My BSOD adventures

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Timetraveler

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Jan 25, 2014
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10,510
Hi everybody,

I don't know what to do anymore.

It started in september. After my computer run without any problems for 1.5 years, I suddenly had bluescreens. So I started running tests. Memtest86+ produced one error each pass either on test #6 or test #8. I had the same error no mather which stick I left in. Just to make sure, I bought the exact same ram again (Corsair CML16GX3M4A1600C9) and tested it again, had exactly the same errors. So I assumed that the mainboard (Asus Sabertooth x79) was the problem. I sent it in and got a new one back after 5 weeks.

After I built it in again, the BSODs became more frequent (I built in the whole 32gb this time). So I started testing all the sticks seperately and only had errors with one stick, so I sent in the kit with this stick and built in the other kit. After a day, Windows always BSOD'd at startup. So, again, I run memtest86+ and had tons of errors. Sent in this kit, too.

I received two brandnew kits after a week or such, built everything in and it worked for a few days. Suddenly, a BSOD a day. Always when I booted up the computer for the first time, it took 5-30mins and I got a BSOD, after that it run without a problem for the whole day. Memtest86+ didn't schow any errors anymore, though.

A few days later, my graphiccard (Zotac GTX 680) died completely. The screen went blank and the fan run at full speed (sounded like a vaccuum cleaner.) I had this problem before, when I bought the computer. The graphiccard died the exact same way two times.

However, I sent it in, after 6 weeks I got my money back, paid some more and bought a Gainward GTX780Ti Phantom. Built it in, computer run without a problem for about an hour, then BSOD.

I read somewhere that the PSU could be the cause. So two days ago, I bought a new PSU. Went with a 1000watt Coolermaster. Had a 650watt Seasonic before.

Still BSODs. Random messages. While doing random things. Surfing alone can be enough. The computer even froze completely while watching a movie.

I run Memtest86+ again with no errors.

I don't know what to test or what to exchange anymore. Does anyone have an idea?

My rig:
Intel i7-3930k (not overclocked)
Asus Sabertooth x79
32gb Corsair Vengeance LP CML16GX3M4A1600C9
3x Samsung SSD 830, one on the x79 controller, 2 on the Marvel controller in raid 0
2TB Sata 3 HD
Gainward GTX780 Ti Phantom
Steinberg UR824
Novation Remote 49SL Mk2
Logitech G19
Logitech MMO6
Roccat USB-Hub
X-Box360 Pad
4x external HDD

Greetings,
Timetraveler
 
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dizzyh

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Apr 11, 2013
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I don't think it is the power supply. It could be that you have a bad driver installed. I would use windows system restore first and see if the problem persists. Go to start, programs, accessories, system tools, system restore and roll your computer back to an earlier time. You wont loose any of your personal files. If that does not work, I would just backup and completely reformat to make sure it is not a windows OS problem. If all fails then I would Try to reset the default settings in the BIOS and try to troubleshoot hardware failures then.
 
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Timetraveler

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Jan 25, 2014
7
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10,510


Thanks for your answer. Strangely enough, all my restoration points are gone except for one that was made yesterday, when I updated a driver.

With the BIOS settings: I resetted them before, didn't change anything. I have them in standard atm, except for the RAM, I put those to XMP mode and underclock them to 1333mhz. The Corsair support told me to do so.

I really didn't want to reinstall Windows, because I have tons of plug-ins and they all have a different authorisation process. It's really annoying. But oh well. You think there's nothing else, I can do?
 
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dizzyh

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Apr 11, 2013
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Well without reformatting its difficult to Isolate. The only thing you can do is to temporarily eliminate all your external devices such as Roccat USB-Hub, X-Box360 Pad, 4 external hard drive etc. Run the system with only the bare bones. Mouse, keyboard, Video, your primary HD with OS, 1 stick of memory, on board video. Disconnect everything else, and see if you still get the BSOD. Then plug everything back in one by one. I suspect a driver issue or a heat issue, especially when you mentioned, your graphic card died 2 times and the fans spun up.
 
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Timetraveler

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Jan 25, 2014
7
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10,510


Ok, thank you. I don't have a heat problem. I have this huge Cosmos 2 tower and alot of fans built into it. Prime95 never got my proc over 50°C and the graphiccard never went over 75°C with MSI Combustor stresstests. And the graphiccard died on the desktop. I just wanted to check my mails.

I just downloaded Driver Fusion and deinstalled the Nvidia drivers and the chipset drivers in safe mode, now installed them fresh and there wasn't a BSOD thus far. Maybe those were the issue.

Will try out with plugin out everything else if it doesn't work. And starting to make backups to re-install Windows in a few days, incase nothing works.
 
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Timetraveler

Honorable
Jan 25, 2014
7
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10,510


Yes, it's a great case.

Ok, reinstalling the Nvidia and chipset drivers didn't help. Well, then I probably have to reinstall Windows. Funny thing is, the computer run the whole friday night till saturday evening without a single problem. Today, again, 10mins running, BSOD. And now it'll probably run the whole day without a problem. Are there parts in the computer that need to get warm to run stable?

Oh, btw. my RAM isn't on the QVL. There's a similiar one on it, but with the heatspreads. But with that one, the QVL says, only 16gb of RAM should be used. Could this be the problem? Or would Memtest give out errors, if this would be the problem?
 
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dizzyh

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Apr 11, 2013
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No the parts do not need to get warm to run stable.

With regards to the memory, as long as its the correct type 240 pin DDR3 Non-ECC Unbuffered it should not matter if it is on the QVL. If you are running Home Premium it will only see 16GB, that is the MAXIMUM you should be running.

As said before run with 1 stick for a day or so and see if your are getting the BSOD. If your are running it on one stick make sure it is on Dimm D1, if 2 sticks it should be on Dimm B1 and D2, with 4 stick it should be on DIMM A1,B1,D1,C1.
 
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Timetraveler

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Jan 25, 2014
7
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10,510


Ok, thanks again for your help. I have Win 7 Ultimate, so I can go up to 64gb.

Will try out running it with 1 stick, 2 sticks and 4 sticks tomorrow. After that backup and reinstall. Will report back with results.
 
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Timetraveler

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Jan 25, 2014
7
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10,510
So reporting back after 3 days of no BSODs.

I've reinstalled Windows completely. I even deleted the RAID 0, since I thought, it might cause problems.

It was a mix of both, the RAM and Windows. Taking 16gb of RAM out alone didn't fix the problem. First time reinstalled Windows: First bootup, 10mins, BSOD. So I took out 16gb and reinstalled again. Since then, no single BSOD.

I'm still installing plugins, so I might get to problems later on. I don't hope so, though.

For future references: ASUS Sabertooth x79 doesn't go with 32gb of Corsair Vengeance LP CML16GX3M4A1600C9. It can only deal with 16gb.
 
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