BSOD randomly at the desktop level to a black screen

Walker · 26 Jun 2014

Hello. It's been a few years since I've built a computer. I am not overclocking.
Sometimes it will be stable for a long time and it has never had a BSOD while playing a high end game. I've also run Memtest+ at the DOS level for 3 hours straight without an error. Although I thought I saw memory errors in the log files (not really sure what I'm doing looking at the log files right now though).

I'm not actually getting BSOD. With automatic Rebooting now off, I'm just getting a dead black screen every so often. Trying to burn a CD or DVD always does it (with different burning software). And, randomly at the desktop. Otherwise it seems random at the desktop level but oddly I've never gotten a BSOD or dead black screen while playing a high end game.

Thanks for any help!

Boozad · 26 Jun 2014

It's strange you're not getting BSODs as there are plenty of dump files in your logs. Unfortunately they're all 0x124s which indicates a hardware error, these are notorious for giving no information as to what is causing the issue.

Code:

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (124)
A fatal hardware error has occurred. Parameter 1 identifies the type of error
source that reported the error. Parameter 2 holds the address of the
WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure that describes the error conditon.
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000000, Machine Check Exception
Arg2: fffffa800948c028, Address of the WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure.
Arg3: 00000000bf800000, High order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.
Arg4: 0000000000000124, Low order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.

The only one that showed anything different was the very first one.

Code:

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 124, {0, fffffa80071d2028, bf800000, 124}

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for nvlddmkm.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for nvlddmkm.sys
Probably caused by : GenuineIntel

Followup: MachineOwner

That's pointing to your nVidia driver.

The usual steps for a 0x124 are listed below, follow them all but run the GPU test first. Given that you're getting black screens and the nVidia driver showing up in the one 0x124 I'm leaning towards your GPU having problems.

If you're overclocking your system, revert back to stock clocks now.

Run Prime95 to stress test your CPU. Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95

Warning

Your CPU temperatures will rise quickly while under this stress test. Keep a keen eye on them.

Run MemTest86+ to analyse your RAM. RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Note

MemTest86+ needs to be run for at least 8 passes for conclusive results. Set it running before you go to bed and leave it overnight. We're looking for zero errors here. Even a single error will indicate RAM failure.

Run SeaTools to check the integrity of your HDD. SeaTools for DOS and Windows - How to Use

Run Furmark to stress test your GPU. Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

Note

Run Furmark for around 30 minutes.

Warning

Your GPU temperatures will rise quickly while Furmark is running. Keep a keen eye on them.

Walker · 26 Jun 2014

Thank You.

All the hard drive tests passed and then I moved on and discovered something. My CPU temp at the desktop level sits at about 31C or less. I thought that was pretty reasonable? As soon as Prime 95 starts it instantly jumps to 86c and after a few seconds more gets up to 91c. I wasn't happy with the loose fit of the HSF fan I got so I'll order a different kind of HSF and install it to get past this problem.

That doesn't yet explain the crashes at the desktop level but I'll get a new HSF ordered and start the tests over and check back. Thanks again.

Boozad · 26 Jun 2014

No problem. It may be an idea to reapply thermal paste to your cooler too, that may be insufficient as it stands.