Windows vista x64 constantly crashes

I've installed windows vista ultimate x64 in a brand new Gateway GT4220m that originally came with Windos Vista Home Premium.

After the drama to find the required drivers for it, all seemed to work fine. All updates for the system and the drivers where downloaded.

Anyhow, suddenly the system started to show a warning telling that there was a problem with the STacSV.exe

Now it does not appear very often, but the system freezes and it is needed to reinitiate it turning off the machine.

I've noticed that it hapens when I use itunes, WM or play pictures in a presentation mode. If the machine goes to hibernation mode, it won´t wake up, so it is needed to turn it off again.

I am unable to use the windows media center as well.

Would it be OK to reinstall all the drivers? Do I have to run the Windows Vista installation in repair mode or reinstall it clean again ?

Well you could try to reinstall some of the drivers to see what happens, maybe it's something wrong with the video or sound driver if you say the machine is crashing when you use multimedia applications.

try this link and see it it helps.
stacsv.exe - stacsv - Process Information
mike

List your system spec.
Download the latest codecs may help.

Try looking in your error logs by;

Left Click on Start Menu.
Right click on Computer and choose manage.
Click on the event viewer.
You now have loads of options to try and pin down what is happening.
Expand the error tab.
Look for things in the last 24 hours.

I would refrain from stacking the PC with Codec mega packs especially those dodgy free ones.

Ok... thanks to you all :D!

My system specs are:

• Intel® Core™ 2 Q6600 quad core processor
• Intel G33 Viiv
• Memory Installed: 2048 MB DDR2, 667 MHz, (PC2-5300) dual channel memory
• Two 500 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA II hard drives
• DVD ±RW, 16X super multi-format dual layer drive
• 15-in-1 high speed digital media manager
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Up to 256MB shared video memory
• ATI Theater 550 Pro TV Tuner with 3-D Combination (PCIe)
• Integrated 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio
• Integrated Intel 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN
• 802.11n (pre-n) Wireless LAN (PCI)
• 56K PCIe Data/Fax modem
• Gateway FPD2485W 24-inch widescreen high-definition LCD display

I've went to the stacv process information site, but the program does not run in x64 version

I've looked or the latest codecs and I already have those.

Then, I've went into the error tab and found the following error that are shows quite often:

- <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
- <System>
<Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908D1-A6D7-4695-8E1E-26931D2012F4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">7000</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2008-04-06T14:58:25.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>37125</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>VillaPatzcuaro1</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
- <EventData>
<Data Name="param1">BDSelfPr</Data>
<Data Name="param2">%%2</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

And two warnings also repeated very often:

- <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
- <System>
<Provider Name="HECIx64" />
<EventID Qualifiers="32775">1</EventID>
<Level>3</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2008-04-06T14:59:51.268Z" />
<EventRecordID>37136</EventRecordID>
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>VillaPatzcuaro1</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
- <EventData>
<Data />
<Binary>00000000010000000000000001000780000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>

And:

- <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
- <System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FilterManager" Guid="{f3c5e28e-63f6-49c7-a204-e48a1bc4b09d}" />
<EventID>4</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>3</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2008-04-06T15:00:41.517Z" />
<EventRecordID>37139</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="3784" ThreadID="4160" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>VillaPatzcuaro1</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
- <EventData>
<Data Name="FinalStatus">0xc0000013</Data>
<Data Name="DeviceVersionMajor">6</Data>
<Data Name="DeviceVersionMinor">0</Data>
<Data Name="DeviceNameLength">8</Data>
<Data Name="DeviceName">bdfsfltr</Data>
<Data Name="DeviceTime">2007-12-31T03:16:38.000Z</Data>
<Data Name="ExtraStringLength">14</Data>
<Data Name="ExtraString">\Device\CdRom0</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

Of course I have no clue about what those are related with .

Oh, I must say that I ran the Windows Media Center and it seems to work fine, but of course,the crash problem still occurs.

Thanks again!

Try looking at your services to see if any service that is required for sound has been stopped by;

Left Click on Start Menu.
Right click on Computer and choose manage.
Click on the Services and Applications Tab
Double click on services.


If a service has not started then you can start it by clicking on the Start tab at the top left. Alternatively you can double click on the service to make permanent changes.

Thanks,

I have checked the services and all seems to be working fine.The only one that is unhabilitated is Windows Media Center Extender Service.

After reinstalling all the drivers the STacSV.exe message appeared again

doing a search for your motherboard on google is telling me your computer is made by gateway and not dell. Have you got the exact model of your motherboard?

ups! Sorry, it was a super typo! Yes, my PC is a Gateway.

The motherboard is an Intel (R) G33 /G31 Chipset family

the motherboard listed for your spec is the Gateway Intel Schroeder Town G33 Motherboard 4006194R.

What version of the bios do you have?

It says: ATA AHCI BIOS Version UPSD Source 08 24 2007

Thanks

Try updating your bios at the gateway site. This process can be tricky. If you are unsure how to do it get a freind to do it. If it is done incorrectly you have a chance of killing your mobo.

You will need to find out the exact version number of the motherboard.

The files for the update are located at;
Gateway Support Drivers & Downloads

This is the contents of the support file;

Information and Instructions about this download file

=======================
File Description: Schroeder Town Motherboard BIOS Update
Revision: DPP3510J.15A.0298
Operating System: All Operating Systems
Driver Part Number: DP0298P
Date: 02/01/2008
=======================


Table of Contents
=======================
Overview
Identification
Installation
Removal
Troubleshooting
Reason for Update
Applicable Part Numbers
=======================


Overview

This is the BIOS for the Intel(r) DPP3510J (Schroeder Town) motherboard. All previous updates are superseded by this update.


Identification

To confirm that this is the correct BIOS update for your motherboard, perform the following steps.

If the computer is turned off:

1. Turn on the computer. On your keyboard, repeatedly press the F2 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

2. In the BIOS Setup Utility, on the Main tab, look for the BIOS version line. The version needs to list DPP3510J.xxx.xxxx. (where x is variable characters). The BIOS prefix DPP3510J is constant and specifically identifies the correct motherboard.

3. If this is correct, this is the correct BIOS update for your motherboard. Press the F10 key to exit the BIOS Setup Utility.

If the computer is turned on and in Windows:

1. From the Start menu, click Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, select Restart, and then click Yes.

2. As soon as the computer restarts, on your keyboard, repeatedly press the F2 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

3. In the BIOS Setup Utility, on the Main tab, look for the BIOS version line. The version needs to list DPP3510J.xxx.xxxx.Pxx (where x is variable characters). The BIOS prefix DPP3510J is constant and specifically identifies the correct motherboard.

4. If this is correct, this is the correct BIOS update for your motherboard. Press the F10 key to exit the BIOS Setup Utility.


Installation

Prepare your computer

Before updating your computer's BIOS, Enter the current BIOS Setup Utility, and then write down each of the current settings in the event that this information is needed again after the update.

Note: The following instructions may vary dependent upon the operating system loaded on the computer.

Performing the update

1. After you have downloaded and double-clicked the BIOS update file (DP0298P.exe), the files self-extract and copy into the C:\Cabs\DP0298P directory on the hard drive.

2. From the Start menu, click Run.

3. In the Run dialog box, type: C:\Cabs\DP0298P\DPP3510J.15A.0298.EB.EXE. Click OK.

4. In the Intel(r) Express BIOS Update Setup window, in the Welcome dialog box, click Next.

5. In the Software License Agreement dialog box, click Yes.

6. In the Finish and Reboot dialog box, read the information and then select the Yes I want to complete the BIOS update check box.

7. Note the WARNING message: FOR THE NEXT 3 MINUTES DO NOT POWER OFF YOUR SYSTEM. Your system performs an automatic shutdown and reboot process. Powering down before completion of this reboot process may cause your system to require service by the system manufacturer.

8. Click Finish.

9. Please wait for the process to complete the reboot sequence.

10. When the computer shuts down, it may appear to take a longer period of time to restart and it may beep 10 times during the restart process. This is considered normal and is part of the BIOS update process.

11. The Intel(r) Express BIOS Update dialog box it prompts that the Express BIOS update has completed successfully. Click OK.

12. On the first boot after the BIOS update has completed, it is possible to receive a Checksum error message. This is caused by some BIOS parameters not being set at the default values. Enter the BIOS Setup Utility and reset BIOS options to default values (F9), and then save and exit (F10) the BIOS Setup Utility.


Removal

A motherboard must have a BIOS to operate, therefore there is no removal procedure.


Troubleshooting

If the Intel Express BIOS appears to work but does not actually change the BIOS version in the BIOS Setup Utility, execute the installation procedures again but make the following change to Step 3 above: Type: C:\Cabs\DP0298P\DPP3510J.15A.0298.EB.EXE –a mb in the Run dialog box. The additional command line switch loads the module defaults.

When the computer restarts and the hard drive, if the CD/DVD drive is not recognized, restart the computer, enter the BIOS Setup Utility, and then reset to the BIOS defaults (F9). Save the changes and exit.

Note: After resetting to the default values and restarting, you may need to enter the BIOS Setup Utility again to reset the desired parameters such as the Boot Priority.

If you have difficulties installing the BIOS update, download the file again, and then ensure that all installation steps in this document are followed. If a Checksum error message appears, enter the BIOS Setup Utility, change to default values, and then restart the computer.


Reason For Update

Motherboards:
4006194R - Intel (Schroeder Town) G33 Motherboard

GM Series:
1009570 - Gateway GM5478
1009586 - Gateway GM5485E
1009597 - Gateway GM5485H
1014739R - Gateway GM5632E
1014837R - Gateway GM5638E
1014859R - Gateway GM5643E

GT Series:
1014668R - Gateway GT5214j
1014670R - Gateway GT5216j
1014676R - Gateway GT5218j
1014737R - Gateway GT5628
1014825R - Gateway GT5636E
1014857R - Gateway GT4220m
1014867R - Gateway GT4222m
1014950R - Gateway GT5226j
1014951R - Gateway GT5228j
1014956R - Gateway GT5092b

Thank you very much.

BIOS is updated now. Let's see how it performs.