Photoshop causing BSoD Windows 10

[johnj38652698]

Windows 10
Photoshop 2024
NVIDIA GT 730
ASRock motherboard

Since Sep 4 2023 my desktop PC has been very unstable, with continuing BSoD (blue screen of death) failures. The problem with these failures is that Windows 10 doesn't tell you what the root cause is.

So...for the past month I have been attempting to diagnose and fix the issue. What eventually became apparent was that I could force a BSoD by starting up Photoshop. Every time.

Actions taken so far:

 - fresh install of Windows 10 (all apps deleted)

 - old graphics card NVIDIA GT 610 replaced by new NVIDIA GT 730

 - graphics driver updated to 23.21.13.9135

 - all Adobe apps deleted and reinstalled

The PC appears to be (early days yet but I'm actually typing this on the PC right now) stable EXCEPT for Photoshop 2024. If I try to start it up, BSoD occurs. It then takes multiple restarts of the PC to get it to reboot. So Photoshop is currently unusable.

This problem arose from nowhere on Sep 4th. I didn't change anything on the PC, so I'm wondering if a Windows or Adobe automatic update has caused this.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do next?

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community bugs">

[Ged_Traynor]

@johnj38652698 a BSOD is usually caused by either buggy drivers and or failing hardware

Your GPU does not meet Photoshop's system requirements

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/system-requirements.html

You can try version 22.2 which is available from the CC app and it may be more stable for the system you have, you haven't mentioned the rest of your system specs but if you want to continue using the most recent versions you really need to consider purchasing a new system

[johnj38652698]

Hi, thanks for your prompt response. The system I have is an Intel i3-12100f  3300 Mhz  four core with 8GB RAM.

It's disappointing that my new (purchased two days ago) GPU doesn't meet Photoshop requirements. I'm not a gamer, so don't want to spend £££ on a new card, but maybe I'll have to.

I can't see on the CC app how to download a previous version as you suggest - can you give me any pointers? Many thanks. (John, UK)

[Ged_Traynor]

The main issues you have is the RAM and GPU, 8GB of RAM is not nearly enough to run Photoshop, you would be better off with 16GB, 32GB would be even better, the Intel i3 is not really the best CPU either, you can get a decent GPU for around £300 to £400, one of the Nvidia RTX range would be a good option.

The nvidia gt 730 was released in 2014, so nearly 10 years old

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@johnj38652698 you replaced with a 2014 GT 730 two days ago?

The GT 730 does not meet minimum requirements for Photoshop.

Specifically it does not support DirectX12 feature level 12 (only goes to feature level 11).

Also the 730 speed is under 500 ops/sec and the recommended GPU speed is 2,000 ops/sec.

However this would not cause a BSOD- it would just affect PS.

As @Ged_Traynor pointed out - the fact that you are getting BSOD tends to point to a larger issue with your hardware.

[johnj38652698]

Hi Kevin , thanks for your response.

Yes, I know the card is old, but without knowing what my exact issue is, I can't afford to throw hundreds of £ at a graphics card, only to find that the problem lies elsewhere. So it was a cheap punt at resolving the issue (which hasn't worked lol). But yes, I get your point.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

No worries @johnj38652698. Have you run scans on your HD and what Windows 10 version are you running? 22H2 or newer?

[johnj38652698]

The SSD containing the OS (and my other data HDDs) all scan cleanly. I do have another spare SSD so I may load another new Windows 10 onto that and give it a go.

Windows 10 was downloaded from Microsoft last week so I assume it's the latest. It's build 19045.

[johnj38652698]

Just as an update on this, I'm still troubleshooting and it's quite baffling. 

I've loaded a fresh Windows 10 onto a spare SSD - still get BSoD.

New graphics card - still get BSoD (yes, the graphics card isn't up to PS minimum spec but it wouldn't cause BSoD and I've been using a low spec card for years).

Loaded different graphics drivers, and older version of PS - no improvement.

Whilst starting PS will always cause a BSoD, I'm also getting a BSoD randomly, with no apparent pattern

So.... I am fairly convinced it has to be the motherboard, RAM, or power supply. Looks like I'll be upgrading the system. 

[johnj38652698 · Accepted solution]

Just as a final update......a change of motherboard fixed this issue. The failed motherboard (ASRock) is only six months old, so it's going to be returned for a refund.

Very odd that I got random BSoD every few days for normal usage, but Photoshop would BSoD every time at startup. I assume there is circuitry on the motherboard where only Photoshop and a few other apps dare venture! Thanks for the help along the way.

[kglad]

thanks for the update.

[davescm]

When you get a Blue Screen you will also see an error message. If you see another, or if anyone else comes across this thread, please state the message. It will help track down the cause.

In a modern operating system, an application cannot cause a BSOD, however a faulty driver called by an application can do that, as can faulty hardware which could be MB, CPU, GPU, disk or failing RAM (hence the usefulness of seeing the BSOD error message).

Dave