BSOD/Weird Distorted Crash while playing games or browsing

[Corny]

Alright I performed the memory test, 9 passes and no errors.
My GPU averages about high 30s when idle and about 40-45 when viewing pictures/web pages. About 50 when viewing video or playing flash games. 60 when playing games.

Will try a cpu test soon.

 

[Corny]

Alright so I tried doing the intel test but I stopped it before it could finish (standard test).

According to AMD, the max temp my cpu should be at is 62 C and this one hit up to about 58 before I just exited. Are there alternatives to testing the CPU and GPU because my temps get way too hot and I don't want to push them too hard which might result in me frying the parts. Overall the test lasted about 20 seconds before I shut it off.

 

[writhziden]

One of the reasons for the tests is to determine if you have a temperature issue. The fact that you are getting as hot as you are indicates you do not have adequate cooling. Either your heatsink/fan is not up to the task, you have dust buildup that is preventing heat transfer from occurring as intended, or you do not have the thermal paste spread properly to make good contact between the processor and heatsink. Check into these things and report back. It is likely your crashes are due to overheating.

 

[Corny]

Hmm I will check into the overheating problem but I have noticed that while browsing the web, my cpu temps are pretty normal (about 30-35C; well below 62C). Also I did get this certain hardware related bsod recently while browsing the web so I am curious how over heating could be related. Will still look into it soon though.

Also, I have performed Windows Diagnostics (extended) and it passed.

 

[Corny]

Really scary news once again. (posting this about 10 minutes previous post).

I was doing one of the basic tests from prime95, and the computer crashed about 60 seconds in. However, the crash didn't leave a minidump or a text in bluescreen view but the whole crash image (static-like/distorted screen) was still there. Any leads?

Also, when the crash occurred, the cpu was stressed to about 40-50 C, so it wasn't that close to the tip (62C).

Any leads on this?

 

[writhziden]

Do you know which Prime95 test caused the crash? That would be helpful information.

 

[Corny]

It was the "SmallFFts".

 

[Corny]

Alright so I performed the SmallFFts test again on Prime95 and it caused my computer to crash, didn't seem to report as a BSOD.

However, I also tried using one of the two of my ramsticks (G-skill Ripjaw) and performed it. Same thing. I took it out and put the other stick in and it still crashed. All doing SmallFFts.

Also, I noticed that all my minidumps are all gone. The whole folder is cleared. I just noticed this after I took out and installed one of the ram sticks. I will try swapping video cards and seeing if that improves.

 

[Corny]

I took out my XFX ATI 6870 and put in an EVGA Nvidia GT 210 for testing (with the newer drivers of course).

The Prime95 Small FFts lasted a little longer (15 sec maybe), before it too crashed the computer again. No DMP to speak of.

I will try going to a computer store and get some new cheap RAM sticks to test if my current RAM is the problem, but then I would be out of solutions if that too doesn't work.

Edit- A guy at the computer store heard my problem and recommended me to completely buy a new motherboard and cpu (AM3 +) and that would most likely fix the problem. So far on the situation, what would be your opinion on that? I couldn't get the RAM either.

 

[writhziden]

The fact that it is failing on the small FFTs is a concern. If it is not overheating, this would indicate a processor problem. It could also be memory, but more likely processor with that test. Does it crash with either of the other two tests through Prime95, or is it only small FFTs?

Keep in mind that a bad motherboard could also cause processor related problems. What you had recommended was not bad advice, but I cannot say it was good advice without more investigating into the problem. Also, was it a sales person or another customer who mentioned replacing the motherboard and processor?

 

[Corny]

The person who told me to replace the parts was an employee but he also said newegg and other sites were fine so I don't believe he was lying to get me to buy from his store.

I have some mixed results as well.

I was able to replace the G-Skill RAM with some cheap DDR3 I got at Frys Electronics. Now when I ran the SmallFFts, it was fine for about 8 minutes (after which I turned it off). So the test didnt completely crash the computer and my temps were stable at around 52C. When I went to this site to tell you about this, my computer just suddenly restarted for no reason. No dmp as usual.

So it didn't crash during the actual test (while it was on) but it crashed later on randomly.

The new ram I got was "Patriot Memory G Series DDR3 2 GB" and one module of it.

Since this was NEW Ram from a credible store, I don't believe it too was faulty. I will try to continue with more tests and suggestions (from you hopefully) throughout the week and then just replace the parts next Saturday.

At this rate, I may just buy new components.

 

[writhziden]

I agree that if an employee gave other buying options, it was more likely to be sound advice. I always hesitate when users say they were told to buy equipment at a store. There was a semi-funny youtube video with people going around with a laptop that had a loose hard drive asking various stores to take a look. Nearly all the stores with technical service found the problem and re-inserted the disk. One big name company had its tech support people tell the person that it would cost more to repair the issue than to buy a new computer and just recommended buying a brand new system.

Anyway, you are right that the symptoms you have are odd. It seems that one problem may have been (somewhat) solved, and a new one is showing up. While your PSU is highly unlikely to be bad given the one you have, is there any way you could swap it with a friend's to test whether the system is more stable?

I am leaning toward a processor/motherboard issue, but just want to make sure I cover all possibilities before tackling the more expensive hardware.

 

[Corny]

Alright then,

I did a "In Place Large FFts" with the same new ram and video card.

This time I actually got a bluescreen (during the scan) and it differs from the other stuff. This is driving me mad.

I dont have a friend to swap PSU with so if I had to test, I would have to buy one.

Edit (About 10 minutes After)- I spoke too soon, apparently I got another bsod again (not even during a scan). I go the BSOD while trying to type on here. I looked at the details of both and they both seem very similar. I am posting this on another computer as I type because the other is so unstable it would probably crash while I would be on here.

The zip is uploaded.

At this rate, I may just buy my parts (new mobo and cpu) tomorrow considering my computer is almost at the point of locking myself out.

 

[writhziden]

Crashes occurred during steamerrorreporting and SearchProtocol processes. The strange thing about the steam based crash is an unknown module is blamed. This can mean viruses/malware or data corruption. This is about the time I would recommend a clean re-install to rule out Windows and driver issues causing the crashes. Up to you whether you want to go through that step before replacing the hardware or just replace the hardware and see if the problem is resolved.

 

[Corny]

Alright I re installed windows 7 (and formatted the drive). Currently I haven't gotten a crash yet (about 20 minutes into the desktop) and am downloading updates and drivers for my components. I will get back to you if I get a crash soon.

 

[Corny]

Right so things seemed alright but I did a SmallFFts again.

The computer still crashed about 30 seconds in.

I had the newer RAM, and my ATI in the computer. I will replace the hardware now hopefully. (Mobo and CPU).

Also, if I get a new mobo that isnt Asus (since my current one is) or a new cpu, do I have to do any driver sweeping or reinstall windows again?

 

[writhziden]

It is usually best to re-install Windows anytime you replace hardware, but especially if you replace main components. You may also have to activate via telephone if you switch the motherboard and processor out since your current Windows install is tied to the current hardware.

 

[Corny]

Darn..

Well, When I install the new parts and before I re install win 7, I will do a FFts scan just to make sure things are going alright.

 

[Corny]

Alright, so I added the new parts (New MOBO and CPU) and reinstalled windows 7.

No crashes so far even with 10 minutes of Small FFts! (Big accomplishment for me).

I will continue to test throughout the week.

Also, please dont mark as solved because it may pop up again.

FYI- The mobo is an Asus M5A99x Evo and the CPU is an AMD FX 6 core.

 

[writhziden]

Sounds like a nice setup and progress has been made.

No worries about marking the thread solved. It is up to you when you are comfortable doing so.