Solved BSOD caused by ntoskrnl.exe

[Hykon]

While the computer was configuring the last few updates for Windows, it BSOD'd. Same 0xF4 code. All the computer had on it was Windows 7 and MSE and some of the updates. Does this conclude a bad SSD? My HDD wasn't even plugged in while all this was happening.

@essenbe I checked and it says it is all part of the primary partition. There is no black shaded space which is what unallocated space was listed as.

 

[essenbe]

What I would do is get another hard drive and do a clean install of Windows on it. If that proves to be a good install with no BSODs, that would be the most conclusive proof, to me.

 

[Hykon]

I can use my WD 1TB HDD for that. Is there a way to transfer the windows install to an SSD if I go and replace this SSD if it does indeed turn out to be the issue?

 

[essenbe]

Yes, I do it all the time. Here is a tutorial on how (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html), I use a program, mentioned in the tutorial, that is much easier. It is Paragon Migrate OS to SSD, it isn't free ($19.95) but it does everything for you, format, align and transfer the OS to SSD. It is the easy way and takes about 20 minutes for you to be using your SSD.

 

[Hykon]

Thank you very much for your time and information! I'll start working on installing Windows on the HDD. I'll report back with my success or failure with the BSOD issue.

 

[Hykon]

BSOD'd while using Windows Update to check for updates. Literally, Windows was only on the HDD for 10 minutes before the BSOD. The only thing I had installed was the Intel Centrino Wireless Adapter software, so that I can access the internet to perform the Windows updates. SSD wasn't plugged in. Same exact error code: 0xF4... I'm completely at a loss of what could be wrong now.

EDIT: I've also tried different SATA ports and cables.

 

[essenbe]

Have you installed your motherboard drivers from the Gigabyte web site? Is your bios updated to the latest version? Have you installed the latest Nvidia driver, using the custom install method? If not, do those things and don't let Windows install updates for your hardware. If you see an update you don't want to install, right click it and select hide. Don't let any software you install write itself into your start menu. Use the msconfig process that Arc mentioned earler. Unless there are special circumstances, You should only have yoir AV (MSE) in startup and the Windows Sidebar.Let Windows install all updates relating to Windows, but I would recomment you hide ie 10. It has caused a lot of people problems, including me. Install your Chipset driver from Gigabyte first. Always use the most recent driver. Go into bios and set optimized defaults. Set your ram frequency, timings and voltage by manufacturers specs. Set your sata controller to AHCI if that is what you installed windows in. If not, let us know and we will tell you how to change it. If you are overclocking anything, stop and set everything to default values. Make sure you have a program to monitor your Graphics temps and your CPU temps. I use Core Temp for the CPU. Also set your boot order while in bios.

Keep running and installing windows updates until it says there are no more updates. Tomorrow, check again, you will probably have more. At this point, I would rather you only install software that is necessary for you to function. Just a very basic install.

At you earliest opportunity I would like you to run memtest86+. (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html) be sure and run it for a full minimum of 8 passes unless you get an error. If you get an error, stop. The test has failed.

I hate to tell you, but it appears we are going to have to do this the hard way. We will next be running some Graphics tests. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We do not mind answering.

 

[Hykon]

I ran memtest previously as one of the first attempts at a fix, It went for 9 or more passes with no errors. I even tried removing a module of RAM and booting up and then putting it back and testing with the other, both still had BSODs. Never overclocked, never tampered with RAM settings, and the SATA mode was always AHCI. I haven't paid much attention to temperatures, but everything seemed fine, the system is very quiet, I will still download the tool to monitor those as requested.

I will try all these fixes and report back. Ugh, this would happen on my first attempt at building my own gaming PC rig :/ haha.

Again, thank you for your continued support.

 

[essenbe]

I read through the thread again. I guess I missed the part about you running memtest. Other than memtest, what I suggested are not fixes. What I would like is a very basic clean install with as little software as possible installed to alleviate the possibility of driver issues and conflicts. As I see it right now, it is looking like you have a hardware problem. Those are not easy to nail down and sometimes is not possible. They require a lot of hours of testing and swapping out parts. Believe me, I know how aggravating that can be. I've been there several times myself and understand exactly what you are thinking. I wish there was an easier way to do it. If there were, I'm sure I would have found it by now. What CPU cooler are you using and does Asus have a graphics program that can monitor temps and will allow you to set a custom fan profile for your graphics card? I would also like you to install CPUz and GPUz. This will explain a little about GPUz. And, as with all programs, be careful of all the little programs they sometimes try to install with them.

 

[Hykon]

Yeah I see what you mean. It definitely seems like hardware since it has BSOD'd with next to nothing on the drives. I don't have any parts to swap anything out with since this is my first build ever, so that could turn out to be an issue when it comes to testing.

EDIT: I'm using the Coolermaster Hyper 212 CPU cooler and I'm unsure about controls for the GPU fans.

 

[essenbe]

Not a problem,we just need to figure out where the problem is. If we need to swap out some parts, maybe you have some friends that would be willing to help you by loaning you parts or swapping parts with you. I don't want you to spend money unless we are fairly certain we know the problem.

 

[Hykon]

Nah, that wouldn't be possible either, no friends that are into computers that live close enough for that to be plausible, I'll just try to work with the tests we can do for now.

 

[essenbe]

OK, sounds good. We'll do the best we can. First I would like screenshots of CPUz. ( http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html ) Of each tab, motherboard, CPU, menory and SPD. The spd tab is divided by slots. You can select the slots from a dropdown box it the upper right corner. Only the slots that have ram in them. See if that tells us anything. We'll do that tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep now.

Also, post a screenshot of disk management
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[Hykon]

Sorry, I haven't posted anything in a bit, busy with work.

While I was attempting to do a clean install on the SSD, the installation doesn't finish. It was expanding the Windows files and then restarted the system back to square one with choosing the language for the install rather than finishing the install.

I'm pretty sure that isn't normal. Does that give any idea what could be wrong? I'll keep on trying to get the clean install finished. Will post again when I have the information you need from CPUz and GPUz.

EDIT: After the expanding files finishes, the system restarts back to square one. Has happened three times so far. It never actually installs the files... What's going on?

EDIT2: I'm retarded, it kept just booting off the USB flash drive... Nothing to see here, move along. Finishing the clean install then I'll get those screenshots and info.

 

[Hykon]

Here are the screens of CPUz. I took the screen of GPUz as well if you want that too.

As of this posting, no BSODs since clean installing to the SSD again. I have both Chipset downloads from here:

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1150 - GA-Z87-D3HP (rev. 1.0)

And I downloaded the Nvidia 320.49 WHQL Display Driver using the custom install options of only getting the driver and PhysX.

 

[Hykon]

Here is the GPUz screen. Tell me if you need the other tabs shown for either.

 

[Hykon]

BSODs... Same 0xF4 error code. Both occurred while just using Chrome.

EDIT: Updated the dumps zip, got two while idling, other 3 were using Chrome. All pretty much identical as far as my inexperience can tell.

 

[essenbe]

You should go to bios, look and make sure you are in AHCI mode. Set optimized defaults, set your Enable XMP in your bios . I don't know your bios, but it is usually in the overclocking section. Set XMP or set it manually set the frequency to 800 (1600) whichever it shows, they are the same. Set yout firs 4 timings to 9-9-9-25 2T, and set the voltage to 1.5V.
Set your sata controller to AHCI (if that is what it was set to when you installed). Set your boot order. For right now, set DVD as 1st boot device and SSD to 2nd boot device. Your graphics card is running at pcie 2.0x16@X4 . It should be pcie 3.0 X16@X16. Make sure it is plugged into the 1st PCIE X16 slot (nearest the CPU) and make sure both connections are completely seated.

If you have problems with the bios, take the time to read the manual. It can answer most basic questions.

Your CPU is running at 796 MHz. I don't know about Haswell, but I don't think that is correct. EIST will downclock the CPU at idle. But, with Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge it downclocks to 1600MHz. It also drops the voltage when it downclocks the CPU, but 0.713 is too low for Sandy or Ivy. But, when you set optimized defaults in bios, that may solve much of this. But, you have to make sure your ram is set right. You want the XMP values in the CPUz Screenshot under the SPD tab. That should be the same as the memory tab.

If you have any questions , feel free to ask. I'm not sure I can answer a lot of them. I'm not familar with Gigabyte boards or Haswell. But, I'll try.

 

[Hykon]

The port where the graphics card is plugged in makes a different? I have it plugged into the lower slot, farther from the CPU.

What do you mean by both connections of the graphics card? Do you just mean the single slot or does it plug somewhere else as well?

EDIT: what is the 2T you mentioned when talking about DRAM timings?

 

[essenbe]

The slot you plug the card into makes a world of differenct. 1 card always goes in the top PCIE X16 slot, always. By the connections, I mean the pcie cables from the PSU. I believe your card has 2 cables, make sure both are completely seated.