Random BSOD's that are getting worse.

[Ketchup]

Let me go back a bit and address this ....

.....I haven't replaced my PSU, because i don't have a spare one to test if that is the cause, i would much prefer to know that is what is causing the errors before i buy one....

I understand, and I think CPUID HW Monitor is your best shot at this. If you don't already have it, http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hwmonitor.html

A couple things here:
1. When you first start it, see if it shows voltages, like this:

2. Look at the voltages before doing anything (mainly PSU) and see if any of them are way off. If they are, you can stop at this point, the PSU is the issue.
3. If you don't see power supply voltages, we may still see something that looks off, but it won't be so cut and dry.
4. Now play a game or benchmark (like the latest 3DMark) that you know will push everything for a minute or two (just enough to get everything working).
5. When you close or minimize, let us know what the voltages and temps look like (screen shot if you can) and we can go from there.

EDIT: the people over on whirlpool said the Corsair VS650 was a budget power supply and would maybe cause the same issues. Is that correct?

I don't see that elsewhere, and if you want to spend money on something a little better go for it, but I don't share their scrutiny.

 

[mikeymikec]

Corsair PSUs I would regard as reputable. Whether it is powerful enough for your needs, I'm not sure. I don't tend to go for high-end GPUs so I don't have much experience there. Perhaps there's a thread in the graphics forum regarding power supply choice for that particular card?

 

[Ketchup]

Corsair PSUs I would regard as reputable. Whether it is powerful enough for your needs, I'm not sure. I don't tend to go for high-end GPUs so I don't have much experience there. Perhaps there's a thread in the graphics forum regarding power supply choice for that particular card?

The answer to that question can be found right here on Anantech:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7481/the-amd-radeon-r9-290-review/15

 

[ScottNBNP]

I am at work at the moment. So I can't test anything as for the power I need if the corsair calculator is accurate I need at least 550 so I thought 650 would be enough. So I hope that is the case.

So would power issues be throwing up the win32k.sys error and the ati something sys error from time to time? I use to be good at computers but either from stress or something I've seem to lost all knowledge. This is my baby and I can't seem to fix it so it's making me freak out.

 

[ScottNBNP]

I wish to add another weird issue since all this started. I don't know if it's something I should worry about but anything to pin point would help.
Once I blue screen if I restart not power off when I boot my bios says

Waiting for ME ready. Then it counts down and resets my computer then it boots correctly. Never seen that before. It's only started happening since these recent bsod. Anyone know if that is something I should be concerned about?

 

[Burpo]

Needs BIOS update..
Read this..
http://www.overclock.net/t/1034724/gigabyte-p67-z68-boot-cycling-problem/770

Intel Management Engine Interface problem..

 

[ScottNBNP]

Ok so how do i do a bios update?

 

[Ketchup]

Ok so how do i do a bios update?

Very simple with Gigabyte. Just go to the utility site for your board and download @BIOS. It will find the latest BIOS and update it for you.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3852#utility

 

[ScottNBNP]

So from that link I grab @bios. For series 6/7. If it's the wrong one will it tell me?

 

[Ketchup]

Yes.

 

[ScottNBNP]

Is it safe to run from Windows? Someone on whirlpool said to do it from within the bios which I would have no clue how to . Sorry to sound so pathetic just stressing badly and getting really frustrated.

EDIT: Didn't wait, i came home on my break and run the @bios, however it was interesting, i had Modify, Repair and Uninstall. So i just clicked modify and followed the instructions, I hope i did that right. I mean the computer booted.... so thats a good thing right? Anyway to test if it updated?

 

[chusteczka]

A test of the bios will pass when it posts upon a reboot. To check your bios version to see if it was properly updated, you can check the initial post screen with white letters on a black background that appears when initially booting or you can go into the bios and check the version there. Also CPUID CPU-Z will provide the bios version on the Mainboard tab.

And there are three methods of performing a bios update, depending on what is provided by the motherboard. One is from the bios. Another is DOS executable. The third is Windows executable.

 

[Ketchup]

You might want to stop using Whirlpool. Or just do the opposite of what they say.

Gigabyte is a brand you don't have to worry about, as they have a backup BIOS chip.

I prefer BIOS updates from Windows. You don't have to really do anything but hit ok. Back when you had to do them from a floppy disk, I worried every second.

Let us know if you update was successful.

 

[ScottNBNP]

I don't think I was. The latest on the site you guys gave me is B13.0902.1 and I can seem to find that number anywhere I will try CPUID CPU-Z when I get home. If I failed I'll ask for more help.

 

[chusteczka]

Gigabyte Z68X-UD3-B3
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3852&dl=1&RWD=0#ov

Go to the Download Tab and select Bios.
I recommend the F13 bios from 2012/03/21. The more recent UEFI bios is a beta for testing. Plus, I do not have experience with updating a bios from the old style to a UEFI.

Can you provide a screenshot of the CPIUD CPU-Z Motherboard tab? We can see the bios version there.

 

[Ketchup]

Open @bios and it will tell you what level you are it. I really wouldn't recommend doing this until we see the hwmonitor info though.

 

[chusteczka]

I agree with ketchup that a bios update is less important than a screenshot of HWMonitor at idle and load.

It seems the Corsair VS series is their less reliable budget series. Newegg.com doesn't even sell the VS series and I cannot find the VS series on any of the PSU recommendation guides.
tomshardware.com - Corsair VS650 PSU
community.newegg.com - Eggxpert Tiered Power Supply List

And this whirlpool PSU recommendations guide seems to be on track and reliable.
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/psu_recommendations

 

[ScottNBNP]

Ok when I get home I'm trying a driver wipe and clean install without control center just the drivers nothing else. And see if I can get it to bsod.
http://www.techspot.com/community/topics/frequent-bsod-0x3b-error.159921/

Like it says here. I will also install hwmonitor and give you the screen shots and hopefully the driver fixes the issue and if not we will go from there. Because I am told the bsod error is saying the drivers are miss communicating with the ram so it's somewhere there.

 

[chusteczka]

Wait, don't reinstall yet. Although you can if you really want to but you haven't even provided CPUID HWMonitor screenshots. It is not certain yet that you even need to upgrade your PSU, although with the WideTech brand it is probably recommended. Additionally, I am wondering what bios you installed with that weird name you provided. Gigabyte typically provides 'F' values for their bios, for example 'F13'.

From what I read, you didn't yet purchase that Corsair VS650, correct? Here are other PSU possibilities. The Antec VP650P is Antec's basic line but I haven't heard of them providing a garbage low-end line like I have concerning Corsair, and the Antec VP650P is listed on that whirlpool PSU recommendation list. But you might be better off spending the extra $10-$20 for a better model.

Antec VP650P 650W Power Supply ($89)
Antec High Current Gamer 620W Power Supply HCG-620 ($99)
Corsair CX-600 Modular 80+ Bronze Power Supply ($105)
FSP Aurum S 650W Power Supply ($109)
Silverstone Strider Plus 600W ST60F-P ($109) (***Recommended***)

 

[ScottNBNP]

Hey guys got home.

Here is what you asked for (sorry i couldn't reply to pm can't till 25 posts)

Idle
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w56ebjnh835spma/Before.jpg

20mins of running watch dogs on ultra.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nfibyh38zcnfoj0/20mins of watch dogs.jpg

 

[mikeymikec]

OP, please clarify the memtesting you've done so far. As I understand it, you tested two modules overnight, but I'm not sure how much you've tested the entire normal configuration of modules.

As ketchup said, if memtest finds any errors, I would treat it as a confirmation of a memory problem. I can't remember the last time I saw a memtest error that wasn't caused by a memory problem (if ever).

If you get any errors, then break down the testing to one module at a time, then work up to pairs, then all four. Were your HWMonitor results with all four modules? They look fine to me but I wouldn't class my knowledge of voltage monitoring to be enough to say with confidence "yes, those are fine, trust me".

It could be due to a combination of modules but I doubt it; I would expect such an issue to have been with you since day one in that scenario. The fact that you've said that the BSODs appear to be random makes me think RAM.

You haven't answered when you've been getting the BSODs though - any while the computer is running idle and unused?

The other thing I would consider doing (if you haven't already) is to disconnect any unnecessary hardware until the problem is solved.

 

[ScottNBNP]

Not while i am idle no. I get it mostly from loading up games, but i have had them from pressing play on flash videos and trying to produce a video in my video editing software.

I am about to take out my current graphics card, replacing it with a friends old working card and see if i can cause another BSOD. If i am solid for a week and no errors, i do believe it might be the card that is dead/dying. If i do get errors, then i would believe its memory/motherboard.

 

[chusteczka]

Temperatures and voltages look good to me but voltages can be tricky. I agree with what MikeyMike mentioned above and I agree with removing the video card to test with another.

However, of the friend's older video card does not consume as much power as yours does, then it might run fine with the PSU. Yet the problem could be with the PSU supplying enough clean and stable power and not a defect with the video card.

 

[ScottNBNP]

Ok the replacement graphics card did the same thing with clean wipped drivers. So that makes me so happy. That means the card is fine.
So currently sticking my old nVidia card in and see if i can get a BSOD. I am going to take a stab in the dark and say i do.
So then we can rule out graphics cards once and for all.

Ok, we can rule out it being the graphics card. The nvidia card also BSOD.
So tomorrow my friend is bringing out his good ram sticks, and we will try again. If it bsod from there, we will move on to most likely a new PSU, then a new primary HDD, then failing all that looks like i am building a new computer with Motherboard and CPU

 

[Ketchup]

Thanks so much ScottNBNP. Your results are interesting. My observation is (worst first):

1. The 12v rail fluctuates more than I have ever seen on a rig I have built. The numbers are technically within the tolerance rating for the ATX 2.2, the most recent one, but that was from 2005. So I am not saying for sure that is a problem, but I personally wouldn't be happy with it (and just keep in mind your test was from a test which obviously didn't cause a crash.)

2. The CPU is a bit hot for my taste. I know my sig looks like it is made for extreme cooling, but I have every fan as low as it will go (including the CPU cooler) and even when I overclocked my 2500 to 4.5 GHz a couple years ago, my highest core temp was 63. However, you are within the range that Intel would consider acceptable for this CPU if you are using the stock cooler.

P.S. - I have never used a Corsair power supply, so I would take the other folks advice on what is a good model.

3. Your video card temp actually looks really good.

So, I am back to power supply or RAM for your issue. From the information you have provided, I am leaning towards the power supply, but obviously you are there, and not me.

I will say that after seeing your numbers, if your machine is only crashing under heavy load, you should be safe for the BIOS update. If it has ever crashed when idle, I wouldn't risk it. None of the BIOSs on the support page say anything about improving system stability, save for a power-on bug fix in F12.

P.S. - I have never used a Corsair power supply, so I would take others' advice on what is good and what is not.