Windows crashes on startup only when powering on system

I tried posting this in BSODs and crash debugging, but I just got ignored. I became annoyed, since this is a SERIOUS problem that's been persisting for more than a month. I've provided as many possible details about the machine as I can, and I've listed all of my tests and diagnostics. Please read the whole post.


Specs:
Mobo: Asus M4A89TD Pro USB3
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws x2 2GB
CPU: AMD Phenom II Black x4
PSU: Corsair HX 650W
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500gb SATA 6.0 x2
GPU: Sapphire Radeon ATI HD 5770 PCIe
Case: Cooler Master CM690II Advanced

I've built two computers in the recent past, one for myself and one for my boyfriend. I've noticed that when shutting down my boyfriend's machine, and powering it back on, Windows will crash to a BSOD or get stuck on a black screen. The suspicious thing is, this will ONLY happen when shutting down and powering back on. If the system is simply restarted, Windows will start up every single time without a crash. Restarts don't cause problems, only powering on.

Strangely, his computer will not record the BSODs that occur when they happen at the startup logo. This means that I cannot post the analyzed BSODs here with BlueScreenView or any other program, so PLEASE DON'T ASK ME TO. They do not show up on any BSOD reader. The crashes DO NOT appear in the minidump folder. Please DO NOT ask me to supply the minidump folder.

I have run a Memtest on each individual stick, each with 6 passes with zero errors.

I wrote down the most recent errors that popped up when his computer crashed on starting up, since I can't look at his blue screens otherwise. The first said SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, BCC was 3B.

The second crash didn't give an error name/message, it just gave a STOP error ending in 7F and the related file was ahcix64.sys, which I have seen multiple times on various BSODs on his system, as well as my own.

Another recent one was DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL with Stop error D1.

ntoskrnl is also a file I see frequently during BSODs.


Each time the system is reset after powering it on, it gets farther and farther in the startup process until eventually it will give in and start up without a crash. Once Windows is up, it is, strangely, stable. Games will run perfectly without errors. Programs will function normally. Performance is exceptional, and the computer is very fast. It will run perfectly for weeks without a single crash, hangup, or problem.

I have not done a startup repair yet. The main reason for that is, his hard drives are set up in RAID 0. I'm afraid that it may damage the array somehow. If I get reassurance that it won't, I might try to fix it.

All of his drivers are up to date. All of his programs are up to date. His Directx is fully functioning with no errors. His Windows 7 is fully updated. Everything else seems to be A-Okay, except for the startup problem.


I also scanned his PC for viruses and he doesn't have a single one.
This problem was happening long before I had installed anti-virus software on his machine. Anti-virus software is not the culprit.

I've also cleared his CMOS.

I've already done a SFC Scan and no corrupt files were found. I can't run a chkdsk because he has RAID 0.

I have cleared all of his temporary files.

I have defragmented his disks.

Knowing I've taken all of these measures... please don't ask me to repeat them. I've done everything I can. I've downloaded every tool I could to help. I have no answers.

A most recent development has me thinking it could be a hardware problem. When touching the front/top USB ports on the case, the display crashes to a black screen. The rear USB ports don't cause this to happen, only the top/front ones. The USB ports are directly next to the power and reset switches.

I can provide System Info and Event Logs as needed, if some of you want to actually help, or even can help if your knowledge is applicable.
I know this is a lot of information, but people on forums like these tend to get annoyed when not enough information is given. Ironically, when posting long messages like these, I rarely get a response despite how detailed and informative they are. I realize not being able to use BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed to solve a problem makes it harder to troubleshoot, but I know it's not impossible. If you CAN help, I beseech your guidance.

zigzag3143 said:

First check to see if logging is enabled in usercp



To ensure minidumps are enabled:

Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
OK your way out.
Reboot if changes have been made.

Minidumps are enabled. He has minidumps from problems over a month ago. After that the BSODs only happened when logging into Windows after powering on, and during all of those, it wouldn't record them to the minidump folder. The computer doesn't even act like they happened. It doesn't even give an error message of any kind when logging into Windows.

Second the file (ahcix64.sys) is his RAID controller driver. It should be updated as a first step.

How To Find Drivers:

- search Google for the name of the driver
- compare the Google results with what's installed on your system to figure out which device/program it belongs to
- visit the web site of the manufacturer of the hardware/program to get the latest drivers (DON'T use Windows Update or the Update driver function of Device Manager).
- if there are difficulties in locating them, post back with questions and someone will try and help you locate the appropriate program.

- - The most common drivers are listed on this page: Driver Reference Driver Reference
- - Driver manufacturer links are on this page: Drivers and Downloads


If it is generating BucChecks' you can force a log but update the driver first.

I'll try to update that driver this weekend as well as several other things that I have to try on his machine. Thanks for the response and help.

essenbe said:

Also as far as the front ports shorting out, if the case is a Cooler Master it is a common problem caused by static electricity. According to reports, CM is not real responsive, but will replace the front pannel if still in warranty, if "they have the parts in stock".

Will the problem persist if I can't get help from them? And would it help if the computer is moved to a new area where static is infrequent? What is a good way to prevent that from happening?

The DVD-rom is in the top slot, as well. We don't have additional top fans in the cases, only the ones included, so that shouldn't be an issue. I may have to go into his machine later and make all kinds of adjustments. There could be something seriously wrong that I'm doing or that I've done to it. I'll have to double check the wiring and such as well. I'm thinking that maybe all of these problems are linked.

This is from someone on another forum checking my event viewer:

Here are some farly recent events in the Event logs:
Kernel-PnP -The driver \Driver\amdkmdap failed to load for the device PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68B8&SUBSYS_1482174B&REV_00\4&30701afe&0&0010.
Kernel-Power - BugcheckCode 59 (converts to 3B - SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION)
Display - Display driver amdkmdap stopped responding and has successfully recovered.
These events may indicate a problem with the display adapter driver(s), display adapter, or other hardware issue.
Are you able to swap out the present display adapter to rule out a problem with the adapter itself?
There also appears to be a problem with USB such as the following error from msinfo32:
Fault bucket X64_0x1e_0_usbohci!OHCI_CheckController+1a
This may also indicate a hardware problem, possibly a motherboard issue.

That doesn't look good at all.

If I can't seem to understand what I might have done wrong, I may try to take some pictures of my connections and wiring to maybe get some help and advice with that in case I connected something incorrectly.

My own motherboard recently shorted out and I have to RMA it back. I'm wondering if the same thing happened to my case and board with the USB ports. My DVD drive was in the first slot as well and I had everything connected identically. I do remember on a few occasions the screen going black when plugging in a device in the top/front of the case, like headphones and USB drives.

All right, I'll try to find time to re-install everything today and see if I can fix the problem in the case first. If the problem persists I guess I may still have to RMA but I will still keep the changes I made to the case when I get a new Mobo.