Regular BSOD when I'm playing BF3/GW2 Beta. Please help.

[Vazzle]

Hello,

I have been getting regular BSOD when I am playing Games. In most cases it happens when I play Battlefield 3, Guild Wars 2 Beta and Warhammer: Space Marine.

I tried updating every Driver on my System but that didn't fix anything.

I also ran several Virus Scan with no result.

I bought this PC in March 2011, invested alot of money and now I am at the end of my abilities t to solve the problem on my own.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

System Specs:

-Windows 7 64-bit Full Retail
-CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3,3GHZ
-Motherboard: Asus Crosshair IV Formula
-RAM: Corsair CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 8GB (1600 MHz, DDR3, CL9, Kit4)
-Graphics: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD6870

Dump Files:

 

[Vazzle]

Sorry I forgot to use the BSOD Dump & System File Collection app to compress and upload my dump files.

Here are the Files:

 

[Anak]

Hi Vazzle, welcome to 7F!

• You had thirteen dump files, the earliest from 07-11-2011 to today 04-28-2012.
• One was caused by the IE browser, and one by chrome.
• Two were caused by programs affiliated to your games.
• Sonarhost.exe-(bf3)
• dxgmms.exe - (bf3)
• One by audiodg, you could try this hotfix: A memory leak issue occurs in the Audiodg.exe process when you play audio on a computer that is running Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

The remaining were caused by the games you mentioned plus swtor, terraria, and hydropc, are you sure these last three are completely removed if you no longer use them?
Have you ever used Ccleaner? The free version would be sufficient.

But. They all had one thing in common, they all created this error; WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (124)
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: X64_0x124_AuthenticAMD_PROCESSOR_CACHE
STOP 0x00000124: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR | BSOD Index

I would suggest uninstalling all games for now, uninstall Steam, do not torrent!
If you are over-clocking Stop! return all settings to default.

If you are not using it, consider using MSE at least until your system regains its stability.

Your most recent errors were the interaction between HL2, Steam, and chrome.
You may want to consider reinstalling Chrome.

Follow the procedures listed here: http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/35349-stop-0x124-what-means-what-try.html

Should you find yourself in the situation of having performed all of the steps above without a resolution of the symptom, unfortunately the most likely reason is because the error message is literally correct - something is fundamentally wrong with the machine's hardware.

Source: http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/35349-stop-0x124-what-means-what-try.html

What I am asking here, is for you to take your machine back to basics, back to when you first used it.

By the way, could you please fill out your System Specs? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html You can use the program there to automatically fill in the System Specs area that is shown to the lower left of all members postings.

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        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: fffffa8007b5f028, Address of the WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure.
Arg3: 00000000b62ea000, High order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.
Arg4: 0000000081000135, Low order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.

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


BUGCHECK_STR:  0x124_AuthenticAMD

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT

PROCESS_NAME:  Terraria.exe

CURRENT_IRQL:  f

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff880`03090b08 fffff800`03214a3b : 00000000`00000124 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`07b5f028 00000000`b62ea000 : nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff880`03090b10 fffff800`02da6563 : 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`079c98a0 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`079c98f0 : hal!HalBugCheckSystem+0x1e3
fffff880`03090b50 fffff800`03214700 : 00000000`00000728 fffffa80`079c98a0 fffff880`03090eb0 00000000`168e8a00 : nt!WheaReportHwError+0x263
fffff880`03090bb0 fffff800`03214052 : fffffa80`079c98a0 fffff880`03090eb0 fffffa80`079c98a0 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalpMcaReportError+0x4c
fffff880`03090d00 fffff800`03207e8f : 00000000`00000003 00000000`00000001 fffff880`03090f30 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalpMceHandler+0x9e
fffff880`03090d40 fffff800`02c975ec : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalHandleMcheck+0x47
fffff880`03090d70 fffff800`02c97453 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KxMcheckAbort+0x6c
fffff880`03090eb0 00000000`5d28fc80 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KiMcheckAbort+0x153
00000000`1af5fc0c 00000000`00000000 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : 0x5d28fc80


STACK_COMMAND:  kb

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: hardware

IMAGE_NAME:  hardware

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  0

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x124_AuthenticAMD_PROCESSOR_CACHE

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x124_AuthenticAMD_PROCESSOR_CACHE

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

 

[Vazzle]

Thanks alot for the quick and informative reply.

I wanted to give you some more information on how the BOSD actually occur. Normally when I don't run any Games my System is 100% stable. My BOSD only start when I play specific Games such as BF3, SWTOR and Guild Wars 2 Beta.

For example, when I play BF3 the BOSD usually comes 1-3 hours into the Game. When I play GW2 I get the BOSD within 10-30 minutes.

So here is what I have done sofar:

-I updated my System Specs on my forum profile using the program that you have suggested.

-I used Cccleaner to remove/uninstall all programs that you have mentioned and that have at one point been involved in one of the BOSD.

-I ran several Virus/Malware checks including Avira, Malwarebytes and Windows-Defender. Nothing was found on my System

-I removed Google Chrome with Cccleaner and reinstalled it.

-I tried to install the Audio Hotfix but i kept getting the error message that this update isnt suitable for my system.

After following your advise, I started to test if anything had changed and if I am still getting BOSD when I play Games.

I started up Guild Wars 2 and I was able to play and leave it running for 3 hours, no BOSD! I haven't had any BOSD sofar.


I don't know if anything is actually fixed. Should I maybe run Memtest86 inorder to rule out that its not my RAM causing the problem ?

 

[Anak]

Your welcome!

Your explanation of how the BSOD's occur after playing those games could indicate a memory handling problem, so running memtest86+ 7Forums tutorial would be a good idea..
Homepage: Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Thank you for updating your system specs, but you left out one area at the very beginning, did you build your machine or was it an off the shelf build by a manufacturer such as Dell or Gateway?

I ask this because of the BSOD error: FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: X64_0x124_AuthenticAMD_PROCESSOR_CACHE.
My concern is if you did, how did you apply the processor to its socket?
There could be improper application of the thermal paste, and as a result excessive heat build up.
To check for temps use this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html

It would also help to use: CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting for additional information.

The Audio Hotfix message is due to the fact that it was intended for earlier versions of 7 and your SP1 version already included it. We had to make sure.

Please take your time reviewing how these three stress programs operate, the installations, and running them especially the Prime 95, see #5 at the link. There is no need to be in a hurry, I will be here when you are finished.

5. Keep an eye on your temperatures, and stop the test if the machine starts to overheat.

You could use the speedfan program that JK suggests, but Prime95, and CUPID will also report temps.

Maximum operating temperature for the AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1100T Processor is 62°C (144°F)
Source: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition - HDE00ZFBK6DGR (HDE00ZFBGRBOX)

Please post snips of the results/temps of the Prime95, memtest, and CUPID.


Have you tried to run CHKDSK /R as suggested in step #6 here? http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/35349-stop-0x124-what-means-what-try.html

In the meantime I will go over your jcgriff folder again to see if I can find anything else. It is a little difficult because some of the files are, I think in German?

 

[Vazzle]

Hello,

Thanks again for your great assistance. I just wanted to give you a quick update before I begin the tests.

Yes, I build the system myself, it is also the first system I have ever build.

My concern is if you did, how did you apply the processor to its socket?
There could be improper application of the thermal paste, and as a result excessive heat build up.

The CPU came with the thermal paste pre applied. It even said in the instruction not to apply any more paste.

Since I had the PC I haven't noticed an excessive heat build up, but I will of course run the test regardless just to be safe.

I am german, that explains the german language in some files, I am sorry for that.

 

[Vazzle]

Hello Anak,

I wanted to show you the results of the Memtest86+ and the CPU-Z programs.
I will update you on the results of the prime 95 tests later today.

Thanks again for your help

Memtest86+

The Memtest took about 11 hours, no errors.

CPU-Z

 

[Anak]

My concern is if you did, how did you apply the processor to its socket?
There could be improper application of the thermal paste, and as a result excessive heat build up.

The CPU came with the thermal paste pre applied. It even said in the instruction not to apply any more paste.

Since I had the PC I haven't noticed an excessive heat build up, but I will of course run the test regardless just to be safe.

How did the paste look, did it look fresh, and pliable or old and hard?

I am german, that explains the german language in some files, I am sorry for that.

No need to apologize, it just makes it more interesting.

Hello Anak,

I wanted to show you the results of the Memtest86+ and the CPU-Z programs.
I will update you on the results of the prime 95 tests later today.

Thanks again for your help

They look good Vazzle.

How is the machine running so far, You still only have GW2 running?

I would like you to go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Troubleshooting\System and Security, and run the System Maintenance, and Performance Troubleshooters.

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Just a thought; Could you do one favor, that would be to resize the memtest screenshot down to about 640x480, and repost it?

It's creating an unwieldy situation when replying to posts by grotesquely expanding the reply display, Thanks.

 

[Vazzle]

Hello Anak,

Firstly, let me thank you for all the quick and informative help you have giving me sofar.

Secondly, I wanted to answer a question about your previous post concerning the quality of the pre applied thermal paste. I can't exactly remember if it was dry or hard I just trusted the manufacturer, should I maybe renew the thermal paste ?

Anyways here is the reason why I am posting

I just finished the Prime95/Temperature test

Here are some of my ideas and concerns about the testing results :

-What does NB stand for in the Speedfan program ? Should i be concerned about its temperature before and during testing ? What I trying to point out is that NB has quite a high temperature when my system is barely in use.

-Regarding the test results should I maybe equip more fans to my system ?

As a closing comment I wanted to let you know that I will be running the other tests you recommended very soon.

Here are the results:

Prime 95 (CPU Performance) along with the temperatures before and during testing.

 

[Anak]

Hello Anak,

Firstly, let me thank you for all the quick and informative help you have giving me sofar.

Your welcome!

Secondly, I wanted to answer a question about your previous post concerning the quality of the pre applied thermal paste. I can't exactly remember if it was dry or hard I just trusted the manufacturer, should I maybe renew the thermal paste ?

No, for now lets just keep that thought on a back burner, okay?

-What does NB stand for in the Speedfan program ? Should i be concerned about its temperature before and during testing ? What I trying to point out is that NB has quite a high temperature when my system is barely in use.

NB stands for North Bridge It does seem there are issues with the heatsink connection: Crosshair IV Formula NB & SB temperatures It also offers a tip to help correct the problem so you might just have to get paste.
View attachment 209687It's under the black triangular heatsink cover.
52C does seem a little high, and any reading up to 60C is acceptable especially during benchmarking or extended game play so the 61 to 62C doesn't seem too unreasonable, actually the chip and NB are rated up to about 90C

Here is another good tool to check for temps: HWiNFO64 Download
Only run one sensor utility at a time otherwise they could interfere with the readings.

-Regarding the test results should I maybe equip more fans to my system ?

That wouldn't be a bad Idea , maybe one or two more in the 40 to 80mm range. this may help to connect them: My motherboard has no molex.. overclock.net

As a closing comment I wanted to let you know that I will be running the other tests you recommended very soon.

Okay. Are you familiar with the BIOS? I wanted to explore some settings.


More, starts here, and goes to page 5: High-End Mainboards on AMD 890FX: Asus Crosshair IV Formula and Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD7. Page 2 - X-bit labs


Have you looked into this? Its starting to be a pain while previewing my replies.

Just a thought; Could you do one favor, that would be to resize the memtest screenshot down to about 640x480, and repost it?

It's creating an unwieldy situation when replying to posts by grotesquely expanding the reply display, Thanks.

 

[Vazzle]

Hi again,

I am very sorry for overlooking your request to resize my screenshot. You will find the resized screenshot at the end of this reply and in future i will properly size them.

I am going to install a third fan on the side of my case pointing directly at the NB inorder to reduce temperature.

At this point do you think it's still a hardware problem ? I know the stresstesting isn't a 100% guarantee that the hardware is working correctly but I am considering the option that the 0x124 BOSD might be a flase positive.

I haven't been overclocking any of my components at all, everything is still on the default settings. I thought this information might help you.

I will be running all the software tests tomorrow since its 2am in germany right now.

As promised the resized screenshot if you still need them.

 

[Anak]

Hi again,

I am very sorry for overlooking your request to resize my screenshot. You will find the resized screenshot at the end of this reply and in future i will properly size them.

Thanks Vazzle, it's easy to to miss something when your thinking so hard.

I am going to install a third fan on the side of my case pointing directly at the NB inorder to reduce temperature.

That should help, but see my next reply...

At this point do you think it's still a hardware problem ? I know the stresstesting isn't a 100% guarantee that the hardware is working correctly but I am considering the option that the 0x124 BOSD might be a flase positive.

I don't think its a false positive, but we have taken measures that it hasn't shown up again.

They discuss how the heatsink is not properly seated to the NB in this thread: Crosshair IV Formula NB & SB temperatures
If there hasn't been too much time that has past, you may want to consider RMA'ing the MB or you can try making the modifications yourself.

I haven't been overclocking any of my components at all, everything is still on the default settings. I thought this information might help you.

Thanks, I was going to ask you about that again.

I will be running all the software tests tomorrow since its 2am in germany right now.

As promised the resized screenshot if you still need them.

That's strange, your profile says your in the Central U.S. You might want to go over your profile, and about that resizing.
It seems there is still a link to where you have it stored on imgur.com could you either remove the link from here or remove the photo on imgur?

 

[Vazzle]

Hello Anak,

I finished running all the tests you recommended, here are the results.

SFC verfiy only : no errors everything is intact.

CHKDSK /R : no bad sectors found.

I ran Driver Sweeper and reinstalled the graphic card drivers.

I also defragmented my System.

I checked the temperatures of my System using Speedfan while playing BF3 for 2 hours. There were no crashes or BOSDs, but the Temperatures were similar to the PRime95 test.

They discuss how the heatsink is not properly seated to the NB in this thread: Crosshair IV Formula NB & SB temperatures
If there hasn't been too much time that has past, you may want to consider RMA'ing the MB or you can try making the modifications yourself.

I can't RMA the MB anymore, warranty expired 5 days ago
But I will try to make the modifications myself if you think thats the problem causing the BOSDs.

I didin't have any BOSDs since I started following your advice. But I am getting more and more confused about what the real problem is that caused all my past BOSDs, especially when most tests are showing good results.

Thanks for your help

 

[Maguscreed]

Just for the record I once had a motherboard who's northbridge temp was always showing incredibly high.
It turned out to be the sensor.
Using a direct temp gauge showed it to be in normal range.

According to what I saw, the problem was sourced in the graphics driver install.
This is very often the case when some games are affected and others not.

 

[Vazzle]

Thanks for the Info Maguscreed.

I used Driver Sweeper to reinstall all ATI driver aswell as checking my system SFC verfy only.

Sofar I havent had any problems with BOSDs.

 

[Anak]

Maguscreed is correct in saying the NB's usually run hot, seems to be the nature of the beast, and the graphics drivers can cause problems.

You could look the NB heatsink over to see if you can see anything out of the ordinary. Follow these instructions: Crosshair IV Formula NB & SB temperatures

Do you still have the jcgriff utility, would you rerun it so I can compare?

 

[Vazzle]

Hello Anak,

Yes, I still have jcgriff.
Here are the updated files.

 

[Anak]

Thank you Vazzle,

I wanted to go over them to see what changes, if any, occurred.

Since your cleanup, and removal of certain programs most if not all changes would be to your startups, which in turn would affect your services, and processes.

Since your machine seems fairly stable, something you could do would be to add one of the games you removed, play it for awhile, and see how it affects your system.
If it BSOD's run another jcgriff, and post it.

I have to go and run some errands, and do some chores. I hope to be able to post back no later than 9pm your time 3pm mine.



EDIT:
Just took A quick look at your .dmp files, are you running okay? because I'm seeing all the same problems as before.

I'll still be around for about a half hour, so I'll check back.

 

[Vazzle]

I havent had a BOSD since i ran the first jcgriff.
So the BSOD you have now are still all my old ones.

 

[Anak]

Okay, I see what's going on, the modified date on the rerun of the griff has todays date, but the debug session time is from earlier last week.
I'm going to find out the best way to clear the old files.

You could still try adding those games one at a time:

Since your machine seems fairly stable, something you could do would be to add one of the games you removed, play it for awhile, and see how it affects your system.
If it BSOD's run another jcgriff, and post it.