Solved BSOD - regular

[koolkat77]

Hmm,

1: kd> lmvm atikmdag
start             end                 module name
fffff880`04809000 fffff880`0513d000   atikmdag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmdag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys
    Image name: [COLOR="red"]atikmdag.sys[/COLOR]
    Timestamp:        [COLOR="Red"]Wed Apr 20 07:53:29 2011[/COLOR] (4DAE3C99)
    CheckSum:         008E91DD
    ImageSize:        00934000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Your ATI cards drivers need to be updated, use the following method:

1. Download and install Driver Sweeper:
   → |MG| Driver Fusion (Driver Sweeper) 1.2.0 Download
2. Download the auto-detect tool for AMD.
   → AMD Driver Autodetect
3. Boot into Safe Mode from Advanced Boot Options:
   → http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/666-advanced-boot-options.html
4. Type in Driver Fusion in Search
5. Remove all drivers
6. Boot normally now, and install the latest drivers from the
   auto-detect program you downloaded.

Then take the FurMark video test:
Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark
→ http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html

Monitor your temps with Speccy during these tests
→ Speccy - System Information - Free Download

Let us know how it goes.

 

[david500]

Ok, I have deleted the old AMD driver (nvidia driver also - don't actually know how that got there) using the above method and installed the latest drivers.

Which test on the FurMark program should I perform? The one mentioned in the article (with extreme etc selected) seemed like my system couldn't handle it. This is just a low spec pc I built for everyday computing. I can understand using that on a system like my Alienware system which extremely high specs but don't think the graphics can handle the program on those settings on this system. I did let the test run for about an hour and monitored the temps. Hard drive was around 32 degrees, same with the motherboard. The CPU was about 32 just standard and peaked at about 48 under load with the test.

 

[koolkat77]

Okay. Let's not do the furmark test.

Were there any crashes lately? You should check for an update on your BIOS version.
Google it.

 

[david500]

Sorry if that sounded like I was having a go at you! Did'nt mean it to! I do appreciate all the help you have been giving me

Hmm, looks like there was a crash yesterday morning (I was at work so didn't notice it) but not since the update yesterday. Though they do tend to happen randomly, sometimes none for days and then quite a few in a row. I'll upload the new info. I'll try updated the bios as you mentioned.

Thanks again.

 

[koolkat77]

STOP 0x00000050: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Usual causes: Defective hardware (particularly memory - but not just RAM), Faulty system service, Antivirus, Device driver, NTFS corruption, BIOS.

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for win32k.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for win32k.sys
Probably caused by : memory_corruption ( nt!MiInPageSingleKernelStack+1d0 )

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

→ http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html
→ Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums

 

[david500]

Hi, just a quick update. I was getting quite a few BSOD again over the last couple of weeks so as Windows 8 full version has now come out I have clean installed that on here. I got a BSOD just after I finished installing it I am starting to think that this is possibly a hardware failure causing it to crash. Most likely cause is memory? I just did memtest for 6 passes and it found no errors but as the failures are random I guess it might not find an error unless I did the test for hours and hours. Anyway I have decided to change the memory now. I am keeping the same amount of RAM (2 x 2GB 1600 Crucial) as it's perfectly fine for this computer. I think the make it something like M.Mouse at the moment!! haha. Do you think this is a good course of action?

 

[david500]

Oh BTW I think the new BSOD in Windows 8 should be called sad/grumpy face of death! haha

 

[koolkat77]

Upload a screenshot of your hard disk using crystal disk info:

• CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

Test your hard drive:

• Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

 

[david500]

Screen shot (please note this PC is not my main computer i.e - the one on my profile specs) :

 

[koolkat77]

Is the computer you are having a new computer? Is it under its warranty?

 

[david500]

Well the parts are under warranty. This is a computer I built myself about a year ago. Just a cheap second PC. I have an Alienware Aurora with top specs as my main PC. But the other one is the PC i'm having trouble with. I'm definitely starting to think it's a memory issue. I just had another 2 BSOD and both blamed the memory as the fault. Hopefully changing the memory to a better make will fix it! Thanks for all your help so far BTW.

 

[koolkat77]

I see, how many sticks of RAM does that PC have?

 

[david500]

4 slot, 2 sticks in Dual channel 2 x 2GB (4GB total)

 

[koolkat77]

OK. Sometimes memtest doesn't detect errors. Sometimes it takes over 8 passes to find errors.

You can do one thing..take one stick out and see how the computer performs on the stick that's still in. Test that one stick in different slots of the motherboard. See if the PC freezes, crashes or blue screens.

Do the same thing with the other stick.

 

[david500]

My thoughts exactly on memtest. It's a lot of messing about with slots etc, all takes time and because BSOD is often so random not sure it would even crash.

I have already bought some new memory from Crucial. It was quite cheap anyway so will try changing the sticks and see how I get on. Fingers crossed it will fix it!

Thanks for your advice though.

 

[koolkat77]

Alright. Let us know how things went.

 

[david500]

Hi, just to let you know, replaced the memory today and the system seems a lot more responsive. Much faster. Only time will tell whether it has fixed the dreaded BSOD but signs look good

An interesting point to note is also the mass of dust that had collected inside the case (I always keep my own system very clean but this is my dad's and the lack of cleaning resulted in a LOT of dust). Obviously this can cause problems with a system so from now on I will be making sure he cleans it out once every couple of months! Might have even been the cause but I can't see it myself with how much faster the PC runs.

Thanks once again for your help

 

[koolkat77]

Thanks for the update, glad to hear the system is stable now.

You may keep it under observance for a week or 2 before calling it solved.

We'll be here if you need more help. Good luck

 

[david500]

Hi,

Thought I'd give you another update. I have had no BSOD now for over two weeks. It looks like the memory was the cause in my case.

Thanks once again for all your help!

 

[koolkat77]

Thanks for posting back
Happy computing.