Multiple Random BSOD - ntoskrl/Crtical Process Died

jmper · 10 Dec 2020

Also, on looking at the clean install guide, I think the recovery partition is first because I was using that older version of Windows...

zbook · 10 Dec 2020

A clean install with Windows 10 20H2 will install the recovery partition on the far right.
An upgrade, custom install, Windows refresh, will maintain the same partition structure while a new copy of Windows is installed.
When a clean installed is performed all partitions are deleted. The other methods are performed without deleting all partitions.

Clean Install Windows 10
Custom Install Windows 10
Refresh Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10
Download Windows 10 ISO File
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

jmper · 10 Dec 2020

Thanks, yes, ok, I guess it is probably useful from a diagnostic point of view at least to have installed the 20H2 version directly rather than have had windows go through all the upgrades, so I'm creating a new install usb now (going very slowly) and will then do that clean install.

What was the bios info you needed and did you need that now?

- - - Updated - - -

(I was just trying to note that I did 100% go through the clean install process before as per the guide you linked to, it's just that the older version of Windows by default created the partitions in a different order as explained in that guide.)
I had to remove the partitions during the install using Shift+F10 to get into disk part & then clean. Is that still the best way to get to the position of having unallocated space?

zbook · 10 Dec 2020

See Image #15 in this link:
Clean Install Windows 10

Highlight each partition > click delete > when all partitions are deleted it becomes an unallocated drive > then install windows 10 20H2.

Disconnect the computer from the internet:
a) remove the Ethernet cable
b) Turn off wireless with a mechanical off if available

When the clean install has completed do not install any drivers or applications.
The computer will be using Windows default drivers.
There will be no connection to the internet.

This is a Windows 10 20H2 "vanilla type" clean install.

In the left lower corner search type: system or system control > open system control panel > on the left pane click advanced system settings

> on the advanced tab under startup and recovery > click settings > make sure automatic restart is unchecked > reboot to maintain settings

Leave the computer on continuously for several days until you are convinced that there were no unexpected shutdowns or restarts.

Then connect the computer to the internet and perform Windows updates.

Leave the computer on continuously for several days until you are convinced that there were no unexpected shutdowns or restarts.

If there were no unexpected shutdowns or restarts then start installing drivers from the Asrock website:
ASRock > B450M Pro4

Install drivers one at a time every 24 hours so that there is sufficient time to evaluate for unexpected shutdowns and restarts for each drivers.

On a working computer attach a flash drive with free space.
Install the V2 log collector onto the flash drive.

Run the V2 log collector as needed on the problematic computer.
Collect memory dumps as needed.

jmper · 11 Dec 2020

Thank you, will try this and let you know if I get any crashes!

- - - Updated - - -

OK, one crash so far.
DIconnected the network cable (there is no wireless card), went through the clean install process, deleted all the partitions as described & then let windows do what it wanted.
I had BSOD (Critical_process_died) as Windows was about two screens into the cortana set up process.
It auto-restarted at that point & then went back into the set-up process which then completed OK.
In windows I ran the V2 log collector & zipped up the memory.dmp file - see attachments/links.
mem_dump.zip - Google Drive

I had one windows notification about the graphics driver, I think it said not all features of the graphics card would be available. I turned off the auto-restart as described and then re-booted.
It is now sitting in windows with no network, OK so far (about 4 hours) so will continue like this unless anyone andvises otherwise based on these crash reports.
Thanks.

philc43 · 11 Dec 2020

Already looking a lot better. Only two 3rd Party drivers so far and both are dated in 2019. Do you have many devices in Device Manager that still need drivers? The message you received about the graphics card will be because it is using the basic Microsoft VGA driver and not the nVidia one which will be downloaded as soon as you plug in the network cable and Windows Update starts.

I know @zbook told you to wait several days before activating Windows Update - I think this was because he was concerned you might have hardware issues. I'll leave him to advise you on that.

zbook · 11 Dec 2020

The findings confirm malfunctioning hardware.

List hardware components that are available for swap testing.

And list hardware components that are still under warranty.

Drive, CPU, GPU, Motherboard, PSU

Windows updates and driver installation can be performed as needed.

After installing drivers perform the following tests / steps:

1) Reset the BIOS:

How to Clear Your Computers CMOS to Reset BIOS Settings:
How to Clear Your Computer’s CMOS to Reset BIOS Settings
3 Ways to Reset Your BIOS - wikiHow:
3 Ways to Reset Your BIOS - wikiHow
3 Easy Ways to Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS)
How to Clear CMOS (AKA Reset BIOS Settings)

2) Download and install OCCT
OCCT : Free, all-in-one stability test & stress test for your PC
Click each tab > test for approximately 1 hour each > post result images into the thread

The logs displayed:

Code:

Description	Disk drive
Manufacturer	(Standard disk drives)
Model	Easy Disk USB Device
Bytes/Sector	512
Media Loaded	Yes
Media Type	Removable Media
Partitions	2
SCSI Bus	0
SCSI Logical Unit	0
SCSI Port	0
SCSI Target ID	0
Sectors/Track	63
Size	1.93 GB (2,072,770,560 bytes)
Total Cylinders	252
Total Sectors	4,048,380
Total Tracks	64,260
Tracks/Cylinder	255
Partition	Disk #1, Partition #0
Partition Size	249.00 MB (261,095,936 bytes)
Partition Starting Offset	1,048,576 bytes
Partition	Disk #1, Partition #1
Partition Size	248.98 MB (261,078,528 bytes)
Partition Starting Offset	263,192,576 bytes

Was this drive attached before or after the BSOD?

jmper · 11 Dec 2020

Still under warranty: RAM, CPU & motherboard only as they were purchased in May. Everything else was part of the pre-built PC bought in 2018 so I think that won't have any warranty now.

I think the easy disk usb is the possibly the usb key I used to install Windows, which was still attached at the time. It's a lexar though so not sure why that shows easy disk... There's no other disk except the main hard drive.
Unfortunately I don't have any swap components available at all - this upgrade in may was the first time I've tried anything like that...

So are you saying ok to connect to the internet as well now zbook & get on with upsetting the nvidia & other drivers etc?

- - - Updated - - -

Found the Easy Disk - it's the USB key I have the V2 log on, a very old one. It wasn't plugged in at the time of the BSOD.

Current state of the device manager is as follows - this looks similar to after the previous windows install. Should I use the 'update driver' options from within here to try to get the devices updated? Or just use the WIndows Updates function?
Attachment 310208

zbook · 11 Dec 2020

All drivers can be installed from the motherboard's manufacturer website and component manufacturer websites.

Then perform OCCT tests.

If no hardware problems are detected some additional tests will be performed.

If BSOD continue plan to test stability / instability by installing another operating system (Ubuntu / Linux).

See if you can find a friend, neighbor, relative, or local computer store to swap hardware components.

philc43 · 11 Dec 2020

Actually I would prefer you to simply let Windows Update find drivers and don't forget to look in the optional updates on the Windows Update page for these drivers. Initially this will ensure that drivers are used which have been through the Microsoft evaluation process for compatibility with W10.

I would suggest you only use the manufacturers website if you run into any problems or Windows is unable to find a driver.