Solved BSOD occuring at random

[ICIT2LOL]

You mean check the voltage going to the RAM slots?
If this is the same setting that you use to OC your RAM, then I think I know where it is in the BIOS.

I also noticed that something called ECC isn't enabled on my RAM config. IS this something that may be relevant?

No Wolfgang just the flying and modular leads if you have them - trying to measure the slot volts would be quite a dicey affair as I don't know where the power and data contacts would be.

Now ECC is usually RAM for servers and office type applications and most boards like the ones we use will not support them at all.

Take a look at the pros and Cons near the bottom of this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECC_RAM
If you have ECC RAM then maybe it is some of the problem. So it would be worth Googling the RAM stick brand and manufacturers numbers. But most of the ECC sticks I have seen have been quite thick and even double banked chips on them.

 

[Dave76]

Can you post your System Specs?
This will help: Speccy Free System information Utility

Also some more information on your system and some of the settings.
Can you download CPUZ and post a snip of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs.
For posting the information , enter 'Snipping tool' in the Start button > Search box, hit enter. Select the area you want to post and save to a convenient place.
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums
Go to your BIOS and tell us what the CPU, RAM and the CPU integrated memory controller voltages are.

Unless you're running server grade hardware you don't need ECC.
With the above information, I can recommend some setting changes and see if we can get the RAM stable.
Have you ran memtest86+ with all RAM cards installed?
This is the best way to initially test the RAM, if you get any error you can stop the test.
Depending on your hardware, and current settings, it might just take a couple adjustments to get the RAM stable, if that doesn't work then you can test the RAM cards individually.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep Dave the memtest was mentioned by Kool Kat earlier on in #13 and in #16 Wolfgang reported back with some weird results.

I did ask too re whaether the sticks were random ones or matched apirs but there seems ot be nothing wrong.

Pity we cannot get a pic of the sticks themselves just check them out

 

[Dave76]

The CPUZ info will give the RAM P/N then a quick search will find all the info.
Some specs will help to figure out the next move.

 

[Wolfgangs246]

Here are the screenshots as requested. I'll need more time to provide you with the voltage information.

 

[Dave76]

If you're still not getting any crash dumps you need to set it back to the default location. We need those dump files.

Enter your system specs in the 'My System Specs' drop box at the lower left of any of your posts.
This will help us to help you, we won't have to search through the thread to find your specs.

Your IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) is called QPI Vtt voltage.
It is common to have to adjust the settings for more than 8GB RAM and 4 RAM cards.
Post the rest of the requested information.

Do you need Steam and uTorrent running in Startup?
Clear out everything not required from startup.

Use Real Temp , to check the CPU temps when at idle, under load and/or testing.
Let us know the minimum and maximum temps you get.

 

[Wolfgangs246]

If you're still not getting any crash dumps you need to set it back to the default location. We need those dump files.

I have double checked my configuration and according to my settings I should have a small dump file in in the directory %SystemRoot%\Minidump

Can you confirm that this folder location is as follows: C:\Windows\Minidump
(Assuming a standard OS installation)

Can you also confirm if the system will autocreate this folder or do I have to manually create it for the system to be able to write the dump files?

I am asking these seemingly simple questions because although the current System configuration is set to small dump and to that location, I can not find any such folder even if I manually enter the folder location into windows explorer. Do you have any idea why this might be the case?

 

[Wolfgangs246]

Your IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) is called QPI Vtt voltage.
It is common to have to adjust the settings for more than 8GB RAM and 4 RAM cards.
Post the rest of the requested information.

Based on my bios settings, this configuration is being automatically managed. Currently it is set at 1.05V

 

[Dave76]

%SystemRoot%\Minidump is C:\Windows\Minidump.
It will auto create the minidump folder.
In Explorer > View, select Show Hidden folders. You should be able to see it anyway as it's not hidden by default, check it anyway.

Give the other voltage requested.

Go to your BIOS and tell us what the CPU, RAM and the CPU integrated memory controller voltages are.

Change the DRAM Voltage to 'Manual' and to 1.550v. Be sure to let me know what this voltage was set at before you changed it.
Change the QPI Vtt Voltage to 'Manual' and to 1.120v.
Run memtest86+ again for 7 full passes, with all 4 RAM cards installed, if you get any errors you can stop the test. Best to run overnight.
Let us know the results.

 

[Wolfgangs246]

Give the other voltage requested.

Go to your BIOS and tell us what the CPU, RAM and the CPU integrated memory controller voltages are.

CPU voltage is set at 1.26V

DRAM is 1.5V

Change the DRAM Voltage to 'Manual' and to 1.550v. Be sure to let me know what this voltage was set at before you changed it.
Change the QPI Vtt Voltage to 'Manual' and to 1.120v.
Run memtest86+ again for 7 full passes, with all 4 RAM cards installed, if you get any errors you can stop the test. Best to run overnight.
Let us know the results.[/QUOTE]

Will do.

 

[Dave76]

DRAM voltage, set as I recommended above.

Let us know the results.

 

[Wolfgangs246]

Set the voltage as recommended and performed the test.

There was 1 failure, the 7th test on the 9th round of testing.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Excuse me for butting in but Dave that Real Temp how precise is that particular app as there are a few being recommended it is a tad confusing as to which to use?

 

[Golden]

John, RealTemp and HWINFO are generally regarded as top of the pile by overclocking enthusiasts.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

John, RealTemp and HWINFO are generally regarded as top of the pile by overclocking enthusiasts.

Thanks Golden quite liked that Real Temp when I ran it

 

[Dave76]

Set the first 4 RAM timings to 'Manual' and 9-9-9-24, set 'Command Rate' manually to 2T, leave the rest on 'Auto'.

Change the DRAM Voltage to 'Manual' and to 1.600v.
Change the QPI Vtt Voltage to 'Manual' and to 1.150v.
Save and Exit the BIOS.

Run memtest86+ again for 7 full passes, with all 4 RAM cards installed, if you get any errors you can stop the test. Best to run overnight.
Let us know the results.

 

[Wolfgangs246]

Hey everyone,
I've completed the testing (took well over 16 hours of straight running but its finally done)
And there were no errors!
Does this mean the problem has been resolved?

 

[Dave76]

Can you confirm what you did?
Did you change the timings and voltages?

 

[Wolfgangs246]

Can you confirm what you did?
Did you change the timings and voltages?

I changed the voltages to the second set that you suggested. The timings didn't need to be changed cause they were already set to those timings.

There weren't any errors reported after the 7 passes of the memtest.

 

[Dave76]

That's a good sign, let us know if it remains stable over the next 3-4 days.