BSOD when running laptop off battery power

[writhziden]

The most recent crash indicates faulty or incompatible RAM as the most likely problem.

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
     Warning

  Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. :warn:WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!
  
  For Part 3: If You Have Errors: If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.
  
  
• We should check your RAM compatibility:
  Download and install CPU-Z and Upload screenshots of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs. In the SPD tab, upload an image of each slot.​

 

[Reverend Truth]

I ran memtest86+ a couple of months ago and had no errors so I'll go staright to the windows memory diagnostics tool. In the meantime here are the CPU-Z screenshots.

 

[writhziden]

We need screenshots of both of your slots under the SPD tab.

You may also want to run Memtest86+ again. Sometimes it takes more than one set of 7-10 passes to find errors.

Further reading: Finicky RAM.

Okay, finally got the new identical RAM kit delivered, and had time to run some tests, I think the conclusion is indeed a faulty RAM kit:

First I ran a positive control test where I reset the BIOS settings to Auto for all items I had changed in a previous post, and re-installed the faulty RAM in the A2-B2 slots
--> Crashes as frequent as before, as expected

Then I placed the faulty RAM in the A1-B1 to see if it could be a faulty slot (mobo) issue instead
--> Crashes as frequent as before, consistent with the faulty RAM theory, but does not rule out the faulty mobo

Third step was to remove the faulty RAM and install the new RAM kit in slots A1-B1
--> Not a single crash in a total of 10 hours of gaming, where I used to have crashes every few minutes. Still consistent with the faulty RAM theory, but does not rule out the faulty mobo

Last step was to move the new RAM to the A2-B2 slots to test them:
--> Not a single crash in over 18 hours of gaming/intensive use.

So in conclusion I think it is safe to assume the mobo is fine and the old RAM kit is faulty, so I'll send it out for replacement.

Here are my lessons learned on this one:

- Even though everyone hopes for a quick fix, ALWAYS perform test steps one by one (e.g. remove ONE supposedly faulty component and test right away). If you change multiple things and the issue is resolved, you won't know for sure what actually solved the issue.

- MemTest results are definitely not 100% accurate unless you leave it to run long enough. I think it's pretty safe to say that running it for less than 10 passes is worthless.
Note that even with enough successful passes (20+ have been advised) it does not replace real-life situations a.k.a. whatever you usually do on your computer that makes it crash.

- If the component you're suspecting is plugged in the motherboard, don't rule out the possibility that the motherboard itself is faulty, ideally have a negative control test with another similar component that is known to work fine

- RAM issues are a pain to diagnose as you can easily have false negatives as I have had. Also there's nothing you can do with your computer without RAM

I'll mark this one as resolved, hopefully it can help other people.

Anyway, thanks a ton for your super fast follow up and very knowledgeable answers.

TL;DR: The RAM was borked in the end, tadaaa

 

[Reverend Truth]

No errors with 10 runs of the extended windows diagnostic tool.

I'll run memtest86+ tonight.

 

[Reverend Truth]

11 passes with memtest86+ revealed no errors.

While there may be an issue with the RAM, Corsair wouldn't replace it without a failure on memtest.

 

[Reverend Truth]

... and I just crashed again while on battery. I've attached the dump file.

 

[Reverend Truth]

The first part of the error code on both of the last crashes was "0x00000050".

I found this microsoft support article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329293

As it references display drivers and gregrocker had previously instructed me to update my display driver from the Lenovo site, I wonder if I shouldn't be looking there. I'm not sure which driver I should have. Using the autodetect feature on the Lenovo support site gives me the attached choices. I thought I needed the next to the last one which is different than what windows update installed. If that's the one I want, how do I manually install it?

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS001653

 

[gregrocker]

Determine with certainty the Display device using Hardware Identification then install the correct driver from the list. You may have an incorrect driver installed.

If this fails to solve the problem, try each driver for awhile which you have installed at Device Manager>Display>Update Driver>Browse>Let Me choose.

 

[Reverend Truth]

Using hardware id I'm able to identify it as an Intel Mobile Graphic but I'm just stuck on what to do with that information.

I've tried to install the next to last video driver listed on the lenovo support site but when I follow your instructions above that I used to install the network adapter driver, windows wants to reboot after deleting the driver and then installs a different driver which I've used windows update to install what I have now.

I've tried following the installation instructions in the read me file on the lenovo support site but I get a message saying that it may not have installed correctly and I still have the 8:15:10:2032 driver showing in device manager under my display adapter tab.

I'm probably being dense about this but I'm not a technical person.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
If I may reply. You have many dump reports, which give several conclusions and many drivers as the cause.
To me this may be a hardware problem. Check your hardware. If that is negative
Run a full anti virus scan and download and run a full scan with malwarebytes
If that leads nowhere. Post and we shall go with the driver verifier test.
Initial Hardware Diagnostics

 

[gregrocker]

Have you run under each driver you have previously installed long enough to know if one solves the problem? I showed you above how to go back to each to try it.

In particular I'd run with the Windows Update driver until it causes the problem.

Have you tried the drivers from the Intel site?

Work with Rich on his ideas, too.

 

[Reverend Truth]

One of the reasons I've circled back to the display driver is that the read me file for the intel display driver version 7.15.10.1591 says that it "fixed an issue that the screen flickers while playing video playback when powered by battery".

Since my BSOD's are always on battery and the display flickers a couple of seconds prior to the crash, I'd like to explore this avenue.

 

[Reverend Truth]

gregrocker, you posted while I was typing.

The only drivers I can install using the 'let me chose' are the 8:15:10:2032 that I have now, the 8:15:10:1749 driver that windows update wants to replace and a standard VGA driver that makes the display look like crap.

I was using the windows updated driver when I got both of my most recent crashes.

Is there another driver on the lenovo support site that I should be using and how do I install it?

 

[Reverend Truth]

I had earlier been running the 8:15:10:2555 driver that the intel driver update utility recommended. It is no longer available on my system, but I could reinstall it.

Currently I've rolled back to the 8:15:10:1749 driver to see if it causes problems.

 

[maxseven]

I had a wierd problem with a laptop which went away when I changed my Power Options out of the default Balanced setting. Long shot but something easy to look at.

 

[Reverend Truth]

Welcome
If I may reply. You have many dump reports, which give several conclusions and many drivers as the cause.
To me this may be a hardware problem. Check your hardware. If that is negative
Run a full anti virus scan and download and run a full scan with malwarebytes
If that leads nowhere. Post and we shall go with the driver verifier test.
Initial Hardware Diagnostics

What specific hardware tests do you recommend? There's a lot in your link.

I downloaded and ran the Intel Processor Diagnostic tool (passed) and malwarebytes which didn't find anything that Norton 360 hadn't already removed.

 

[richc46]

Start with memory, if not already done.
Although not likely, in this situation, it is the easiest. Then we can move on to the more difficult but more likely.

 

[Reverend Truth]

I ran 10 passes of the extended version of the windows memory diagnostics tool and 11 of memtest86+ with no issues.

Should I run another RAM test or move on to something else?

 

[richc46]

Its not the memory.
Im trying to take off my BSOD hat and just think common sense. Appears to be a battery problem.
Test battery
Battery Wear out in Lenovo Z570 - Lenovo Community

 

[Reverend Truth]

I was sure it was the new 9-cell battery because it only crashes on battery power and returned it to the vendor for a replacement but it still crashes.