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Question

Multiple applications crashing "randomly"

Aug 2, 2016 3:56PM PDT

Hi all,

Recently I have been having issues where Desktop Window Manager, Steam games, and other online games will just instantly crash, seemingly out of nowhere.

To add to this, my internet will occasionally disconnect itself (a simple PC restart fixes this, however), and I have been unable to install "Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3126446)". Even downloading the file on its own, it will not install. I honestly cannot think of anything that has changed recently that would cause this issues, other than standard updates to Windows itself and a couple games.

Other Info:
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.160516-0600)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/05/10 19:13:52 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8172MB RAM
Page File: 6808MB used, 9534MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows

Many thanks,
C

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Tell us more about your cleaning regime.
Aug 2, 2016 4:14PM PDT

That is, canned air and thermal paste.
Dafydd.

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RE
Aug 2, 2016 4:22PM PDT

I use canned air to get most of any dust out, but I haven't reapplied the thermal paste in a long time.

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It's cheap fix but worth trying given the age of the machne
Aug 2, 2016 5:03PM PDT

Dafydd.

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Didn't help. PSU issue?
Oct 12, 2016 7:32AM PDT

I replaced the thermal paste and did another pass with canned air through the machine. Not getting individual app crashes so much anymore, but I am getting a lot of BSOD crashes/self-restarts recently. Wondering if maybe the PSU is on its last legs?

PS; Sorry for the late response. It's been busy here.

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I've traced those sorts of failures to
Oct 12, 2016 11:16AM PDT

PSU, motherboards, RAM, video cards, hard drives and infections.

There are a class of BSODs all about games and drivers so there's that.

But about that KB. "MS16-017: Description of the security update for Remote Desktop display driver" so it sounds optional. That is, if you don't use Remote Desktop then you can ignore that one. It's possible the OS has damage so the following is given a try.

Beware this will take some hours to do.

1. CHKDSK /F on the drives. If you see a Seagate change that to/R for the command. This will take a long time and I will not always

2. I can't find the GPU. Share a Speccy report like this:
https://www.piriform.com/docs/speccy/using-speccy/publishing-a-speccy-profile-to-the-web

Since the KB install failed, I'd still run SFC /SCANNOW and look for malware using Grif's advice at http://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-to-remove-pup-option-603542/#post-f742c795-5881-433b-a29b-6d758efe5cd3

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Results
Oct 13, 2016 2:14PM PDT

I don't use Remote Desktop at all, so it's good to know the update isn't too important. I ran the CHKDSK on my drive, as well as SFC/SCANNOW and a memtest, all of which said there 0 problems. I also removed any potential malware using ADWCleaner etc.

Here is my Speccy:
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/kR18kVwZ84DVPSaArIK7pCo

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Still see potential malware.
Oct 13, 2016 3:04PM PDT

1. https://malwaretips.com/blogs/ytdownloader-removal/

2. A signup app. https://www.google.com/search?q=LaunchSignup&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=LaunchSignup+bleepingcomputer+site:www.bleepingcomputer.com

3. (may be a repeat) The CPU is throttled by single channel mode.
Maybe a stick isn't in the right slot?

4. CPU Temp is on the high side. Try testing without the case cover.

5. That GPU. Old card from 2010? Radeon HD 6900 Series
Old GPUs have been a source of crashing.

6. The SSD firmware looks out of date. Your choice on that.

7. Dual display? Sure but on such an old GPU, may be pushing our luck.

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Thanks
Oct 20, 2016 4:28AM PDT

I'll look at those links and do another runthrough for Malware. Definitely open to updating & upgrading parts. GPU is from around that time, maybe in need of an upgrade then Happy

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I'd wait on hardware.
Oct 20, 2016 9:56AM PDT

You have other things to clean up before new hardware is tried.

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Questions
Oct 13, 2016 3:10PM PDT

Why are you running an old version of avast?
Why are you running the ram in single channel mode?
Why do you have such an old bios?

Gpu...6900 family is a series.....tell which one you have.
If your running the high end of that family you better have a whopper psu.

Tell the make and model of the psu.

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Answer
simple google search shows...
Oct 12, 2016 9:26AM PDT
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Answer
Remote desktop
Oct 12, 2016 11:02AM PDT

Do you have that installed and running?
Do you use it?

KB3126446