MultiHub Forum

My custom-built gaming PC has started throwing random BSOD errors with different stop codes, like IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, which makes pinpointing the cause incredibly frustrating as it happens during both gaming and idle periods. I've tried the basic steps of checking RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic and updating all my drivers from the manufacturer websites, but the crashes persist without a clear pattern. I'm worried it could be a failing power supply, a motherboard issue, or even a deeper Windows corruption, but I don't have spare parts to swap for testing. For those experienced in deep BSOD troubleshooting, what's your methodical approach after the basics fail? Which specific log files or diagnostic tools, like WhoCrashed or detailed dump file analysis, provided the most actionable clues, and how did you ultimately isolate whether it was a hardware fault or a software/driver conflict?

You're right to want a method. Start by collecting definitive crash data: enable and capture minidumps (C:\Windows\Minidump) and use Reliability Monitor to map events around each BSOD. Open the dumps in WinDbg (or a simpler tool like BlueScreenView) to get the bugcheck code and the probable culprit module. If you see a repeating driver, target updating/rolling back that driver; if the fault looks memory- or storage-related, focus there. Don’t guess — the dump can point you to where to start.

Hardware stress test plan: run MemTest86+ for at least a few passes (overnight if possible) to rule out RAM; use a CPU stress test (Prime95 small FFTs or AIDA64) while monitoring temps and voltages; stress the GPU with a stable test (FurMark or similar) if the BSOD happens under load. Track temperatures, fan speeds, and power draw; check PSU rails with a multimeter if you have one. If a component fails, you’ll see instability consistently under load rather than only in idle.