Solved BSOD Stop Error 0x000000F4 - happens idle or not - no pattern seen

[SBN]

Starting yesterday I started getting BSOD. Actually the first one I saw was a 0x0000007a stop error and since then three BSODs all 0x000000F4 errors. I captured details on two-

0x000000F4 (0x0000000000000003,0xFFFFFA800E1C39D0,0xFFFFFA800E1C3CB0,0xFFFFF80003598501)

0x000000F4 (0x0000000000000003,0xFFFFFA800E1BCB30,0xFFFFFA800E1BCE10,0xFFFFF80003596510)

I suspect bad RAM but was looking for a bit more experienced advice. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
Scott

 

[SBN]

Glad I posted before adding Sys Specs - I just had the same BSOD

I built the System in February and its been great. Windows 7 Pro in a 2003 Server Doamin environment:

Intel DH67CL MB
Core i5-2400 - 3.1GHz
16Gb RAM (4 4GB DIMMs)
c:\ Crucial 128GB Solid State Drive
Data:\ Maxtor 1TB STM31000340AS HDD
External 1.5TB Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex USB
ATI Radeon HD 4600 Video Card
Using embedded Audio and Plantronics Audio 648 USB Headset

I think that covers it. Did I miss anything??

 

[SBN]

Oh, using Microsoft Security Essentials...
I also just installed Freeware of Maleware Bytes and ran a System scan for Viruses.

 

[SBN]

While waiting for a reply I sa this link on another BSOD post: Connecting a hard disk drive in slave only mode leads to system halt during resume from standby

I'll crack the case and see if I have an issue here, but I thought this was all right - and the problem is new as of this week and happens when drives are active.. I think.

 

[writhziden]

None of the most recent crashes were logged. 0xF4 crashes are generally related to the hard drive (although you are correct that they can mean memory or memory corruption; I experienced a few yesterday on a co-workers computer I was debugging that were due to temporary memory corruption). 0xF4 with SSDs is a common problem if the firmware is not up to date or if the drive is disappearing from the system. With the M4, it is especially common with older firmware because they have a cycle time of 1 hour after so many hours of use. If yours is occurring every 1 hour of use, that would be an indication the firmware needs updating: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-...ion-1-hour-after-cold-boot-3.html#post1793840.


SSD Troubleshooting:

For the 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.
  
  
• Try doing a power cycle of the SSD. The following steps should be carried out and take ~1 hour to complete.
  1. Power off the system.
  2. Remove all power supplies (ac adapter then battery for laptop, ac adapter for desktop)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and drain all components of power.
  4. Reconnect all power supplies (battery then ac adapter for laptop, ac adapter for desktop)
  5. Turn on the system and enter the BIOS (see your manual for the steps to enter the BIOS)
  6. Let the computer remain in the BIOS for 20 minutes.
  7. Follow steps 1-3 and physically remove the SSD from the system by disconnecting the cables for a desktop or disconnecting the drive from the junction for a laptop.
  8. Leave the drive disconnected for 30 seconds to let all power drain from it.
  9. Replace the drive connection(s) and then do steps 4-8 again.
  10. Repeat steps 1-4.
  11. Start your computer normally and run Windows.
  
  The above steps were a result of: Why did my SSD "disappear" from my system? - Crucial Community
  
  While that may not be your drive, a power cycle should be the same on all SSD drives. See how the system responds after the SSD power cycle.

 

[SBN]

K. I will do ittoday and report back.

Thanks!

 

[SBN]

Thanks again Writhziden-

I updated the firware as you suggested and ran tests before I went through the SSD procedure for "missing SSD" and the errors went away. So it was not a RAM issue but rather as you suggested - a need for firware updates.

I Actually didn't go through the SSD missing procedure since all seems well but I have it in mind for the future. I did have someone call me though 2 days after your post with that issue with their SSD (same make and model) and I directed them here to our discussion and it resolved their problem - so thanks for that too.

All resolved and thanks again-

 

[writhziden]

You are very welcome.

Glad I could solve your problem and the problem of someone you know.