BSOD During Daily using/Windows Install – Tried Everything

Comprehensive Guide: Troubleshooting Persistent BSOD During Daily Use and Windows Installation

Introduction

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors can be among the most frustrating issues for PC enthusiasts and professionals alike. Experiencing these errors intermittently during regular use or even during the Windows installation process indicates underlying hardware or configuration problems that require systematic troubleshooting. This article provides a detailed overview of common causes, diagnostic steps, and best practices to resolve persistent BSOD issues, based on real-world scenarios.

Understanding the Issue

In this case, users have encountered BSOD errors such as KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED, SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED related to FLTMGR.SYS, and ROL NOT LESS OR EQUAL. These errors appeared during normal operation and during Windows setup, indicating potential hardware conflicts or failure.

Initial observations include:

The BSOD occurs randomly during regular use and during OS installation.
Attempts to resolve include waiting, motherboard resets, and full system reinstallation.
The user has already formatted the drive, eliminating software corruption from OS issues.
Hardware configuration involves high-end components.

Potential Causes

Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand common causes for such errors:

Faulty or incompatible RAM modules
Corrupted or incompatible storage devices
Driver conflicts or outdated firmware
Hardware incompatibility or failure, especially GPU or motherboard components
Overheating or power supply issues

Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Steps

Hardware Stability Tests
Memory Testing: Use tools like MemTest86 to perform extensive RAM diagnostics. Run tests for several passes and test each stick individually to identify faulty modules.
Storage Devices: Check SSD/HDD health with manufacturer tools (e.g., Samsung Magician, CrystalDiskInfo). Consider reconnecting or replacing drives if errors are detected.
Isolate Hardware Components
RAM Modules: Test each RAM module separately with known-good slots. Since the user already tried removing sticks, ensure testing each module independently helps narrow down faulty RAM.
Graphics Card: Since an RTX 4090 is involved, ensure drivers are up-to-date and perform a clean installation. Test the system with onboard graphics if available, to rule out GPU issues.
BIOS/UEFI Firmware
Update motherboard BIOS to the latest version, especially if new hardware accessories are installed.
Reset BIOS settings to defaults and disable XMP profiles temporarily to