Solved BSOD - ntoskrl.exe problem, error 0x0000009f

[sizza]

Hi
Firstly, many thanks for running this amazing forum! Judging by the number of posts and responses you give, this is a vital service!

So... I assembled PC a few weeks ago using a second hand intel motherboard and i3 but all all else new bits and all seemed ok for several weels but a couple of days the BSOD struck, and has been every day since. According to the minidump report ntoskrl.exe could be the culprit but from reading posts this could be for any number of reasons. I've done a bit of digging, and things that might be helpful are:


- I am using AVG antivirus 2012 free (but it ran with no BSOD for several weeks)
- I did have mismatched memory (2x1GB and 2x2GB) but I'm now (4x2GB) and BSOD has happened again
- I have an OEM version of Windows 7 pro which seemed to be legit. The activation was ok (after a couple of goes)
- I have updated the graphic card driver (geforce gt430) and it was working fine in another PC i built for several months
- BSOD does seem to occur following a recovery from a standby mode.

Many thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi,
All your crash dumps point to:

Stop message[COLOR=red] 0x0000009F[/COLOR] Descriptive text: DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
Usual cause: A driver is in an inconsistent or invalid power state.
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************
Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.
BugCheck 9F, {3, fffffa8009ad7060, fffff80000b9c518, fffffa8008ccac10}
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for MAudioFastTrackUltra.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for 
[COLOR=black]MAudioFastTrackUltra.sys[/COLOR]
Probably caused by : [COLOR=red]MAudioFastTrackUltra.sys[/COLOR]

These drivers need updating:

Faulting driver: MAudioFastTrackUltra.sys
Relates to: M-Audio Fast Track Ultra
Dated: Tue Jan 11 20:12:17 2011
Website: M-Audio Drivers

Faulting Driver: nvlddmkm.sys
Relates to: Nvidia Video Drivers
Dated: Fri Mar 15 01:37:00 2013
Website: Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers
(Update to latest driver..Choose Option 2)

The CPU seems to be slightly underclocked, are the settings defaulted?

0: kd> !sysinfo cpuspeed
CPUID:        "Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU         530  @ 2.93GHz"
MaxSpeed:     2930
CurrentSpeed: [COLOR=red]2926[/COLOR]

Run the following tests and post back any results:

Run SFC to check the integrity of all Windows 7 system files:
Click on the Start > Type in search cmd
Right click cmd at top and Run as Administrator
Type SFC /scannow at the prompt
(Note: there is a space between SFC and /scannow)
:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Also please Run chkdsk /f/r in an elevated command prompt.
Click on the Start > Type in search cmd
Right click cmd at top and Run as Administrator
At the command prompt please type: chkdsk /f/r
(Note: there is a space between chkdsk and /f/r)
:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Take memtest. Run for 8 passes and test each stick in a know good slot for an additional 6 passes.

:ar:http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

   Tip

Run these tests overnight

Cheers

Dave

 

[sizza]

Wow! Many thanks for your speedy and detailed reply, Dave. I'll update the drivers (indeed my unreliable spidey sense is telling me the M-audio driver is the main culprit!) and run the tests tonight. I will post how i get on.
cheers!
Simon

 

[Northernsoul55]

Your M-Audio driver was blamed in every crash so your Spidey Sense is correct

Look forward to your feedback.

cheers

Dave

 

[x BlueRobot]

Some manufacturers underclock their CPUs intentionally to avoid crashes.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Ahh thanks for the info Harry...come across a few of those lately

 

[x BlueRobot]

Ahh thanks for the info Harry...come across a few of those lately

Your welcome Dave

 

[sizza]

A quick update! I ran the SFC and chkdsk last night with no reported problems, the first stage of the memory test was still running when I left for work this morning, 4 passes completed with no issues so far.

I got an updated driver for the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra but haven't loaded it yet, i'll do that when the tests are finished (the Windows driver "updater" was lying to me when it said previously that the one i had was the most up to date!) Having said that, i did a bit if digging and it seems this driver doesn't like the sleep/hibernate mode - lots of reports of it crashing when coming out of sleep. M-audio said they would look into it but their advice was to switch off the sleep mode option (not a popular solution judging by people's reactiosn!), and it was not clear from their website whether the latest driver release fixed this. I'll see what happens!

I tried updating the nvidia driver, and the online test (option 2) told me it was the latest driver for my card so i have not investigates that further at the moment.

And I have not done anything to the clocking (not something I have ever attempted) but i did get the motherboard and processor second hand so maybe someone else had played with it? Bluerobot's explanation seems likely though. Is it worth trying to put it back to the max speed? I'm always up for a bit of tweaking if it does not affect stability...

Many thanks again for your help, i'll post another update once i get the new driver installed.
cheers
simon

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi
Thanks for the feedback
Leave the clocking alone, any clocking will affect system stability. At least until we have cleared your BSOD issue.

Your Nvidia drivers are the latest version 314.22 - WHQL. Your logs also reported this driver is contributing to your BSOD's, we will need try a different driver if your BSOD's continue as i am confident your BSOD's will continue if this issue is not addressed.

Try rolling back the Nvidia driver to the last one:
:ar: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/165382-device-manager-roll-back-driver.html?ltr=D

Once completed monitor your situation, use the computer as normal, and see if any further BSOD'S persists.
Post back a new log if you do experience a new crash.

Cheers
Dave

 

[sizza]

Hi Dave
Many thanks, i will do that!
cheers
Simon

 

[sizza]

Update!
I've been using the PC for a week now with no more BSOD - yea!

Even with latest MAudioFastTrackUltra.sys driver I was getting BSOD but having done a bit more digging it appears the driver does not like Windows sleep mode and it is common for it to crash when the PC "wakes up".

The advice from M-Audio is to disable the sleep mode as they were not planning to fix it. When I was testing this last weekend it was okay if the device was switched off before it went into sleep, and was mostly ok when switched back on again but sometimes it needed a re-boot to pick up the device again which was a bit irritating. (Actually, it was always a bit flakey like this, even when run on XP, so i have decided to ditch it an get a better audio interface from a different manufacturer).

So! problem solved, and many many thanks again for your help!
simon

 

[x BlueRobot]

Your welcome, you may mark this thread as solved if you like.

Well done Dave

 

[Northernsoul55]

Great stuff Simon and thanks for the feedback.

Cheers Harry