Windows7 getting corrupted! Every time!

[DanF]

I've got a client that her computer never got fixed in 2 years. She has tried 2 other persons before me. The first one is an OK business I know, second person was just a hobbyist that put a new system for her.

The problem is that Windows7 gets corrupted around 2 weeks after repair. Every time. Random crashes, BSODs, etc...

Last BSOD was:

STOP: C000021a Fatal System Error 0x000000

The person that put a new system for her has never provided any documentation. But I think he changed the motherboard and video card. I have replaced the hard disk due to hard disk related errors in Event Viewer.

2 weeks (or so)... problem returns. Have replaced a webcam that wasn't supported on Windows7. Worked for around a month, and same problem. Disconnected the IDE optical drive due to random ATAPI errors in Event Viewer, some days later... same problem. BSODs are random.

System then shows the start up repair GUI. Sometimes it works, sometimes it won't. Right now it doesn't seem to repair anything. Strange how the System Recovery options show that Windows is on D: (which is the optical disk), as the only partition is C:/

Have tested the PSU using a simple tester till now. Memory was tested for 17 hours (not a single error). An extended test was done on the HDD for around 1.5 hours... again, no errors. Temperature is good, motherboard looks visually good. I've updated the BIOS some weeks ago since there were a couple of updates. Doesn't help.

Not even sure if this is a hardware or a software problem! Sometimes I just think that they might be doing something wrong, I don't know... installing something. But I've checked the Event Viewer before and never seen anything strange except those that I've mentioned before. The ATAPI errors are somehow smelly though, as there's always a lot of those.

 

[PCX]

What kind of hard drive do you have installed?
Have you run a motherboard test?
What kind of AV software do they have installed?
Have you done any virus scans?

 

[DanF]

1. Western Digital 2500KS Caviar SE16
2. Test the motherboard by replacing it? No.
3. Microsoft's. Previously they have used AVG and Avast. Same problem, since it's been there for around 2 years.
4. Sure. I've scanned and checked the system manually multiple times. No malware.

Right now, startup repair can't repair the OS, and the diagnostics show:

ROOT CAUSE FOUND:
Unspecified changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.

Repair Action: System Restore
Result: Failed. Error Code: 0x1F
Time: blah blah (not important)

Repair Action: System Files integrity check and repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0x4005
Time: blah blah (not important)

 

[TLE]

Have you tried replacing the IDE and SATA cables?

 

[DanF]

Don't really remember if I've already replaced the HDD SATA ones. I will definitely try this. The PATA of the optical disc I'm not sure it helps cause when it happened it was totally disconnected (even from the motherboard).

But yes, will definitely replace the SATA one.

 

[TLE]

Yeah, if this has happened when the optical drive was disconnected, don't bother replacing the IDE cable.

Sounds like all the major components have been changed other than the CPU and PSU.

 

[PCX]

No, replacing a motherboard is not a diagnostics . . . especially if you just happen to get another bad or defective motherboard. If this is not hardware related, you may just have to reinstall and see what happens. It would not be a bad idea to keep a backup image or cloned copy of the system though.

 

[FoolishTech]

What in the system haven't you replaced LOL

Since the PC gets repaired and parts replaced an all that, then works for a few weeks, then the same or similar issues occur again... I wonder if there is an environmental issue causing the problems with the PC (regardless of what the specific result ends up being, various blue screens and Windows corrupion, possibly yet another bad motherboard and/or hard drive, doesn't matter.)

What I mean by environmental issue is pretty much just power. Bad power can cause all sorts of issues be it temporary software issues, or permanent damage to system components. So it is possible for example that your client has the PC is on the same circuit as some other equipment that draws a lot of power, (fridge, A/C, etc.) causing brownouts and surges as it cycles on and off which in turn damage the PC.

Perhaps after you fix it this time you should recommend a good UPS with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation), DO NOT BOTHER if it doesn't have AVR!!! One can be had for around $100.

EDIT: Not saying that is definitely your client's problem, it's just some food for thought...

 

[DanF]

Thank you guys. The strange fact is that I'm sure the problem will appear again even when re-installing the OS, as I've already done this before (not recently, but not so long ago).

I told that client that I'm going to do severe testing on hardware and will keep it for testing as much as I can. I will have to re-install anyways, then I will see if the problem occurs once again.

Do you think the CPU can corrupt Windows?

 

[TLE]

Whilst it could be a bad motherboard, I think it's highly unlikely considering two motherboards are producing the same fault. However you shouldn't discount it as PCX has noted.

Make sure you document everything your doing, and if it goes back to the customer unresolved, get them to also keep a log, of what they were doing, and what they had open and running at the time.

 

[TLE]

What in the system haven't you replaced LOL

Since the PC gets repaired and parts replaced an all that, then works for a few weeks, then the same or similar issues occur again... I wonder if there is an environmental issue causing the problems with the PC (regardless of what the specific result ends up being, various blue screens and Windows corrupion, possibly yet another bad motherboard and/or hard drive, doesn't matter.)

What I mean by environmental issue is pretty much just power. Bad power can cause all sorts of issues be it temporary software issues, or permanent damage to system components. So it is possible for example that your client has the PC is on the same circuit as some other equipment that draws a lot of power, (fridge, A/C, etc.) causing brownouts and surges as it cycles on and off which in turn damage the PC.

Perhaps after you fix it this time you should recommend a good UPS with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation), DO NOT BOTHER if it doesn't have AVR!!! One can be had for around $100.

EDIT: Not saying that is definitely your client's problem, it's just some food for thought...

Some good points there Nick.

 

[PCX]

What in the system haven't you replaced LOL

Since the PC gets repaired and parts replaced an all that, then works for a few weeks, then the same or similar issues occur again... I wonder if there is an environmental issue causing the problems with the PC (regardless of what the specific result ends up being, various blue screens and Windows corrupion, possibly yet another bad motherboard and/or hard drive, doesn't matter.)

What I mean by environmental issue is pretty much just power. Bad power can cause all sorts of issues be it temporary software issues, or permanent damage to system components. So it is possible for example that your client has the PC is on the same circuit as some other equipment that draws a lot of power, (fridge, A/C, etc.) causing brownouts and surges as it cycles on and off which in turn damage the PC.

Perhaps after you fix it this time you should recommend a good UPS with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation), DO NOT BOTHER if it doesn't have AVR!!! One can be had for around $100.

EDIT: Not saying that is definitely your client's problem, it's just some food for thought...

Good point. Check the power supply as well and see if they are even using a surge protector, not a power strip, a real surge protector.

 

[DanF]

They are using a UPS and I think it was replaced as well haha (not sure though!). I don't know the specs though. In the meantime, I'm check the restore points, and latest one has AVG installed, where I've always installed Microsoft's AV or Avast. Lots of Windows updates and other applications as well.

I will definitely, re-install, update the OS and keep using it for a couple of days. Then if nothing happens, I'll deliver it back and prepare a simple sheet for them so list down what they are installing, etc...

 

[FoolishTech]

I think a failing CPU probably could. I've also seen only a handful of failing or completely dead CPUs in over a dozen years... not something that usually goes bad...

Perhaps your best bet is to sell this client a completely new system, stress test it well, and include a UPS with AVR as I mentioned above. EDIT: ok they have one. Check it out, see if it has some voltage regulation technology, and make sure the battery isn't more than 3 years old.

Sometimes you just have to put it out of it's misery...

 

[PCX]

Do you have anything that can test the CPU or Mobo?

 

[DanF]

Thank you all.

PCX, I've used some benchmarking software off UBCD. I can stress test as soon as Windows is installed. Not sure if there's anything you can do to test a motherboard. I usually just replace when I'm sure it's bad, but in this case it just happens randomly.

 

[FoolishTech]

Does the problem occur when Windows is just running, doing anything specific, or is it when Windows is loading?

When you think you have it fixed, throw every stress test at it you can.

If the issue occurs while Windows is loading, you might want to test for and attempt to reproduce the error with my RebootMaster program (part of the D7 package, which just puts the PC in a reboot loop for testing purposes; you can specify the number of reboots or let it run indefinitely.)

 

[DanF]

Definitely when running. Usually, it crashes, and shows a BSOD (random ones, really, I've asked the client to check out for the codes). Sometimes it crashes, client restarts the system and goes into the Startup Repair.

 

[PCX]

Thank you all.

PCX, I've used some benchmarking software off UBCD. I can stress test as soon as Windows is installed. Not sure if there's anything you can do to test a motherboard. I usually just replace when I'm sure it's bad, but in this case it just happens randomly.

While stress tests are better than nothing, they are not a true diagnostics. Also, benchmarking tools are mostly for performance and stability, which yes, will help narrow it down, but again, not conclusive. PM me and I will send you the diagnostics that I use on motherboards and CPUs.

 

[DanF]

I have re-installed the OS. The only error message that keeps appearing in the System's Event Viewer is:

Source: Kernel-Processor-Power
Event ID: 6
Some processor performance power management features have been disabled due to a known firmware problem. Check with the computer manufacturer for updated firmware.

This happened 3 times in an hour or so.

EDIT: I have enabled SpeedStep in BIOS, setting it from AUTO to ENABLE. Will let you know if the error appears again.
EDIT 2: Haven't seen the error so far (about an hours later).