Windows 10: Daily BSOD (DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION): ntoskrnl.exe? nvstor.sys?

Hi. I've researched and attempted as much as I could possibly try, and now have to ask for community assistance.

I never had these BSODs until updating to Windows 10. My crash dump files show two regular culprits (majority are the first one):

This was probably caused by the following module: ntoskrnl.exe (nt+0x14A3B0)
Bugcheck code: 0x133 (0x0, 0x501, 0x500, 0x0)
Error: DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION
file path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: NT Kernel & System

This was probably caused by the following module: nvstor.sys (nvstor+0x7468)
Bugcheck code: 0x133 (0x0, 0x501, 0x500, 0x0)
Error: DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION
file path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\nvstor.sys
product: NVIDIA nForce(TM) SATA Driver
company: NVIDIA Corporation
description: NVIDIA® nForce(TM) Sata Performance Driver

I've tried updating all Windows Updates and individual drivers. I do see that my BIOS version is Dell Inc. 1.0.7 (11/9/2007), slightly outdated, however when I try to install 1.0.13 (or 1.0.12, or 1.0.11), all from Support for Inspiron 531 | Dell US
, nothing happens. This seems to be a known issue where it just creates a WinFlash.sys file but doesn't actually flash. I tried installing the new bios version from a USB drive, no luck that way either.

Here's one of many summaries of this failed Bios update issue:
[SOLVED] Problem Updating BIOS for Dell Inspiron 531 Perfect Fit Computers

Finally, when I run the DM Log Collector tool from this site to attach to this post, it runs through no problem, but creates a zipped file on my desktop with no files within. The filesize is 22 bytes. Am I missing something? I'd be more than happy to post any/all info.

Thank you big time for any insight, guidance, tips, questions, and so forth. Thank you.

:)

 

BSOD DPC_Watchdog_Violation daily

Well, I didnt get the DPC Watchdog BSOD, but this morning got a new one:

System Service Exception - Shows afd.sys as cause

DMP here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/30411254/100216-59718-01.dmp

 

BSOD DPC_Watchdog_Violation daily

Can you please provide the complete error message that appears when you see the blue screen?

You will need to perform a similar step to what Anannya provided if the driver in question is
nvstor.sys :

1. Expand Storage controllers.

2. Select NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller. To verify that you’ve selected the right controller, right-click the controller, select
Properties, click the Driver tab, and then
Driver Details. Verify that nvstor.sys is a listed driver, and click
OK.

2. From the Driver tab, select Update Driver…

3. Select Browse my computer for driver software.

4. Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

5. Select Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller and click
Next, Then Close, and restart your computer.

 

Please follow the instructions at the top. We need the dump files to troubleshoot.

 

Attempting to attach the dump file, let me know if this comes through or if it's an empty file (as it appears to me). Thanks.

 

Hi, I'm checking in to see if the attached dump files are accessible. I appreciate the assistance.

 

Whoa is me! The BSODs continue. Would very much appreciate any guidance or suggestions. Thank you!

 

Hi ipaul,

Welcome to the 10forums and apologies for the delay.

Are you still in need of help?

 

Hiya! Yes, I still get these BSODs daily. I definitely could use some insight.

Is the attached dump file accessible? It shows for me as not containing any files within the zip, so can't tell if something went wrong and it's empty, or if it does in fact provide the info one would need to assist.

Maybe a shot in the dark, but I've started reading that the Chrome browser may be a piece of this puzzle? I always have Chrome open when these BSODs occur. Worth trying to shift to another browser completely for a week and seeing if the BSODs subside? The dump file doesn't give any indication this would be related to Chrome, but if you (*or anyone reading this) thinks it worth a shot.

Thanks, mucho!

 

If the zip is for you empty, then it would also be for me empty *Wink

Please upload a fresh zip from the DM Log Collector to include the new BSOD(s).

 

I re-downloaded the dm_log_collector, re-ran it, and still got a blank zip file at the end. Ran it again (6th or 7th time since I first started last trying last week), and finally the zip contains some files! Attached *Smile

 

Please check Dell for BIOS updates.

 

Hi axe0,

Thanks for taking a look. Yes, this was one of my earlier suspicions, but per the OP:

I do see that my BIOS version is Dell Inc. 1.0.7 (11/9/2007), slightly outdated, however when I try to install 1.0.13 (or 1.0.12, or 1.0.11), all from Support for Inspiron 531 | Dell US,, nothing happens. This seems to be a known issue where it just creates a WinFlash.sys file but doesn't actually flash. I tried installing the new bios version from a USB drive, no luck that way either.

Here's one of many summaries of this failed Bios update issue:
[SOLVED] Problem Updating BIOS for Dell Inspiron 531 Perfect Fit Computers

I'm optimistic that somehow getting the BIOS updated could resolve some of the BSODs, but I'm out of ideas for how to get the BIOS updated. Any suggestions? I've tried everything I could find online:

• Close all programs before running the BIOS .exe
• Move the file to the C:\ directory and run it from there
• Move the file to the C:\windows\system32 directory and run it from there
• Run the .exe from a Command Prompt window
• Run the .exe from a Command Prompt window, Run as Administrator

And since Windows 10 was an automatic update from Windows 7, I do not have a Windows 10 boot disc (to use to create a boot disc to try running the .exe and flashing BIOS from there). Sorry if some of my terminology here is off.

Are you familiar with this BIOS .exe issue linked above? Any other suggestions on how to get the BIOS .exe to successfully flash?

Thank you!!

 

When I look at the executable it contains a .BIN, this could make it possible to flash the BIOS within the BIOS if there is an option for flashing the BIOS when you're in the BIOS?

 

I have tried every possible way to update the BIOS (downloaded from Support for Inspiron 531 | Dell US
), however running the I531_1013.exe just creates a WinFlash.sys file and stops there.

This seems to be a known issue, but none of the suggestions I found online have worked. Here is a summary of the issue and various solutions people have suggested: [SOLVED] Problem Updating BIOS for Dell Inspiron 531 Perfect Fit Computers

Since I am on Windows 10, none of these solutions have worked for me, and I don't have an earlier OS disc that I can try booting from. Could you offer any other direction or advice? Do I need to find a Windows XP disc to get the I531_1013.exe BIOS update file to run?