BSOD Reference by Pointer. Don't know what driver is causing the problem.

Question

I have a client with a new Dell laptop (don't have specs with me) that is experiencing a BSOD Reference by Pointer in the file NTOSKernl.exe. The machines reboots and runs for approximately 40 minutes before slowing down and blue screening again. I looked at the dump file in bluescreenviewer but I can't tell what driver is causing the problem. Is there anyone who can examine a dmp file and point me in the right direction?
TIA - Steve

Answer 1

Please run the V2 log collector and post a share link into this thread using one drive, drop box, or google drive.

https://www.tenforums.com/bsod-crashes-debugging/2198-bsod-posting-instructions.html

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Answer 2

Hello @Steve Hughes

This kind of errors reported from the the image usually are related to power management. I would recommend the next:

1. Check your power plan in Windows: if custom plan, please change to one of the defaults such as "Balanced" or "High Performance"
2. Disable C-states and EIST in BIOS - You may want to check the documentation or open a question in your motherboard's manufacturer forums for guidance
3. Check for other overclock or tuning settings on your BIOS (I would recommend to load "optimized default settings", but save before your current configuration in case you want to reload it after testing)
4. Run a Windows DISM health restore: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/repair-a-windows-image?view=windows-11

Hope this helps with your query,

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--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

Answer 3

The BSOD bugchecks were:

CA
18

1) Often these can be attributed to a plug and play device problem.

2) Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
chkdsk /scan
wmic recoveros set autoreboot = false
wmic recoveros get autoreboot
reagentc /info

Post images or share links of the commands with results into this thread.

One of the above command turns off automatic restart.
When there is a BSOD the windows will remain with the BSOD message until you reboot.
This reduces the likelihood that you will miss a BSOD.
After the troubleshooting has completed you can choose your preferred setting.

3) Turn off Windows fast startup:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4189-turn-off-fast-startup-windows-10-a.html

4) Run the Dell diagnostics full test > post images or share links into this thread
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/inspiron-14-7415-2-in-1-laptop/diagnose

5) List all of the hardware that were attached during the BSOD.
(printers, drives, mouse, keyboard, docking station, headset, speakers, joysticks, scanners, portable optical drives, microphones, cameras, webcams, smartphones, etc.)

6) Make a new restore point:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4571-create-system-restore-point-windows-10-a.html

7) Post an image or share link for disk management (widen these columns so that no characters are cutoff: Volume and status
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2503-how-post-screenshot-disk-management.html

8) The BIOS: Version/Date Dell Inc. 1.4.0, 7/12/2021

Upgrade the BIOS: 1.4 > 1.6
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/inspiron-14-7415-2-in-1-laptop/drivers

9) After completing all of the above steps plan to place the computer into safe mode or safe mode with networking continuously for 3 or more days. (shift + restart)
On some computers this may require ethernet instead of wifi.

The more the continuous days the better the testing conditions.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2304-boot-into-safe-mode-windows-10-a.html

Report into the thread whether there were one or more or no BSOD while in safe mode.

10) For any BSOD while in safe mode run the V2 log collector and post a share link into the newest post.

For the next few weeks I'll have very limited time to assist.

Other members may be able to assist with the troubleshooting.

Event[8579]:
Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-USB-USBHUB3
Date: 2021-12-22T12:15:04.9200000Z
Event ID: 196
Task: Surprise Removal
Level: Warning
Opcode: Warning
Keyword: N/A
User: S-1-5-18
User Name: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: DESKTOP-AJT712N
Description:
USB device draining system power when system is idle.

USB Device: VID: 0x3F0 PID: 0x653 REV: 0x100
Removal action failed: QueryRemovalInitiated

Event[8244]:
Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-NDIS
Date: 2021-12-21T22:54:01.6490000Z
Event ID: 10317
Task: PnP
Level: Error
Opcode: Info
Keyword: N/A
User: N/A
User Name: N/A
Computer: DESKTOP-AJT712N
Description:
Miniport Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter #2, {3d8711a5-dd55-4395-8bfa-a7d1ed0069bd}, had event Fatal error: The miniport has failed a power transition to operational power

Event[8781]:
Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Boot
Date: 2021-12-22T19:43:38.7950000Z
Event ID: 29
Task: N/A
Level: Error
Opcode: Info
Keyword: N/A
User: S-1-5-18
User Name: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: DESKTOP-AJT712N
Description:
Windows failed fast startup with error status 0xC0000001.

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