BSOD playing BF3 - error 0x0000004e

[shep66]

Hi,

BF3 is now unplayable for me due to crashes, freezes & BSODs (typically 0x0000004e) in every single game. So far I've tried:

1. Updating to the latest video drivers

2. Uninstalling BF3, deleting all game files & re-installing

3. Uninstalling video drivers using Driver Sweeper & re-installing

4. Virus scanning (using Super Anti-spyware) & clearing out all Registry errors (using CCleaner)

5. Firmware update on OCZ SSD

On the occasion that I get a message within BF3, this comes up (or something like it): "Kicked by Punkbuster due to a corrupt memory file" (I've also uploaded a number of other error messages - I hope that's not too much information). I thought this might point to faulty RAM but I've run Memtest86+, with 10 passes & no errors. I also ran Prime95 and five of the workers stopped after a number of hours with the message "Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file." I don't know which hardware component failed, since the file doesn't tell you but just provides general guidance. Am I supposed to take a wild guess as to whether I have a faulty CPU?

All help & advice appreciated.

 

[x BlueRobot]

It seems you have a bad CPU, Prime95 is primarily used for testing the CPU for any errors, and it seems to have given out a few already. The stress.txt log file is located within the Prime95 installation folder.

To find the file, please do the following:

1. Locate Prime95 program
2. Right-Click the icon/program
3. Properties
4. Open File Location

It may be listed as results.txt too.

Which test did you run? There's the Small FFT's, Large FFT's and the Blend test I believe.

 

[shep66]

Yes, I was starting to think that too but I did the Blend test, which puts a heavy load on the RAM as well. But with a successful 11-hour, 10-pass Memtest under its belt, it can't really be the RAM.

I've seen a copy of a stress.txt file in another forum but it seemed to just contain guidance & instructions, with no specifics about where the fault lay. I'll dig mine out tonight though and take a look. Thanks.

 

[x BlueRobot]

That's right, and it gives more reason for the CPU to be fault, if the RAM passed the MemTest86+ with no errors.

 

[shep66]

I've attached both files but neither tell you anything specific about the cause. I'm starting to think though that it's due to the CPU heating up under load. It's never gone above 75C under full stress but it regularly gets to 72-73C. This problem has got worse as the weather has heated up too, unless that's a coincidence. My CPU cooler is the cheap but effective Arctic Freezer 13 Pro. I'm considering replacing it with a Phanteks PH-TC14PE but I'm not sure how much better that would be. Anyone use this?

 

[x BlueRobot]

A few people have mentioned that their temperatures are slightly higher due to the weather, the fans will drawing in warmer air than in usual circumstances.

Have you checked within the case for dust accumulation? Checked all the fans are working? Overheating can cause hardware failures.

I forget to ask, are you overclocking?

 

[shep66]

No overclocking and the fan is in good nick. Maybe this cooler is not quite up to the task. I might even go for the Corsair H100i, if I could be confident the cooler is the culprit.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Then again, the CPU could have gradually become damaged by the heat.

 

[shep66]

I think I've found the cause. I've had my BIOS setting on Performance, which overclocks the CPU automatically but not by much, just 3.4GHz to 3.52GHz. But the difference in heat is up to 5C. I turned the BIOS back to Normal & ran three successful BF3 games with no problem (even in this sauna of a room, with an ambient temp today of around 27-28C). If I want to overclock, then I'll need to buy one of those two coolers above. Benchmark tests show they're 6-7C cooler than my current cooler.

 

[x BlueRobot]

That's great to know, keep using the computer as you normally would for a few days, and then mark this thread as solved if you feel confident you have solved the problem