Solved BSOD when startup, atikmpag.sys

[Johncy]

Hi, I was using Mozilla Firefox when my laptop's screen start to flicker then I got BSOD (atikmpag.sys). Now whenever I boot my laptop it will get the BSOD unless I access safemode and disable graphic drivers. Another problem is there is blue strips in between my screen now.

View attachment 375065

Solution that I have tried:

1) Reinstall amd graphics drivers (Tried three different version: lastest, 2014, and 2013). So the driver version should not be the cause of this BSOD.

2) The expand.exe method with both atikmdag.sys and atikmpag.sys

3) Reinstall OS (Was using windows 10, installed window 7).

4) Updated BIOS.

At this point, I am thinking it might be hardware issue. Appreciate your help a lot.
Attached is the report of the BSOD. Thank you.
View attachment 375066

 

[Hacb]

hrm.. at this point I would start investigating the actual gfx card, if you have another one available, simply swap out the cards and if the problem goes away, it's time for a new card.

 

[axe0]

hrm.. at this point I would start investigating the actual gfx card, if you have another one available, simply swap out the cards and if the problem goes away, it's time for a new card.

Aint that easy with a laptop

Hi Jonhcy,

Please run furmark to test your GPU.
I will be honest that I haven't checked the files yet, but this would be my first suspicious.

Diagnostic test

 GPU TEST

Run Furmark to test your GPU. Furmark tutorial

   Note

Run Furmark for around 30 minutes

   Warning

Your GPU temperatures will rise quickly while Furmark is running. Keep a keen eye on them and abort the test if temperatures rise too high

 

[Johncy]

Hi, first of all, thanks for the help.

Yes, it is hard for me to replace the graphic card as I don't have extra laptop graphic card and it is not easy to replace it compare to a desktop one. I can only access the RAM and hard disk when the bottom lid is removed.

I tried to run FurMark but get an error when trying to use the application. "Could not initialize ZoomGpu. FurMark startup failed. Bye!" is the message I got. :sarc:

Tried to run it in three different cases: "with/without driver & in safemode". All failed and got the same message. Can't even try to run the stress test on gpu.

 

[axe0]

Please uninstall everything of AMD using Display Driver Uninstaller and install ONLY new drivers from your manufacturer.

After re-installing, try Furmark again.

 

[Johncy]

I always use the Driver display unistaller that you have linked in your reply before installing new driver.

The steps I went through when trying to run FurMark:
1) Clean windows 7 with no display driver (Previous driver was removed using DDU). Tried Furmark - Failed.
2) Installed latest AMD display driver only from their website (without CCC, only installed the display driver).
After the driver is installed, before restarting my computer, I tried Furmark once again -Failed.
3) Now, because the driver is installed, I will get BSOD at startup. I proceeded to boot into safe mode to try Furmark there) - Failed.

All three scenarios was unable to run Furmark.

 

[axe0]

I always use the Driver display unistaller that you have linked in your reply before installing new driver.

The steps I went through when trying to run FurMark:
1) Clean windows 7 with no display driver (Previous driver was removed using DDU). Tried Furmark - Failed.
2) Installed latest AMD display driver only from their website (without CCC, only installed the display driver).
After the driver is installed, before restarting my computer, I tried Furmark once again -Failed.
3) Now, because the driver is installed, I will get BSOD at startup. I proceeded to boot into safe mode to try Furmark there) - Failed.

All three scenarios was unable to run Furmark.

1. If I understand it correct that you tried Furmark while no driver was installed, you can't run Furmark without drivers,
2. Their website, you mean the website of your manufacturer or AMD?
3. The drivers aren't loaded in safe mode so you can't run Furmark in safe mode.

 

[Johncy]

1) Correct.
2) I mean AMD.
3) That is what I guessed as well.

The problem is if I have the driver installed, I will get BSOD whenever I start my laptop. To only way to run Furmark that I can think of is the second method (Which is after installing the driver, don't restart or else I will get the BSOD, but I have tried that and it won't work). And if I have to guess, some drivers can only be used after restarting the laptop.

 

[axe0]

Please uninstall everything of AMD using Display Driver Uninstaller and install ONLY new drivers from your manufacturer.

After re-installing, try Furmark again.

You cannot install drivers from AMD as those drivers won't function properly.
The manufacturer alters their drivers so you are forced to install their drivers for normal functioning.

 

[Johncy]

I just tried the drivers from dell's website (For my specific model) - Didn't worked. Then, uninstall with DDU and installed the drivers from the CD I got when I purchase this laptop. Same BSOD. For the past 4 years, I have been using driver from AMD site without problem too. :sarc:

 

[axe0]

Please check Windows Updates for updates, install every update available, it may take a couple of times to get them all.
Advised to install the updates in fases in case of trouble.

 

[Johncy]

Done, installed all windows update, still get BSOD.

 

[axe0]

Diagnostics Test

 Clean boot

Please try the following:

• Open taskmanager
  • Go to the tab startup
  • disable everything
• Search msconfig and open it
  • Go to the tab services
  • Check 'hide microsoft services'
  • Uncheck all other services
  • Click apply and click ok
• Reboot if asked

See if the problem persist, if the problem does not persist enable in the startup tab in taskmanager 1 item and in the services tab in msconfig also 1 service, reboot and see if the problem persist. Keep doing this until you find the culprit or there is nothing left.
If the problem still persist, try booting in safe mode and see if the problem still persist

 

[Johncy]

The problem is still there, and yes, I am able to boot into safe mode or uninstall amd driver to boot.

 

[axe0]

You might need to open your laptop and check if the cable for the display is loose. You need to get to the bottom of your laptop, to the motherboard, to find this cable.

In safe mode, the display drivers from AMD aren't used. Because you have display problems in safe mode, I suspect the cable is a little loose what could cause this.

 

[Johncy]

The cable is fine and well connected. After trying to use VGA cable to broadcast my screen to another monitor, the another monitor also appear to be having blue strips. I can pretty much say my monitor is working fine, since another monitor show the same result.

 

[axe0]

The only other thing I can think of that might cause this is hardware problem as you also stated in your OP.
Just to make sure Windows is not causing this, would you mind installing Windows 7 again?

Clean Install Windows 7

 

[Johncy]

Installed fresh windows 7 and everything is fine until I install amd drivers and BSOD is back.
Sending my laptop to repair in a few days. I am guessing it is a broken amd card that caused the BSOD.
And most laptop graphic card is hard to replace, mine is soldered to the motherboard. T.T
Most likely will end up buying a new laptop.
Will update this thread in about a week....

 

[axe0]

I can't say 100% sure, but I think your motherboard is causing the problem.
My thought is that the connection with the GPU is causing issues, but that doesn't explain the display problem in safe mode which I have no other answer to then something else on the motherboard.

 

[Johncy]

It is fixed! Replaced the Amd graphic chipset and my laptop is back to normal now.