Solved BSOD - address ntoskrnl.exe

[JaidynM]

If you press PrtScn (Print Screen) on your keyboard when the artifact appears, you'll be able to paste the image into MS Paint later on.

 

[caerroil]

That is a good advice and PrtScn works perfectly but those artifacts still last too short to be captured (at least by me). There are always two: one in the upper right corner, 5x3 cm, and the other one in lower left corner, 3x2 cm. They appear every 5 or so seconds. These two are always trying to catch up with the rest of the screen but, for some reason, they never do. This is my description of the artifacts, if they are really that.

 

[JaidynM]

You are currently using integrated graphics, correct? Do you have a dedicated GPU lying around? Perhaps in another computer?

 

[caerroil]

Yes, it is integrated ATI HD4200. Unfortunately, I do not have any other graphics card at my disposal :-(.

 

[Dave76]

Is your RAM set back to 1333MHz?

There is a known issue with AMD CPUs running RAM above 1333MHz.
The BSoD was likely caused by the RAM at 1600MHz.

We can take a look at the settings to confirm any other possibilities.
D/L CPUZ and post a snip of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs.
For posting the information , enter 'Snipping tool' in the Start button > Search box, hit enter. Select the area you want to post and save to a convenient place.
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

Have you been checking your temperatures?
Use Core Temp, to check the CPU temps when at idle, under load and/or testing.
Let us know the minimum and maximum temps you get.

This is important for analyzing/adjusting the settings: Go to your BIOS and tell us what the CPU, RAM and the CPU integrated memory controller voltages are.

 

[caerroil]

Dave76, thanks for joining in. Yes, the RAM is back at 1333 MHz. CPU and CPU memory controller voltages are on Auto, while the RAM is on 1.50 V. Temps on idle are: CPU 30, HDD 28, MB 30. The idle CPU voltage is 1.07-1.09 V. After about an hour of Prime 95 the situation is as follows :

View attachment 205647.

The CPUZ screenshots are:
View attachment 205644

View attachment 205645

View attachment 205646

View attachment 205648

 

[Dave76]

Good info.

I guess the big question is, have you had any crashes since you set the RAM to 1333MHz?

 

[caerroil]

No, no crashes yet. Do you think I should run 7-8 passes of Memtest and/or 2-3 hours of Prime, just to test this 1333/1600 MHz concept?

 

[Dave76]

Yes, wouldn't hurt anything.

If the tests pass, then run your system normally and let us know if you get another crash.
After 4-5 days if everything is good, let us know.
You can then mark the thread 'Solved' this may help others with a similar issue.

Good luck.

 

[caerroil]

OK, it`s a deal.

 

[caerroil]

Everything`s been running fine for the past several days and I think that we may consider this problem solved. Thank you guys for all your help and patience with me here. Just one more question: is there some special reason that the blue slots are not working? I have tried everything (to put only one module, then two, combine black and blue slots etc) but to no avail. When I put RAM sticks in the blue slots the system just will not boot-cooler, processor, HDDs start but nothing else happens. Is there something that I am, dumb as I am, missing? One more thing: why does the second black slot detect any single stick as RAM 200 MHz (DDR 400)? The other black slot detects the same stick as RAM 666 (DDR 1333). In dual configuration everything works fine. Thanks again.

 

[JaidynM]

I'm glad you've got your problem solved.

As for your question, I'd wait for Dave to answer that one.

 

[Dave76]

Glad to hear that your system is running stable.

Your motherboard manual says that one RAM card will run in any slot. When using two RAM cards they can use the blue or black slots.
If the blue slots aren't working in any configuration it is probably a motherboard fault, possibly a CPU Integrated memory controller fault.

The only way to test it is to put another CPU on your motherboard or put another motherboard in your system.
If your motherboard is still under warranty you can try a RMA, if you want to pursue this I would go with the motherboard first.
They will test the motherboard, if it passes the tests then the next option is the CPU.
It may run fine with the RAM in the black slots, but there is a possibility of more problems in the future.

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[caerroil]

Your answer seems as a very good explanation of the issue. I will try to RMA it with the retailer because it is still under warranty. Again, thank you very much guys!

 

[Dave76]

Good choice, let us know how the return goes.