what size, what manufacturer)
Power supply
Optical drives
Case and fans
Operating system

That gives us information on what your equipment is, how much power it draws, and possible conflicts.
 

Campy

Senior member
Jun 25, 2010
785
171
116
consistent BSOD usually points to some kind of hardware error in my experience. check ram
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
Lian Li Lancool PC-K62 ATX Mid Tower with 120mm in rear, 140mm in front, 2x140mm on top
Antec TruePower TP-750 750W
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge with stock fan and Arctic Silver 5
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM (2x4GB)
XFX HD-695A-CNFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB
Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200RPM SATA
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS SATA 24X DVD Burner
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

I'll try running MemTest when I get home tonight.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,718
15,117
146
Looks like you have good quality hardware, including a power supply that should be more than adequate.

That most likely leaves either a driver issue, or something like faulty RAM.
I agree with Memtest as a starting point.

Also, googling "hal.dll" finds this:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ht/hal-dll-missing-windows-7-vista.htm

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/missinghaldll.htm

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...dll-boot/01a4e08b-5833-4fe3-b9c1-9bbc9a64759e

It might be time to get out your Windows install disk and do a "repair."
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
Thanks.
I didn't get to it last night but I'll try to run Memtest tonight.
If that doesn't find anything, would it be better to do a repair or a fresh install of Windows 7?
I assume a repair would rule out any issue with OS system files, but what if it's a problem with a driver? Doing a repair wouldn't write over all the drivers would it?
Also, I did try updating the video card drivers and that didn't help. Since it was mainly happening with heavy gaming, I figured that was worth a try.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
I'm not sure that a "repair" as such is possible with the Windows 7 install, at least not as it was with XP. I doubt that your issue is with OS corruption, but it is worth giving a fresh install a shot (maybe on a spare disk?).
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
I tried running MemTest overnight and it didn't have any errors.

So I did a fresh install of Windows, flashed the BIOS, updated all the motherboard drivers and video card drivers, reinstalled Steam and BF:BC2.

I'm still having the same issue. I can play for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, then I get a BSOD with a STOP 0x00000124 error and no other details.

I tried monitoring the temps and found that the GPU was getting up to 80C when I was playing. I wasn't sure, but that seemed hot, so I tried setting the fan to 70% manually and that kept the temps down in the 50's to 60's while gaming, but I still got the BSOD.

I've also tried running Burn In Test and it doesn't cause any errors either. My son has been playing Counter Strike and Team Fortress and doesn't have any issues.

Any other ideas to try to figure this thing out?
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
80C is fine for a GPU, so I doubt that it is heat-related. I'm thinking that it can be one of a few things:
- Bug in BC2 that freaks out the drivers (I have heard of some setups doing this with BC2 specifically)
- Bug in drivers that BC2 causes to manifest (try using various older driver versions)
- Legitimate hardware problem with the GPU
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
After some more googling, I read a couple reports of people having this issue with some of the software Gigabyte includes with their motherboards.
So I uninstalled EasyTune 6 and Smart 6.
My son played BC2 for about an hour and a half last night and had no issues. Until then, the issue was very consistent and we were never able to play longer than about 20 to 30 minutes.
So I'm really hoping that the issue is fixed, but we will see.