Solved BSOD (restarts) while playing games

[champ3n]

I have been getting crashes for a few days now, it only happens while playing games.
I can play games such as football manager, counter strike source, wow fine and to some extent swtor.
I feel certain that it is the gfx card that is faulty, I have tried running;

Memtest 7 passes: 0 errors
Prime 95 for 1 hour: 0 errors

but then I tried Furmark, after around 40 sec my gfx card temp was at 62 degrees and it restarted my pc. I looked at the fan and it is running, i used compressed air to clean it so that should not be a problem.
specs:
[FONT=&quot]GeForce GTX 550 Ti[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]AMD FX-4100 (Bulldoozer) with a coolermaster tx3
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 GB DDR3 RAM 1333 Mhz, DUAL CHANNEL[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Corona Gaming Kabinet[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Corsair CX 600 W PSU[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]MSI 760GM-P23[/FONT][FONT=&quot] bundkort[/FONT]

 

[champ3n]

I have added the information needed. (the Windows_NT6_BSOD_jcgriff2 folder and the perfmon report)

Is Windows 7 . . . - x86 (32-bit) or x64 ? it is x86 - the original installed OS on the system? yes - an OEM or full retail version? full retail - What is the age of system (hardware)? I bought the computer in Dec 2011 - What is the age of OS installation (have you re-installed the OS?) I installed this version last week

 

[writhziden]

Loading Dump File [D:\Kingston\BSODDmpFiles\champ3n\Windows_NT6_BSOD_jcgriff2\042712-21699-01.dmp]
Mini Kernel Dump File: Only registers and stack trace are available

Symbol search path is: SRV*C:\SymCache*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
Executable search path is: 
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (4 procs) Free x64
Product: WinNt, suite: TerminalServer SingleUserTS
Built by: 7601.17790.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.120305-1505
Machine Name:
Kernel base = 0xfffff800`02e0f000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0xfffff800`03053650
Debug session time: Thu Apr 26 23:33:47.530 2012 (UTC - 6:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:00:11.107
Loading Kernel Symbols
.....................................................
Loading User Symbols
Mini Kernel Dump does not contain unloaded driver list
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 124, {0, fffffa8004ef48f8, 0, 0}

Probably caused by : hardware

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

0: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (124)
A fatal hardware error has occurred. Parameter 1 identifies the type of error
source that reported the error. Parameter 2 holds the address of the
WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure that describes the error conditon.
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000000, Machine Check Exception
Arg2: fffffa8004ef48f8, Address of the WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure.
Arg3: 0000000000000000, High order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.
Arg4: 0000000000000000, Low order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.

Debugging Details:
------------------


BUGCHECK_STR:  0x124_AuthenticAMD

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT

PROCESS_NAME:  System

CURRENT_IRQL:  0

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff880`031a15b0 fffff800`030d0ca9 : fffffa80`04ef48d0 fffffa80`03a32040 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!WheapCreateLiveTriageDump+0x6c
fffff880`031a1ad0 fffff800`02fb1577 : fffffa80`04ef48d0 fffff800`0302b2b8 fffffa80`03a32040 00000000`00000000 : nt!WheapCreateTriageDumpFromPreviousSession+0x49
fffff880`031a1b00 fffff800`02f18935 : fffff800`0308cac0 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`0484cc70 fffffa80`03a32040 : nt!WheapProcessWorkQueueItem+0x57
fffff880`031a1b40 fffff800`02e95361 : fffff800`030f4900 fffff800`02f18910 fffff800`0302b200 00000000`00000000 : nt!WheapWorkQueueWorkerRoutine+0x25
fffff880`031a1b70 fffff800`03125fda : 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`03a32040 00000000`00000080 fffffa80`039c0ae0 : nt!ExpWorkerThread+0x111
fffff880`031a1c00 fffff800`02e7c9c6 : fffff880`02fd5180 fffffa80`03a32040 fffff880`02fdffc0 00000000`00000000 : nt!PspSystemThreadStartup+0x5a
fffff880`031a1c40 00000000`00000000 : fffff880`031a2000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KxStartSystemThread+0x16


STACK_COMMAND:  kb

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: hardware

IMAGE_NAME:  hardware

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  0

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x124_AuthenticAMD_PROCESSOR_BUS_PRV

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x124_AuthenticAMD_PROCESSOR_BUS_PRV

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

You had a 0x124 hardware stop. Read through http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/35349-stop-0x124-what-means-what-try.html regarding the above crash and use the following hardware checks to supplement that link.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Some of the following checks you have done. You may want to do them again if you did not follow the same exact steps.
  
  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 a CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Recommend removing the following program; it has known issues with Windows 7.

  Start Menu\Programs\MSI Afterburner	Morten-Pc\Morten:Start Menu\Programs\MSI Afterburner	Morten-Pc\Morten

 

[champ3n]

uninstalled msi afterburn.

Intelburn test ran it 15 passes and no errors, cpu got a little hot but no errors or crashes.
memtest for 7 passes and no errors or crashes.
prime 95 (blend) for 10 passes no errors or crashes.
Furmark, ran for 42 sec, then my gfx card was at 62 degrees Celsius and I had the same crash as before. (from what i can gather, the gfx card should be unstable until at least 70 degrees)

I am testing the video memory now

 

[writhziden]

What temperatures are you seeing for the CPU and GPU at idle and under stress?

62 C for the GPU should not cause any issues. Something else is at work if you are getting crashes. Make sure the contacts are clean for the GPU and that it is properly seated. "Use an ink eraser or an electrical contact treatment, available at electronics supply stores, to ensure adapter card contacts are clean" (Bug Check 0x7A: KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR).

 

[champ3n]

cpu idle around 35, under stress around 50.
gpu idle around 45 and under stress, it usually dosent get over 62-63 before crash. But if i play games like swtor, wow cs etc etc it usually stays around 55

 

[writhziden]

Temperatures look good. As I said, if Furmark is causing crashes at lower temperatures, it is probably a good idea to check your contacts and how well the card is seated. I also wonder about the PSU. Can you borrow one from a friend to test; try to get one that is rated higher than yours for wattage.

 

[champ3n]

I have cleaned the area where the gfx card is, was not anything noticeable there... about the PSU, I will try and see.
just thought it was the gfx card seeing as every time I stress it I crash, I cant play bf3 any more because it crashes whenever I play.

 

[writhziden]

Glad the contacts seem clean. Let us know when you can test the PSU.

Also, recently, I witnessed a graphics card fail due to wires blocking the fan from spinning and the card had overheated at some point. The card itself showed no visible signs of failure, but there were a lot of artifacts when the system ran. Just thought I would add that as another possibility, though I am sure you would have mentioned if you thought a wire had blocked the fan.

 

[champ3n]

yeah dont think the fan has been blocked at any point, and the fan is running.
what kind of psu should i test with, same W or ?

 

[writhziden]

What wattage are you using currently? What graphics card?

Nevermind, it's in your first post. Try 750 Watts if you can. If 600 is the best you can find, that should be fine too if it was working fine at one point.

Your card is rated for a minimum of 400 Watts, so 600 should be plenty. We usually recommend a 100 Watt safety margin, so even a 500 should work (depending on whether you have other hardware that requires more, you may still need the 600, but if you are only running the typical hardware beyond the graphics card, 500 should be fine).

 

[champ3n]

I'm currently using my friends 600w psu. I tried the same tests, and same results only furmark that crashes the computer

 

[writhziden]

That indicates either a graphics card or motherboard problem... Can you borrow your friend's graphics card to check? I realize I neglected to mention the motherboard as a possible issue. If you switch between NVIDIA and ATI cards, make sure to uninstall all software for the previous card through Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program before installing the new card. Check after any restarts that the previous software was completely removed. The following steps may help in this regard:

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 NVIDIA:
   • Uninstall the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (this should uninstall all NVIDIA software and drivers)
   • Restart your computer
   • Make sure NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver, NVIDIA 3D Vision Video Player, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and NVIDIA PhysX System Software are not still listed under Uninstall a program through Control Panel
   • If any remain of the above, uninstall one at a time
   • If asked to restart after uninstalling any of the above, do so, and continue uninstalling any remaining NVIDIA items until all are removed
6. For AMD/ATI:
   • 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:
     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
   • Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
   • Install the driver you selected for the display cards once Windows starts

 

[champ3n]

I finally got around to buying a new graphics card, I replaced the 550 ti with a 560. Have not crashed yet, thou the temp got a bit high while playing BF3. I think however that it is due to bad airflow in the tower.

But thanks for the help guys

 

[writhziden]

You're welcome. Make sure you get good airflow so you do not damage your system.

Glad to see it solved.

 

[champ3n]

I will, next pay check and ill buy a new tower, bigger and with some more fans