Repeated BSOD's Last 3 Days

[Dave76]

Dave-

The information I included in my last reply is all that I was capable of gathering.

I wasn't able to figure out exactly where I needed to be to change the RAM frequency and timings. Can you please help me to do that?

First, you will need to get the motherboard revision number. Open the case and look in the lower left hand corner of the mobo (mobo: short for motherboard), you will see a small circle, next to it will be the revision number. Example 'REV 2.2'.

Then go to your Gigabyte 870A-UD3 motherboard website, click the revision number you found on your mobo, it's near the top of the page, click the 'Download' tab and 'Manual' from the drop box, and down/load the mobo manual.

Read 'Chapter 2 BIOS setup' on page 33.
Familiarize yourself with the general layout of the BIOS, where the different sections are located, etc.
For example:
2-2 Main Menu on page 35.
2-3 MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) page 37, this is where the RAM and NB settings are.

For future reference. Don't change any of these yet.
This is where you change the RAM frequency. Page 38

Set Memory Clock

Determines whether to manually set the memory clock. Auto lets BIOS automatically set the memory
clock as required. Manual allows the memory clock control item below to be configurable. (Default: Auto)

Memory Clock

This option is configurable only when Set Memory Clock is set to Manual.
X4.00 Sets Memory Clock to X4.00.
X5.33 Sets Memory Clock to X5.33.
X6.66 Sets Memory Clock to X6.66.
X8.00 Sets Memory Clock to X8.00.

DRAM Configuration, on page 38. This is where you change the RAM timings.

DDR3 Timing Items

Manual allows all DDR3 Timing items below to be configurable.
Options are: Auto (default), Manual.

2-12 Save & Exit Setup, page 55
View attachment 144480

These are just for knowing where to find things in your BIOS.
I will list the steps to be taken below.

Also, in regard to the CPU NB VID Control, are you saying that when it is set on AUTO, there is a value assigned that I can actually see, so I know what the next setting upward would be? If I do set it on manual, what number should I use, if I can't see anything more than AUTO as the current setting?.

All BIOS are not the same, some will show a voltage when set to 'Auto' and some will not.
If you don't see a voltage when it is in 'Auto' then change it to 'Manual' you should see a voltage, post it here.
If you still don't see a voltage, some BIOS's don't, there will be a choice of increasing the voltage, choose the smallest increase and post the voltage here.

Default 'CPU NB VID Control' is 1.1v, the option to increase should be (approximately) +0.02v.
Select +0.01v if available or +0.02v, then post it here.

Since we last talked, I reinstalled windows 7, to try to further eliminate the potential driver participation in the issue and provide more support to the RAM theory.

The computer went 24 hours without a BSOD, but in the last 2 hours I received 2. One said "Memory Management" and the event viewer info was exactly the same as in my original post. I wasn't able to read the second BSOD screen, as it stayed for only 2 seconds before the computer restarted itself..

This is typical for RAM voltage and timing issues that need an adjustment.

Since I did reinstall the OS, I have included a new zip file, part of which is the new diagnostic file.

I noticed that once again, at the very top of the diagnostic file there is a warning of some kind, but also information stating that there is no detection of antivirus software. That statement is strange in that Avast was not detected before the reinstall and now McAfee is not detected, although running, after the reinstall.

Please advise and thanks again for all your help Dave

Review the above sections in your mobo manual.

There is the known issue with AMD integrated memory controller not liking 1600MHz for RAM, will come back to this later if needed.


Let's try a 'CPU NB VID Control' voltage bump, and see if that will stop the BSoDs.

First step:
Change the 'CPU NB VID Control' to 1.15v.

If there is a senario that causes BSoDs then try to re-create it.

Results will show quicker if you run Memtest86 and Prime95 torture test - Blend.

RAM - Test with Memtest86+


CPU - Stress Test with Prime95

Let us know if you have any questions.



EDIT:
Is this your RAM?

ADATA 1600G

This appears to be Intel i7 RAM.
There are many know issues if trying to run i7 RAM on a AMD system.
Sometimes it works or can be made to work.
It is always better to get RAM that is specifically for AMD.

Keep this in mind, we should still try to adjust some of these settings. It is possible that it can run stable.

 

[goosegas]

Dave-

Thanks for the tips...I am able to access the area of the BIOS to make the suggested frequency and timing adjustments. I still need to get back to you about the NB Voltage as well.

I wanted to rerun my Memtest86, as the first time I did it, I left all four sticks in the MOBO at once and it came up clean. I decided before making any adjustments, I would run it from cold boot, one stick at a time, and after all sticks were tested, I moved a good stick to all the other slots.

I found 2 things of interest. I do not know what they mean, so I attached it below. I have attached 2 photos of my screen. The first one is there to show you that where it says RAM Settings, the stick being tested reflects:

800 Mhz (DDR1600) / CAS 11-11-11-29 / DDR3 (64 bits)

A different stick was reflected as:

200 Mhz (DDR400)

Both sticks appear identical and have the same part numbers

The second screen photo is of the only error that Memtest 86 reported:

Please take a look and let me know if these numbers should differ, or should each stick reflect the same RAM settings information. If this should not be, then what would be the cause and should I get it replaced?

Also let me know what you think of the error....does this happen on occasion or is this stick bad and need to be replaced?

I did also run the Prime 95 Stress Test with no errors.

So, in summary, please let me know if you feel I need to replace any memory based on the photos attached. If so, then we can do that first and come back to the other potential fixes/adjustments after that. If you think that nothing looks out of line or needs replacement, let me know and I will make the frequency and timing adjustments and send you the NB Voltage number before I change it.

Thanks Again Dave

 

[Dave76]

Your RAM timing are set loose, did you set these manually?
Your RAM XMP settings should be 9-9-9-24 according to the CPUZ SPD tab.

I found 2 things of interest. I do not know what they mean, so I attached it below. I have attached 2 photos of my screen. The first one is there to show you that where it says RAM Settings, the stick being tested reflects:

800 Mhz (DDR1600) / CAS 11-11-11-29 / DDR3 (64 bits)

A different stick was reflected as:

200 Mhz (DDR400)

Both sticks appear identical and have the same part numbers

Where did you see the '200 Mhz (DDR400)' reading?

Post the 'CPU NB VID Control' voltage, let's adjust this before anything else is done.

 

[goosegas]

Dave-

I did not make any changes to the RAM timings or frequency yet. This is exactly the way the computer was set when purchased.

I wanted to get your take on the error message from Memtest86 (see photo from previous) and whether or not you think that the stick needs to be replaced.

In regard to the 200Mhz (DDR400) setting, it was located exactly where the RAM settings are in the previously attached photo, but it was one of the other sticks that gave those readings, not the one in the photo. Would these settings be different depending upon what stick I am testing and/or which slot it is installed in?

Below are multiple photos of my settings in BIOS. I believe they include all the info you requested.

Thanks Again Dave!!

 

[Dave76]

Good snips of the BIOS screens, this gives the information needed.

First thing to do is change the 'CPU NB VID Control' to 'Manual' and select +0.05v.
The -0.075v will cause the issues you are having.
There may be other issues but, this is where we need to start.
When you select 'Manual' the BIOS should show the voltage being used, post it in your next reply.

Run memtest86+ with all cards installed, 7 passes.
If you get any errors you can stop the test.

Where did you buy the computer?
It appears there have been some adjustments made in BIOS.
Don't see anything wrong, we can make a few adjustments to see if will run stable.

What were the details when the RAM card frequency that is showing 200 Mhz (DDR400) was taken?
How many RAM cards installed at the time the info was shown on memtest86+?
If a single RAM card, did it pass the test?

Second thing to do, if this was a single card installed and showing 200 MHz, use memtest86+ to check the reading (full testing not required at this point) of the same card again and post the picture.
If it does get the same 200 MHz reading, move it to another slot and check the reading again.
Then confirm the single RAM card reading with CPUZ Memory tab.

Your initial CPUZ Memory tab shows the correct frequency with 8GB installed. The above is just to varify. Some RAM 'Auto' settings can cause this to happen.

As with all trouble shooting, this could be a bad card or incorrect BIOS settings.

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[goosegas]

Dave-

I just wanted to give you an update and to thank you for your help.

I may not be completely out of the woods yet, but very close if not out.

Sorry about the confusion with the CPU NB VID control photo. I took the picture after accidentally scrolling down. The setting was actually at NORMAL, right between the negative and positive voltage settings. I didn't save that setting before exiting.

I ran the Memtest86+ again, with all 4 sticks, with single sticks and in pairs. Everything points to the one stick which I removed and I am RMA'ing back to the seller.

Since pulling the stick, I have received 2 lockups and 2 BSOD's, but that was over a matter of days where I was getting more than that in a matter of hours.

I then went into the BIOS and changed 9-9-9-25 to 9-9-9-24 & changed 1600Mhz to 1333Mhz, and I haven't had a BSOD or freeze in almost 3 days.

If it continues this way, after I get the new fourth stick, I will bump the NB Voltage which is at the lowest possible rating (1.100V) to the next higher number, unless you think I should leave it.

I wasn't able to replicated that weird 200Mhz (DDR400) setting during any of my subsequent Memtests. Maybe I was so tired I was hallucinating.

I couldn't really say why the BIOS was what is was, as I made no changes since receiving the computer back in December.

To all reading this post, this guy Dave76 knows his stuff. Listen to what he tells you.

Let me know about the NB Voltage Bump Dave...Thank You

 

[Dave76]

Glad to hear it's running better, hope it stays that way.

Change the CPU NB VID control to 1.15v now, and if you get another BSoD change it to 1.20v.

When you add the fourth RAM card, if you haven't already bumped the voltage, change the CPU NB VID control to 1.20v. This will let your system run stable, and is a safe voltage for your system.

 

[goosegas]

Dave

When you say to change the setting to 1.15V and then to 1.20V, I think you mean the NB Voltage control which is currently set at 1.100V rather than the CPU NB VID Control, which is set at 0.02V.

Please advise.

Thanks again!!!

 

[Dave76]

The 'CPU NB VID Control' is the CPU integrated memory controller, this is the one that needs to be increased.

The second screen snip shows the amount of voltage you can increase or decrease the integrated memory voltage from the default setting of 1.100v.
To reach 1.150v you need to select the +0.050v option.
The voltage default setting is 1.100v, adding +0.050v equals 1.150v, this is what you want to acheive.

The second snip is showing the -0.075v option, default voltage is 1.100v minus 0.075v equals 1.025v for your integrated memory controller, this is causing/contributing to your problems.

Select the +0.050v option to obtain 1.150v for the 'CPU NB VID Control'.

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[goosegas]

Thanks Dave-

What about the numbers in the first pic, located below the words

"System Voltage Optimized"?

Should I make any adjustments there, or leave well enough alone?

 

[Dave76]

The choice is yours.

All the numbers in the first BIOS screen shot look ok, except the 'CPU NB VID Control' in the second screen shot that says the voltage is reduced by 0.075v, this needs to be changed as mentioned below.

All hardware performs differently, including RAM.

If you think about the number of different brands of hardware available, let alone the fact that the same brand hardware performs differently (A-Data RAM with all specs the same, will perform differently).
How can the motherboard and BIOS optimize any settings for your specific set of hardware in your system?
The reference list would be enormous, let alone how would they adjust for the different performance for the same spec hardware.
The statement in your BIOS means that they have generally optimized voltage for general hardware, not for the hardware in your system.

Somehow the 'CPU NB VID Control' setting was changed to -0.075v, default settings after OS installation will be 1.100v on 'Auto', for all RAM, doesn't matter the brand or number of cards or total GBs installed.
This is the problem, the more GBs on each RAM card require more voltage, more RAM cards require more voltage.

If you would like conformation on this, Google your motherboard part number and 'Ram settings' or your motherboard part number and RAM part number.

Gigabyte forum and any overclocking forum will give similar suggestions. You can also serf RAM sites to find these same recommendations for your situation.

I have seen hundreds of recommendations for BSoDs, on many RAM manufactors forums to bump the RAM memory controller voltage.
It works, unless the RAM card is bad.

My recommendation is to increase the 'CPU NB VID Control' voltage to 1.150v, you can do this by selecting the +0.050v in the second screen shot above.

The choice to do it is, of coarse, yours.