BSOD over last few days :(

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gramps

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Over the last few days I've suddenly started getting the infamous BSOD, it causes a Stop and a memory dump and the error report shows a reference to dxgmms1.sys.
Google shows this happening to a lot of people over an extended period of time and reports suggest it to be related to the graphics card (though I can't be sure of that).
The machine is an Acer Aspire 5720 laptop which originally shipped with Vista and a couple of years ago was upgraded to Win 7 - no problems really since then. The graphics card I believe is part of the main board which is an Intel Core2 Duo with a 965 chipset; I have been to the Intel support website and done a check (via a software download) and it did not indicate that any drivers needed updating.
I'm a bit lost for what to try next ... what other issues could be causing the BSOD's?
 
You could try giving AcerUK a call. They're usually quite helpful if it's a hardware question.
 
Well since the last post I decided to use my laptop cooler, (stand with fans), and since it's been on there has been no repetition of the BSOD. I installed 'Speedfan' and shows that the laptop temperature is regularly being shown as a small flame and then dropping back to normal.
Could it be that the laptop was overheating and that led to the BSOD problems?
Can't see any way of making it cool other than using the stand, can't locate any air-slots in the case so I'm guessing there is no fan of any sorts, certainly can't hear one.
 
Yup. Overheating is one of the main causes of hardware shut downs. Give your exhaust ports a quick hoover!
 
Weegi said:
Hi there,

When your machine crashes, it should create a minidump file, you can install a product like this http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html to help you review what is causing it.

It's free and it's a pretty useful in determining the root cause of the problem.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the heads-up :thumbs:

Shows:-

122911-35505-01.dmp 29/12/2011 17:47:25 SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED 0x1000007e 0xc0000005 0x969e4501 0x92317ba0 0x92317780 dxgmms1.sys dxgmms1.sys+1b501 DirectX Graphics MMS Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Microsoft Corporation 6.1.7601.17554 (win7sp1_gdr.110202-1504) 32-bit dxgmms1.sys+1b501 dxgmms1.sys+1be66 dxgmms1.sys+1d4c8 dxgmms1.sys+311df C:\Windows\Minidump\122911-35505-01.dmp 2 15 7601 145,648
Click to expand...

Don't know if that makes any sense :shrug:
 
Last edited:
Thanks, windows update is up-to-date and checking on the Intel and Acer sites it appears everything is up-to-date, however the laptop originally shipped with Vista so it may be that there are some issues that windows update has encountered as I did a Win 7 upgrade.
 
Cured mine with a leaf blower.

Noisy but did the trick. :)
 
It might be a corrupt driver so you might need to remove all and then install again, have you tried running dxdiag and checking to see if any errors are found there?

(Windows Icon, then type in dxdiag, press enter and 2nd tab should be display).

I'll have a think and see if there is anything else you can try but as you said, it does seem a few folk have had this and all solutions seems to be unique!
 
dxdiag - "no problems found"
 
You could try uninstalling the graphics card driver, reboot and let Windows install what it wants and see if that helps and I would recommend cleaning the fan vents too

When it blue screens, is it on your lap or on a hard surface like a table? It's quite common when using a laptop on your lap to block the exhaust vents causing it to overheat.
 
Rico said:
You could try uninstalling the graphics card driver, reboot and let Windows install what it wants and see if that helps and I would recommend cleaning the fan vents too

When it blue screens, is it on your lap or on a hard surface like a table? It's quite common when using a laptop on your lap to block the exhaust vents causing it to overheat.
Click to expand...

Fan vents are on the underside and have been cleaned (though nothing changed in Speedfan. The laptop is almostnever on my lap, normally on the laptop stand bit without the fans running.
I can't find any reference to a graphics card, when I look at 'Display Adapters' in 'Device Manager' the only reference I see is to a Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset so I am assuming it's part of the motherboard?
Intel site analysed the laptop and said everything was up-to-date.
 
neil_g said:
What's the stop error code?
Click to expand...

Finally happened again this morning, laptop 'idle' (not being used by me at the time) and sitting on the stand with fans running (ports blown out yesterday).

Stop error code:-

STOP: OxOOOOOO7E (OxCOOOOOO5, Ox96606501, Ox974DFBAO, Ox974DF780)
dxgmms1.sys - Address 96606501 base at 965EBOOO DateStamp 4d4a24c1
Click to expand...

First line of the WinDump programme shows:-

010112-43103-01.dmp 01/01/2012 10:47:55 SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED 0x1000007e 0xc0000005 0x96606501 0x974dfba0 0x974df780 dxgmms1.sys dxgmms1.sys+1b501 DirectX Graphics MMS Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Microsoft Corporation 6.1.7601.17554 (win7sp1_gdr.110202-1504) 32-bit dxgmms1.sys+1b501 dxgmms1.sys+1be66 dxgmms1.sys+1d4c8 dxgmms1.sys+311df C:\Windows\Minidump\010112-43103-01.dmp 2 15 7601 145,648
Click to expand...

In Device Manager I have checked all the drivers that I think might apply and it shows them as being up-to-date, similarly the Drivers Update Utility on the Intel site shows them as being either 'current' or 'valid'.
 
Hey Gramps,

Sorry to hear that it's still occurring on a regular basis it seems. I doubt that the chipset (will be onboard) is faulty, and pretty sure that it will be a driver of sorts that are causing these problems.

You could obviously back up your data, format the HDD and re-install the OS & apps again or if you haven't already done so, see if there any old drivers on your laptop that you can remove.

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Driver-Sweeper/1248206693/1

The above link takes you to a driver sweeper program, I actually think 3.20 is now out http://www.phyxion.net/Driver-Sweeper/Driver-Sweeper/

Try that and see if it helps, I don't think heat it an issue, unless you feel the laptop is roasting hot as all the info points to the driver..

Cheers

Al
 
Weegi said:
Hi there,

When your machine crashes, it should create a minidump file, you can install a product like this http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html to help you review what is causing it.

It's free and it's a pretty useful in determining the root cause of the problem.
Click to expand...

Blue screen view tends to blame ntoskrnl.exe. There are a couple of forums around with BSOD specialists on them, but diagnosing the codes is beyond me.

dxgmms1.sys is related to DirectX. Try reinstalling your video card drivers.
 
Googling your error code and file version comes up with only one set of hits. Whilst the symptoms aren't the same, it MAY be worth installing the hotfix suggested: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2547257

I would advise AGAINST reformatting the drive as it means reinstalling everything and making sure you have a correct backup of your data. If it is a driver issue, it can be sorted once the culprit is found.
 
Weegi said:
Gramps, have a look at this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/983615

It could be the issue you are having and there is a hotfix for it.. worth a look

-Al
Click to expand...
I saw that too, but the file version in gramps' system is later than the one indicated in that hotfix (which should probably have made it into SP 1).
 
DirectX. Usual MS cruddery to blame in all likelihood. What did you update just before it started doing it? Highly likely to be the culprit...

Do you have the restore options? Some of the later windows let you track back to previous changes so that you can undo them. Worth enabling if you have the HD space as you never know when an update can bog up everything.
 
Gramps, here is another crash analyser tool, it might give you some more info. Windows 7 has DirectX 11 built in, might be that the chipset isn't fully compatible but it wouldn't explain why this has just started.

You could try to download the Directx Runtimes & see if there are updates there.

-Al
 
Weegi said:
Hey Gramps,

Sorry to hear that it's still occurring on a regular basis it seems. I doubt that the chipset (will be onboard) is faulty, and pretty sure that it will be a driver of sorts that are causing these problems.

You could obviously back up your data, format the HDD and re-install the OS & apps again or if you haven't already done so, see if there any old drivers on your laptop that you can remove.

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Driver-Sweeper/1248206693/1

The above link takes you to a driver sweeper program, I actually think 3.20 is now out http://www.phyxion.net/Driver-Sweeper/Driver-Sweeper/

Try that and see if it helps, I don't think heat it an issue, unless you feel the laptop is roasting hot as all the info points to the driver..

Cheers

Al
Click to expand...

Deesn't highlight any problems.

arad85 said:
Googling your error code and file version comes up with only one set of hits. Whilst the symptoms aren't the same, it MAY be worth installing the hotfix suggested: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2547257

I would advise AGAINST reformatting the drive as it means reinstalling everything and making sure you have a correct backup of your data. If it is a driver issue, it can be sorted once the culprit is found.
Click to expand...

Weegi said:
Gramps, here is another crash analyser tool, it might give you some more info. Windows 7 has DirectX 11 built in, might be that the chipset isn't fully compatible but it wouldn't explain why this has just started.

You could try to download the Directx Runtimes & see if there are updates there.

-Al
Click to expand...

Both above hotfixes have a warning that they are only applicable for the specific problem, which is not exactly the same as mine so I have held off on using them for the moment.
I have regular drive images via Acronis so can reinstall if required but don't want to go that route unnecessarily.
How do I go back on Windows updates?

Crash analyser cannot identify any specific cause.
 
Last edited:
You might want to try posting here:
Seven Forums - Crashes and Debugging

There are a couple of BSOD experts there that should be able to track down the specific problem.

If not, I would try reinstalling graphics drivers before going down the reinstall route.
 
When did this start happening? Last 2-3 weeks? There is a file RapportEI.sys that is dated 14/12. Try disabling this..

Even Wiki has reports of it causing BSODs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusteer (yes, again, I know it isn't the EXACT same symptom but...)
 
arad85 said:
When did this start happening? Last 2-3 weeks? There is a file RapportEI.sys that is dated 14/12. Try disabling this..

Even Wiki has reports of it causing BSODs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusteer (yes, again, I know it isn't the EXACT same symptom but...)
Click to expand...

I've removed trusteer from a few machines, seems a touch buggy (as well as pointless of you're already running anti malware) with hanging and high CPU usage.
 
I think you've put your finger on it, it does match the timescale of when I downloaded Rapport at the request of my bank.
I've also downloaded a programme called 'PC Unleashed' which identified about 7 drivers as being out of date (contrary to Intel Drivers Utility) and I have updated them via that software so we will see how that pans out but the more I think about it the more I am convinced that Rapport is the culprit.
Cheers guys :thumbs:
 
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