BSOD - Infrequent, browsing mostly. IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

[writhziden]

The video memory should be clean, then. The not supported messages just mean that your card does not support those particular tests and so the messages can be ignored.

Let us know how the other tests go.

 

[Yeoman]

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you, I've been a lil busy lately because I've been helping prepare my degree show.
I've done the three Prime tests, and all of them came back clean.

I did the Small FFT for about 3.5 hrs. The Large FFT for about 4.5hrs, and the third test for about 6 hours.
I'm not sure if temperatures are of interest?

The temperatures got highest on the Large FFT test. 81/86/83/80 (Core 0-3). But for the most part, the temps 'averaged' about 2 degrees less than the highest recordable temps, across all cores, and on each test.

Since I have a stock cpu cooler, I suppose 86degrees isn't that surprising (and it is still 10degrees from the TJ Max), but do you think I ought to be concerned about that? At stock, my CPU is about 30-32 across the cores.


Next up, burntest?

 

[writhziden]

The safest temperature for an Intel i5-2500K processor is 78 C. That is not to say it will not operate fine above that temperature, but we usually give conservative maximum temperatures to ensure that the processor is functioning as it should. In your case, 72.6 C is the T_CASE, and 77.6 C would be the maximum recommended temperature for that processor.

T_CASE + 5 C provides more likely stability than T_Junction does.

Intel® Core™ i5-2500K Processor

 

[Yeoman]

Hmm, I see. Why do you think my temp is so high then? And what do you think I should do about it? Should I stop doing any more tests until it's lower?

I already have Arctic Silver paste applied, and I followed a guide when I was applying it. I'm sure my cooler is seated properly too. I don't think my case has the best cooling in the world, but it doesn't seem bad enough to be causing such a high temp. :/


What should I do next?

All the best,
Dan.

 

[writhziden]

What heatsink/fan system do you have for the processor?

 

[Yeoman]

It's just the stock intel 2500k heatsink/cooler, I don't know if it has a particular designation. I just see it referenced to as the 'stock cooler' when I see it mentioned.

One thing I forgot to mention; I've got my turbo boost turned off on my 2500k (3.3ghz instead of 3.7ghz), so that probably makes the high temps even a bit more worrying.

In terms of the case fans, in case it's helpful, they're just stock Zalman fans, 1 intake on the front, 1 on the side, 1 exhaust on the top at the rear, and one exhaust on the back. Nothing special I presume.

 

[writhziden]

Sounds like my setup in my desktop designed by HP. My processor runs in the high 70s to low 80s as well, which would be considered too high by some. I've never had a problem though. I would focus on other possible problems first and we can look into the temperature one later. Continue with the final tests and post back how it behaves. If your temperatures get over 85 C, then you might worry a little more.

 

[Yeoman]

Sorry for another long gap between posts. Helping assemble my university degree show took some time up.

I ran Intel Burn test on the Standard setting, following the steps in the tutorial that was linked. It was stable/had no errors, and the max temp was 81degrees C.

I subsequently ran it on high, but the temperature reached above 85 degrees C, so I stopped the test.


I ran seven passes of the boot version of memtest 86+, and it game back clean, no errors. I then ran the windows extended memory diagnostic for 5 passes, and that too came back clear.


I don't know if that information gives you any clues to what the root issue could be with regard to the bluescreens. And, of course, the CPU temps are a bit troubling, they shouldn't reach that high even with the stock intel fan.


All the best, Dan.

 

[writhziden]

Yes, those temperatures do seem a bit high. I am not sure I remember which processor you have, but 85 C is high for many. It may be easier if you 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. I am literally helping in hundreds of threads, so taking time to find which post of yours includes those specs takes away from me being able to help others.

I appreciate you filling in the specs. It is respectful to those helping and to your peers who are trying to get help.


As to the high temperatures, make sure you heatsink is attached well to the CPU. Gently wiggle it with your finger; you should not feel any give. Also, you may consider re-applying the thermal compound: Thermal Paste and How To Use It | techPowerUp

As you add and remove hardware (or wiggle a heatsink), 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.

 

[Yeoman]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I've updated my system specs as well as I am able. And I'll experiment with my fansink & possibly reapplying the thermal paste.

When I first built my computer, I did experience some issues with CPU temperature initially (due to my inexperience, and fear of damaging any components, the push-pins on the heat sink were not fully IN), and as a result of this, I had to fiddle with the fansink/thermal paste quite a lot. So, I'm not too optimistic I'll be able to eek out any cooler temperatures, but I'll have a go anyway. It's been a while and it will be useful to reacquaint myself with the inside of my PC.


In fact, when I first powered my PC up back in november, two of the push-pins worked themselves loose and the fansink ended up leaning away from the cpu 10 or so degrees! I nearly had a heart attack when I saw that (in the bios, the CPU temp was registering 97degrees C), anyway, I don't think it was that hot for more than a dozen or so seconds, but, still, is it possible that incident could be responsible for the higher than normal temperatures I'm seeing during stress testing?

All the best, Dan.

 

[writhziden]

It is possible the CPU was damaged by overheating. I have seen graphics cards become faulty after overheating, so I imagine the same is true of CPUs or any electronics. I would recommend that you see if you can get the temperatures down first, though. It'll cost a lot less if it is just an overheating issue and not a bad processor.

If the processor is under warranty still, you could see if you can RMA it.

 

[Yeoman]

Okay.

I reseated my cpu heatsink a few times, and as far as I can tell, its as in as its going to go. And it's been in properly installed I believe since the very first time (back in november) I applied arctic silver. I ran a few instances of burntest (since it seems 'quick'), and the temps were the same as before. When monitoring my idle temps with RealTemp, they to were the same as they had always been.

So, I then moved on to reapplying the thermal paste, as the layer I had previously applied did appear slightly on the thick side to my eyes. Unfortunately I was unable to find my thermal paste (only had the arcticlean bottles), and had to order some more. And ofc, when it came, I was tidying and found my previous tube hidden away in a "safe place". Ah well.

So, I just finished reapplying the thermal paste, and this time, I only put a 'very very small pea sized amount', and I opened up real temp, and left it for 10 mins or so, and the min temperature was around 29-30 degrees C, which was only a degree lower than what the minimum temperature previously has been. But obviously, that's not bad considering the paste hasn't had its 200 hour settling in phase, where I believe the temperatures usually reduce between 2-5 degrees C?

So, I gave it a quick try with the intel Burn-test on the standard setting. And the maximum temperature only reached 73degrees, which, is a fairly good reduction from 81degrees. I'll probably give a go on the high setting, to see how it does there.

Would you recommend a further reapplication to see if I can lower the temps further?

All the best,
Dan.

 

[writhziden]

It sounds like you made good progress. I do not think it necessary to do more. How is the system behaving overall now that it is running a bit cooler?

 

[Yeoman]

Erm, well I've not noticed any real changes, it's running fine as before (it's always appeared fine apart from the unexpected blue screens, which as I say, are always infrequent and happen quite at random).

Regarding blue screens, the last two I had, were on the 12th and 13th of june, so about two and a half weeks since the last occurrence. So it has been quite a good while since I last had one (There have been longer gaps before, but usually when my pc has experienced low usage), gaps of 2 weeks are not uncommon however.
I'm pretty much expecting a blue screen any day now really haha. If it makes it past a third week and approaching a fourth week without a BSOD. I'll certainly be intrigued.


On another note, I ran burn-test on high, and the max temp was 78degrees. On very high it was 83 degrees. Which is certainly better than before.

One thing I may do is at some point is purchase an aftermarket cooler, and perhaps a better exhaust fan (it has always been my intention to do so, since although I don't plan to overclock, significantly reducing the temps of my computer would be quite satisfying, but I had always put it off on account of the BSOD's).

I will of course not rush into anything, and I'll see how the recent reapplication of thermal paste affects the Blue screens, before I begin tinkering with something that doesn't need tinkering with.

All the best,
Dan.

 

[writhziden]

Good plan not to break what isn't broken.

Glad I could help, and I hope you are intrigued in a week or two.

 

[Yeoman]

Okay, just a quick check in. To date it has been about 4 and a half weeks since I last experienced a BSOD. Which is a pretty long time tbh!

So, I mean, considering how long it usually lasts between BSOD's, I'd be tempted to think its fixed (although I'm reluctant to believe it so).

If my BSOD's have in fact ceased; why is that? My computer knowledge is limited, but aside from reapplying the paste and lowering my CPU temps, the last 'fix' I tried, was to install the USB3 controller driver from the disk (recall the one on the website wasn't functioning properly for some reason). All the other things I tried were in aid of determining what the cause was?

Is it possible you can shed any light on this, it does seem a bit of mystery (to me).


But non the less, thanks again for you're continued patience and help!
Dan.

 

[writhziden]

You're welcome.


Lowering the CPU temps often provides more stability. Having a system that overheats is prone to crashes because the system tries to prevent components from being damaged when they reach critical temperatures.


That said, I am not ruling out the USB 3.0 steps, either. USB 3.0 is fairly new technology, and there is not a ton known about it at this time. Updating any drivers or software associated with it may very well fix some bugs due to the new hardware.

karlsnooks found some interesting information about it just the other day:

Common issues in USB 3.0 devices - Microsoft Windows USB Core Team Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs​

 

[Yeoman]

Thanks for the reply, and for the link. It was interesting, but I think ill need to read it a few more times to get a better handle of it.


If it's all right, I think ill wait just one more week, and then If I don't have a BSOD, I'll mark the thread as solved. I suppose it doesnt matter if I understand quite how its fixed, as long as it has.

Thanks again,
Dan.

 

[Yeoman]

Okay, so it's been about 5 and a half weeks since my last bluescreen. Which is great! I've almost forgotten what a blue screen is. I guess now I'm pretty certain the issue is finished with, since I've never made it this long before without one, nowhere near.

I'm going to mark this thread as solved, I'd like to thank you for your continued help and patience! You're a star.


All the best,
Dan.

 

[Yeoman]

Hello again writhziden, I'm not sure if this is the correct protocol, but for now I'll post here.

Right, I've had three more blue screens yesterday (IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL). Which is the first time I've had them for 8 and a half weeks. Going back 4 or 5 months, I would've expected about 16 BSOD's in any 8-week period, so I really thought it had been fixed.

Since we last spoke, I did install an after market cpu cooler, and it did do well to reduce my temperatures. I went down from 72C to 56C (IBT 5 mins on standard, and it maxed at 60C on Maximum). That was merely to spot the temp differences, not to stress test.

You might not remember, but shortly after I completed my system back in November, I disabled turbo boost. Since getting my cpu cooler, I enabled Turbo-boost; since I figured I no longer need worry about what extra heat it might generate. As sure as I can be, enabling turbo boost is the only setting I have changed. I haven't done stress testing with Turbo Boost enabled, so perhaps it makes my system unstable. But the last of my three bluescreens occurred after I had disabled Turbo boost, thinking it to be the culprit (I've had it enabled a week).

My BSOD's like usual, happened randomly whilst not at all stressing any components. #1: Opening a new tab in chrome. #2 Pasting something into program. #3 Just as I pressed shut down in the start menu.

Any thoughts on this? Would you like to see the latest dump files?

All the best,
Dan.