BSOD playing Battlefield 3

[giladriel]

Hey guys,

I just got a first ever BSOD with this game.
Hardware temps are fine.
[Requested files are included]

Now, I should mention that I've had this game for the passed 4-5 months and it worked flawlessly.
The only different thing that I did today (right before getting the BS) was changing the MSIAfterburner fan setup to work at 80% when hitting 60C (it used to be much lower).

EDIT: Happened again (!!) just now while rendering a video with Sony Vegas.

Any idea?
Thanks in advance.

 

[writhziden]

Software Concerns:

Start Menu\Programs\MSI Afterburner	Gilad-PC\Gilad:Start Menu\Programs\MSI Afterburner	Gilad-PC\Gilad
Start Menu\Programs\MSI Kombustor	Public:Start Menu\Programs\MSI Kombustor	Public

MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner is known to cause instability with systems. Please remove the software. Software overclocking does not provide reliable overclocking. Overclocking should be accomplished through the BIOS or through the graphics card manufacturer's software.​

If you need to create a fan profile for your graphics card: SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer
​

Analysis:

It is difficult to find patterns with only one .dmp file. Yours may indicate a hardware concern, but it was probably due to MSI Afterburner.

To be safe: 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.

 

[giladriel]

First, thank you for the quick and thorough reply!

Couple of things:
1. I'll remove MSIA and run those tests as soon as possible and will report back.
2. Is it ok to create a fan profile with Sapphire TRIXX?
3. I attached 2 more dmp files, hope it helps to see things clearer.

By the way, Everything on my Pc is @stock.

Again, thanks so much writhziden!

 

[writhziden]

If Sapphire TRIXX is software from the manufacturer of the graphics card, you may create a fan profile with it. Manufacturer software is trusted over 3rd party software.

Analysis:

Crashes still point to possible hardware issues. I would recommend proceeding as advised in my previous post. Additionally, you had one (and possibly two) graphics card/DirectX related crash. DirectX comes installed with Windows, so this may indicate Windows corruption. It may also be that you have corrupted drivers or a graphics card hardware problem.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Check Windows for corruption. Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.

Follow the steps for Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX. To re-install your display card drivers as outlined in the DirectX link, use the following steps.

1. Download the drivers you want for your display card(s)
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For AMD:
   • Uninstall AMD Catalyst Install Manager if it is listed (this should remove all AMD graphics software and drivers)
   • If AMD Catalyst Install Manager is not listed, use the following method to uninstall the graphics drivers (this applies to onboard graphics, as well):
     1. Click Start Menu
     2. Right Click My Computer/Computer
     3. Click Manage
     4. Click Device Manager from the list on the left
     5. Expand Display adapters
     6. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
     Alternatively:
     1. Login as an adminstrative user
     2. Click Start Menu
     3. Click Control Panel
     4. Click Hardware and Sound
     5. Click Device Manager (the last link under Devices and Printers)
     6. Expand Display adapters
     7. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
6. Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
7. Install the driver you selected for the display cards once Windows starts

Remember to try multiple versions of the graphics drivers, download them fresh, and install the freshly downloaded drivers.
​

 

[giladriel]

Ok, so far, I ran the following tests so that's just an update:

Memtest86+:
Ran it about 11 hours - 7 passes, no errors.

SeaTools:
Ran all tests - all passed.

Furmark:
Before running Furmark I uninstalled the AMD driver and DSweepered it. Then I installed the latest driver for my 6870. Just in case.
Then I ran the Burn-in test on 1280x720, aa off, for an hour. I stopped it manually.
Max temp: 80C (room temp: 28C). No artifacts were detected.

Then I ran the 15min Burn-in benchmark (1920x1080), aa off.
Score: 2553.
25221 frames.
Max temp: 80C (room temp: 28C). No artifacts.


I think I should note this:
All of the 3 BSODs happened each, during BF3, FIFA11 and Sony Vegas.
Now, before running Furmark (right after I installed the new AMD driver for the GPU) I ran FIFA11 again (a whole game) and didn't get a BSOD.
Did the same thing with Sony Vegas - I rendered a video - all good, no BSOD.
Then I ran BF3, the game crashed after about 10 min playing, no BSOD - just a crash and back to Windows (2 times that happened).

Hope it sheds some light on something.

I'll continue as suggested and move on to the prime95 test.

 

[giladriel]

Prime95:
1. Small FFTs: 4 hours 11 minutes - no errors, no warnings.
2. In-place large FFTs: Error "Hardware failure detected" after about 11 minutes - "result.txt" is attached.
3. Blend: Did not run this one yet.

Dxdiag:
All settings are on the spot. Although I couldn't access Hardware Acceleration option under
Control Panel -> Display -> Screen resolution -> Advanced settings -> Troubleshoot tab.
Because the "Change settings" button was grey and unclickable.

SFC:
No integrity violations on the very first time (!).


What now?

 

[writhziden]

It appears you are still having a memory based error. Re-run the Prime95 In-place large FFTs test with each module installed one at a time. Test each module and each slot to find a good module/slot. Test all modules in a known good slot, and test all slots with a known good module. If all modules continue to give the same error through the Prime95 test, it is likely that your CPU memory controller is damaged.

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.

 

[giladriel]

CPU memory controller?
Sorry for the ignorance but what is that exactly and how do I repair that?
Is that a part of the MB?

And how could it be a memory based problem if Memtest86 didn't report any error?

 

[writhziden]

Memtest86+ does not always find errors. Many people seem to think diagnostic tools are foolproof for some reason. Here is some more information on the subject: Finicky RAM.

One of the reasons I had you also run Prime95 is it sometimes catches memory problems that Memtest86+ misses. Have you done the module swapping and tested each module and slot one at a time with Prime95 in-place large FFTs?


The memory controller is part of your processor. You do not repair it, you RMA the processor or buy a replacement. It means the processor is bad. We should worry about that after you have thoroughly tested the RAM.


Believe me, I wish we could wave a magic wand and fix all hardware problems for people. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to debug hardware issues via internet forums, so we do the best we can by narrowing things down and having the users go through as many steps as possible to find the culprit. It sometimes is exceedingly difficult with users who expect one step to solve all their problems. If you take a look at all the threads in Crashes and Debugging, you will find that very few are solved within the first few posts.

 

[giladriel]

Believe me, I wish we could wave a magic wand and fix all hardware problems for people. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to debug hardware issues via internet forums, so we do the best we can by narrowing things down and having the users go through as many steps as possible to find the culprit. It sometimes is exceedingly difficult with users who expect one step to solve all their problems. If you take a look at all the threads in Crashes and Debugging, you will find that very few are solved within the first few posts.

I fully understand the proccess and steps that need to be taken and I gratefully thank you for guiding me through this.
So, again, thanks so much.

Update:
I am still checking the RAM by running Prime95 with each stick.
I have 4 slots: A1, A0, B1, B0.

I've never used A1 slot because of two reasons:
1) It's partially blocked by my Cpu cooler so it's hard to access.
2) I only have 3 sticks (DIMMs) of RAM so obviously i don't need a fourth slot.

I started off by checking the slots, from right to left.
Checked each of the three sticks in B0 for an hour with Prime95 - no warnings or errors.
And here's the weird part:
When I was done with B0 and moved on to B1 - the computer won't even start! It didn't even get to the BIOS screen. The computer would just keep beeping on and off, the MB's light are on but then just a black screen.
That happened with all three of the sticks.
So I moved on to the next one.

I'm currently checking the A0 slot, almost done (3rd stick), seems there are no errors/warnings.


What do you make of this?

 

[writhziden]

It may be a bad slot, or it may be by design. I would suggest contacting Intel to find out if that is normal behavior with your board. I have heard of these things happening where it does happen by design, but the motherboard manual fails to mention it. Intel's support staff will know for sure.


Also, are all three of your modules from the same kit, or did you buy some at different times/from different manufacturers/with different model numbers?

 

[giladriel]

Done checking.
Slot B1 seems to be faulty.

I've put all 3 of sticks in B0, A0 and A1 (yeah I somehow managed to get it in there)
and today I played BF3 for 2 hours straight!
No crash, no BSOD whatsoever..

Also, are all three of your modules from the same kit, or did you buy some at different times/from different manufacturers/with different model numbers?

Both of my 2GB sticks we're bought with the pc. A year later I bought another 4GB Kingston stick of the same model exactly (KVR1333D3N9).

It may be a bad slot, or it may be by design

Could it be by design if everything works just fine now?

EDIT: BF3 crashed again after 1 hour playing..

 

[writhziden]

Try removing the newer Kingston module. Just because it is the same model, the time difference in manufacturing may have changed the chips installed within the module. This has been known to cause incompatibility on systems in the past.

Are you now running with the B1 slot removed so no modules use that slot anymore?

 

[giladriel]

Try removing the newer Kingston module. Just because it is the same model, the time difference in manufacturing may have changed the chips installed within the module. This has been known to cause incompatibility on systems in the past.

But it worked just fine up until very recently, about 3-4 months now..

Are you now running with the B1 slot removed so no modules use that slot anymore?

Yep.

 

[writhziden]

Did you avoid static damage to the PC when you installed the upgrade?

Avoid Static Damage to Your PC | PCWorld may be good further reading.

 

[giladriel]

I'm pretty sure I have avoided it, but I can't say for sure unfortunately.

UPDATE:
For the past 2-3 days my system is running without the 4GB stick.
No crashes/bsods at all.
I've been playing BF3 (a lot), Sony Vegas, movies etc and everything seems to work flawlessly once again.

Should I try and replace the 2 sticks with the single 4GB for the next few days, just so I rule things out completely?

 

[writhziden]

Yes, testing the 4 GB by itself would be a good troubleshooting step. Let us know if you have any issues with it installed by itself. Remember to protect your PC from static damage when swapping modules.

 

[giladriel]

Update:
For the past 3 days the only stick that was installed was the single 4GB.
No BSODs, no crashes, nothing.

I am really confused.. are we back where we started?

 

[writhziden]

I think you have two issues. You have a slot that is bad or at least in need of a referral to the manufacturer to determine if it is meant to cause the problems you see (not likely, I agree). You also have two sets of RAM that will not work together due to the time between manufacturing. More than likely, they worked fine for a time, but one set (probably the old set) could no longer keep up with the other set due manufacturing changes. It may be that one set is also failing gradually and has not yet reached a point where symptoms are consistent, but having both sets in causes the problems to manifest more. There is another possibility that it is the motherboard that is having difficulty maintaining the slight variations in the two sets and the manufacturing differences. That may be due to motherboard failure that is slowly occurring and has manifested itself in a bad slot and erratic behavior with both kits installed.

Where do we go from here? It is entirely up to you, but my advice would be to contact the motherboard manufacturer first to get the slot issue resolved and possibly/probably RMA the motherboard.

You may also consider buying RAM in a kit of 8 GB (make sure it is compatible with your board and processor; i5s like 1.50 V RAM) so that you know everything was manufactured properly and no conflicts will occur.

 

[giladriel]

Ok, I did a last check for an entire week:
All 3 sticks are plugged in, all 8GB are detected properly, but in a different setup:
A1 - 2GB
A0 - 2GB
B1 - empty
B0 - 4GB

Everything now is back to normal somehow.
I've been playing BF3 and a few other games, rendering with Sony Vegas, used Photoshop, recorded using Dxtory, pretty much everything that I do on a regular basis and I there were no BSODs or crashes whatsoever.

This is really baffling, is this an indication for anything?
Should I still contact Intel?