Multiple, assorted BSODs in 2 days...

Well, I haven't got around to connecting the WD My Book external drive yet but I got another BSOD. I was playing starcraft 2 and then the screen locked up then the BSOD popped:

MEMORY_MANAGEMENT


I am now seriously considering doing a fresh install of windows 7 on my C: drive partition. I just want to verify with you guys that the aforementioned stop error does not point to memory sticks or hardware in general.

I'm currently running a memtest on the 2x2GB sticks that are currently installed. I have already tested them the other day on a per-stick basis and they passed, so this is just to double check.

Please let me know what you guys find out on the attached dump. thanks!

After just 1 pass, memtest found errors!!! I'm not sure what to do next though. Not sure if I would retest the memory sticks 1-by-1 or just bring them to the shop.

Retest them one at a time, hoping you can identify whether it is a bad stick, motherboard slot, or compatibility issue.

Also, take a known good stick and test that stick in each slot.

I retested the first 2 slots with another set of dual channel sticks. The sad thing is that there are errors too. This could be a motherboard slot issue. So now I am retesting but now placing the sticks on slots 3 & 4 and seeing if errors creep up.

BTW, any news on the latest dump that I uploaded?

The last DMP you upload is stop code 1A which is memory management. MsMpEng.exe was the process running at the time of crash. It belongs to Microsoft window defender and probably not the cause.

Hmm... I'm sure I disabled it back when I installed Avast. Yesterday, I removed my Avast and replaced it with the MS Security Essentials. Not sure though if that enabled defender.

If it's a software related issue, the weird thing is I might also be having some motherboard issues too. So far mem slots 3 & 4 are working fine after about an hour of memtest. As for slots 1 & 2, it doesnt even last 10 mins before errors come out.

BTW, thanks for the continued help guys.

Sure, you are welcome

For your question regarding Microsoft security essential and the window defender. When you install MSE, it will automatically use the Microsoft Window Defender as part of its services.

Let's us know if using slot 3 and 4 completely solving the issue

Also, can you please perform system file check:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

I'm sorry if you've done this before

Let us know the result

Tuan

You may try RMAing the motherboard, seeing as you are getting errors.

@Jonathan_King:
Yeah. I'll RMA the mobo tomorrow...

@ttran:
Really? MSE still uses defender? weird...
Once I finish memtesting the slots/sticks, I'll try to do a normal boot while using only slots 3 & 4 and do another SFC /SCANNOW and also check for stability while playing.

Roundhouse said:

@Jonathan_King:
Yeah. I'll RMA the mobo tomorrow...

Click to expand...

Keep us updated.

@ttran:
Really? MSE still uses defender? weird...
Once I finish memtesting the slots/sticks, I'll try to do a normal boot while using only slots 3 & 4 and do another SFC /SCANNOW and also check for stability while playing.

Click to expand...

MSE uses part of defender.

Is it possible that memtest would show false errors? I mean I retested slots 1 & 2 with my good sticks and the errors were gone? Previously it would show errors even on my known good sticks.

Based on tests, my 2x1GB Geil sticks are good, while my 2x2GB Team Elite ones are bad. The Team Elite ones were tested on slots 1 & 2 then slots 3 & 4, all showing errors. While the Geil sticks threw errors while in slots 1 & 2, but no errors in slots 3 & 4. But NOW, when I retested the Geil sticks on slots 1 & 2, i can't see errors anymore and now im currently at the 6th pass. I'm still running it just to make sure though.

I'll still bring the machine to the shop tomorrow anyways for them to do their own tests. AFAIK, the Team Elite sticks and the mobo are doing something fishy.

BTW, sorry but I don't see the point of testing the sticks separately when you have dual channel kits. I mean I'll be using them as pairs anyways and if one of them is bad, i have to RMA the pair. Plus if you go dual, you need to use either slots 1&2 or 3&4, well at least for my mobo. So testing a single stick from a dual kit on each slot is a bit too much. (Don't get me wrong, I did it yesterday but with no negative results)

The RAM plan sounds good.

MSE uses the Microsoft anti-malware engine. The late One-Care and present day Defender use(d) the same engine.

When another anti-virus is installed, Defender is turned off.

UPDATE: I brought my PC to the service center. They found out that my 2x2GB Team Elite is really the problem and they are going to send it to the distributor for a replacement.

WEIRD THINGS: I told them I did a couple of memtests and came to a conclusion that the Team Elite ones are the problem, so they also did a memtest right there on the spot. The weird thing was that the technician was a bit impatient.He told me that he usually just uses Prime95 since it is quicker in finding errors. True enough, in less than a minute we found errors and officially tagged the sticks for RMA. So does that mean Prime95 is a better test than memtest?

Another weird thing is that the guy mentioned that mixing 2 dual channel kits with different brnds is not recommended and WILL cause errors. Is that true? The only odd thing I noticed from mixing kits from diff manufacturers is that even though they have the same speed, 1333MHz, it gets clocked down to 800MHz.

Yes, it is not a good idea to mix RAM, especially dual and triple channel. If possible, it's best to buy all RAM at the same time.

Interesting about the Prime95, I'll have to do some research on that with future threads.

I don't think Prime95 will identify which sticks are bad, but perhaps it could be used as a preliminary test to see if any memory issues are present.

Ok. Whew, i was quite happy that mixing 2 dual channel kits from different manufacturers didn't void the warranty

Yeah, I heard about Prime95 but was skeptic since it is ran on windows. I was thinking what if a stop error occured just as Prime95 finds the error, then the test was all for nothing. But the tech reassured me that it wont BSOD.

I might use it to burn-in the new replacement mem sticks when I get them.

I am glad to hear that you isolated your problem. That is good news. Jonathan is spot on; don't mix RAM. That is asking for trouble. Post back when you get your new RAM installed and let us know how you are running.

Just an update:
I'll be getting my replacement 2x2GB DDR3s tomorrow and I'm stoked. Hehehehe.
So far my machine has been stable while using the 2x1GB sticks while waiting for the replacement sticks for the defective 2x2GBs.

Thanks guys for helping me out big time!

You're welcome.

I wish you the best of luck with the RAM...keep us posted!

Roundhouse said:

Just an update:
I'll be getting my replacement 2x2GB DDR3s tomorrow and I'm stoked. Hehehehe.
So far my machine has been stable while using the 2x1GB sticks while waiting for the replacement sticks for the defective 2x2GBs.

Thanks guys for helping me out big time!

Click to expand...

You are welcome and thanks for the update. That is good news and I am glad you have been BSOD free. Let us know when you install the new RAM.