Varied BSODs, Drivers/Memory

[AutSamurai]

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Sorry I haven't replied in a few days. Power's been out, blah blah, etc.

During the outtage, I decided to just go ahead and reinstall Windows. I'll be commencing that in a second.

Anyways, the computer BSOD'd at startup. I'll upload it now, but I'm not sure it'll be of any use if this reinstallation solves my issues.

Wish me luck.

 

[AutSamurai]

Bad news.

Looks like I'm still getting BSODs. One happened last night, but I'm not sure when, since I was downloading things. And all I know is that it happened after a restart. Sorry, I was leaving it to download and restart overnight.

This is all just exceedingly discouraging. I'll upload the dump.

Also, I'm still getting the little jumps and skips. Looking at the Task Manager, in Performance, I looks like there's jumps in CPU use. I couldn't get a picture, but that's basically what's happening.

Edit: It actually occurred during Windows Updates (the shutdown process)

 

[AutSamurai]

I got a new BSOD I haven't heard of - UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP.

In the meantime, I want to get my hands on some RAM, or I might try running my computer without my video card for a while.

EDIT: Ran an sfc /scannow test, but got the error "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them." I'd upload the CBS log, but apparently, I don't have permission to upload it.

Is it possible that my Windows disc is broken?

Also, Windows Media Player is broken on this installation:

I additionally grabbed a photo of what Task Manager looks like when the computer "stutters."

I also feel like I'm using quite a bit of memory; right now, I'm using 2.77 GB out of 8GB, and I'm only running a few tabs in Chrome and a YouTube video.

 

[Anak]

Stop message 0x0000007F Descriptive text: UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
Usual cause: There is a hardware or software problem. This is usually caused by a hardware failure.

At this point the only thing I can think of is #3 at the above link - disable memory caching in the BIOS -, and if you need to run UEFI or not. If you have it engaged, turn it off and test.

This has got to be hardware and something - for lack of a better term - got fried. You've already found that the GPU wasn't connected properly.

Your first build right?

• What type of floor were you working on, bare or carpeted?
• Did you use a grounding strap or did you frequently touch something to ground yourself.
• Did you drop any tools on any delicate parts?
• Did you mount the CPU on to the MB socket or was it already mounted by the MB manufacturer?
• If you mounted it, are you sure you mounted it in the proper position and didn't bend any prongs?
• Did you use the proper thermal paste or was there paste already applied to the heat sink fan? How To Correctly Apply Thermal Paste | Hardware Secrets
• For the MB, did you hear any snapping or cracking sounds when you were installing any components?
• If you have to, go over that MB with a magnifying glass to check for any cracked solder joints, bad soldering where one circuit is cross-connected to another because of excessive solder.
• Check to make sure any of the slots used for the CPU, RAM, GPU, and any of the empty slots are securely soldered to the MB and they don't rock or are loose.
• Check to make sure any of the leads on the smaller MB components like the rear I/O panel, capacitors, and diodes aren't broken.
• Check to make sure your power supply is producing what it calls for, and has a steady supply of power.
• Double check all connections, make sure their going where they should, they are secure and that there are no broken wires.
• I'd still try and get new RAM to try that first, but until you rule out everything else hardware I don't think it will help..

You're going to have to tear it all apart and go over everything piece by piece from sharp edges touching things they shouldn't, the power supply, the MB and all the solder joints, CPU, RAM and HDD.



If the YouTube video isn't working go here: Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 2 - The Build - YouTube

Video player error message

If you’re getting a player error message, most of the time, the video should start working again in about 30 minutes. This error can sometimes happen if the uploader is making changes to the video, there’s an issue with your Internet connection speed, or the video is being removed or having other issues.

Source: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/Video player error message

Use this Tutorials | Hardware Secrets to go over the different areas of your build;

• Power supply
• Motherboard (MB)
• CPU
• BIOS
• Memory
• Video
• Audio

I'm gonna put this here for reference: ASRock > Z87 Extreme3

 

[AutSamurai]

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Looking in the UEFI, I couldn't discern any option having to do with memory caching.

Yes, this is my first build, and as for the building conditions:

• I was working on a bare linoleum floor.
• I frequently touched any metal object in reach to ground myself.
• I don't recall dropping any tools.
• The mobo and CPU came seperately; I mounted it myself.
• I lined up the CPU correctly with the notches in the socket. I remember checking and noticing that no pins on the mobo or the CPU were bent.
• I used the pea method to apply thermal paste. I squeezed out the pea-sized amount, pressed the heatsink down, turned it a little bit to spread some more, and screwed it down from opposite sides in small increments each time. (My HSF is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, if it's not listed in my specs.) I refrained from lifting it back up as to avoid creating air bubbles.
• I don't recall the mobo making any snapping or cracking sounds. Of course, a little bit of torque was needed to install various components.

I suppose all that's left is to deconstruct this thing then. That'll be difficult to fit in, but then again, I guess I'll be doing a whole lot of nothing on Valentines Day.

Anyways, I'm still unsure how to tell if the PSU is working properly and I'm fairly uncomfortable with electrocuting myself. If it's worth anything, then it has all the quality control passed stickers on it and all.

Also, could any hardware problem in specific have anything to do with the little skips I'm getting?

Well, have my latest crash dumps.

 

[AutSamurai]

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Huge necropost here. Sorry about that. If you want me to create a new thread either here or somewhere else, just tell me. Just please don't ban me or something.

So here's a story of what's been going on over the past, well, month or so.

I finally gave in and put my computer into the shop. Now, they couldn't find anything wrong in particular, but they said that they looked over my crash dumps, and concluded that it was some sort of peripheral that was causing my issues. They told me it was some sort of broken USB product, and that the messages it was sending back and forth between windows and itself were getting hung up. But when i went home and tried all different combinations of various USB, but that didn't change any of the stutter issues I was having.

I then realized something: whenever I start my computer, the little blue wireless connection circle down in the taskbar would always freeze - and then connect to the internet a minute or so later. I concluded that the issue was related to the wireless PCI card I was using. So i pulled that thing out and started using a USB wireless thingy that was laying around - and lo and behold, all the small freezes and stutters that were occurring so rampantly when doing simple things like browsing the internet stopped. I think this was my issue the whole time. So for now, I'm working on getting a wired connection, but for now, i'm using this wireless stick.

I don't really think I'm completely out of the water though. Every so often, my internet just disconnects, seemingly randomly. Also, that blue circle still freezes on startup. I looked in msinfo32, and it says that the card is still installed - but there are two instances of it:

This is the first one, and

Here's the second.

My guess, my computer is getting confused because it still thinks the card is installed. Then again, I have not experience with this, so I need to know what you guys think. I suppose I need to remove all traces that this card was ever installed. Aside from reinstalling Windows again (which I am totally okay with doing), what should I do?

Thanks for your help. And again, apologies for the necro.

 

[Anak]

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon, "Beautiful Boy"English singer & songwriter (1940 - 1980)

Don't worry about the lapse of time, we realize that sometimes, events take a while to come to fruition.


Your guess and supposition to remove the install package for the wireless PCI card would be a good starting point. There are varied ways to do this,

• Can you locate a program for the wireless PCI card in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features, and remove/uninstall?
• Or if there's no Program....

• Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Device Manager, find the card under Network Adapters. Right click on it and then click on Properties, and on the Drivers Tab,
• Click on the Disable button.
• Follow the prompts.
• Reboot your machine and check performance.
• Or If disabling doesn't help....

• On the same tab start the uninstall with the button at the bottom,
• Follow the prompts,
• Reboot your machine and check performance.

 

[AutSamurai]

.

Strangely, there isn't a program or driver appearing in either window... Now that I think about it, I never installed the drivers for it on this installation of Windows, but it never seemed to matter. It was somehow working as plug-and-play, although it isn't supposed to...?

I'm still sure the card was the problem though. Drivers or not, it was causing problems.

 

[Anak]

Plug and Play would recognize the card and install native drivers already included in the Windows 7 OS, but there should be a listing for it in Device Manager (DM). I can't think of any other place it would be listed in DM than Network Adapter.

If you recall the name or get it from the packaging, try searching for it through the Start Menu Search.

 

[Anak]

I didn't want you to miss this if I added an edit.

Uninstall a device
Generally, you do not need to use Device Manager to uninstall a Plug and Play device. Simply disconnect the Plug and Play device from your computer. You might have to restart your computer, however, depending on the type of device. For more information, see the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your device.

Source: Uninstall or Reinstall a Device

 

[AutSamurai]

Plug and Play would recognize the card and install native drivers already included in the Windows 7 OS, but there should be a listing for it in Device Manager (DM). I can't think of any other place it would be listed in DM than Network Adapter.

If you recall the name or get it from the packaging, try searching for it through the Start Menu Search.

Couldn't get anything this way either.

Would reinstalling Windows help? I haven't really done much since my last install, so it wouldn't be a huge issue if I lost a little stuff. Or i could just throw my stuff on a flash drive, so it's no big deal.

 

[Anak]

Sure, go with the reinstall, and backup any personal stuff you'd like to keep.

Just make sure that, that wireless PCI card is not in the machine when you do it and don't have any external devices hooked up like that USB wireless thingy, any hubs or an ethernet cable to the router or modem.

Don't have any USB cables plugged into and dangling from any USB ports even if they aren't connect to a device, there is a slim but possible chance that the OS could read the added electrical resistance caused by the cable, and think, "I wonder what this is for?".

The only devices you need connected are the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.


Your Asrock Z87 Extreme3 has a 64Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with Multilingual GUI support, so you should follow this tutorial if you haven't already: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

Read through it to familiarize yourself on the procedures, one caveat I see is in the Warning box to tell you to Disable Secure Boot before you proceed. That link will take you to our Sister Forum, EightForums to explain how to in step #4 Option One.

This EightForums tutorial is for an ASRock X79 Extreme11, but yours should be similar, check your ASRock > Z87 Extreme3 manual first.

It does look similar: Chapter 4.8 page 94 Security Screen Secure Boot is only needed for The Windows Eight Operation System, so you won't have to re-enable.

 

[AutSamurai]

.

Ok, I plan to go ahead with this, but before that, something strange just happened.

I got a blue screen, but it seems to be different than the earlier ones I've been getting. Somehow, it registered as a DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION....? This doesn't make any sense - I didn't have driver verifier on, and just to check, I opened up verifier, deleted existing settings, and got the message "No settings were changed."

My usb wireless stick also stopped working on restart. When I logged in, it started installing drivers for it, and failed. I unplugged it and plugged it back in, and it started working again.

Are the previous card's leftovers conflicting with my new wireless stick? Or does my computer just hate the internet or something?

I'll upload the dumps so you can look at it. Thanks.

 

[Anak]

Ok, I plan to go ahead with this, but before that, something strange just happened.

Since you're going ahead with the reinstall the driver verifier (DV) error is a moot point, but I may have an explanation.

I got a blue screen, but it seems to be different than the earlier ones I've been getting. Somehow, it registered as a DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION....? This doesn't make any sense - I didn't have driver verifier on, and just to check, I opened up verifier, deleted existing settings, and got the message "No settings were changed."

I've noted in two of your posts that you had DV on, but never verified that it was turned off. From post #5:

Also, I suppose it's worth mentioning, I turned on Driver Verifier, but forgot to turn it off before uninstalling the drivers.

• It could be assumed from this that you did turn off DV to uninstall those drivers, did you? And, did you restart the machine? The No settings were changed message indicates you never restarted your machine.

• Can you now state that DV was turned off and you restarted your machine before it was hit with this latest BSOD?

• Every time Driver Verifier is either enabled or disabled the machine has to be restarted.

Moving forward, the fault was caused by Chrome:

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION (c4)
A device driver attempting to corrupt the system has been caught.  This is
because the driver was specified in the registry as being suspect (by the
administrator) and the kernel has enabled substantial checking of this driver.
If the driver attempts to corrupt the system, bugchecks 0xC4, 0xC1 and 0xA will
be among the most commonly seen crashes.
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000091, A driver switched stacks using a method that is not supported by
    the operating system. The only supported way to extend a kernel
    mode stack is by using KeExpandKernelStackAndCallout.
Arg2: 0000000000000002
Arg3: fffffa8006e2d1a0
Arg4: 0000000000000000

Debugging Details:
------------------
BUGCHECK_STR:  0xc4_91

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT

PROCESS_NAME:  chrome.exe

There is a reference here:
STOP 0x000000C4: DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION | carrona.org that; NOTE: May occur in Win7 and later w/o Driver Verifier being enabled. With w/o meaning, without. But it still doesn't explain why DV popped an error unless you never exited DV properly.

I did try to find why that w/o behavior exists, but I couldn't come up with anything.

My usb wireless stick also stopped working on restart. When I logged in, it started installing drivers for it, and failed. I unplugged it and plugged it back in, and it started working again.

This may explain that behavior: STOP 0xC4 may occur in tcpipreg.sys following a reboot after Driver Verifier is enabled on Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Scroll down and look under Resolutions then read More Information. You did try to delete existing settings, but I doubt that you tried #2 to: remove the registry key that can cause the null-byte allocation.

When you plugged the stick back in the OS re-recognized and reinstalled it.

Are the previous card's leftovers conflicting with my new wireless stick? Or does my computer just hate the internet or something?

For all intents and purposes, you were not able to find any remnants of the wireless PCI card, remember, you even tried to search for files relating to it, but nothing popped up.

Its not that your machine hates the internet, its just that it seems confused. When you go for the reinstall of the OS make sure you only have what I asked for earlier:

• One cord in, the power cord.

• Three cords out; Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse.

• When you're up and running check to make sure your .dmps are set properly. Go to: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html Option one, Step #6 the minidmp will be sufficient.

• Do Not install any third-party programs, stay only with what the OS provides you!

• Explore the OS, go through the Start Menu. Check out the Accessories and Administrative Folders and their programs. Play some Solitaire and other games.

• Go easy for now, only use what came with the OS, and if at any point while doing this you get a BSOD upload it in your next post.

• If you're okay up to now, attach a wired ethernet cable to connect to your ISP modem/router and see if you can connect to the internet. Staying with the built-in OS programs see if you can connect to the internet with the version of Internet Explorer provided with the OS install and validate your OS with Microsoft.

• Download and install MSE, at least to test.

• See if you can connect to the Windows Update Server and update your OS through Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Update.

• Cruise the Internet, but nothing heavy like Steam, you could visit gaming forums, you could visit anywhere, but, no other third-party downloads!

• If you're okay up to this point, try the USB wireless stick, and see if you can connect to the internet and how stable it is.

• If at any point during your re-initialization you encounter any problems, stop and post what happened so we can discuss it.

 

[AutSamurai]

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Ok, so I just went ahead and reinstalled Windows 7. I installed it following the instructions, and poked around in the accessories and such. Couldn't play any games - they're turned off in Windows features.

MSINFO32 isn't recognizing any of my wireless devices, so good news there.

I'm working on getting a permanent wired connection as well.

Anything else I can try until then?

Edit: I have my wired connection now, and have been surfing around the internet. Went to a couple game-specific subreddits, browsed some images, and been other places. Everything seems to be going smooth.

Had to install a LAN driver from the disc included with my motherboard to get the connection to work though.

Haven't went to windows update or tried to download MSE though. I'll do that tomorrow, I suppose.

 

[Anak]

So far, so good.

Did you have any problems with activation?

You'll need those OS updates and MSE so do that first before you go cruisin' the net again, you need the updates to guard against any OS vulnerabilities, and MSE for a malware guard, its okay to internet if you go and take care of those first. You may also need those updates for when you go to try and use that wireless USB stick, I seem to recall that being addressed in the last few years worth of updates.

If you see any updates relating to SP1 do those first, when you're done search the update site again in case you or Windows may have missed any.

With your newer equipment Windows may have missed putting that LAN driver on the disk. Then again, if you would have updated first you may not have had to do that after Updates read your machine and offered it to you to install. Remember the wireless USB stick.

Adobe flash isn't much better than Java for videos, but stay away from Java. I haven't had it on my machine since they were having all those problems a few years ago and I'm living without it. Also no Quicktime use VLC instead.

Adobe - Install Adobe Flash Player Untick the optional McAfee offer!
Did you know there are three types of Flash? One for Internet Explorer (ActiveX), one for FireFox (NPAPI) and Chrome takes care of itself. Flash will automatically run the one you need by identifying the browser you're using when you visit the site.

You can use this if you're having problems with Flash: Do a clean install, and Uninstall Flash Player | Windows

That's it for now, make sure you're ready to log a minidmp in case you BSOD

 

[AutSamurai]

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Windows activation went smoothly and without an issue.

I also downloaded MSE and all the updates Windows wanted. It also looks like IE11 has flash natively built in, or I downloaded it as part of a Windows update.

So I can watch videos now, but I haven't really been doing that, since I don't have speakers plugged in. Permission to plug in?

Also, how long do you think my computer should stay stable before I plug in the rest of my stuff and start downloading things? A game I'm looking forward to is releasing on the 25th, and I really don't want to miss it.

 

[Anak]

Okay on the Activation.

Okay on the MSE, IE11, and Flash. I've never heard of IE11 having flash natively or it being offered as an add-on update. I'll have to look into that.

Yes permission to plug-in, but shut down your machine before you do that, then plug-in and restart. You may see a notice that speakers have been added and all is okay. If so, OK to close notice then pick out a video and see if you have sound.

How long to stay stable? It looks like you could start adding devices now, but one at a time and work with them to make sure they don't upset the stability before you add something else.

• Can you list "the rest of your stuff"

• Downloading isn't the problem, installing and running it is, can you list what you want to download?

• Can you reveal the name of the game, and does it require Steam or the manager that EA uses?

Just a reminder, minidmps enabled? In case there's a BSOD. Hope not, Knock on wood View attachment 313948

 

[AutSamurai]

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The rest of my things to plug in are my USB microphone, the speakers, a digital optical cable for my wireless headphones and the USB plug for its receiver, and a Wireless Xbox 360 Controller Transmitter.

As for games, Dark Souls II is releasing on PC on the 25th. Hyped up. That'll run through Steam. My friends and I also play a lot of Team Fortress 2, so Steam again for that. I also have an itch to play The Sims 3. I have it both on Origin and a disc. Unfortunately for the disc, I'd probably have to install some of EA's crap anyways.

Just checked the minidumps: they're on.

I'll try speakers tomorrow.

Also: Internet Explorer is bad. Worse than I recall.

 

[Anak]

The rest of my things to plug in are my USB microphone, the speakers, a digital optical cable for my wireless headphones and the USB plug for its receiver, and a Wireless Xbox 360 Controller Transmitter.

• Do each one of these separately.

• Reboot after each to observe your OS's reaction, if okay move on to the next.

• If a BSOD occurs then it's likely a problem exists with either the newest connection or the combination of all new connections up to and including the newest.

• If you get to the Xbox controller and everything including it is running okay for an hour or so, move on to installing Steam.

Also: Internet Explorer is bad. Worse than I recall.

If you're okay up to this point and before you download and install Steam, go ahead and install Chrome. Use it for a while to make sure it is stable.

   Note

A thought at this critical point. Are the machine's BIOS settings set to default? No overclocking?

As for games, Dark Souls II is releasing on PC on the 25th. Hyped up. That'll run through Steam. My friends and I also play a lot of Team Fortress 2, so Steam again for that. I also have an itch to play The Sims 3. I have it both on Origin and a disc. Unfortunately for the disc, I'd probably have to install some of EA's crap anyways.

Try to wait until DS2's hype cools down in case other players are having problems, and as for that itch you can always try calamine lotion.

If your OS is stable with the addition of Chrome, use it to download Steam and TF2. Before you install them make sure any other programs are closed. I would go so far as rebooting the machine then do the installs, I believe Steam would be the first to install?

Welcome to Steam

https://support.steampowered.com/

Steam Community

Check the Steam settings to optimize for your system and style. Then install and play TF2. You may have to adjust settings for stable play.

Just checked the minidumps: they're on.

I'll try speakers tomorrow.

Okay.

Remember the drill, if at any point you BSOD, stop, and post a report.