BSOD Memory_Management

[Caladhiel]

My computer BSOD's seemingly randomly, sometimes a few times a day, with the error message MEMORY_MANAGEMENT. I've done virus checks and use CCleaner regularly etc. Runs fine in Safe Mode. I've uploaded the dump files from the SF Diagnostic Tool. Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[essenbe]

Hi Caladhiel, I will try to help you with this. 3 of the last 4 dump files listed some form of Memory corruption.

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.
BugCheck 1A, {8886, fffffa8002718690, fffffa80027186c0, 205}
Probably caused by : [COLOR=red]memory_corruption[/COLOR] ( nt!MiUnlinkPageFromLockedList+19c )
Followup: MachineOwner

Please Run Memtest86+

   Information

Please download from this site only http://www.memtest.org/ in the middle of the page are the Download links, you can download the ISO.zip or the Auto USB Flash Drive installer.zip

Extract the Zip file. If you chose the ISO image, burn it to a CD using Windows Disk Image Burner or any Image burner you may have. If you downloaded the Auto USB installer, extract it, insert your USB 2.0 Flash Drive and take note of the drive letter. Run the installer, select the Flash Drive Letter, check the format box and press next. It will install memtest86+ to a flash drive. You can use either V4.20 or V5.01. Boot from your selected media. If you use V5.01 it will tell you to press certain buttons at the start, please press no buttons. The test will begin on it's own and continue to run until you stop it. It needs to run for 8 complete passes or until you receive an error. If you receive an error, stop the test. Even 1 error is a fail. Each pass tests a different part of the ram and each of the 10 tests in each pass tests something different. It takes a minimum of 8 passes to completely test the ram, more passes are better. It is quite a long test and will take several hours depending on how much ram you have. Due to the time length it is best to run overnight. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask​

 

[Caladhiel]

Thanks for the response! I used v5.01 and let it run overnight - 12 passes, 0 errors.

 

[essenbe]

Good, that's good. Next I would like you to do a short test for me.
Open a elevated command prompt ( click start, type cmd in the search box, right click on the cmd entry and select run as administrator) in the black box that opens, copy/paste sfc /scannow. If you decide to type it, notice the space between the sfc and the /. It is a system file checker which will scan your system files and attempt to correct any missing or corrupt files. What we want are the results to say windows found no integrity violations. If it says files were found but could not be repaired, close the box, reboot and run it again, after opening the administrative command prompt. You may have to reboot and run it three times for it to repair all system files. If it can't repair them after 3 reboots, let us know.

 

[Caladhiel]

Ok, I've rebooted 3 times and it still can't fix some of the files.

 

[essenbe]

I presume you know, you are looking at the possibility of a clean install. But, I would like to try a few things first, if you are willing. Try one of these options, then run the sfc /scannow again. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

 

[Caladhiel]

Sorry for the delay, I've been away. I followed the first set of instructions, restarted and scanned again but there are still files not being fixed.

 

[essenbe]

Just for a try, go to c:\Windows\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT and rename FNTCACHE.DAT to FNTCACHE.DAT.OLD then reboot. That is your font cache, on reboot, Windows will rebuild it. see if that changes anything.

 

[Caladhiel]

It's still reporting the same problem. As an aside, this rig is my first ever computer build - is it possible the issue is related to a problem with the way I've installed the hardware?

 

[essenbe]

At this point, anything is possible. Is there any questions you have about the hardware you installed which you are unsure of? I'm a long time computer builder and can help with any of those problems you are unsure of.

 

[Caladhiel]

I can't think of anything specifically. I built using an up to date manual and mostly under the supervision of someone with experience building computers, but I can't be 100% sure I've not done something wrong. Is there anything you think would be likely to cause a problem with memory in that way? I don't mind doing a clean install but I thought I should mention the fact I'm a novice in case there's something I've missed.

 

[essenbe]

Basically, no. Just be sure all of the cables are fully seated, and you have the 24 Pin, 4/8 pin ATX cable installed and the PCIe cables are completely seated. Most of the rest of the cables go to peripherals and are pretty much straight forward. Another thing is make sure the cables are out of the way so they don't block airflow through the case. Zip ties are your friend. Depending on your case, I run all of my cables behind the motherboard tray to keep them out of the way, most cases have access holes to bring them back inside the case where they will be going. This keeps them from blocking airflow through the case as well as makes the case look much more neat and tidy. But, some cases don't provide the space to run them behind the motherboard tray.

 

[Caladhiel]

I've cable tied everything back and I have checked the cables are seated properly and connected to the right sockets. The scan still reports being unable to fix all corrupted files. I'm having issues with software crashes as well. I don't know if that is related to this problem which is why I refrained from mentioning it before but in case it is and I can kill two birds with one stone: Chrome and Firefox crash a lot except in safe mode, and Word has crashed a number of times and I've had to restart the computer to close the program as task manager does nothing.

 

[essenbe]

If I understand correctly, everything runs OK in safe mode, is that correct? If so, have you tried to run sfc in safe mode? Try that and see if it passes in safe mode. Safe mode normally loads only the drivers necessary for Windows to run. Basically only the Windows drivers. Many of the software won't work exactly right in safe mode as their drivers don't load. Also, do you have a spare hard drive we could use for a test?

 

[Caladhiel]

As far as I remember browsers and so on run fine in safe mode. I've just tried the scan in safe mode and it's reporting the same problem. I don't have one to hand but I might be able to borrow one?

 

[essenbe]

If you can borrow one, I would like to do a clean install, but just a little different way and see what we can tell. That way it will not mess up your current install if you let me give you instructions first. It does not have to be a large drive and you could use a laptop hard drive, it will just be a little slower.

Otherwise, I would like to try a repair install. There are mixed results with them and you have to be ready to do a complete clean install as a repair install is the last step before a repair install. Just like most everything else, it can go wrong and you should have all your files backed up externally first. You should always have all personal files backed up anyway.

 

[Caladhiel]

I've not been able to borrow a hard drive unfortunately. I've got my important documents backed up and I don't really have anything much installed or saved other than Steam games and save files so it's not too much of a problem.

 

[essenbe]

Caladhiel, What I was trying to do is just a test without causing you money or having to do 1 or maybe even 2 Clean installs. I don't know for sure whether it is the drive or not or a problem wit the install, so I just wanted to test it, buy doing a clean install and adding no other programs other than MSE, and use it that way for a couple of days and see. If you have no crashes, it will tell us it is either the hard drive or some program causing your problem. I was trying to save you money and time.

 

[Caladhiel]

I can hold out until this weekend to try again as I'll be seeing a friend who builds computers and said he might have a spare hard drive. Can it be an external drive? Would be easier for me to get hold of.

 

[essenbe]

It's hard and long to boot off of a USB drive. If you have esata, yes it can be external, that wouldn't be a problem. They make enclosures you can put an internal drive into an esata enclosure and it will do quite well as an external.