BSOD, "ntoskrnl.exe"

Erox · 09 Jun 2014

OK, seems like we got a breakthrough here- did 1-2 passes of memtest, it detected more than 300 000 errors and it keeps detecting more as im writing this post from my laptop. (wow...)

This is really, really. Reason why is because i sent my RAM stick to support a couple of months ago, I recieved them a a few of weeks later with a picture of a successful 9-pass memtest and a letter telling me there was nothing wrong with my RAM. But obviously there is (?)

What do i do now? do i send them back to support and hope they detect the errors this time and give me a refund?

Thank you so much for your help by the way, I really appreciete your time and effort!

The screen just went grey while running memtest, >400 000 errors detected overall.. i think ill power off the computer now and wait for your reply before i proceed with anything

Thedoctor44 · 09 Jun 2014

Because you've had errors then you'll need to swap your RAM sticks around to determine whether or not it's the RAM sticks or motherboard DIMM slots.

If the output is like this then you have bad RAM so the stick(s) need replacing.

No code has to be inserted here.

If the output is like this then you should replace the motherboard, however you can leave that DIMM slot empty although it's not advised to use a system with a faulty motherboard.

No code has to be inserted here.

Erox · 10 Jun 2014

Test Slot 1 Slot 2
RAM 1 Good Good
RAM 2 Good Good

Those were my overall test results, and this seems weird to me. The only time memtest would detect errors was when I tested both sticks simultaneously (my previous post). When I tested the sticks individually, they would pass the test no matter which slot they were plugged in. (tested slots 1 and 2, my motherboards recommended slots).

May this mean the sticks are not compatible with each other? And if so- may removing one stick solve the problem temporarily?

Thedoctor44 · 10 Jun 2014

I know just the man for this situation, I've seen this before but I've forgot how to determine the fault.

essenbe · 10 Jun 2014

Erox, it could mean the sticks are not compatible or it could mean the memory controller on the CPU is weak, or it could mean the board will not run correctly with 2 slots occupied. I had a board like that once. You state slots 1 and 2, were both slots the same color. Look at your manual again. Most boards have 4 slots, 2 of one color and 2 of another color. Both sticks should go in slots of the same color, and it is normally slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4.

essenbe · 10 Jun 2014

It could also mean the ram is not compatible with the board, but your board has 4 slots, for dual channel mode the ram should be in slots 2 and 4 (or the white slots). Did you check the board's QVL list? I believe you can find out the correct slots on page 16 of your manual.

Erox · 10 Jun 2014

Hello Essenbe :)

(I apologise in advance for my amateur explanation, i hope this is not confusing)

My motherboard's RAM slots are set up in this order
DDR3_4 ===========
DDR3_2 ===========
DDR3_3 ===========
DDR3_1 ===========

The slots I've marked as red in this post (slot 1 & 2) are marked white on my motherboard, and is the preferred slots according to the User's Manual:

For optimum performance, when enabling Dual Channel mode with two memory modules, we recommend that you install them in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 sockets

The slots 3 and 4 are marked blue.

essenbe · 10 Jun 2014

No problem, that looks right, to me.

essenbe · 10 Jun 2014

Erox, if I may make a suggestion, put the ram in the other 2 slots and run the test again. You can do that with memtest without any problem. The worse thing that could happen is you may have to move it back to get the computer to boot after the test, but I don't really think that would happen. But the reason you have 2 colored dim slots is because you have 2 channels for memory and 2 memory controllers on the CPU. You have tried one and have errors on it. Try the other one and see if both channels give you errors. Do you have any spare DDR3 memory around or another computer with DDR3 memory you could try? If not, perhaps you have a friend with spare memory or a computer he would swap memory with you for a day or so, just to see if it makes a difference. Just make sure it is DDR3 memory and you know the correct frequency, timings and voltage for the new ram. Also, make sure you run the memtest86+ from http://www.memtest.org/ You can use either version 5.01 or 4.20, it won't matter.