Civilization V, Steam, BSOD Hardware issue?

[60sIron]

I built this computer two years ago, and I've never been able to figure out what causes these occasional crashes. Hopefully someone here can help me. Sometimes it prompts me to run memcheck but then it finds no errors. I suspect a faulty piece of hardware or an incompatibility because I've had this problem from day 1, but I don't know where the problem is. Please help.

 

[YoYo155]

Welcome to SF 60sIron .

The BugCheck Codes vary quite a bit!
I suggest we start with testing the RAM and overall system maintenance.

:ar: Testing the RAM:

Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+:

• RAM - Test with Memtest86+

   Tip

• :info: Pay close attention to part 3 of the tutorial "If you have errors"
• :tip: Test the RAM with Memtest86+ for at least 7-10 passes. It may take up to 22 passes to find problems. Make sure to run it once after the system has been on for a few hours and is warm, and then also run it again when the system has been off for a few hours and is cold.

When done with the testing procedure take a picture and upload it here.

:ar: This will help you to determine where the issue is origination from (if any):

First run it with all the existing/installed RAM modules. If it comes with no error, all is good.

But if it starts showing errors, Stop testing. Errors/red lines means one or more RAM is faulty. But the fault may occur due to a faulty DIMM slot, too, which is a motherboard component. Using memtest86+, you can discriminate between a faulty RAM and a faulty motherboard.

How? Say you have two RAM sticks and two DIMM slots. You obtained errors at the test with all RAM sticks installed. Now, remove all the sticks but one. Test it in all the available slots, one by one. Continue the same procedure for all the available sticks.
How to make the inference that is it a RAM issue or it is a motherboard issue? Suppose you have got the result like that:

test|Slot1|Slot2
RAM1| Error | Error
RAM2|Good|Good

It is a RAM, a bad RAM.

But if you have got a result like that:

test|Slot1|Slot2
RAM1| Error |Good
RAM2| Error |Good

It is a motherboard issue. The particular slot is bad.

:ar: Clean up your start up be following this tutorial:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

:ar: Remove McAfee and replace it with MSE:

• Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

Post back with the results .

 

[60sIron]

How do you make a screen capture when running memtest outside of Windows?

 

[YoYo155]

You don't , you use a camera of some kind .

 

[60sIron]

5 errors found

I ran the test overnight and found 5 errors. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem to pinpoint which module or which slot had the errors.

So I've got two modules in two slots. I'll pull one of them and re-run the test tonight. I've also got a new stick of DDR3 1600 which is waiting for a MB to come back from RMA that I could use to test.

 

[YoYo155]

I ran the test overnight and found 5 errors. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem to pinpoint which module or which slot had the errors.

So I've got two modules in two slots. I'll pull one of them and re-run the test tonight. I've also got a new stick of DDR3 1600 which is waiting for a MB to come back from RMA that I could use to test.

No, unfortunately it doesn't :\, you can review post #2 for further diagnosis.

Keep us up to date with any developments .

 

[60sIron]

OK, so I removed one module and it ran with no errors for more than 14 hours with no errors. Then I moved that same module to the slot where the other stick was, and it has run for almost 8 hours with no errors (still running). The one thing I'm curious about is the different memory timings when the same module was in different slots. Any idea what could cause this?

 

[60sIron]

So the one module tested in the other slot for more than 20 hours without a problem. These are a matched set from G.Skill, and they will only replace them as a pair, and they don't cross ship (I've had these for almost 3 years). I can't have this computer waiting for parts for two weeks so, I've ordered a replacement set. When the G.Skills come back from RMA I'm not sure what I'll do with them.

Thanks for the help!

 

[YoYo155]

It's always handy to have spare parts .
Pleas let us know about any developments.