Windows 10 BSOD issue

Question

Hi! I've been having BSOD issue for a long time. Normally it only happens about once per months. But recently I've seen BSOD more frequently than usual. I was using verifier following this thread to try to figure out the problem. The system crashed too soon that I could not get into Windows and I had to disable verifier in Safe Mode. I'm now sharing my Minidump files as well as my system information here following this thread. My laptop is Alienware M15. Could anyone help me to fix my issue?

Thanks,

Yusheng

Answer 1

Hi YushengZhao93, I am Rob, an Independent Advisor not affiliated with Microsoft and a 15 time and dual award Microsoft MVP specializing in Windows troubleshooting and Bluescreen analysis. Please remember as independents we are not responsible for the development of Windows or the computer hardware and drivers. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

Driver Verifier crashing like that often indicates a hardware problem though that is not 100%.

Driver Verifier did create a DMP file ->

BugCheck C4, {2000, fffff80b87a024cf, 0, 65447a52}

Probably caused by : RzDev_0306.sys ( RzDev_0306+24cf )

RzDev_0306.sys dated 8/17/2020 Razer driver (and it was the same one running during ALL 5 DMP files).

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3 of the other DMP files were virtually identical.

BugCheck A, {40, 2, 1, fffff8053f488cc0}

Probably caused by : cbfsconnect2017.sys ( cbfsconnect2017+2db7 )

BugCheck A, {40, 2, 1, fffff8020aa88cc0}

Probably caused by : cbfsconnect2017.sys ( cbfsconnect2017+2db7 )

BugCheck A, {40, 2, 1, fffff80377288cc0}

Probably caused by : cbfsconnect2017.sys ( cbfsconnect2017+2db7 )

cbfsconnect2017.sys dated 10/7/2019 CBFS Connectby Callback Technologies.

fffffe06840cf8c8 fffff80559a5102fUnable to load image \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\360Hvm64.sys, Win32 error 0n2

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for 360Hvm64.sys

*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for 360Hvm64.sys 360Hvm64+0x102f

360Hvm64.sys dated 4/26/2021 360 Antivirus.

Unloaded modules:

fffff8059ca60000 fffff8059ca73000 pangpd.sys <-- Palo Alto Networks

fffff80557200000 fffff8055780a000 vgk.sys <-- Valorant/Vanguard Anti-Cheat that loads at Windows startup.

The last DMP indicated the same causes except for a different anti-cheat (mhyprot2.sys instead of vgk.sys)

BugCheck 1E, {ffffffffc0000005, fffff80056488cc0, 0, ffffffffffffffff}

Probably caused by : ntkrnlmp.exe ( nt!KiTryUnwaitThread+50 )

fffffd0b62827748 fffff80074c92db7Unable to load image ??\C:\Windows\system32\drivers\cbfsconnect2017.sys, Win32 error 0n2

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for cbfsconnect2017.sys

*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for cbfsconnect2017.sys cbfsconnect2017+0x2db7

Unloaded modules:

fffff800b6ef0000 fffff800b6f03000 pangpd.sys <-- Palo Alto Networks

fffff80070e50000 fffff80070f9e000 mhyprot2.sys <-- Anti-Cheat Genshin Impact

fffff800b83e0000 fffff800b83e9000 360Sensor64.sys <- 360 Antivirus

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1. Check with Razer Support about that driver/device. Update the driver if possible.
2. Check with CBFS Connectby Callback Technologies about that driver (device) and update it or uninstall it.
3. Check with Palo Alto Networks about that driver/device. Update the driver if possible.
4. I would fully uninstall 360 and use only Windows Defender which in Windows 8/8.1 & 10 is a full antivirus.
5. Anti-cheats cause a lot of issues. They will conflict with each other and 3rd party antivirus. Some load at Windows Startup and others don't properly unload when you quit playing their respective games.
6. Check with Alienware Support, their online documentation, and drivers, diagnostics, and ask in their forums about any known issues. Update the BIOS, low-level chipset drivers, and the major onboard and separate device drivers (see driver update methods using DriverView in the next message below).

There appears to be updates to BIOS, chipsets drivers, and other drivers available at Dell.

Alienware m15 <-- BIOS, chipset drivers, and other major device drivers.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product...

BiosVersion = 2.8.0

BiosReleaseDate = 06/10/2021 <-- current BIOS

SystemManufacturer = Alienware

SystemProductName = Alienware m15

SystemFamily = Alienware

SystemVersion = 2.8.0

SystemSKU = 08A1

BaseBoardManufacturer = Alienware

BaseBoardProduct = 0WCNK6

BaseBoardVersion = A00

CPUID: "Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz"

MaxSpeed: 2200

CurrentSpeed: 2208

Alienware Customer Service : 1 (800) 254-3692

Alienware - Support - Drivers and Downloads

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/support-service...

Alienware - Community Forum - Club

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienw...

7. AFTER ALL the above then run the Intel Driver and Support Assistant.

Intel Driver and Support Assistant <-- run this after checking with System/Motherboard Maker

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect?red...;

Intel Download Center

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/

Intel - Support

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support

Intel - Forums

https://forums.intel.com/s/?language=en_US

If needed:

8. Run the memory tests (see methods in the next message below).
9. Use the test programs in the last section in the next message below.
10. As needed use ALL the methods in the troubleshooters below and in the next message below.
11. After ALL the above if needed run Driver Verifier to see if it can indicate a

CAUSE (see Driver Verifier methods in the next message below).

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I would correct those issues and then run Driver Verifier again. Do not run DV all the time as it can cause instability when there would otherwise be none.

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Troubleshoot blue screen errors <-- read this link

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/t...

Here to help,

Rob

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Standard Disclaimer: Those may be non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all.

Answer 2

Hi Rob,

Sorry for the late reply, and thanks for the advice. I've updated all the drivers you mentioned above, and so far I haven't had the BSOD issue again. Therefore, I didn't run the memory tests or Driver Verifier yet. I will run the test when I get the BSOD again.

Thanks

Answer 3

More troubleshooting methods:

This utility makes it easy to see which device driver versions are loaded :

Run DriverView - set VIEW to Hide Microsoft drivers - update those without Dump in their names (and update BIOS and chipset drivers).

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver, description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and more.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current. Right Click the Start Button - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click Update Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse, and Keyboard if 3rd party with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset, and software updates at System Maker's site while there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN -

REBOOT after each installation.

Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing actually shows up. This is because some drivers roll back before the latest is installed (sound drivers particularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is installed and repeat as needed.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check manually by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht...

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Memory tests do not catch all errors such as mismatched memory (possible even for sticks that appear to be identical) and when faster memory is placed in the system behind slower memory. So it is best to also swap sticks in and out to check for those even if all memory tests fail to show a problem.

To test RAM check here - let it run 4+ hours or so - overnight is best. <-- best method

www.memtest.org

MemTestX86 - Test RAM With

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/14201-memtes...

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After doing ALL the updates you can, and if the issue continues, then run Driver Verifier.

Driver Verifier can help find some BSOD issues :

Driver Verifier-- tracking down a misbehaving driver.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable in Windows 10

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5470-enable...

Using Driver Verifier to identify issues with Windows drivers for advanced users

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617

How To Troubleshoot Driver Problems in Windows Vista or 7. (8/8.1 and 10

are essentially the same).

http://www.winvistaclub.com/t79.html

Using Driver Verifier

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/window...

WINKEY + X - RUN - type in -> verifier /reset hit enter to disable

If Driver Verifier creates a minidump upload it and post the link here so we can analyze it.

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Please note that consumer-level troubleshooting software rarely specifies a particular piece of hardware so a lot of close observation is required.

PassMark Burnin Test - Free Trial - note the trial version will only run for 15 minutes and it really needs to be used for many hours. So if you use this you will need to faithfully and quickly restart it every 15 minutes.

PassMark - BurninTest - Free Trial

https://www.passmark.com/products/burnintest/

Running OCCT for Home Use (Free) and the Stress Tests may help indicate a cause.

OCCT - Free for Home use

https://www.ocbase.com/

Running Stress Tests might help indicate a cause - use ALL of these.

PC Stress Test free software for Windows 10

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/pc-stress-test-f...

Here to help,

Rob

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Standard Disclaimer: Those may be non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all.