DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION crashing frequently

Hi,

We have two bug checks:

SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M (1000007e)

This indicates that a system thread generated an exception which the error handler did not catch.

BugCheck 1000007E, {ffffffffc0000005, fffff80001f2a83b, ffffd00026e3d0a8, ffffd00026e3c8b0}

^^ The 1st parameter of the bug check is 0xc0000005 which indicates an access violation occurred:

0: kd> .exr 0xffffd00026e3d0a8
ExceptionAddress: fffff80001f2a83b (atikmdag+0x00000000000c483b)
   ExceptionCode: c0000005 (Access violation)

^^ The violation occurred in atikmdag.sys (AMD/ATI video driver).

DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION (133)

This bug check indicates that the DPC watchdog executed, either because it detected a single long-running deferred procedure call (DPC), or because the system spent a prolonged time at an interrupt request level (IRQL) of DISPATCH_LEVEL or above.

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1. Ensure you have the latest video card drivers. If you are already on the latest video card drivers, uninstall and install a version or a few versions behind the latest to ensure it's not a latest driver only issue. If you have already experimented with the latest video card driver and many previous versions, please give the beta driver for your card a try.

2. You have a lot of problematic Asus software installed/listed, such as AiChargerPlus (usually bundled with PC Probe or AI Suite), Asus PC Probe, etc. All of Asus' utility software is unnecessary bloatware that is known to cause issues. Please remove any and all Asus software.

3. Remove and replace avast! with Windows 8's built-in Windows Defender for temporary troubleshooting purposes as it's likely causing conflicts:

avast! removal - http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

Windows Defender (how to turn on after removal) - http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/21962-windows-defender-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

4. Uninstall PowerISO as it's known to cause crashes. I'd recommend Magic ISO for an alternative.

5. Uninstall TuneUpUtilities. If you were registry cleaning with it, do not continue to do so.

Regards,

Patrick