Multiple BSODs

Anyone been getting random BSODs with their Alienware 17 R3?

I've had the Memory Management BSOD come at me several times in the last year (or more, I can't remember exactly when it started), but today I got a BSOD that read "system thread exception not handled ntoskrnl.exe". That's a new one on me. Nothing in a forum search or Google search turned up an answer. I don't want to go thru another fresh install of Windows 10 again. The last one I did 8 months ago did not help the stability at all.

 

I got the memory management BSOD once when I updated to one of the latest Nvidia drivers and I was watching Netflix on Chrome on my TV via hdmi, which I managed to fix by just downgrading to an older Graphics Driver.

 

i never had bsods with my 17 r3 and i've had it for a year.

my current nvidia driver is 281.75, and bios 3.0.6

if there's a recurring error with the kernel i would suggest you try a windows repair

 

Are you using the Alienware drivers or the ones straight from Nvidia?

 

The ones I got are straight from Nvidia through GeForce Experience, this has been the way I have always done it when it comes to Graphics Drivers. I'm currently on 376.33 and don't plan on updating unless I need to for a certain game. Nvidia recently released a faulty driver a few months ago that was causing Windows 10 store apps to crash but they fixed that, but ever since then I don't compulsively update my Graphics Driver as soon as a new update comes out unless its absolutely necessary. 376.33 has given me zero problems, besides the diagonal screen tearing bug in certain games with v-sync on that seems to have been plaguing gaming laptops for many years now that Nvidia/Microsoft has yet to fix.

 

Will update to driver version 376.33 and see how it all runs. Not sure about the BIOS/vBIOS version from the previous post. There is no Alienware or Nvidia bios for our 17 R3's that has a 3.0.6 version number.

 

I don't recognize that bios either, for the 17 R3 I would suggest bios 1.2.8 or the latest one 1.3.10, those have been the most stable for me.

 

Try NV 378.78 which is very good. Tested on Win 10 Anniversary edition. To uninstall the driver, use these:

1. First use control panel to uninstall the nvidia driver
2. Reboot
3. Run DDU and select Safe Mode under Launch Options drop down menu.
4. It will boot into safe mode, select NVIDIA and hit clean and restart
5. Install the driver in custom mode
6. unselect Geforce experience.
7. Hit Next
   
8. Driver install will take some time
9. Click Finish to exit the installer.

 

Now I just got a FAULTY HARDWARE CORRUPTED PAGE bsod.

This is starting to worry me.

 

And now another Memory Management BSOD.

 

You should try again with clean Windoze install. Download and install The last Build before Win 10 Crapstone. And install latest drivers outside newest from Nvidia. Close Windows Updates. Use gpedit and OO shutup to stop the Driver updates before you log on internet. Use standalone updates.

Spoiler: A FEW TIPS REGARDING DRIVER INSTALL

1. Always install drivers and software in the correct order.

2. Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools then right click on Services and send it to the desktop as a shortcut. Reason being, it is best to have the Windows Driver Foundation set to Automatic rather than manual during the drivers installation.

After every restart, double click on that Services shortcut that we created on the desktop and double check that the Windows Driver Foundation has not been set back to manual. Some drivers set it back to manual.

Failure to have the Windows Driver Foundation driver may result in some drivers not properly being installed properly.

3. When asked to reboot, for the love of God you have a super fast system, follow the instructions and reboot it would only take a few seconds. do not take any shortcuts, I personally reboot after every driver installation whether or not I was asked to reboot by the driver and/or Windows itself.

Why the extra step? And run DDU as for new graphics. Aka shutdown.

 

Subscribed to see how this ends.

Why don't you record the driver versions you have before and after the rebuild? Don't forget Intel driver versions too.

 

It was suggested by Wagnard himself. I personally had problems with running DDU only. So I let NVidia installer to uninstall whatever they install. Reboot into safe mode, run DDU twice and reboot. Finally use Rapr to clear out windows store if there are any remnants.

 

I have never had problems with use of DDU only. And I haven't heard about other who needed run uninstall first either. Zero!!

 

I didn't see the recent changelogs and instruction Thanks @Papusan.

 

Will do. I will have to wait until my semester ends before I do a clean install.

What version is Crapstone?

I never use driver updates from Microsoft. I don't allow WUpdate to check for or install updates automatically. I always manually check for updates and install them after I review what they are.

I ran DDU when I updated the Nvidia drivers this last time. I updated from 372.54 to 376.66 (version was recommended). And yes...I always restart after a driver update. The Intel display drivers I have not touched since the last time I reloaded Windows 10. The driver package was the one available on the Alienware site, version 21.20.16.4590.[/QUOTE]

 

ALL WINDOWS X BUILDS

Avoid Version 1703 (OS Build 15063). Who is the Creators Crapstone Update and if you have problems.
The latest fully working Windows 10 is The Anniversary Update. Aka Version 1607 (OS Build 14393). Good luck


Edit. Useful info if you later decide to run clean OS install. You have probably seen and use it before, but I put it here anyway.

Importent before installing drivers... Download Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Installer (All-In-One) Installer ( It is best to install all the Microsoft Visual C++ Libraries in order for all the drivers and/or games to work properly)


A few good web links!!

Windows Update MiniTool is a free alternative to the standard Windows Update, it puts you in control of updates by allowing you to search, install and block Windows updates as you please


Winaero.com Always updated standalone OS Updates. + much more(No need for Windows Update - Disable the M$ trash in Gpedit, and also use O&O ShutUp10)

Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

The Adguard site powered by Microsoft TechBench offer new and older Windows and Office ISO images.

Phoenix Software Updates Always updated software here on NBR.

 

I've read and seen that in many cases, when you have different BSOD codes (System Service Exception, Memory Management, etc.) and they point to ntoskrnl.exe (which makes it difficult to actually trace the source of the crash, because the source may be memory corruption rather than a particular driver or program), the problem could be your RAM.

Try running memtest. You'll need a USB stick (download the 'auto installer for USB' and extract/run it). Restart the PC, enter BIOS, and manually select to boot from the USB. You should let memtest run for at least 8 full passes, which will take hours. Best thing is to let it run overnight.

If errors are found then you may need to replace the RAM (if you have more than one stick you can test each one separately by removing the other to see which module is faulty). If no errors are found it doesn't rule the RAM out entirely, but you can move to other troubleshooting efforts.

BSODs are no fun. :/

 

I am on version 1703. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that is not the issue. The BSODs have been occurring long before I updates to 1703. Creators Update seems to be running fine on my desktop and Surface Pro 4 as well with no signs of BSODs on those machines.

Very good point. I did run an Alienware memory test, but that was probably a basic one. I should run memtest overnight to see if the RAM has gone bad.

 

The latest Intel HD Graphics Driver for AW17R3 is Version 20.19.15.4531, A10 Release Date: Jan. 10, 2017
Someone has trouble with Intel Intel display driver v 21.20.16.4590. I am not saying that this is your problem. But I post the result anyway. More of the same.

And I expect you have done a clean install of Windows X Crapstone Update and not on top of previous Builds.

For ram testing, you could also test with TestMem5 Run it several times. Sometimes can this tool find errors that wasn't detected by Memtest.
Let us know how it goes.

 

Yes intel hd driver 4590 had some problems in my pc too, 4542 was the version best suited for windows 10 anniversary edition. I will try latest 46xx drivers when i get home.

 

The Intel drivers are indeed known to cause a lot of ****. I had a ****load of Bsods as well because of those once.

 

Thank you all for the advice.

I ended up doing the clean install with the latest build of Windows 10 Home. I also used the latest drivers available from Nvidia, and the most recent Intel drivers available on Dell's website for the R3. I also was careful not to install extra stuff with the drivers. So far it's been good.
No BSODs and the system is running noticeably cooler.

 

Update #2: 3 weeks, no BSODs. A clean install with the correct drivers seems to have fixed it all. Now i just have to figure out how to open up and disassemble the unit for cleaning. Its getting to be summer and the system temps have been hovering around 50C.