Reproduceable BSOD from Saint's Row IV; ntoskrnl.exe culprit (?)

[err5t65e]

I've been playing Saint's Row 4 and enjoying it for everything except a very specific crash. Whenever you cause enough mayhem in your simulation, an enemy called a Warden appears, and to defeat it you need to merge with it. However, every time my character leaps into and bursts it from the inside, right when it explodes and a bunch of particle effects shower the area, BSOD.

Hasn't happened at all during normal gameplay; I left it paused for several hours and returned with no problems until I summoned and tried to kill another Warden. It's irking me something fierce since I also can't complete the next mission without fighting one.

Bluescreen Viewer tells me it's a problem with ntoskrnl.exe (Crash Address: ntoskrnl.exe+4ade7c ; File Version: 6.1.7601.18205 (win7sp1_gdr.130708-1532))
Of course I have no idea what I'm looking at.

I'll also note that bluescreens have tended to be a common problem for me on my rig. Ended a playthrough of Dead Space 2 due to a recurring BSOD near the last chapter, could never even start Spec Ops: The Line without a BSOD, and never got through five minutes of Bioshock: Infinite without a BSOD. The last one nearly killed my Windows installation by way of an infinite repair loop.

Running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit on:

MSI 760GM-P21(FX)
AMD FX-4100, 3.6 GHz
NVidia GeForce 560Ti, 1024MB
8GB DDR3 RAM, 800 MHz

Thank you.

 

[Arc]

Hello DChapsfield. I have a little bit of confusion here.

Bluescreen Viewer tells me it's a problem with ntoskrnl.exe (Crash Address: ntoskrnl.exe+4ade7c ; File Version: 6.1.7601.18205 (win7sp1_gdr.130708-1532))
Of course I have no idea what I'm looking at.

If so, why have you updated the BIOS from Version 17.5 to version 17.15? It took place very shortly.

8GB DDR3 RAM, 800 MHz

Is not your RAM 4GB, 1600 MHz?

If you can clarify, it will be helpful to proceed.

In the mean time, Upload a snapshot Using Speccy.

• Download and install Speccy.
• File> Save snapshot.
• Save it on desktop.
• Zip it and upload it following following http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html .

Update Linksys Wireless-N USB Network Adapter WUSB300N drivers. It is extremely old, of 2007. http://support.linksys.com/en-us/support/adapters/WUSB300N

Will look forward for your response.

 

[err5t65e]

Hello DChapsfield. I have a little bit of confusion here.

Bluescreen Viewer tells me it's a problem with ntoskrnl.exe (Crash Address: ntoskrnl.exe+4ade7c ; File Version: 6.1.7601.18205 (win7sp1_gdr.130708-1532))
Of course I have no idea what I'm looking at.

If so, why have you updated the BIOS from Version 17.5 to version 17.15? It took place very shortly.

8GB DDR3 RAM, 800 MHz

Is not your RAM 4GB, 1600 MHz?

If you can clarify, it will be helpful to proceed.

In the mean time, Upload a snapshot Using Speccy.

• Download and install Speccy.
• File> Save snapshot.
• Save it on desktop.
• Zip it and upload it following following http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html .

Update Linksys Wireless-N USB Network Adapter WUSB300N drivers. It is extremely old, of 2007. WUSB300N Support | Wireless-N USB Network Adapter

Will look forward for your response.

You know what that's my bad, I apologize. I typed out the specs like I was on autopilot; I actually took out one of my 4GB sticks the day before, suspecting bad RAM. Sorry.

As for the BIOS, did I really roll it back? From 17.5 to 17.15? I really don't know what I'm looking at, I just went to the MSI page for my mboard and followed instructions. Should have mentioned that too.

I'm on a laptop right now but I'll get back to the PC in question briefly and upload a Speccy screenshot, then update my wireless adapter's driver.

Thanks for responding. Sorry again for the confusion.

 

[err5t65e]

http://i.imgur.com/41aQxWy.png

Here's a screengrab from Speccy. Hope it's okay it's not in .zip

Also, I know the wireless adapter driver is from 2007, but even on the product page, it's all that's listed. Would there be anywhere I could find a better driver?

 

[Arc]

As per the MSI Page, 17.15 is an update over 17.5. Not a roll back.

For the network adapter, if latest drivers are not found, better you stop using that adapter.

Test your RAM modules for possible errors.
How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+
Run memtest for at least 8 passes, preferably overnight.

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

Stress test the CPU.
Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95

Are you overclocking? As you are getting BSODs, you should stop overclocking and run all the hardware components like CPU, GPU and RAM to their default settings. Also set the BIOS to default, too.
How To Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS)

Check if the Power Supply Unit (PSU) supplying adequate power to the computer or not.
eXtreme Power Supply Calculator
Also let us know the wattage of the PSU.

 

[err5t65e]

☒ 9 passes of Memtest86+
0 errors

☒ Furmark stress test
GPU temperature plateaued at 82°C with all rendering options. Didn't see any artifacting, I think it's healthy

☒ Overclocks
None of my parts are running past stock speeds

☐ CMOS
Haven't cleared it just yet

☒ Wattage
My PSU outputs 600W, which I'm pretty sure is more than enough for my components

☒ Prime95 stress test
Okay, this really scared me. I know the documentation calls it a "torture test," but should the Prime95 stress be bringing the CPU to 207°C ? My FX-4100 is apparently supposed to be safe to a max of 90°C. The test only brings those peaks for a few seconds before letting up, of course, but it unnerved me nonetheless. Just want to make sure, is that safe?

Here's a temp graph, from a Speccy screenshot
http://i.imgur.com/fWtndG3.png

 

[Arc]

☒ Prime95 stress test
Okay, this really scared me. I know the documentation calls it a "torture test," but should the Prime95 stress be bringing the CPU to 207°C ? My FX-4100 is apparently supposed to be safe to a max of 90°C. The test only brings those peaks for a few seconds before letting up, of course, but it unnerved me nonetheless. Just want to make sure, is that safe?

Here's a temp graph, from a Speccy screenshot
http://i.imgur.com/fWtndG3.png

Before blaming the CPU itself, I would suggest you to do another thing.

Dismantle the PC. Clean all the fans and air vents. Remove the CPU. Apply new thermal paste to it.



When done, perform another Prime 95 test. Is it doing the same? If so, change the CPU.

 

[err5t65e]

Okay, although I have to say, I've been playing games with no problem from the CPU at all. I watched the temp level at 43°C during normal gameplay of SRIV, all the way until a bluescreen.

Is there anything else we can do to pinpoint before I buy additional thermal paste?

 

[Arc]

Okay, although I have to say, I've been playing games with no problem from the CPU at all. I watched the temp level at 43°C during normal gameplay of SRIV, all the way until a bluescreen.

Is there anything else we can do to pinpoint before I buy additional thermal paste?

Why dont you think that the Stress Test is enough to pinpoint it, when it is the natural custom to employ that test to determine these issues? Your logic please?