Solved Constant Random BSODs on a 5 days old system

[iTitus]

Great, or not Results:
With just one ram stick, I played starcraft 2 for 2 hours no problemo.

So it seems to be a ram issue I guess? I could test the other ram stick aswell. But @Zipsi how could I solve this? Buy 2 extra ram sticks?

Or is it a motherbord issue, by not supplying enough voltage or something?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try playing with only the other stick in. If you get BSODs, we can figure it's a bad stick, in which case you should purchase or RMA a new kit.

 

[zipsi]

try gaming an hour with 1 stick only, if nothing happens.. do the same with other stick.. if thats okay too then I guess they don't communicate well. You could try putting them in asynchronous mode in bios, then they wont try to "compete" against eachother and cause bsods.

 

[bwpotter]

Since I no longer have the Gigabyte 770, I can't give you exact step-by-step instructions on how to raise the voltages in the BIOS. However, you should be able to ID the parameters by going into CPU/Memory section, probably in the Advance category, and deselecting the auto controls for these items.

The Northbridge voltage, if memory serves me correctly is auto-set at 1.1V; Raise it manually to 1.2V (a Gigabyte technician suggested this to me over the phone). The PCIx, RAM, and CPU core voltages would all be adjusted manually in a similar fashion. Try raising your RAM to 1.6V (stock is 1.5V) and increase the PCIx and Vcor voltages in small increments (0.02-0.05V) in-till the system becomes stable.

Also, if you're clocking your RAM to 1600, I would recommend relaxing it to 1333 at 9-9-9-24 timings for testing purposes until to achieve system stability.

Hi BWPotter,
I'll be testing another gpu tomorrow, both a nvidia(6700XL) and an ati one(unknown, because it's from a friend).
If those tests still BSOD, it's clear it's the mobo I guess. If those pass, it's almost sure it's the GPU. Although if these cards decide that the inadequate power is enough, i'll still not be able to find the cause.

Could you help me with a little tutorial/link on how to raise those voltages?
I Added a screen from SIW with my voltages. But I think it's not on there...

And do you have a link from the topic/email where the gigabyte guys suggested it?
Thanks

 

[iTitus]

Now I really don't know what to do xD:
I Played Starcraft with the other ram stick. Really fine, a little slow(just like with the other stick), but no crashes or what ever.

So I was satisfied and decided to quit starcraft and let you guys know. Only Starcraft wouldn't shutdown, so I CTRL ALT DEL'ed it and ended the process, at that moment My PC BSODed.
What do you guys think? I think it could either be a mobo issue, something with voltages, or a ram issue, something with either channels or the fact that 2 ram sticks doesn't work.
What can I do to test either? Put the mem into different channels, not enableling dual channel? Buy an extra set RAM and test with 4? RMA something, either mobo or ram, raise voltages or something, or buy a new mobo?

Thanks!

EDIT@!!!
Just had a crash, after posting this, during browsing etc, Perhaps this is a bad memory stick...
I'm leaving for home for the weekend, should I turn memtest on for the weekend, or should I bring the ram home and send it RMA to the company I got it from? In that case, they will have to find the problem too, otherwise they'll just return it and demand €20,-

EDIT2:
Another crash, I mailed both GEIL and the company who sold the RAM to me to see what their idea is
Files are updated:

 

[Dave76]

Returning the RAM or motherboard may be necessary, there are a couple of things to check and try first.

I don't recommend running memtest86+ or Prime95 for that long.

What were the CPU temperatures during the tests?
D/L and run Core Temp during any testing and/or gaming until this issue is resolved.

Let's try adjusting the north bridge voltage (NB).

First down load and run CPUZ, post a snip of the memory and SPD tabs.
For snipping tool, start button> in the search box enter 'Snipping tool'>enter
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

Down load your motherboard manual: GA-770TA-UD3 Manual

Read the '2-3 MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)' page 38, and 'System Voltage Optimized' page 42, sections.

When ready, post back with exactly what you have done and any questions you might have.

 

[iTitus]

Thanks for the fast reply, I fear that I don;t understand the snipping thing, but here are the memory and spd tabs:

 

[Dave76]

Quick reply.

The windows 7 snipping tool will take a snapshot of the desktop area you select, right click and select the area to copy, save to convenient location.

To open the snipping tool, click the start button, in the search box type 'snipping tool' it will come up on the list, press enter, it will open.

Let me have a look at this and do some checking.

If you have your motherboard manual, read the sections mentioned in the above post.

Edit:
What BIOS version are you running?
You can check the CPUZ mainboard tab.

 

[iTitus]

I Read the manual, and I can't find the snipping tool xD
Seriously it doesn't come up..

I'll be going home for the weekend, so take your time. I'll be back at Sunday.
Thanks!

btw, you think raising some voltages will help? And won't void any warranties?

 

[iTitus]

Actually Dave, these are the values from with just one, the "correct" RAM stick.
I'll reboot with the 2 sticks in it and post the voltages then, before I leave for home

 

[Dave76]

What is your BIOS version, check the CPUZ mainboard tab?

There is a good chance that it will help, sounds like unstable RAM. Since it passed memtest86+, the likely problem is inadequate NB voltage, or possibly DRAM voltage. Usually a small bump on the NB will help.

Try looking for the Snipping tool, start button > All Programs > Accessories folder > Snipping Tool
It lets you select what you want to post, which will make it easier to read.

Edit:
The info on the RAM is fine. Just need the current settings, and JEDEC settings.

Your RAM is running at JEDEC#5, 1366, 666MHz.
Should be fine at that setting.

Can you also check the NB and DRAM voltage in BIOS.

This info will give me enough to go on, I can check for issues and have some info when you get back.

 

[iTitus]

I found it, under the dutch name
I did all windows of CPU-Z, this time with 2 RAM sticks.
Bios is F3(had to flash it from F2 to F3 to get my CPU to be supported and work)


What about dual channel en (un)ganged mode? And what about all bios power saving settings etc(like cool and quiet and C1E or something like that?)


EDIT: Rebooting now for NB and DRAM voltages
Files:

 

[Dave76]

Just let me know the NB and DRAM voltages, I'll check for issues and will let you know if any of these need to be changed.

It should Run in Dual channel, the NB bump should help the stability.
Check with me or someone here before you change any voltages, RAM is the easiest component to burn up.

Sometimes the power saving functions can affect the system, but it's not likely in your case.

 

[iTitus]

Ok here are the voltages and 2 questions, and then i'm really off for my train
I set System Voltage Control to manual, in order to see the voltages.
DRAM: 1,5V
DDR VTT: 0,75
NB:1,1V
NB PCIE: 1,8V
Normal CPU Core: 1,45V

1st
When the problems would be solved, I had a clean install of windows in mind. With some programs I didn't install now to cut down driver issues etc. And without some other programs I installed for removing drivers etc.
Would you recommend the clean install before we start working on the Voltages, or is it totally seperated from the install?

2nd
I'm also having trouble connecting to the internet with my LAN cable. I make connection through a PPPOE connection. But Sometimes I can't logon or what ever(as the only one in the building) And some guy said it could be a mobo issue. Could it be related? Or is this something totally else(It worked fine before last clean install...)

Thank you very much for taking time to help me, I really hope you're on to something!!

I got a train to catch, I can talk with you during the weekend, but not with data of this computer or such. I'll be back here sunday afternoon.

Thanks again!

Titus

 

[Dave76]

OK, we'll adjust the voltage when you get back.

Just post here and I'll get a notification.

Have a good weekend.

1st,
Let's try the voltage adjustment first, maybe a clean install if the issues persist.

2nd,
There is a BIOS update for that, it's a beta version so you can try it, at some risk.

There is an interesting test done on your motherboard and AMD Phenom II x6 1090T BE CPU concerning RAM with speeds above 1333Mhz.
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING AMD AM3 CPU's and RAM SPEEDS
Edit: And, AMD’s Phenom II AM3 has memory problems

As mentioned here, it is recommended to run in single channel mode (un-ganged) if you are setting your RAM above 1333MHZ.
This is due to the integrated memory controller in the CPU.

 

[iTitus]

Hi Dave, I read your post and had some questions:

1st, No matter whether we get a stable system without a clean install, I would like to do a clean install anyway(for myself etc, nog for performance). So would you recommend to do it prior to the voltage adjustments, so the system we'll be testing will be a more "realistic" system, with programs like Adobe CS4 running etc and other things(although I use Starcraft 2 on max atm as a crash tester)

2nd
what are the risks of installing a beta bios, crashes? In that case it would be better not to install it yet.

3rd
I was reading your link and I have memory running at 1333Mhz, the module simply is 1333Mhz, so that should be cool right? And what about this:

The Phenom II only supports 1333MHz DDR3—at least, officially—with a single DIMM in each memory channel. With four DDR3 DIMMs, 1066MHz is the standard. Such limitations are nothing new, of course. Previous Phenoms have long supported 1066MHz DDR2 memory, but only with a single DIMM per channel.

Does that mean that when/if I buy 2 more 2gb RAM sticks at 1333Mhz they will cause trouble? Or am I mixing up different names(DIMM DDR3 etc?)

4th
Given the fact that I ran starcraft 2 no problem with one RAM stick in slot 1(let's call this ram stick 1), but encountered crashes with the other RAM stick(stick 2) in slot 1, couldn't there just be one broken one, instead of something wrong with the Voltages on NB?

I'm not sceptical about raising voltages or something, I would love to try and see if it works. It's just that I got a email from the company where I bought them replying on my question on what to do and test to see whether my RAM is broken, saying that it might just be better just to return them and that they will supply new ones. So I guess that if raising voltages doesnt work this should, that is if it's the ram and not something else(the mobo).

5th
Raising voltages won't "break" anything, giving the company a excuse not to except the RMA?

Thanks again,
I'm looking forward to Sunday. A working system would be a great birthday gift for my 18th birthday monday

 

[Dave76]

Hi Dave, I read your post and had some questions:

1st, No matter whether we get a stable system without a clean install, I would like to do a clean install anyway(for myself etc, nog for performance). So would you recommend to do it prior to the voltage adjustments, so the system we'll be testing will be a more "realistic" system, with programs like Adobe CS4 running etc and other things(although I use Starcraft 2 on max atm as a crash tester)

If you would like to re-install first, no problem.

2nd
what are the risks of installing a beta bios, crashes? In that case it would be better not to install it yet.

It should be stable but, being called a beta there are possible issues. If there are you can put F3 back on.

It's better to keep the variables to a minimum, especially since it's still beta, so would be better to do this after the RAM is sorted.

3rd
I was reading your link and I have memory running at 1333Mhz, the module simply is 1333Mhz, so that should be cool right? And what about this:

The Phenom II only supports 1333MHz DDR3—at least, officially—with a single DIMM in each memory channel. With four DDR3 DIMMs, 1066MHz is the standard. Such limitations are nothing new, of course. Previous Phenoms have long supported 1066MHz DDR2 memory, but only with a single DIMM per channel.

Does that mean that when/if I buy 2 more 2gb RAM sticks at 1333Mhz they will cause trouble? Or am I mixing up different names(DIMM DDR3 etc?)

EDIT:
It says that it will work at 1333MHz in single channel mode, which would be slots 1 & 3 or Slots 2 & 4.
They stated that using unganged was more stable for 1600MHz.
Try the RAM in these slots and see if it makes a difference.
Should be no problem, in single channel mode, according to that test.
The 1600MHz was unstable and difficult to setup and run, two sticks at 1333MHz should be ok.

AMD Phenom™ II Processor Model Number and Feature Comparisons

Type of Memory Supported

Support for unregistered DIMMs up to PC2 8500(DDR2-1066MHz) and PC3 10600 (DDR3-1333MHz)

(You would need to double check with your motherboard's own manual for correct Memory Slot Channel configuration)
According to this information, it should work in dual channel mode, but try single channel mode to see if it helps.

If you get two more sticks, total four, you will have to run your RAM at 1066MHz.
/Edit

4th
Given the fact that I ran starcraft 2 no problem with one RAM stick in slot 1(let's call this ram stick 1), but encountered crashes with the other RAM stick(stick 2) in slot 1, couldn't there just be one broken one, instead of something wrong with the Voltages on NB?

I'm not sceptical about raising voltages or something, I would love to try and see if it works. It's just that I got a email from the company where I bought them replying on my question on what to do and test to see whether my RAM is broken, saying that it might just be better just to return them and that they will supply new ones. So I guess that if raising voltages doesnt work this should, that is if it's the ram and not something else(the mobo).

I did read the entire thread but, that's a lot of info to absorb.
Did you run stick 2 in another slot?
To confirm, run stick 2 in another slot, run memtest86+. If you get any errors, stop the test and RMA the RAM, both sticks so they can send you a new matched pair.

Did the memtest86+ pass with both sticks?

It is possible that the NB bump will solve this, but even a small incompatibility may cause problems if later you want to add more RAM.

5th
Raising voltages won't "break" anything, giving the company a excuse not to except the RMA?

This is normally accepted adjustments to get it to run.
The key to adjusting voltages on RAM is to do very small steps, know the limits and do not exceed them.

All of the RAM manufacturers suggest the same voltages increase to get the RAM stable.

To check you can post at the RAM and/or motherboard forums, explain your problem and ask for a solution or if bumping the NP voltage to 1.2v is advisable.
This is the standard answer on most RAM/motherboard forums for this issue.

Your motherboard has a known issue with stability, due to the integrated memory controller, with any RAM higher than 1333MHz.

Thanks again,
I'm looking forward to Sunday. A working system would be a great birthday gift for my 18th birthday monday

Hopefully it will resolve the issue, but my guess is that you'll end up RMA'ing the RAM.

In advance, have a Happy birthday!

 

[iTitus]

1st
I'll do a clean install first

4th
I ran a memtest with stick 1 in slot 1 and stick 2 in slot 2(dual channel unganged mode)
9 passes no errors. But upon using my computer(as a test Starcraft 2 was a good indication), it kept crashing.
Then I removed stick 2 from slot 2 and played starcraft and used my system no problemo(didnt run memtest)
Then I removed stick 1 from slot 1 AND Insterted stick 2 in slot 1.
That gave me the same unstable system with crashes random and during starcraft.(again, no memtest)

Concluding:
So I ran only 1 memtest, with both sticks in their slots.
I ran my system with only 1 stick in slot 1 twice, once with stick 1 and once with stick 2. Stick 1 did fine and stick 2 gave problems.

That's why I wonder if it could be stick 2 that is the problem here.

 

[Dave76]

The puzzling thing is that memtest86+ passed with both sticks installed.

Put stick 2 into slot 1 and run memtest86+.
If you get errors, tell us what the errors are, when the errors start repeating you can stop the test.
Then put stick 2 in slot 2 and run memtest86+, note the errors, if any.

*Always monitor temperatures with Core Temp when running any test/game while we are troubleshooting. Let us know the temps when the tests/games are running.

Just found a reference to install RAM in slots 3 and 4 if they are 1333MHz or above.

Also see the Edit in post #97, try them in single channel, slots 1 & 3.

If stick 2 fails in both slots and stick 1 passes in both, RMA the RAM.

Are you running in AHCI mode?
This is mentioned to cause crashes.

When the crashes occurred, how long had the computer been running?
Have you noticed that the crashes don't or do occur within the first 30 minutes of starting it or is it after its been running for 30 minutes?
Or are they completely random?
Asking this as one of the components may be heating up and causing/contributing to the crashes.

Next crash, carefully touch the north bridge and give your best estimate of the temperature.

Added another link to the AMD RAM issue in post #95.

 

[iTitus]

I Read your post,
I'll run the memtest series when I get back(how many passes is advised?) Both modules in both slots one at a time.(slot 1 and 2 only or slot 3 and 4 also? Given your reference?)

What's AHCI mode?

The crashes are kinda random, somtimes within 30 minutes, sometimes after like 2 hours. It's really strange.
http://www.ixbt.com/mainboard/gigabyte/770ta-ud3/board-sm.jpg
You see the coolblock that says gigabyte, I noticed that that actually becomes pretty damn hot.
But then again IMO the GPU becomes pretty hot too...

This is going to take a loooooong while to test xD But atleast I already have the clearence from the shop to stop by and trade them in, or I think so

Thanks again for helping and answering questions. When I get back I'll first run the memtests and try voltages, when the system is steady I'll do a clean install.w