BSOD - but why?

My PC was running very well. Last cpl of weeks it started to hang, so I turned off automatic reboot and now get BSOD instead. It happens in games, exiting games sometimes at other times. The BSOD says it has dumped memory but the code is different every time.

I have run Memtest86+ (1.51) and My RAM appears to be fine. Nothing is overclkocked and all temps (cpu, gpu, case etc) are fine. My PC spec is more than enough to run these games.
I have not installed any new hardware and minimal software (except Windows updater updates!!).

I have the latest GPU drivers, BIOS and chipset drivers. I have not changed any drivers from when it was working fine.

Unfoirtunately, I don't have any recent RESTORE points that I could use (my fault).

Is there a tool that can help me or a way I can get to the bottom of this? I don't think it is the PSU, otherwise I am stumped.

TiA
Silver

EDIT: Forgot to say - System has been sweeped for malware and I use AVG and ZoneAlarm. Almost nothing else running.... System is regularly defragged.

 

Try unchecking Automatically restart on system failure like shown in the pic below. That will let you read the BSOD (blue screen of deadth) windows gives and it should further explain whats going on. Also you can try %SystemRoot%\Minidump its where it stores the info from most crashes like that. Sometimes that will give you more info also.

http://wardave.gotdns.com/windows.jpg

 

"Dumps while gaming ". Need quotes of errors but my guess is it's either a game specific problem, adapter problem, directx problem, background running task problem, open gl problem, device conflict problem, sound problem.

Your best bet for tshooting this is to take the worst game for causing this problem, the one that can produce this type of problem most often, and just concentrate on that particular games performance. Seek advice on how to tweak your current display adapter plus the games *.ini or option settings plus directx plus sound and if multiplayer on-line any additional components that may fall into this category such as scripting, flash, modem, java, IE version etc. In most cases if you can get one game to co-operate or get the kinks ironed out of it, the others will fall into place.

Find out what has changed (system wise) in the last couple couple of weeks ie; what updates have been added, what games or anything else, have been installed, uninstalled. If you can pinpoint what has been changed since the system worked and reverse those changes you may find your cure.

Empty all temps (may be filling up with files not cleaned out due to the dumps or bsod reboots). If not on-line game, disable all non essential things startups and things that may be running in the background. You may have a program (option set to check for updates) that polls for modem connects periodically or if dsl autochecks for updates. Now adays most programs do this unless you've ran through the options and disabled that. This may be going on while your busy in the game and has potential for causing problems. Schedule tasks that are timed with short periods ie; every 5 or ten minutes can be a problem. Screensavers or power settings can be problematic. Turn 'em off. Delete your swap file, clean out prefetch. Change your display options (??? 800X600 resolution/color if using 32 bit change to 16 hibit or vis versa). Check your monitor refresh rate. Do a diagnostics run on directx and check for problems within it. Check out Device manager for potential io/irq conflicts or problems. Safemode bootup and check device manager again look for dupes this time. Pay particular attention to what ms updates have been applied recently, particularly if your allowing autoupdating. Do a scandisk/defrag. Check your event viewer for history and possible pattern of problems, this may also help in figuring out what updates or changes have been installed or made in between when your comp worked and when it became fussy, (based on dates of errors and changes that happened in between when it worked and not).
-------------
Forgive any redundant suggestions I may have typed. I am just brain storming here, using your posted symptom and running away with it. I have not kept in mind what you have already tried or do/did as routine.

------------
How old is your most current restore point? It may still be worth a curiosity shot. If restore has not had a history of being fussy on you, you can go backward and forward. In other words you try the past restore point just for a looksee and if unfruitful reverse the change. This is risky though. For some, system restore has become problematic, unreliable, a gamble "click and pray" process. I, personally, have not had any problems when using this method but this tends to be a user/system specific issue. Warning, don't do this, in any form of experimentaion, if you have had a history of virus or malware/adaware. (In that case your system restore points should have been deleted and a fresh one made, but many fail to remember to do this.)

-----------
If you have allowed reboots to occur on dumps it is possible that other files on comp. have since become corruputed or possible reg damage has occured. When you have exhausted all other tshoot options and possibilities, keep in the back of your mind that a thorough checkdisk may need to done and/or sfc /scannow may need to done. (XP CD may be required for this.)

----------
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=45648
Just noticed Marks response to another member with an ongoing similiar problem which reminded that Heat may be issue. You may wish to seek methods to determine if this is a possibility.

 

Thanks you David and thank you Goddez.

David - I have unticked that already - I will write out the next BSOD, but they are giving different codes. Will report back later when it happens tonight.

Goddez - thanks for taking the time to post so much, I appreciate it.

Most of the things you mention are not the problem though. My PC was built as a games rig and has performed very well as such for months. It has started to Reboot/BSOD in last two weeks - mainly with World of Warcraft (online game) at first, but now with other games too. My drivers for all hardware are up-to-date and worked fine before. DX is latest and not been changed.

The only software I have added lately is CloneCD, but that does not start with windows (I removed it with msconfig) so it is never running. The ONLY software I have running in the background is ZoneAlrm (configured correctly for these games) and AVG. resolution is not the issue - my TFT is native at 1280x1024 and i sue 32colour. Never had any issues with it.

No scheduled tasks. No screensaver.

How do I delete swap file? I think TweakXP delets this on exit anyway. And clean the prefetch?

Heat is definately not the issue - I have monitored all temps and they are fine. My case is well cooled with 2x120mm and 1x80mm fans in the optimal places.

I am suspiscious that MS updates have caused this.

I didn't think you could easily go back and forwards through restore points - I will try that.

Will post back with some results...