Windows 7: Crashing/Restarting - Error 41 - No BSOD - New Build

Hi,

So I need to make this post short, my brand new computer I just built is crashing and restarting without a reason I can find.

My System health report wont be very accurate because I need to run OCCT stress test in the background to slow down the amount of times it crashes so I can post this.

I have run memtest for 12 hours - No errors.
My CPU is cooled by a H100 - temps never go above 40c even under load.
CPU - i5 - 2500k
MOBO - Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
PSU - Antec 750w

Even on a fresh install it will crash during the setup phase, like where you put in product code and username. Leading me to think its a Hardware issue. I just dont know which piece.

Is Windows 7 . . .
- 64Bit
- Installed Windows 7 Home Prem on an M4 ssd
- OEM

- Everything is brand new
- What is the age of OS installation: Fresh install

Hello bryon and welcome to Seven Forums. My usual disclaimer: I'm not an expert at anything ... especially when it comes to SSDs and crashes.

From what I've read here, many times Error 41 is the result of a bad memory module or power supply. That also seems to be Microsoft's opinion in Scenario 3.

Description of Windows Kernel event ID 41 error in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2: "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first"

Another possibility (I think) is if the SSD wasn't properly configured or optimized prior to installing the OS. Perhaps something in this tutorial may give you a clue:

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Please post back if any of this helped or not.

Thank you for the fast reply. I have been to both links already and gone through each one.

I have automatic restart turned off on errors and my dump files is set up however it will never create the Minidump folder when I have a crash.

I have run the OCCT PSU stress test for hours and all the voltages seemed to hold, I really know nothing about them though.

I have done windows mem test on each stick on my memory(4x4gb - 16gb) and all passed.

Let me see if one of our resident experts in new builds can take a look at this. I'll elevate this to a different section of the forum. Don't give up on us - it may take a while for a response due to time zone differences.

Hi Bryon,

A couple of things to check off the list:

1. Have you installed all the motherboard-related drivers that would be on the DVD that came with the motherboard?
2. Have you altered any of the settings in the BIOS at all?

I'm no expert, but usually our experienced members recommending testing memory using MemTest86+, as opposed to MemTest:

RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Regards,
Golden

Hi,

Yes I had installed all the motherboard drivers the first time, when the crashes started happening I did an install without the drivers to see if that was the issue. It looks like it wasn't. I was going to do a clean install again from the link above and see how that goes.

Besides changing my SSD from IDE to AHCI I have all the settings on fail safe defaults, I have also tried optimal, same problem. Also I have tried IDE mode as well and that made no difference to the crashes.

Sorry I was lazy and didn't remember the whole name of the application I used, which was "MemTest86+". I let it run for 10 passes. No errors.

Also thank you for that, marsmimar.

Bryon

Have you double checked that all connections are correct and tight?
Did you download the latest motherboard drivers from the website?
Which BIOS version do you have?

Pull out three of the RAM cards, leaving one installed in slot 2 (second from the CPU), check for stability.

I just checked connections. All are good.
I have all the latest Chipset drivers from the website.
My Bios is flashed to the latest version F11

Only one Ram stick left in slot 2. Crashed within 4 min of power on.

Bryon

Was the system at idle or under a load?

From your previous posts, it seems to be more stable when under a load, is this correct?

Run the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool.
What is the Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool?

Might be the idle state CPU voltage is too low, have seen this issue mentioned.

Most of the time when it is under little load. MSE update. Windows update. Download from the net. Crashed during the IPDT.

It said passed for that, the results are attatched.

Bryon