BSOD - Dell XPS8500

New (Refurbished) Dell XPS8500 BSOD's when booting, will boot to safe mode.

Code:

BugCheck 116, {fffffa800ba60010, fffff880046fd8b8, 0, 2}

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by : atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+78b8 )

Code:

Usual causes:  Video driver, overheating, bad video card, BIOS, Power to card

Code:

1: kd> lmvm atikmpag
start             end                 module name
fffff880`046f6000 fffff880`0474b000   atikmpag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmpag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys
    Image name: atikmpag.sys
    Timestamp:        Wed Oct 26 02:21:58 2011 (4EA760B6)
    CheckSum:         0005289A
    ImageSize:        00055000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Remove:

Code:

Start Menu\Programs\McAfee

McAfee is known to cause BSODs with Windows 7, and is best to be removed using, the official McAfee uninstaller and by following the steps within their tutorial:

• How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee products using the Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR)

Install and perform full scans with:

• Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download
• Microsoft Security Essentials | Protect against viruses, spyware, and other malware

Remember to install the free version of Malwarebytes not the free trail; untick the free trial box during installation. MSE is the most lightweight and compatible with the Windows 7 operating system.

You can also view this thread for a complete free and lightweight security protection combination:

• Good and Free system security combination.

Please check for the latest driver updates for your graphics card on the manufacturer's website:

1. Download Driver
2. Start Type: Device Manager
3. Expand Display Adapters
4. Right-Click Driver Name, Uninstall
5. Reboot
6. Run Driver Sweeper
7. Reboot
8. Install Downloaded Driver

Driver Sweeper will scan for any left over files from the old driver, old driver files can cause conflicts with new driver installations. Create a System Restore point beforehand, in case any problems or issues arise.

Driver Sweeper:

• Drivers - Clean Left over Files after Uninstalling

AMD's Website (use the Driver Auto-Detect):

• AMD Support & Drivers

It will also be a good idea to check for any overheating issues, by checking inside the case and removing any dust.

Follow these steps:

• STOP 0x116: VIDEO_TDR_ERROR troubleshooting

Overclocking -
I recommend if you are overclocking any hardware, that you reset these values within the BIOS to their default values in order to increase the stability of your system.

Please run the following tests for your graphics card and RAM:

• RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Run Memtest86+ for least 7-8 passes, and preferrly overnight as it can take a while to fully complete.

Test each RAM stick individually, if an error is found then move the same RAM stick into the next DIMM slot and test again, if errors are found for the same RAM stick in every available slot then you have a faulty RAM module. On the other hand, if no errors are found in the next slot or the other slots for the same RAM module, then you have a faulty DIMM slot.

Test each RAM stick and every motherboard DIMM slot available.

Graphics Card:

• Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

Read all the steps within the hardware test tutorials very carefully, as stress tests is designed run components to their maximum capacity, in order to point out failing or faulty hardware components.

Use the following program to monitor your hardware temperatures during the stress test:

• CPUID HWMonitor

Run some hard-drive diagnostics and follow these steps:

• Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

Find your hard-drive manufacturer and run their tests.

Additional Tests:

• SeaTools for DOS | Seagate
• CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World

Post a screenshot of Crystal Disk Info summary:

• Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Make sure you have the latest firmware for SSD, and ensure all the SATA and Power cables are connected to the drive.

Check for any file system errors and bad sectors using Option #2 of:

• Disk Check

Use this command with Disk Check:

Code:

chkdsk C: /f /r

Scan for any missing, modified or corrupted protected Windows files with:

• SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Check for any driver compatibility issues with:

• Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

If you are using DirectX, then try uninstalling and then reinstalling the DirectX Runtime:

• How to download and install DirectX