BSOD on New PC. SSD or CPU Issue?

[geokilla]

I helped my friend build a custom Skylake computer for him using the following parts: Intel Core i5-6600K, MSI GeForce GTX 960, Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) - System Build - PCPartPicker Canada

The PC boot up right away and I updated to the latest BIOS version for him. Everything proceeded as normal until I noticed that the CPU temperatures in the BIOS were around 45C to 50C. Thinking the readings were wrong, we tried to install Windows 7 and Windows 10 numerous times, only to get BSODs most of the time shortly after booting from DVD. Eventually we got Windows 7 installed but more BSODs promptly ensued. It'll easily BSOD within a minute or two of startup.

I first tried troubleshooting by making sure everything was plugged in properly. Then I tested the RAM by using just one DIMM stick at a time in DIMM slot 2 as instructed in the motherboard's owner's manual. Still getting BSODs. The GPU seems fine, and the hard drive is not connected to a SATA port. The DVD burner isn't connected to a SATA port anymore either. This leaves me to believe he either got a bad SSD, or we messed up the CPU when trying to install the Rocketfish (Cooler Master TX-3) cooler.

Could we have bent a CPU pin? Or picked up a bad SSD? Or maybe it's simply overheating? I had to use quite a bit of force to get the final push pin down into the slot, and even then I wonder if it's making good contact because the pins simply don't seem like they are fully extended into the back of the motherboard. I have tried plugging in my USB to run OCCT and Core Temp but Windows cannot detect the USB. It can however detect my USB in the BIOS and the keyboard and mouse

 

[UsandThem]

Sounds like the first thing you should do is remove the heatsink and inspect the CPU and the socket for damage. You can also see if you applied too much or too little of paste. Those temps seem high for an aftermarket cooler, and the 6600k runs pretty cool at stock.

Outside of that, you can connect the SSD to another computer and test it. If the CPU doesnt show damage and the SSD checks out, the issue will likely be the motherboard.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I have tried plugging in my USB to run OCCT and Core Temp but Windows cannot detect the USB. It can however detect my USB in the BIOS and the keyboard and mouse

That's what happens with Windows 7 and Skylake. You need to install the USB3.0 / xHCI drivers for the motherboard, to get USB (other than mouse and keyboard) working in Win7.

 

[Ketchup]

Although the CPU will be running full speed in the BIOS, there is virtually no load on it, so the temps should be a tad high, but 50 is really pushing it. Intel CPUs will throttle if they get too hot, but if it is constantly overheating during the process, I could see a blue screen at some point. Agree that you should remove and re-install the cooler. I doubt you have bent pins, but check, since it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

 

[geokilla]

Sounds like the first thing you should do is remove the heatsink and inspect the CPU and the socket for damage. You can also see if you applied too much or too little of paste. Those temps seem high for an aftermarket cooler, and the 6600k runs pretty cool at stock.

Outside of that, you can connect the SSD to another computer and test it. If the CPU doesnt show damage and the SSD checks out, the issue will likely be the motherboard.

Although the CPU will be running full speed in the BIOS, there is virtually no load on it, so the temps should be a tad high, but 50 is really pushing it. Intel CPUs will throttle if they get too hot, but if it is constantly overheating during the process, I could see a blue screen at some point. Agree that you should remove and re-install the cooler. I doubt you have bent pins, but check, since it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

I didn't know the computer can run with bent pins though. It would run in the BIOS and go through everything just fine. It was when I tried to do anything Windows related that gave problems.

That's what happens with Windows 7 and Skylake. You need to install the USB3.0 / xHCI drivers for the motherboard, to get USB (other than mouse and keyboard) working in Win7.

How do I do that? The driver DVD that came with the motherboard? I don't have his computer in front of me right now but I don't see any mention of those drivers in the owner's manual.

 

[UsandThem]

I didn't know the computer can run with bent pins though. It would run in the BIOS and go through everything just fine. It was when I tried to do anything Windows related that gave problems.

It can. Depending on what pins were bent, and to what degree they are bent. I suggested this based on your description of installing the heatsink.

Your idle temps on the cpu when it is at idle are high, but if you are confident you did it right, disregard my suggestion.

 

[UsandThem]

I also saw several MSI owners say there is a Windows 7 option in the BIOS. From Anandtech:

"Nothing much out of the ordinary here. Although it is worth pointing out how to install Windows 7 on this motherboard – the option is in “Settings/Advanced/Windows OS Configuration”.

Put ‘Windows 7 Installation’ to enabled, and this will allow the user to use a USB mouse/keyboard during install. It is worth noting that Win7 has to be installed via a CD/DVD in this context as data-based USB drives are disabled. Normally we install an OS via a USB, and while the installation program for Win7 does start up, it refuses to find any OS version to install in an odd twist whereby the BIOS can read the USB stick but the USB stick can’t read itself."

 

[Ketchup]

I didn't know the computer can run with bent pins though. It would run in the BIOS and go through everything just fine. It was when I tried to do anything Windows related that gave problems....

I suppose it would help to kniw a little about CPU architecture. The main thing to know in this situation is that different parts of the CPU do different things. So let's say your board does have bent pins. The odds that the bent pins are in the spot that have anything necessary to access the BIOS would be very small. But as Windows loads drivers that tell it how to use the HT cores, or features of the integrated graphics, for example, the reprocussions of bent pins would present themselves.

But, like I said, small chance this is the problem, unless you threw the CPU in the socket. But go ahead and pull the CPU to have a look when you re-seat the heatsink.

 

[gammaray]

Could we have bent a CPU pin? Or picked up a bad SSD? Or maybe it's simply overheating? I had to use quite a bit of force to get the final push pin down into the slot, and even then I wonder if it's making good contact because the pins simply don't seem like they are fully extended into the back of the motherboard.

i would definitely remove the heatsink and remove the cpu and inspect the socket and the pins. Also watch if there was too much thermal paste applied.

 

[sm625]

I didn't know the computer can run with bent pins though.

I had an athlon X2-3800 that ran for years with a bent pin. I took it apart to try and upgrade the thermal paste because it seemed to run a little too hot. When I fixed the bent pin, it actually made no difference in how hot it ran.

 

[Sheep221]

If you running BIOS screen, your CPU is not really idle, so raised temps in bios are normal.
Other than that, you don't reflash bios on freshly assembled computer, you only do so when you encounter some problem first.