PC Freezing for short periods -> DistributedCOM Error?

Were you able to uninstall and reinstall the software related to the vpn?

I apologize, my first reply to your instructions was "I've done the installs you requested, and rebooted." So, yes, I got the VPN uninstalled/reinstalled done. I'll be more explicit in the future.

Here are links for the BSOD Info:

Link to the memory.dmp file -> LINK
Link to the Logs-> LINK

Run HP support assistant to update any drivers.

DONE. None to update.

For my education (Hope you don't mind the question): After downloading drivers from HP such as you linked to me, based on you wanting me to run the HP support assistant - I presume that means that drivers downloaded from them may not necessarily be the latest, is that the case?

Run Windows updates.

DONE. None to update.

Open device manager > expand keyboards > right click > left click properties > on the driver tab click driver details > does it display HPqKbFltr.sys?
With windows driver verifier has this driver been checked?
Has it stopped producing BSOD?

No, it does NOT display HPqKbFltr.sys. As noted in earlier post, once that was installed, it has not reappeared. When I install HP keyboards from HP, I end up with the four pictured in post #78.

Redisplaying the one that replaced HPqKbFltr.sys again below::



I have no idea why I can't get the keyboard associated with HPqKbFltr.sys back. I might mention again that the Synoptics driver you had pointed me to for that does not install a keyboard. It installs a driver for the touchpad, listed under mice. When I open details on that driver, it is a LONG list of things, among which HPqKbFltr.sys does not exist.
The only BSODs I am having now is from the VPN driver. The Keyboard Drivers, as listed in post #78, have been verified, and no BSOD>

Right now I have verifier running, with the VPN not loaded.

1) Uninstall: TAP-NordVPN 9.21.2 9.21.2 NordVPN.com

2) Open device manager > expand keyboard > highlight the keyboard > click action menu > scan for hardware change > reboot as needed

3) After uninstalling the VPN software update these drivers (some had already been updated):

Driver - HP ENVY x360 - 15-aq292cl | HP® Customer Support

Driver - HP ENVY x360 - 15-aq292cl | HP® Customer Support

Driver - HP ENVY x360 - 15-aq292cl | HP® Customer Support

4) The HP Support Assistant is a very useful tool as it searches for any drivers that may need updating.
It does not detect problematic drivers, but only drivers by date.
The tool works nicely after a clean install as it will update all of the drivers in sequence.

5) Run Windows driver verifier for approximately 36 hours with all non-Microsoft drivers checked and without the VPN software > evaluate for stability versus instability or freezing > report into the thread

1) Uninstall: TAP-NordVPN 9.21.2 9.21.2 NordVPN.com

Done

2) Open device manager > expand keyboard > highlight the keyboard > click action menu > scan for hardware change > reboot as needed

Done. NOTE: it did not find any 'changes'. It just flashed the device list. Nothing else happened.

3) After uninstalling the VPN software update these drivers (some had already been updated)river - HP ENVY x360 - 15-aq292cl | HP® Customer SupportDriver - HP ENVY x360 - 15-aq292cl | HP® Customer SupportDriver - HP ENVY x360 - 15-aq292cl | HP® Customer Support

I updated all 3, one after the other, no reboots until all done. Let me know if I needed to reboot after each and I will do it again.

4) The HP Support Assistant is a very useful tool as it searches for any drivers that may need updating.It does not detect problematic drivers, but only drivers by date.The tool works nicely after a clean install as it will update all of the drivers in sequence.

Thanks. Given that, I ran Support Assistant again, having installed the drivers above. It found nothing. Also ran Windows Update, and it did find an update to Defender.

5) Run Windows driver verifier for approximately 36 hours with all non-Microsoft drivers checked and without the VPN software > evaluate for stability versus instability or freezing > report into the thread

I will do that. And, VPN is totally uninstalled, so that certainly won't be an issue. I'll post back either after the 36 hours has passed, or after another BSOD.Thanks again.

Nice progress.

Regarding drivers - you can use Autoruns to check and disable third party drivers - but be wary of rendering your PC unbootable. DriverStoreExporer is useful for reviewing /uninstalling drivers, particularly old ones which are no longer needed https://github.com/lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer

I hope you have a system image backup to recover from e.g. using Macrium Reflect Free?

Thanks for the tips

I do have Macrium, and a backup.

I'd say it's good to go. Ran the tests for 36 hours, no problems.

The Nordvpn is problematic. I doubt they will be updating it, unless they have enough people point to that file as problematic.

Thanks again for all the help. I learned a lot.

You are welcome.
Let's have another look at the logs.
Please run both DM and BETA log collectors and post zips into the thread.

How is the performance?

I almost forgot to go back and turn off verifier. I just put the unit to sleep this morning. Then a bit ago when I turned it on...after a bit the bottom was getting hot. Made realize it was still running. It's off now.

The only time I noticed a performance hit was last night I did some things to try to tax the system...to see if it BSODs...I played a video from Youtube. That would pause.

Running the reports for you. On the beta log, I noticed a whole bunch of red text scrolling by. I had not noticed that any other time...although I didn't necessarily sit there and watch the windows when I ran them.

Link to beta collector log-> LINK

Link to DM collector log-> LINK

Earlier in the thread you commented that the computer is under warranty.

The logs continue to display: corrected hardware errors

Code:

Event[12319]:
  Log Name: System
  Source: Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger
  Date: 2018-12-30T12:30:10.715
  Event ID: 17
  Task: N/A
  Level: Warning
  Opcode: Info
  Keyword: N/A
  User: S-1-5-19
  User Name: NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE
  Computer: Rogers-Laptop
  Description: 
A corrected hardware error has occurred.

Component: PCI Express Root Port
Error Source: Advanced Error Reporting (PCI Express)

Bus:Device:Function: 0x0:0x1C:0x0
Vendor ID:Device ID: 0x8086:0x9D13
Class Code: 0x30400

The details view of this entry contains further information.

Open a support ticket with HP

Also ask them to troubleshoot:
crashes related to: HPCommRecovery.exe

Code:

Memory Address 0xB1100000-0xB11FFFFF	Mobile 6th/7th Generation Intel(R) Processor Family I/O PCI Express Root Port #4 - 9D13

Code:

IRQ 4294967294	Mobile 6th/7th Generation Intel(R) Processor Family I/O PCI Express Root Port #4 - 9D13	OK

Code:

0xB1100000-0xB11FFFFF	Mobile 6th/7th Generation Intel(R) Processor Family I/O PCI Express Root Port #4 - 9D13	OK