Windows 7: BSOD atikmdag.sys while playing some* games

Mr Brownstone · 16 Jul 2013

Hello, 6 months ago i bought a new PC, and after a couple months i have been getting BSOD with some games.
For example, i finished Far Cry 3 in medium specs and "Sleeping Dogs", without ever getting a BSOD or lag. On the other hand, i just got BSOD in Half Life 2.
Other games worth special mention are "Dishonored" and "Metro last light", in which i get BDOD when i play them on full screen. Since then, i switched to "windows mode" with no BSOD.

You can check my specs at my profile.
I have the AMD_Catalyst_13.5_Beta2 driver update. I have uninstalled the ccc from AMD.
Scans from firewall and avira give me clean results. A week ago i cleanned most of the dust on the main fan in my PC case.

Any help is appreciated. I have wasted many hours googling solutions. Im sorry for possible fail english. And im sorry if this problem is mentioned elsewhere in the forum, i dont have much time browsing and im kinda dissapointed having BSOD in new PC.

TL;DR: Im getting BSOD (atikmdag.sys related) while i play games, at random times(can be at the 1st 10 minutes or after 2 hours of play)

Arc · 16 Jul 2013

Hello Mr Brownstone.

Code:

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmdag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmdag.sys
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck A0000001, {5, 0, 0, 0}

Probably caused by : atikmdag.sys ( atikmdag+23a0c )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

This bugcheck code is inherent in ATI display drivers. What should be tried here is to use another driver version; specially when you are having a Beta version of display driver installed.

Code:

fffff880`04852000 fffff880`053c5000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        Tue Apr 16 20:15:48 2013 (516D641C)
    CheckSum:         00B2672C
    ImageSize:        00B73000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Uninstall everything relating to the display driver using AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility

Then install the latest WHQL only, from the link AMD CCC WHQL Video Driver Download Link

Information

WHQL
Release Date: April 24th 2013
Version: 13.4
In Device Manager: 12.104

Let us know when done.
______________________________________________________________________________
BSOD ANALYSIS:

Code:

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmdag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmdag.sys
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck A0000001, {5, 0, 0, 0}

Probably caused by : atikmdag.sys ( atikmdag+23a0c )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

5: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Unknown bugcheck code (a0000001)
Unknown bugcheck description
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000005
Arg2: 0000000000000000
Arg3: 0000000000000000
Arg4: 0000000000000000

Debugging Details:
------------------


CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  WIN7_DRIVER_FAULT

BUGCHECK_STR:  0xA0000001

PROCESS_NAME:  System

CURRENT_IRQL:  a

TAG_NOT_DEFINED_c000000f:  FFFFF880030B8FB0

LAST_CONTROL_TRANSFER:  from fffff88004875a0c to fffff80002e81c00

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff880`030b15f8 fffff880`04875a0c : 00000000`a0000001 00000000`00000005 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff880`030b1600 00000000`a0000001 : 00000000`00000005 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : atikmdag+0x23a0c
fffff880`030b1608 00000000`00000005 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : 0xa0000001
fffff880`030b1610 00000000`00000000 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 fffff880`030b1660 : 0x5


STACK_COMMAND:  kb

FOLLOWUP_IP: 
atikmdag+23a0c
fffff880`04875a0c ??              ???

SYMBOL_STACK_INDEX:  1

SYMBOL_NAME:  atikmdag+23a0c

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: atikmdag

IMAGE_NAME:  atikmdag.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  516d641c

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0xA0000001_atikmdag+23a0c

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0xA0000001_atikmdag+23a0c

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

5: kd> lmvm atikmdag
start             end                 module name
fffff880`04852000 fffff880`053c5000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        Tue Apr 16 20:15:48 2013 (516D641C)
    CheckSum:         00B2672C
    ImageSize:        00B73000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Mr Brownstone · 16 Jul 2013

Thank you Arc, im currently downloding the links.
Quick question: Should i install the Catalyst control center that comes with the driver update or not? I mean that the 13.4 update comes with this package of 135 MB:
-Catalyst Software Suite
Description:
Package contains the following graphics drivers and dependent/required software for the products specified in the current version's official release notes for the 64 bit version of Windows 7 and Windows 8:
Display Driver ver. 12.104
OpenCL(tm) Driver ver. 10.0.1124.2
Catalyst Control Center ver. 2013.0328.2217.38225

Arc · 16 Jul 2013

CCC is bundled with the ATI display driver. It is always better to keep away from CCC, as it is known to be problematic.

You can choose the advanced installation and not install CCC there.

Mr Brownstone · 16 Jul 2013

ok i did what you told me.
The only thing that "AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility" didnt uninstall was the "application profiles" as i checked the control panel>add/remove section before i install the 13.4 update. Its install date was the day i got the pc.
I also exluded the ccc.

So, give me some time, 1-2 days to see if i come with any BSOD again. I uninstalled The games i got the BSOD so i cant really check on them now.

Really really thank you, no matter if this is solved it or not.
Lets hope i wont have to come here again! Again tnx

edit: give me a couple days before you mark it as solved to verify it

Mr Brownstone · 16 Jul 2013

I just got BSOD again. I reinstalled half life 2 and got BSOD at the same exact part/spot where i got it the last time.

the minidump file is identical to the others.
here it is:
A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage
to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: atikmdag.sys

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen,
restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow
these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed.
If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer
for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware
or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.
If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart
your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then
select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

*** STOP: 0xa0000001 (0x0000000000000005, 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000,
0x0000000000000000)

*** atikmdag.sys - Address 0xfffff8800487fc5c base at 0xfffff8800485c000 DateStamp
0x5154fbf8

Is it possible that the game itself causes me this problem at least for this situation?
Ill try verify this with other games.

Arc · 17 Jul 2013

I want to ask you two questions.

Can you install the latest WHQL display driver successfully?
Are the BSODs occurring during games/game installations only?

It would be better if you have posted the crash dump, it will help us to check the timestramp of the display driver, before deciding the next step.

And, never install a driver from a source which is not either OEM or the hardware manufacturer's site.

Mr Brownstone · 17 Jul 2013

Alright, i uploaded it, its the most recent dated.

1)Can you install the latest WHQL display driver successfully?
I uninstalled with success everything relating to the display driver using "AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility" , i restared the PC and then I installed with success the latest WHQL from the link you provided which was the amd's site.

2)Are the BSODs occurring during games/game installations only?
BSOD has always occured while playing a game. NEVER while browsing, installing any program or game, watching movies or anything else.

And lastly as you pointed out, i have never installed a driver from a source which is not either OEM or the hardware manufacturer's site!

Arc · 17 Jul 2013

Well, so it is the same bugcheck code.

Code:

BugCheck A0000001, {5, 0, 0, 0}

Probably caused by : atikmdag.sys ( atikmdag+23c5c )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

And this time it is with another driver version, which is the latest WHQL.

Code:

fffff880`0485c000 fffff880`053cf000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        Fri Mar 29 07:57:04 2013 (5154FBF8)
    CheckSum:         00B25604
    ImageSize:        00B73000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

The desired course of action that I can suggest you here is to change the GPU. Use an nvidia one.

But before abandoning the GPU, you may go for a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 , and install the latest WHQL display driver at the first place. Clean reinstalls sometimes work good.

Mr Brownstone · 17 Jul 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Arc

Well, so it is the same bugcheck code.

Code:

BugCheck A0000001, {5, 0, 0, 0}

Probably caused by : atikmdag.sys ( atikmdag+23c5c )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

And this time it is with another driver version, which is the latest WHQL.

Code:

fffff880`0485c000 fffff880`053cf000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: atikmdag.sys
    Timestamp:        Fri Mar 29 07:57:04 2013 (5154FBF8)
    CheckSum:         00B25604
    ImageSize:        00B73000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

The desired course of action that I can suggest you here is to change the GPU. Use an nvidia one.

But before abandoning the GPU, you may go for a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 , and install the latest WHQL display driver at the first place. Clean reinstalls sometimes work good.

Tnx ill see what i can do, probably will ask to change the card cause i m a bit scared with reinstalling windows. Its something i have never done and i might mess it up more.

edit: Why suggest Nvidia? Is it more reliable? Some of my friends have suggested me that too, but their answear is "cause its better"

Can you tell me some Nvidia cards with ~same price and power?
tnx in advance