computer build with used parts, keep getting BSOD 124

[salo1]

hello,

im helping my son build his first machine (he is 12) with used parts to fit his budget- they come from a solid source, with a free older video card (geforce 9800GT)... we keep getting BSOD error 124 stating its a hardware issue...ive tested RAM via the windows memory check & have the tower open with a fan running to see if its heat related. i work on a mac all day, a bit rusty on window machines. i thought it could have been a HD issue as it seemed to happen while downloading- disconnected the oldest of the 3 HD, installed windows on a different drive- and i still got it...

here are the DMP's in a zip... i just dont know what else it could be. if i need to post anything else let me know. thanks very much if any of you can find the issue.

 

[tehsaccade]

I would first try updating your motherboard BIOS, mate.

If the hardware's fine, but used - it might just be loaded with outdated stuff
You can google that stuff and figure out how to do it..? It's not difficult, I use the USB boot stick, thing.

Hardware issue could be that it's not speaking in the way it expects.

 

[salo1]

updated the bios last night..just did it again.

i noticed the fan wasnt spinning last night on the headsink- i shut it off and plugged it back into the motherboard thinking it wasnt pushed down all the way.

i cant download the visual studio to read the DMP files on my machine due to the random crashes and a long download.

 

[tehsaccade]

oh dear :/
Have you tested the CPU out? Hopefully it's not damaged, but overheating or something. Check the temp cut-off, maybe?

and that's a pain! haha
But you could take them off the machine to read on another, right..?

 

[salo1]

Ok here is where things stand-

Did a bios install, installed and ran the intel CPU diagnostic tool- CPU passed twice- reseated all the RAM, video card and both hard drives. Currently formatting the drives and installing windows again.

I don't know how to check temp cut off. Will google that now.
Could the dmp file attached in my initial post contain any information as to what's happening? I still can't read dmp files on my machine.

Thanks

 

[salo1]

It's the only windows machine in the house.

I don't know if it's the graphics card or cpu. If the cpu passed the diagnostics twice am I fool to think it's ok?

Could a bad graphics card cause all this? Things run fine- then at complete random the bsod appears with 00000124 error stating hardware.

If it's useful I can upload another dmp file from the crash that happened after I posted previously.

 

[carwiz]

The dumps are flagging memory but the WHEA error is designated as unknown. Make sure all memory modules are the same type and model AND they are correct for the model of the PC. Make sure they are fully seated and locked in. Reseating may help.

After that, run Memtest86+ using this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html
The best test is at least eight passes. If errors start occurring right away, stop the test and follow the tutorial for testing individual slots.

Also, please list the model numbers all the components being used. The DM files indicate a Lenovo 4157DR1. Is this the correct base machine?

 

[salo1]

Running the ram test now.
When it's finished running 8x I'll get more details on ram.
Yes. It's a Lenovo s20 running a Xeon w3565, GeForce 9800 gt, 2x 1tb western digital drives pulled from an old Mac Pro and reformatted- and 12 gb of ddr3 ram that was laying around, 2gb ram sticks are useless and just collect dust. 6x 2gb sticks.

After the test is run, I'll try it on 6gb of ram, using just 3 slots, if it happens again, I'll swap out the 3 and put the other 3 in the alt slots.

 

[salo1]

Ran the ram test 3x then stopped and tried cutting ram in half.

First set of 3 it just beeped in morse and didn't start up. Looked up the beep sequence and it was RAM. Still crossing things off the list. Will do a slot test tonight and see what happens.

 

[carwiz]

The motherboard might be particular about which slots are populated when all slots are not in use. You'd have to check the manual for that. Also, did you verify that all the modules are the same.?

The HWiNFO64 utility is good for not only checking the CPU and RAM but also temperatures. And it's free and clean of extra crapware. The image below shows the Summary screen where you can click on the memory module and view the module capabilities (yellow box) and what the BIOS has selected for speed and timing for all modules (green box). Make sure these match each module installed.

HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download