Recently my Windows 7 x64 machine has been randomly crashing on me. Having recently installed a memory stick, I assumed that it was that, but after resolving that issue (See my question from before) and running multiple tests on the memory without any failure it appears that I have taken care of that issue.
However the PC still randomly crashes. After the crash whenever I look into the Event Viewer I see the same crtical error from Kernel-Power with Event ID of 41. Also with each crash there is a volmgr Error of Event ID 46 and a Wininit Warning with Event ID of 11. This crash happens randomly, and I just can't figure out what the cause is.
Here are the specific Errors and times that Windows reports:
- Critical EVID 41 9/4/2010 9:42:07 PM
Critical EVID 41 9/3/2010 6:10:37 AM
Error EVID 46 9/4/2010 9:42:06 PM & 9:42:12 PM; 3:56:28 PM & 3:56:37 PM; 11:32:00 AM & 11:32:15 AM;
Error EVID 46 9/3/2010 3:29:06 PM & 3:29:12 PM; 6:10:37 AM & 6:10:46 AM
Error EVID 6008 9/4/2010 9:42:15 PM
Error EVID 6008 9/3/2010 6:10:58 AM
Warning EVID 11 9/4/2010 9:42:24 PM; 3:59:46 PM; 11:32:25 AM
- Warning EVID 11 9/3/2010 3:29:24 PM; 6:10:58 AM
The PC crashes whenever I'm away. I have checked my power settings, and although I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for I feel that everything is OK. Hibernate and sleep are off. Display is turned off after 15 min of inactivity, and the power setting is set to High Performance.
There have also been crashes while using the machine, for example:
- Had a Word file open
- Pandora was running (just switched to a commercial when it shut down)
- I was scanning a document
- Had Super User up :)
While these aren't very demanding applications the system shut down, it froze for a moment and then full system shutdown with a restart right after.
Looking at the error reporting brought up the exact same issues explained above, with an the additon of:
- Application error (EID 1000) referring to the application of dlcxjswx.exe (However I think that may be my scanning software, it kept coming up with an error whenever I scanned)
After updating all of my drivers, I had to restart the PC. During the restart after updating the Realtek drivers, the system crashed once again. I am not sure if Realtek is the culprit but thought it might be important. Also, this prompted me to dig even deeper into the event viewer. Under the volmgr error EVID 46, the details tab shows "\Device\HarddiskVolume2" which happens to be my OS hard-drive. Does this mean that the drive is the issue (with it being a SSD/Hard Drive Hybrid)?
Heres my system info:
- Case: HAF 932
- Motherboard: EVGA P55 LE
- Chipset: P55
- Processor: Intel i5-750
- Memory: 2x2 GB 1067; 2x1GB 1333 All modules are OCZ
- Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 9500 GT
- Power Supply: 750 Watts
- Hard Drive: Seagate momentus xt 320 gb (OS); Seagate 750 GB; Seagate 1 TB; WD green 640 GB
Resolved
After opening the PC case and doing a "deep" inspection of everything on the PC, I saw something caught my eye. I looked further, and saw that both a USB and Firewall connection to the motherboard was not connected properly. It was actually connected one set of pins to the right of what it should be and upside down. Stupid mistake I know, but I found it out. I also updated drivers on everything and also have a replaced the PSU. So far, no more crashes.
So to everyone, double and triple check all your connections before you assume it's a software issue :P