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Critical Structure Corruption under Windows 8.1

A few weeks ago I installed a new 120 GB SSD hard drive which is running Windows 8.1. Everything worked fine for some weeks but over the past few days it keeps crashing and I get the error message Critical Structure Corruption. The system then restarts but it keeps crashing periodically throughout the day.
I have done some research on Critical Structure Corruption and have run chkdsk /r/f and SFC /scannow, both running with no problems. I have also done a full malwarebytes scan which did pick up some problems which were all successfully removed. My computer still keeps crashing.
Can anyone help at all?
Thanks
Matthew

Windows 8.1 is not out yet (October or November), so what you have is Beta/Pre-Release. One possibility then is that there is a yet-to-be-ironed-out issue with Windows 8.1. Since the system crashes and restarts, it would seem to be an operating system problem rather than a hardware problem.

You will have to reinstall Windows 8 in due course. Microsoft said in their Windows 8.1 notes that you would not be able to install 8.1 final over top of 8.1 Pre-Release.

Accordingly you might try a Windows 8 refresh. Read about it. A Windows 8 refresh keeps your data and original Windows 8 software but not software you installed later. I did a Windows 8 Refresh on my own machine and the result was a more error-free, better operating system.

... Thinkpads_User

ASKER

Hi thinkpads_user
Thanks foe comment. I have researched Windows 8 refresh but still seem to have problems. I have tried to do a System Restore but it won't let me. I installed 8.1 from the ISO file and I don't think I can undo the update. I'm thinking I might have to format the drive and start again.
I have noticed that just before the system crashes the monitor makes a noise and the screen fills with multiple colored lines before crashing. I don't know if this means anything?
Thanks
Matthew

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ASKER

Hi Dedg
I think I have made a mistake compressing dump files using IZarc which has just put all my files into a Notepad file saying error message against each one. Could you tell me the best way of uploading dump files?
Many thanks
Matthew

Copy the newest three dmp files to a folder ...zip folder..then attach it here.

Ded9

ASKER

Dedg
Will do. I only have one at the moment as all the others have been lost in Notepad file. PC is still crashing so as soon as I have three files I will try again.
Matthew

Upload the one that you have ...you can boot the computer in safe mode with networking by tapping shift + f8 key on boot.

or

http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Dedg
I'm really sorry. I have just tried to zip three new minidump files but keep getting the error message that I do not have the rights to do this and I have lost them again. I'm not sure what to do. I copied the 3 minidump files to a new folder and tried to zip it but could not. I'll try again when I have more files.
Matthew

Dont zip ...just upload one dmp file here.

Ded9

ASKER

I am having real trouble here, computer keeps crashing. I'll try to upload one dump file.
Matthew
I don't have permission to open this file!
I'll have another go at zip, not very hopeful

Did u try safe mode with networking ... check my previous comments.

http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/

Ded9

Is it possible to start this computer with a bootable CD (Ultimate Boot CD for example). That would do two things:

1. Tell you how the computer is working except for the hard drive corruption. It also may shed more light on the monitor issue (which also could be a hardware problem).
2. Allow you to copy off your data and allow you to delete the partitions on the drive (probably only one or two) and do a fresh install of Windows.

... Thinkpads_User

ASKER

Hi guys
I need to do other things at the moment. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Matthew

ASKER

Hi
I have finally managed to install the latest 64 bit Windows 8 driver for my AMD 4600 graphics card but it has made no difference.
I'm just wondering if I wait for the official release of Windows 8.1 will I be able to install it on my system and fix these current problems?
Thanks
Matthew

It is possible, but I don't think V8.1 is focused on these things. If I were in your situation, I would be inclined to get Windows V8 working properly first.
... Thinkpads_User

Any luck with the dmp files...you can slave the hard drive to another computer and then upload it.

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Dedg
You gave me an idea: I have copied 4 dump files to a usb and I think it has worked so I will try to attach the zipped file. I have several more that I can zip as well if it would be helpful.
Thanks
Matthew
DUMP-Files-090913.zip

ASKER

I think I have sorted dump file problem. Second set attached. All I have at presemt.
Matthew
DUMP-Files-2nd-set.zip

Checked all the dmp files ...not much info

In the run box type msinfo32

in the right pane- click hardware resources- click irqs-

Post screenshot here.

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Ded9
I have looked at IRQs and all re OK from 0 to 511 too many to fit on one page. If you still need screenshot I will send one.
Matthew

I just need from 0 to 6 irql ...screenshot

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Ded9
Sorry for delay. Computer crashed again and then I had to go to work! Screenshot attached.
Matthew
IRQs.docx

@medcomputers - I think what you need to do is back up and re-install Windows on this computer. You have to do that anyway because you installed Windows 8.1 Pre-Release and there is no way to back out of it. You have tried new drivers and that did not work.

... Thinkpads_User

Again nothing much.

The last step we can try is enable verfier but it might cause no boot situation..backup data.

If you want to proceed further then follow these steps.

Enable driver verifier
1) Open an elevated command prompt
2) Type "verifier /standard /all" (no quotes)
3) Reboot your machine
4) Use machine again until it crashes

After the crash... reboot, boot into safe mode with networking or slave the hard drive to another computer and upload the dmp file.

Disable driver verifier
1) Open an elevated command prompt
2) Type "verifier /reset" (no quotes)
3) Reboot your machine

Upload the new dmp file for anlaysis

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Ded9
I get the attached error message.
Matthew
verifier.docx

ASKER

Hi everyone
This is my first SSD hard drive. Do you think all these problems could be caused by a faulty drive? I'm not really sure the best way to check?
Thanks
Matthew

You can run chkdsk but not with the /f parameter. That is, do not allow chkdsk to fix anything. Just see if it finds anything
... Thinkpads_User

There is a space after standard ...i think you missed it.

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Ded9
Enabled driver verifier. Crashed within 2 minutes. Dump file attached. I will now disable driver verifier and be in touch again.
Matthew
Enable-verifier.zip

Not much

The dmp file only point to three possible issue.

1. The windows kernel is not functioning properly.

2. If you have migrated the windows 8 image from another system.

3. It can be memory issue or hard drive.

First run hard drive diagnostics and then run memory test.

http://www.memtest.org/

So far it looks like a memory issue but run the tests.

Ded9

ASKER

Hi Ded9
I am currently running memory tests which so far show no problems. I ran chkdsk on its own and that ws fine also.
One thing that puzzles me is that after the dump file I last sent you the computer has crashed several times but has not created any further dump files. Is there a limit on saved dump files, do I need to delete the old ones?
I'll let you know results of memtest.
Matthew

You could have a plain old windows corruption which might cause dumps not to create, and would be outside of your hardware tests.

SSD drives are normally good or bad (binary state) and since yours is working, it is not likely the SSD drive.

.... Thinkpads_User

If this is a dell computer then there is an inbuilt option to run hardware test.

Ded9

ASKER

It is a home made computer. Memory tests still running after nearly 11 hours. on Test 7, no errors.
Matthew

It is a home made computer

Perhaps there is a motherboard / BIOS compliance issue with Windows 8.1 that was not there with Windows 8.

.... Thinkpads_User

Just run a quick test on all modules ...not full

Make sure overclocking option is disabled in bios.

If the memtest are ok ...then its o.s or hard drive issue.

Ded9

ASKER

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your help. I will try to allocate points fairly.
After trying all your suggestions I came to the conclusion that the problem lay with the pre release version of Windows 8.1 I decided to format the drive and start again. I have reinstalled Windows 8 and so far there are no problems. I am now wondering should I try the official release of 8.1 when it arrives or simply stick to 8 which seems to work fine?
Thanks again
Matthew

Since you now have the computer working fine under Windows 8, you may wish to consider making a good backup so that when you decide to again try the production release of Windows 8.1 in October or November, you can get back to a working machine if need be.

I expect most machines certified for Windows 8 will run 8.1. You need to determine how well certified your own computer is.

... Thinkpads_User

ASKER

Yes simplest solution was right at the beginning, simply reinstall Windows 8. It was worthwhile trying to keep Windows 8.1 but I think I have now learnt to be wary of pre release versions of software.

@medcomputers - Thank you and I was happy to help you.

... Thinkpads_User