Hello,
For the past couple of months I have had the occasional BSOD, (Blue Screen of Death) not often but lately it became more frequent. I also noticed that recently my cpu was working more often in the background when in idle state. The BSOD would happen either when playing a game, surfing the web or just running idle.
I ran a registry cleaner (for the first time in years, CCleaner) and then I uninstalled my NIS 12, used the NRT and then re installed. This was because after using the Reg. cleaner my 'live update logs' were missing the last 5 days entries.
My pc seemed to be running much better and for one day was ok. I then ran a manual full system scan and the thing gave a BSOD maybe half an hour into it. I had a second one a day later, this was the info I had from the minidump folder.
Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 50
BCP1: FFFFF8A05918DAF8
BCP2: 0000000000000001
BCP3: FFFFF880041080E0
BCP4: 0000000000000005
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1
I sent details to 'Windows 7 Forums' with the BSOD dump and system files in a zip folder for them to analyse and they came back saying the following,
"Related to BHDrvx64.sys BASH Driver from Symantec Corporation. In other words your Symantec is causing them.
Symantec is a frequent cause of BSOD's. I would remove and replace it with Microsoft Security Essentials AT LEAST TO TEST"
Now, I was wondering what is the best road to take here, been running Norton for a few years now and only recently have I had this problem, any thoughts or solutions would be extremely welcome! My system is W7 64 bit SP1, IE9, NIS 2012
I will also try and attach the zip file of the dump and system files.
Are you talking a bout Windows 7 Forums or Windows Seven Forums ? I too belong to Windows 7 Forums and to be honest, they lost the true BSOD Expert they had in August 2010. Although I did a search on Bing and did come across a few threads on that error. Every one of them described the same thing. Remove Norton and the run the NRT in safe mode. http://www.bing.com/search?q=bhdrvx64.sys+bsod&qs=AS&form=QBLH&pq=bhdrvx64.sys&sc=4-12&sp=2&sk=AS1 Here's a Google search of it. http://www.google.com/#hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=bhdrvx64.sys+bsod&oq=bhdrvx64.sys+bsod&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=1&gs_nf=1&gs_l=hp.13..0.5145.5145.0.7417.1.1.0.0.0.0.117.117.0j1.1.0.egsbsh.1.-LjVea_3Oms&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=62c11d7303d2334b
Hi brkkab123,
It is the 'Windows Seven Forums' that I recently joined. That is a pity if the 'expert' did leave those forums recently. Still, hopefully an expert will come on here and help me out, they usually do in matters like this, it's an interesting one though. I asked my local 'techie' at the computer shop and all he could advise was to reformat the whole system, which as you know is a right pain.
Try the 2 links I provided. They are actual Bing & Google searches of what the seven forums told you with bsod also. Do be fore warned a few of the sites with Fix in the search tile come up as Red by Web Of Trust. Personally I'm running Windows 7 Professional x64 on a overclocked pc with NIS 2012 version 19.6.2.10 and I've never had NIS cause a bsod on my pc. Though, I also go overboard on maintenance. My pc doesn't have any junk on it, my software & driver's get checked for updates numerous times daily, as does disk cleanup, Ccleaner, TuneUp Utilities 2012 and Diskeeper 2011 Professional. I also do full scans daily with NIS, SUPERAntiSpyware Professional and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free. I then do Safe Mode Full Scan's on a weekly basis. I do a run with HijackThis! 2.04 and upload it to their website @ http://hijackthis.de/en for instant analysis if any of the other programs found any threat's.
Hello brummie,
I suffered with this very same issue for several months. Mostly the computer would freeze or shut down after extended periods of high cpu. This was identified as a problem with Norton Quick Scans that followed LiveUpdate. As a result of this I modified the tasks delays, turned off optimizer, placed NIS 2012 in Quiet Mode all day via Silent Mode User-Specified Programs and now run LiveUpdate, Quick Scans and Full Scans from Windows Task Scheduler instead of automatically or in idle time. I haven't had a problem since.
Windows 7 is quite effective on its own at dealing with registry maintenance without the use of additional cleaners. CCleaner is a good and none aggressive cleaner and I use it myself but never to clean the registry. If you must resort to using a registry cleaner then do it in small batches and always be sure that you know what is being removed and that a backup is made before proceeding so that what you are about to remove can be restored if things go wrong. I never rely on any cleaner to know what it is doing. Look at what CCleaner scans in the registry and remove any tick boxes that you are not happy with. Each computer is individual and sometimes a cleaner can remove entries vital to the running of Windows or a particular program. Like brkkab123 I also run TuneUp Utilities 2012 but not without checking first what parts of the registry it will scan and remove entries. It can also create major problems with the Windows Desktop in Turbo Mode.
Just search the internet and you will see the variety of problems that can be caused by use of 'automated' cleaners.
Higher than normal cpu can happen when Norton is performing background tasks, downloading updates and running quick scans while the computer is making other requests. However, Norton should automatically cease running scans etc. while you are playing a game.
I don't necessarily think you have a major issue with Windows or Norton. Try to identify what is running during periods of high cpu usage and correct any errors reported in Norton History and Windows Event Viewer. If you think that CCleaner has removed some registry entries that it shouldn't you may want to try and restore those entries or restore Windows to a previous state to see if that helps.
Sometimes Norton can leave old engines in Program Files in spite of running the removal tool and this can can cause conflicts. That might be worth a quick check.
The key to solving your issue is to be observant. If a problem is occurring during idle time then find out what it is and stop it from running (e.g. idle time scans). Install DriveGleam so that you can continually monitor the cpu usage from the notification area. Windows 7 is an excellent operating system. It will shut down or hang to protect your computer when it detects a fault. Blue Screen View and What Is Hang are useful programs that can provide a ‘guide’ as to what might be the problem following a BSOD or hang. Sometimes a detailed analysis of a minidump can be more misleading than having a common sense approach.
I hope you get to the bottom of the problem soon. It can be very frustrating, I know.
Good luck.
Thank you both for your very informative posts. I shall certainly heed some of the advice, having looked at the two utility programmes mentioned (Blue Screen View and What Is Hang) I found out that they don't support 64bit systems as yet! Shame as they would have been very useful. Since I restored NIS 2012 the other day my system has been much better albeit I had two BSOD's since, one whilst doing a first full system scan with my NIS.
When I went and spoke about the BSOD at my local pc shop here in Cyprus they said it was either failing memory or I needed a reformat, this last option is not good as it's such a pain getting everything back up and running again so would only go down this road as a last resort. My pc has been on all day without issues so fingers crossed.
Would hate to think it was Norton causing all this though, but as with all things, it's usually a combination of a few things coming together at once.
brummie wrote:
Since I restored NIS 2012 the other day my system has been much better albeit I had two BSOD's since, one whilst doing a first full system scan with my NIS.
When I went and spoke about the BSOD at my local pc shop here in Cyprus they said it was either failing memory or I needed a reformat.
I do not think you have a memory issue. The reason I say this is because Norton was still causing freezing of my computer when I installed brand new memory cards after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7.
If you install Minimem it will place a red / green icon in the notification area. It is mainly designed to reduce the memory of various applications such as Firefox but it has a very clear segmented icon to show memory usage. It is free and also compatible with 64bit systems and only about 500kb in size. I think it is brilliant.
Also you shouldn't be getting so many BSOD's as this. It is like you say a combination of activities at one time that is triggering it. Try to run the Full System Scan manually and / or from a Windows Task Scheduler instead of automatically from Norton and try running it at different times to monitor how each performs. Keep a check on the cpu to see if anything else started running at the same time the computer froze or shut down. If they all fail then try running your Full System Scan with free 64bit compatible Malwarebytes. If that also fails then you know you have a problem. On my system (with an old processor) Malwarebytes runs a Full System Scan at around 50% cpu. Norton will run a similar Full System Scan at around 70% cpu and peak much of the time at 100% so anything else making demands of the processor at the same time will most likely cause Windows to freeze or shut down. Memory usage is still constantly below 50% so you see that is not an issue.
This problem will more than likely keep freezing or shutting down Windows randomly without warning unless you tackle the root cause but I hope I am wrong and that you continue to enjoy Norton 2012 without any further issues.
Kind regards.
Download CPU-z from this link. http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html The download will be listed on the right side. Install it and don't let it open after you install it. Now click Start. All Programs, CPUID and CPU-z. Right-click on CPU-z and click on Properties, then Compatibility and put a check mark next to Run As Administrator and click Apply & OK. Now open up CPU-z. 1st click on the Memory tab and right those settings dow. Those are your ram timings that are currently set in your bios. Now click on CPU-z SPD tab. Do any of those columns (going up to down) match the number's you wrote down from CPU-z's Memory tab. If they do your ram is timed correctly. If they don't your ram timings are wrong and need to be changed in the bios. They're usually in an Advanced section of the bios. If the timings are correct, download Memtest86+ from http://www.memtest.org/#downiso Download one of the prebuilt iso's and burn it to a dvd or flash drive. Now go into your bios and set it to start from whatever you burned Memtest86+ to and let Memtest86+ test your ram (it's more thorough than Windows 7's Ram tester). If any errors appear you have a bad ram stick. If no errors appear, it's not your ram.
Can you please post the link to the BSOD zip and thread containing more detailed information?
Hello Carlos,
I have attached the zip folder link so hopefully it will load up ok. It did contain two folders, one with the dump files and the other was system information.
http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/225167-random-bsod-problems-need-help.html#post1887277
crisoco8722,
I do think it is something else on my pc causing this as I have the same pc in my sons room linked to our wired LAN. the only difference is my system is 64bit and his 32 bit. I also have a newer graphics card. I have NIS2012 on his and my other sons laptop and they certainly don't get any issues like mine. I will disable optimizer and may well do the same for auto scans what you suggested and see. If all else fails I shall uninstall NIS and try out one of the free anti virus programmes for a while to monitor and see if I still get the BSOD. If that happens then a reformat is in order, 'oh no I hear myself saying'!
Brummie
Hi brummie,
What I was experiencing is exactly the same and my son's computer does not experience any of the issues that I had either.
I don't think much can be gained from testing out another Anti-virus program I have been this route already and installed Avast Free which is very much lighter on resources. Yes, it did work well and no freezing but unfortunately the free version lacked the informative logs that Norton provides. It also required the addition of a free two way firewall as I didn't want to have the full Norton Suite as well as Avast loaded all at the same time. I used the Comodo free firewall but could not get on with it at all. It was so invasive!
I hope that the links you provided for Carlos can identify what the problem is in your case.
I have also noted that the BASH driver BHDrvx64.sys which zigzag3143 mentioned was also the driver that Norton blocked Microsoft from setting a registry key yesterday on my computer.
Other users have experienced similar freezing issues and you may also find this post interesting ........
Norton internet security 2012 freezes my computer.
In that post I detailed how I solved the freezing / BSOD issue. A summary extract below from that post describes what I do to disable LiveUpdate & Norton scans and run them from Windows Task Scheduler.
1. Turn off Automatic LiveUpdate. Run Windows Task Scheduler updates instead. Minimum 30 seconds delay (important).
2. Block Automated Quick Scans by running NIS in Quiet Mode continuously.
3. Run Quick Scans from Windows Task Scheduler at set intervals during the day. Minimum 30 seconds delay (important).
4. Set a number of programs into NIS that will put NIS in Quiet Mode (User-Specified Programs) immediately at startup.
5. Set Resume Delay to 20 minutes. Set Tasks Delay to 20 minutes & Idle Time Out to 30 minutes.
6. Turn Idle Time Optimizer off.
7. Set Enable Boot Time Protection to Normal (so that Norton can be placed in Quiet Mode at an early stage)
8. Turn off LiveUpdate, Pulse Updates, Download of New Version & Smart Definitions. Run LiveUpdate from separate Windows Task Schedules at interval during the day.
9. Install DriveGLEAM to continuously check the cpu usage in the Notification Area. Will show any actual cpu at freeze.
10. Make sure a Windows account User Name & Password has been set up to run Task Schedules in Norton.
11. When logging on wait a a minute or so before entering the password. (ensures NIS enters Quiet Mode when logged on).
12. Install WinPatrol & set startup programs to delay start. Allows first LiveUpdate schedule at startup to run cleanly before other programs are loaded.
13. Delay the startup of programs that are not required immediately or may overlap in cpu usage.
14. Change the default Full System Scan to run via Windows Task Scheduler at a specific time of day.
15. Avoid setting anything to run in idle time when you cannot see what may be causing the freeze.
16. Set a Quick Scan schedule to run monthly starting from a day after today. Disable run in idle time. This will stop any further automated Quick Scans from running.
Hi crisoco8722,
I think you misunderstood my earlier post, in that the chap from 'W7 Forums' suggested that the cause of my BSOD was Symantec, and to check this I should completly uninstall NIS (And run NRT) from my system to see if that stops the problem. Of course I would need to have aother anti virus programme running for safety so that would be a free version. I wouldn't be doing it to test another virus programme.
I looked at the list you provided and to be honest, if I had to disable so many of the things suggested and bypass others just to get the system stable then I wouldn't have thought it worth having the software anymore! The sad thing is NIS has run like mint until I had these problems. There has to be something somewhere on this pc of mine that is causing this.
Go to your motherboard manufacturers website and download any drivers & bios updates. Make a folde in your Downloads folder named Drivers and save them there. Also copy that folder onto a flash drive. For any Realtek HD Audio or LAN drivers get them directly from Realtek at thes 2 links. Realtek HD Audio: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/ Realtek LAN: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=10&PFid=13&Level=4&Conn=3 For any Renasas USB 3.0 drivers get them from this Renasa Electronics website. Renasa Electronics USB 3.0 driver: http://www.renesas.com/products/tools/middleware_and_drivers/c_driver/usb_driver/index.jsp See if that helps. Disable Nortons Antivirus, Antispyware, etc. before installing any drivers.Also after each driver install restart your pc. After all drivers are updated re-enable Norton. Now download Ccleaner from this link: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner Install Ccleaner using the Custom option and deselect either Google Toolbar or Google Chrome. Open up Ccleaner and click on Registry on the left side. Then click on Scan For Issues and let it remove any it finds. Repeat until no issues are found and restart your pc. That should fix your issue.
brummie wrote:
I think you misunderstood my earlier post, in that the chap from 'W7 Forums' suggested that the cause of my BSOD was Symantec, and to check this I should completly uninstall NIS (And run NRT) from my system to see if that stops the problem. Of course I would need to have aother anti virus programme running for safety so that would be a free version. I wouldn't be doing it to test another virus programme.
Hi brummie,
Yes, I realise that the test is to see if having Norton unistalled would solve the issue but running another anti-virus program like Avast may confuse the issue. Avast will run easily on any system and its scans will run with less cpu. It is a good test though and worth running but you will also need a good 2 way firewall in the interim as well.
brummie wrote:
I looked at the list you provided and to be honest, if I had to disable so many of the things suggested and bypass others just to get the system stable then I wouldn't have thought it worth having the software anymore! The sad thing is NIS has run like mint until I had these problems. There has to be something somewhere on this pc of mine that is causing this.
In my opnion Norton Internet Security 2012, in spite of the problems it is been giving you and I, is one of the best out there. Adjusting the way updates and scans take place will make it more informative so that any issues can easily be detected. I think it is worth having for that alone. I consider the problem is with the high cpu scans and when they run. It is no great deal to disable LiveUpdate and Quick Scans and run them from Windows meantime if that is going to stop your system from dropping out. If Norton has been running well for you previously then maybe it is something on your computer or something that Norton has introduced that is not working well for you. I don't think it is either but I do hope you find the solution.
Be very careful blindly running any cleaner. Even the better ones like CCleaner have been known to remove vital system or program entries. Check what is being removed and make sure to set a restore point in case things go wrong.
Before you proceed my advice would be to wait for Carlos to reply. You are very lucky to have an analyst to help you.
Kind regards.
Hi brkkab123,
Do you know, I have been thinking about the motherboard and bios updating, I have taken your advice and have downloaded their auto scan programme to do all the necessaries, mines an MSI by the way, will see what it comes up with. Many thanks.
Hi crisoco8722,
No probs. I hope also that I may hear from our friend Carlos from Symantec. I couldn't imagine not running Norton either as I have used some of the big names in the past and for the last 3 - 4 yrs Norton have been up there with the best. Anyway, I shall run this motherboard/Bios scanner and see what it comes up with. Many thanks for your very informative input and advice.
Brummie
Another thing you may want to do is download CPU-z from http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html . Install it, but don't let it startup yet. Click Start > All Programs> CPUID> CPU-z and then right-click on CPU-z's icon and select Properties, then click on Compatibility, put a check mark next to Run As Administrator, click on Apply and OK. Now open up CPU-z, click Yes to the UAC prompt. Now click on the Memory tab and right those numbers down on a piece of paper. Those are your current ram timings in your bios. Now click on the SPD tab in CPU-z. Compare those numbers with the numbers you wrote down. The SPD tab lists the timings that your ram supports. If them Memory tab numbers don't match one of the SPD tabs columns, you'll get quite a few bsod's as your ram is set wrong in the bios. Make sure the settings in the bios match the SPD tabs. Most of the times you need to do that yourself. P.S. I have a MSI 890FXA-GD70 mobo. in my pc.
One of the memory dumps points to dxgmms1.sys (one of yrou video drivers?). We're looking into the BSOD associated with BHDrvx64.
Hi Crisoco8722,
I did the Bios update, phew, I had to take my time a bit but managed it in the end. I followed your instructions re Norton and CCleaner, although that didn't find any dvr related files left over. The Bios updater is a very useful and user friendly piece of software, my bios dvr's were a few years out of date.
I will give this cpu-z utility a run to see what that brings. Many thanks again.
Hi Carlos,
I updated my ATI drivers plus the CCC with it at the time I reinstalled my NIS2012. That is an interesting find. Glad to hear Symantec are looking into the 'BHDrvx64' issue, it would appear a few people have this issue with their BSOD's, that's according to the other forum I visited and they are advising to uninstall norton completely or just to see if this is the cause. Be nice to get to the bottom of it though just to eliminate the problem and certainly put my mind at rest.
Brummie
brkkab123 wrote:
Another thing you may want to do is download CPU-z ..........Make sure the settings in the bios match the SPD tabs.
Hi brkkab123,
Thank you for providing the cpu-z link. The program is very informative.
Just out of interest I checked the bios settings on my computer and they were fine.
Important!
I should however mention that this website is another of those sites that trick you into installing the Ask toolbar. It is not a simple matter of unticking the install Ask Toolbar boxes because they also want you to tick the box to accept the cpu-z conditions which incidentally also includes accepting the toolbar (in spite of unticking the other boxes to install the toolbar).Very underhand in my opinion.
Untick everything and the program will install anyway.
It's easy enough to solve, though. Uncheck the boxes, install CPU-z, then uninstall the Ask crap and then let Everything aka Search everything search for Ask and delete what it finds. Problem solved.