Solved BSOD - Frequent - impossible to fix - 90% hardware replaced!

[achilles2k]

Hi all

I have had this problem for a couple of months and it is driving me crazy . The problem has also evolved somewhat. It started with what seemed like power issues and so I bought a brand new 530W PSU. Since then I have done a fresh install of Windows 7 Pro SP1- twice. Updated the BIOS. Updated all the drivers I could find that were slightly old. I have swapped out the graphics card; swapped out the RAM (DDR3); swapped out the mobo for identical model. I have even bought a new SSD and installed W7ProSP1 on that. It now starts nice and fast - but still unstable. I get 3 types of failure:

1. BSODs. dumps show various errors - not all the same.
2. Lock-up / Freeze - have to power off/on (no logs/dumps).
3. Random resets where the system acts as though the reset button was pressed. (no logs/dumps).

I am at a complete loss. Seems that the only thing I haven't swapped out is the CPU.

I have followed the instructions for attachements - please note that the system froze twice and I had to power off/on and re-run the program. Worked third time around. I have attached relevant files. I have also attached a screenshot of various system stats to give a better idea of my setup.

I really hope that someone here specializes in the impossible. This has cost me a fortune in time and money - and hair:shock: I REALLY need some help here. I have done everything I know how to and I am still lost.

TIA guys.

 

[writhziden]

Device Concerns:

ASInsHelp	ROOT\LEGACY_ASINSHELP\0000	This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.

Were you aware of the above? If not, please install all drivers from your manufacturer support site. The manufacturer should be either for your motherboard or for the system manufacturer (DELL, HP, Etc.). Asus Ai Booster software is the name of the device.​

Analysis:

Your BugCheck codes varied with nearly each crash. This typically indicates a hardware issue. Run some hardware checks.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• If you have an SSD, make sure the following are up to date:
  • SSD firmware
  • BIOS Version
  • Chipset Drivers
  • Hard disk controller drivers/SATA drivers
  • If you have a Marvell IDE ATA/ATAPI device, make sure the drivers are up to date from the Intel site or Marvell site and not from your motherboard/vendor support site.
  
  
• Run all but the advanced tests with SeaTools for HDDs.
  SeaTools for Windows
  
  SeaTools for DOS​
  
  
• Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
  
  Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.​
  • Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
  • Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
  • HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
  • Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
    
    
  • Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
    
    
  • Follow the steps for doing CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
  
     Warning

  Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. :warn:WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!
  
  
  For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

System Specs:

If you need help, please fill in your system specs in your profile and not in a post in this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html​

 

[achilles2k]

Hi - thanks for the response.

I am not overclocking anything. BIOS set to default/auto everthing. BIOS is latest version. I have updated my system specs in my profile. I will disable Asus AI Booster rather than try and get new drivers.

I have run most of the tests you refer to but with the system crashing so frequently it is difficult to get reliable results. I will start again from the top and post back. . .

Cheers

 

[writhziden]

Since you have a Phenom II X4, we should also check RAM compatibility:

• Download and install CPU-Z and Upload screenshots of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs. In the SPD tab, upload an image of each slot.

 

[achilles2k]

OK - screenshots taken and attached. . .

Please note the following - I have rebuilt my machine into a different case with just two hard drives (SSD for OS and SATAII for data). I am using 2 x 4GB RAM which have performed flawlessly since they were bought in Dec 2011. I have also switched to the on-board graphics.

The machine has now been stable under constant use for the past 7 hours or so. I have been using photoshop, surfing net, playing music online, checking email, running MS Word. All fine so far.

I recently had it running stable for 36+ hours just after I re-imaged it and thought that I had cured the problem - only for it to crash again. Hopefully this will remain solid and I can then add back (one at a time) my extra hard drive, discreet graphics card and twin optical drives in order to see which, if any, cause a problem.

Although, thinking about it, it may be possible that it is the PSU that is faulty. I only bought it a couple of months ago. What is the best way to test/report on a psu??

Thanks for your help

 

[achilles2k]

Spoke too soon

Well - the system just crashed again. Screen scrambled and system frozen. Had to switch off/on. Started OK. No dump.

So, having stripped the system down to the bare bones it is still crashing. So most likely not the PSU as I thought above.

Guess I was lucky to get some work done today (I have over 400 photos to process from a wedding two weeks ago - I lost so much time with this %*$@£ system)

What now?

I have re-run the tests and attached the results for comparison.

BTW - downloaded RealTemp 3.70 but it is not compatible with my processor. "Processor detected is not supported. AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B50 Processor".

Also - I was unable to find 'Asus Ai Booster' in BIOS, so unable to do anything about drivers/deleting/disabling it.

Getting more and more depressed by the minute.

H E L L L L P P P ! ! !

 

[writhziden]

Your RAM is not compatible with your processor. You are running DDR3 1600 RAM for a processor that only accepts up to DDR3 1333 RAM.

AMD Phenom

System Building and Compatibility

AMD Memory for Systems​

 

[achilles2k]

Thanks for the information - I think.

I have read the stuff you sent and am not entirely convinced. Please excuse my scepticism but I first put this rig together in January 2011 using 2x2GB 1600 DDR3 RAM and performed flawlessly. (see screen shots of orders). In December 2011 I switched the RAM to 2x4GB 1600 DDR3 and again it performed flawlessly until about May 2012 when I first got a disk error (reference to SMART) and a few BSODs which pointed to voltages. At that point I put in a new PSU. It has been downhill over the past couple of months with random crashes/freezes/reboots with and without dumps.

I know that sporadic/intermittent problems are the hardest to diagnose and fix. I have tested all 4 sticks of RAM through Memtest86 for several hours each with no issues.

As for the links you provided above - the first one, AMD Phenom, does not list my specific processor - AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1GHz 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3. My processor is, however, listed here - AMD Processors for Desktops: AMD Phenom. Not sure how this helps me to know that the CPU is not compatible with the RAM?? I just checked the specs on the motherboard in order to determine compatibility - AM3 mobo with AM3 CPU and DDR3 RAM.

The second link leads to the "DDR3 Unbuffered DIMMs Evaluated with AMD Phenom II™ Processors" list. I am not familiar with ANY of the brands listed! Here in the UK the main players are Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, G-Skill. . .

Rather than buying 1333 RAM to replace what appears to be 8GB of healthy 1600 RAM would it be possible/advisable to buy a new CPU? My mobo is Asus M4A78LT-M LE AMD 760G Socket AM3 and the highest CPU it will accept is AMD Phenom II X6 1045T 2.7 GHz 3MB 6MB socket AM3 . (according to the ASUS website). Would the x6 show a significant improvement over the x2 (which is unlocked to x4)? I note that it runs at 2700 compared to my 3100.

There are just SO many variations of chips available it is a complete minefield when it comes to compatibility - mobo / cpu / RAM etc. Also considering buying a pre-built bare bones system that I can just add my own drives to. . .

Thank you for your patience - and apologies for my ignorance.

Any further help appreciated. . .

 

[writhziden]

Sorry, you're the second person I've had in as many threads to question advice I've given. Got a bit frustrated.

You're correct: your processor is not on that page, but it is still a Phenom II Processor.

You probably had voltage issue blue screens due to the fact that your RAM requires more voltage to run at that frequency and get the support it needs with that processor. You essentially have to overclock the RAM and the processor for that RAM to work with your older processor.

Replacing the processor is not an option. As you said, the best processor available is still a Phenom II and still has the same limitations as all Phenom IIs with RAM. You should not be using any RAM that works above 1333 MHz. It stresses the processor, your motherboard, and the RAM (and possibly even the power supply, although I do not think you needed to replace the PSU as much as you did the RAM).


Since you questioned the link I gave, I found this for all Phenom IIs: AMD Phenom.


If you continue to use the same type of RAM and do not move to Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, G-Skill etc. with PC 10600 DDR3 RAM that runs at 1333 (yes, those companies carry that RAM, you just need to contact them to find some), you risk damaging your processor's memory controller and possibly other hardware in the process.

 

[Layback Bear]

Just a though. Can the OP under clock the ram in the bios to meet the specs of the cpu and motherboard. I'm not a AMD person but it works on my Asus M/B with Intil CPU.

 

[writhziden]

Possibly, but not likely. The current RAM installed only drops to 685 MHz with 9-9-9-24 timings set. If the BIOS settings include a method to manually set the frequency to 666 MHz with 9-9-9-24 timings, that would reduce it to the required 1333. Otherwise, the RAM will be capped at the 685 MHz, which is 1370 instead of 1333 and would still require a voltage bump to the processor to work reliably.

 

[achilles2k]

I am happy to try anything to get this stable. How would I underclock the RAM?? Everything is set to "auto" - i don't overclock anything.

I also don't understand why the system runs at all if the RAM is not compatible. It hasn't crashed all day today and runs very nicely --> in between crashes :S

Cheers.

 

[writhziden]

My previous post has the required steps for setting it up to work reliably.

The thing with RAM that is incompatible is it may work fine at times, but other times it will cause issues. It is very finicky as are all faulty/incompatible electronics, and it depends on whether the voltage being supplied meets the needs of the tasks for that time period.

Try setting the Memory Clock Mode to Manual and 667 MHz. Also, set the first four timings to 9-9-9-24 and the Command Rate to 2/2T/2N if possible.


You are in luck that your BIOS does allow for manually setting the frequency. Please verify in CPU-Z that the frequency actually is running at 667 MHz after changing that setting.

 

[achilles2k]

OK - timings adjusted in BIOS. Wasn't sure where to find the Comand rate.

CPU-Z screenshots attached. . . (SPD identical on slot 2)

Should this now be stable???

Cheers.

 

[writhziden]

Looks better. We won't know if it provides stability until you have had a chance to do your normal routine for a while. Let us know in a few days how the system is performing.

Best of luck that it is now stable!!

 

[achilles2k]

Thanks for all the help.

Running a barrage of tests. . .

One question - how do I check what RAM/timings are compatible with a CPU?

Cheers.

 

[writhziden]

Google is the best method. Do a search for the CPU and find the manufacturer's site for it. See what they recommend for the type and frequency of the RAM, and then go to the RAM manufacturers and try to find that RAM. Either search the RAM manufacturers' sites or contact them via e-mail/telephone.

 

[achilles2k]

T h a n k y o u

Guys - my system is ROCK SOLID again - thanks for all the help.

 

[writhziden]

No problem! I am very happy to see that awesome news!! Congrats on the problem being solved!!!