Solved BSOD with various error codes

[Tuamtuam]

Hi,

Looking for some help/info/support as almost a last resort before I start replacing hardware, and with a Win8 upgrade on the way.

The PC is now approaching 4 years old. It had intermittent crashes from long ago, back then never whilst gaming, mostly during desktop activity, idle, watching streaming video, streaming music. This was usually characterised by scrambled screen and sound when it locked up.

Recently things have got worse, in that BSODs and crashes without "proper" BSODs displaying are much much more common. Also they happen at any time, whilst idle, web browsing, and now gaming.
I can still sometimes play for hours with no issues, leave Boinc running for hours, and then it will crash browsing the web sometime after all that. A couple of days go by with no issues, and then craziness.

I have in the past run memtest and found no errors though I realise this is not conclusive. Temps all seem to be ok, even with demanding gaming, full on Boinc and furmark, prime95.

I reinstalled Win7 a couple of years ago, and that did make a big difference for a while, although the issues have obviously not gone away. When it got a lot worse recently, I switched the memory sticks to the other slots on the mobo. No help.

Extra fun: Sometimes now the System will also neither post nor boot, power on, fans running, but no display and no progress even to post.
A couple of times it has claimed that the BIOS is knackered (bad BIOS checksum) but then after power off and restart it boots fine into Windows. I have replaced the CMOS battery this week, no help.

A friend of mine suspects deeply the radeon HD4890 due to his own experiences with his own and 2 work machines which exhibited similar (i.e. ALL sorts of serious errors) until their ATI/AMD graphics cards were replaced.

Anyway, I would much appreciate any insight anyone can provide at this stage.
I'll do my best to provide any more info needed.

 

[Arc]

Hello Tuamtuam.

Try to update the firmware of your Samsung PM800 64 GB Internal SSD (SAMSUNG MMCRE64G5MXP-0VB).

Is the computer hot? Report us the heat of the computer after a couple of hours of your normal usage. Upload a screenshot of the summery tab of Speccy.

Stress test the Graphics Card using Furmark.
Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

Comodo and Avast are contributing to your BSODs, directly.

fffff880`03184c08  fffff880`02c2f5b2Unable to load image \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\[URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=cmdguard.sys"]cmdguard.sys[/URL], Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for [URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=cmdguard.sys"]cmdguard.sys[/URL]
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for [URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=cmdguard.sys"]cmdguard.sys[/URL]
 cmdguard+0x2f5b2

Description here: Driver Reference Table - cmdguard.sys

fffff880`03184bd8  fffff880`0192892eUnable to load image \??\C:\Windows\system32\drivers\[URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswMonFlt.sys"]aswMonFlt.sys[/URL], Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for [URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswMonFlt.sys"]aswMonFlt.sys[/URL]
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for [URL="http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswMonFlt.sys"]aswMonFlt.sys[/URL]
 aswMonFlt+0x2192e

Description here: Driver Reference Table - aswMonFlt.sys

Uninstall Comodo. Uninstall Avast too, using Avast Uninstall Utility. Use Microsoft Security Essentials as your antivirus with windows inbuilt firewall, and free MBAM as the on demand scanner.
Download, install and update those, and then run full system scans with both of them, one by one.

Let us know the results Also let us know the wattage of your PSU.
_____________________________________________________________________
BSOD ANALYSIS:

BugCheck 4E, {2, 107c7d, 12ffff, 100}

Probably caused by : memory_corruption ( nt!MiUnlinkPageFromLockedList+8d )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BugCheck 7E, {ffffffffc000001d, fffff88004b9b151, fffff88005bfc9e8, fffff88005bfc240}

***** Debugger could not find nt in module list, module list might be corrupt, error 0x80070057.

Probably caused by : Unknown_Image ( ANALYSIS_INCONCLUSIVE )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BugCheck 1000007E, {ffffffffc0000005, fffff8800438a038, fffff88005bfe6a8, fffff88005bfdf00}

Probably caused by : dxgmms1.sys ( dxgmms1!VIDMM_GLOBAL::ReferenceAllocationForPreparation+234 )

Followup: MachineOwner
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BugCheck 24, {1904fb, fffff880031856e8, fffff88003184f40, fffff800032a3b42}

Probably caused by : ntkrnlmp.exe ( nt!ExReinitializeResourceLite+f2 )

Followup: MachineOwner
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BugCheck 1E, {ffffffffc0000005, fffff88007ba4ae0, 0, 0}

Probably caused by : partmgr.sys ( partmgr!PmGlobalDispatch+9f )

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

 

[Tuamtuam]

Hello, and thanks very much for the quick answer.

As it turns out, I have today received my copy of Windows 8, rather earlier than expected. So, I think I'm just going to go for a total reformat of system drive on upgrade.
I'll first take your advice as above re: the antivirus, firewall, anti malware, and if the system is up for long enough, I'll try and get that speccy screenshot.
Will also have a look for new HDD firmware tomorrow before I start the upgrade process.

I might leave Furmark until I get Windows 8 installed.

I'm not sure that this thread will longer be valid in the Win7 forum if I do have continued problems after upgrade, if I am then using Win8? Could it be moved to the Win8 forums, until the issue can (again, hopefully) cleared up? I will confirm when I have succeeded in upgrading.

My PSU is 950W by the way. Arctic Pro 950 is what I recall from the sticker somewhere down there.

Cheers.

 

[Tuamtuam]

Here's the Speccy screenshot.
Can't seem to find firmware updates (or indeed any official info from Samsung) about the SSD.
Got rid of avast and comodo, now will run the new scans and after that get on with upgrading to Win8.

 

[Arc]

I'm not sure that this thread will longer be valid in the Win7 forum if I do have continued problems after upgrade, if I am then using Win8? Could it be moved to the Win8 forums, until the issue can (again, hopefully) cleared up?

Depends on you
If you want to move there, either you may close the thread here and can open a new thread in eight forums; or you may continue here.

 

[Tuamtuam]

Hi again.
Today's fun and games...
In the end I couldn't wait to perform the MSE and Malwarebytes scans, as the system was anyway crashing so much as I tried to prepare it for upgrading.
Windows 8 installed fine, but the crashes have continued after that.
No actual BSODs, and in fact, when windows has frozen, it just locks up on the desktop and the system must be cold booted. When restarting, windows does not even display an error about having been previously shutdown unexpectedly, it's like it doesn't notice what is going on. This was sometimes the case previously with Windows 7.

About 3 times windows failed to boot, actually froze whilst loading windows. After the last time I opened the case, cleaned out all the coolers, actually removed the graphics card and checked all the system wiring. After THAT the system was fine for quite some time, I could even game, but after a reboot and a little while it crashed again.

I haven't yet got furmark installed but will do that tomorrow.

I guess that I'm now looking at either a faulty graphics card, or perhaps power supply, but the errors have been so inconsistent - there has never been a way to guarantee replicating any BSOD or crash - and it's just speculation, I know.

Anyway, thanks for your help so far, we'll see what tomorrow brings

 

[Arc]

Dismantle the computer. Clean the inside carefully. Clean the edges of the RAM modules, sata and power cables, all those plug and play devices. Clean the air vents, fan grills.

Then re-seat everything and try again.

 

[Tuamtuam]

I haven't yet had time or the will to completely remove all components and clean out slots etc, but I do regularly clean coolers with compressed air, they are all in good shape, as fans and grilles.
And the other day I removed the graphics card and made sure its cooler was totally dust free.

Windows 8 has been running... well, it crashed a lot when loading/running World of Tanks. In fact, now this is one sure way to generate a system crash sooner or later, even if the error message is different each time.
On these occasions, the system can crash a few times after being rebooted, whilst not necessarily doing too much... a couple of times it has then refused to post BIOS again. Sometimes it will then boot fine right after. It usually seems to help if I leave it for a few minutes and then restart...

Put like this, it sounds kind of like a cooling issue, except that I have run CPUID HWmonitor when I've been able to play without crashes, and no temps are recorded as getting above a critical level.
Also, I just ran furmark following this forum's recommended settings, for 7 minutes straight, no problems. Temps hit 75C which sounds high to me, and I think higher than I ever see when I have monitored it whilst gaming or OpenCL crunching on Boinc. Attached is screen of temps now. HWmonitor shows its recorded max temps from when Furmark was running.

Later on I'll upload the latest series of BSOD minidumps since Win8 joined the party.

I'll definitely try removing, dusting and reseating everything maybe early next week, but I'm also looking at replacement GPUs anyway, figure that if I can pick up a good deal on a second hand upgrade it should be worth it anyway.

 

[Tuamtuam]

Just a quick update...
Another Furmark test, over 7 mins, no problems, slightly lower temps in fact.
Then, just for fun, I ran Prime95 torture test to check the CPU... after several minutes, and with temps showing about 57C on the CPU - similar type of system crash. And didn't get past BIOS on immediate restart...
This is only a little info I know, but do you think I should now first and foremost be thinking of removing, cleaning and reseating my CPU cooler with new thermal paste?

 

[Arc]

Do it .... but the important thing to think that it crashed at 57 degrees only.

Still, see the situation after applying new thermal paste.

 

[Tuamtuam]

Hi Arc,

Got it cleaned up and new thermal paste in there. The old stuff looked a right mess, and since then temps are noticably lower on the CPU.
Cleaned all contacts, blew out all coolers and fan grilles.
But, still there have been a couple of crashes since :/ and at low temps too, under 50C I think.
Anyway, lower temps are an improvement nonetheless...

I did notice some scratches on the motherboard just today, near the edge near the PCIe slot, and where the graphics card backplate would slot behind the motherboard, near the case. This was after I took the graphics card out to clean, and I'm pretty sure I haven't made those myself as they're in a location where I have hardly ever accessed. Odd.
Anyway, most were light surface scratches, but one seemed to have scratched through the surface and exposed one of the copper circuits in the board itself. Hmmm. This is obviously not good, but would this in itself be enough to cause all these kinds of issues?

Currently I am in the process of finding a second hand deal on a replacement graphics card anyway, as I still suspect my ATI/AMD card due to my friend's history with his own, and it should be an upgrade at the same time.

I'll do some more Prime95 testing and see what happens. I will try and collect any minidumps etc from Win8 that I can find too.

 

[Arc]

Taumtaum I think you have found something very right there. The scratches on the mobo can cause all those issues. It should be treated as a damage there.

And it may be the only feasible explanation of so many different bugcheck codes and the BSODs during hardware stress test with such a low temperature.

If possible, changed the tampered motherboard. Hopefully your issues will be over.

 

[Tuamtuam]

I had a feeling you might say that and also
I will look into replacing the mobo... I might still also try and upgrade the GPU first anyway, if I can find a nice second hand deal, I already have a bid in on a GTX 560 Ti for a good price right now.
Otherwise I think I can get a couple more years out of this setup at least, without any more fundamental changes to components, all else being well, so would you have any quick recommendations to equivalent mobos which would be actually available to buy right now?

 

[Arc]

AMD Socket AM3 Budget Motherboard Shootout - TechSpot

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM3

 

[Tuamtuam]

Hello again,

Looking around at mobos, this board seems like a good, compatible, fairly well specced option for the price. I think I'll order it and hope it turns up soon! The system crashed only once yesterday, after a whole day doing all sorts of things, and then refused to boot several times after that.
Each restart the BIOS claimed that "New CPU detected! Press F1 to set BIOS settings or F2 for defaults..".
A couple of times, the settings were reset to default, and a couple of other times, they seemed to be normal for my system (fairly close to all default anyway).
Anyway, eventually it booted (with F2 default settings, which were not actually default, as it didn't try to start Express Gate) fine into windows. And again today, no crashes or weirdness, it has been on for hours so far, but it definitely seems that there is motherboard issue and it is becoming more and more serious...

I'll update this when I have the new board installed, hopefully with good news.
Thanks again for your advice in the meantime.

 

[Arc]

Nice choice, mate
All the best

 

[Tuamtuam]

Hello again, after quite a while - busy time.
I have finally replaced the motherboard.
System looks to be good and stable.
However... something odd relating to HDDs.
System SSD is fine, but the data HDD was sometimes not detected during boot, and didn't show up in windows. Usually it showed up if I then restarted... Tried changing BIOS settings to disable fast boot, didn't seem to help.
But anyway, when it was detected, windows found it, and everything worked just fine.
Then today, after updating to latest BIOS, and whilst booting, some very bad clicking and clunking noises were heard from the case (assume HDD) and since then the data HDD has not been detected at all...
I assume this is the end of that particular HDD: Windows still boots and runs fine off the SSD, just my data and most programs are not there. I have backups of important stuff, phew.
Sound right to you? Hard drive clicking seems to be a pretty reliable sign of a dead or dying disk, right?

It also seems unlikely to me that a dodgy mobo would cause this drive to also break down, so I guess it is just an unfortunate unrelated incident... dammit!!!

Hopefully I will not need to post any more BSOD information here, but I will leave it some more time before I confirm.
Now I am off to look at spending more money on a new HDD :/

Cheers
Tom

 

[Arc]

Really very bad luck, Tom. It is hopeful that you have backups

 

[Tuamtuam]

Hello once again!
It's been a while, but I now have some new hardware.
A GTX 570 GPU is now installed, and a new data HDD is also in there, with the old radeon and old HDD removed. All my data was able to be transferred, nothing lost, and the old HDD was behaving well then, though I do not trust it any more!
Unfortunately the problems continue, although not as seriously as before.
Booting is always fine, and very fast with Windows 8.

However, I have experienced crashes whilst streaming video since the latest hardware upgrade (GPU), which is something which has been "normal" for this machine, every once in a while, throughout its life.
Also, I recently did a sfc scan, which told me that it found errors, but could not repair them, and that I could find out more from the CBS logs. Would this info tell you anything useful do you think? Is it worth me posting it for you, and if so what's the best way to do that?

cheers
Tom

 

[Arc]

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