RAM causing video driver to stop responding and BSOD

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

This is my first time asking a question about fixing PCs, so sorry if I don't provide too many details.

I just installed a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate a few days ago ( had 32-bit because I didn't know processor could run a 64-bit OS ) and I've been having a problem with my RAM ever since.

So, I have one stick of 2 GB and another 2 of 1 GB each ( I got the two sticks last year from an older computer no one was using anymore ), and this hasn't been a problem at all when I was using the 32-bit version of Windows. After upgrading, I have this problem where my screen would sometimes go black for a couple seconds, then return to normal with the message that "AMD driver has stopped working and has successfully recovered". After a few minutes ( 2-3 ) my computer also crashes showing a Blue Screen.

I downloaded WhoCrashed and it showed me that the file atikmpag.sys is the one that causes the crash. I thought this was a video driver issue, so I tried using some older drivers and even the beta ones with no success. I read some posts about how memory could be the cause, so I decided to remove some RAM sticks to see what happens. Surprisingly, that solved my problem.

Now I am unable to use all 4 GBs of RAM. If I only use two or one stick, no matter which one or in what slot, everything runs flawless.

However, the thing is I didn't have this problem on the 32-bit version of Windows. Also, I don't think it's caused by the video card or any drivers because it runs well if I don't have all the RAM in.

So now I ask you if there is any way I can use all my memory while still running 64-bit Windows.

PC Specs:
Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 250
Video Card: ATI Radeon 7750HD
Motherboard: ASRock ALive Xfire-eSATA2
PSU: 550W
RAM: 4GB DDR2 ( 1x2, 2x1 )

Also, I don't want to be upgrading my computer any longer because I will only be using it for one year more.

Thanks for your time!

hackerk · Nov 3, 2014

dude there is the problem with drivers

the previous you were using are 32-bit compatible driver you have to find 64-bit contemptible drivers for your pc

Paul NZ · Nov 3, 2014

Upload the dmp files somewhere then post the link

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

Upload the dmp files somewhere then post the link

Not exactly sure what you meant, but I hope this is good.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o96dibj1fmq2cx3/crashdump.rar?dl=0

Also, the drivers are all 64-bit versions. And as I said, my computer works if I don't use all the RAM.

hackerk · Nov 3, 2014

that means your ram is causing the problem try to switch the ram and find which one is having the problem and thats all .....

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

that means your ram is causing the problem try to switch the ram and find which one is having the problem and thats all .....

None of them are causing the problem. It can run fine with any of the sticks in any of the slots so long as I am not running with all three sticks at once.

hackerk · Nov 3, 2014

are all of those having the same clock rates?

check it please....

Paul NZ · Nov 3, 2014

All of them dxgkrnl.sys is crashing and it maybe crashing your video drivers

Uninstall / disable AMD overdrive

The driver PCIIDEX.SYS whatever this belongs to is pretty old. I think theyre SATA drivers or for a PCI card??

Are you using a PCI SATA card or something?

And not too sure what this file is fet6x64.sys. Its old. It maybe belong to network drivers

So since this had 32 bit on it, you did a clean install right when you installed 64 bit?

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

hackerk :

Yes, they all have the same clock rates. 800MHz

hackerk · Nov 3, 2014

ok then it is something else causing problem...

i think psu is less as it may possible that it is consuming more power

try to start with other psu ....

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

Paul NZ :

I'm not too sure what a PCI SATA card is, All I have is the video card mentioned and an old network card I am using. I'll try taking it out to see if it helps.

I'll try the AMD Overdrive suggestion as soon as my pc finishes updating.

Yes, I completely deleted all old partitions and made new ones ( If that is what you mean ).

Paul NZ · Nov 3, 2014

k. Yup those network drivers (if its a card look pretty old). Old drivers can crash windows. If this has an onboard network card use that

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

Paul NZ :

I haven't been using the card actually. I just forgot about it since it's right at the bottom of my computer and it's really small. I'll take it out immediately and see what happens. Still I don't quite understand why it works without all the RAM or on 32-bit, but PCs always manage to surprise.

Paul NZ · Nov 3, 2014

What BIOS is on it?? Thats up to 4.0 now

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/ALiveXFire-eSATA2/?cat=Download&os=BIOS

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

Paul NZ :

I don't know actually. I remember downloading either 2.3 or 1.7 because I had compatibility problems with my CPU ( also taken from the old PC I threw away since it was better than what I had then ). I'm gonna try updating the BIOS when I can.

Paul NZ · Nov 3, 2014

BIOS updates can fix probs sometimes. And if 1.7 or 2.3 is on it now thats 4 yrs behind !

TotalCookie · Nov 3, 2014

Ok so I got the network card out but to no avail, Windows still crashes within minutes of booting with a blue screen. Tomorrow I'll try the AMD Overdrive thing and updating the BIOS again. By the way, if it is of any help, when booting with all 4 gigs of RAM ( all 3 sticks ) the headphones/audio starts buzzing and some white/black horizontal lines appear on the screen. Again, this does not happen when I have less RAM on, or with the 32-bit version of Windows.

TotalCookie · Nov 4, 2014

All right so I updated the BIOS and uninstalled Catalyst Control Center ( Couldn't uninstall Overdrive because it wasn't on the list ). Unfortunately, it didn't make a difference. The system still crashes with 4GB of RAM. However, I noticed that to fully use the RAM after updating the BIOS I had to enable memory remapping in the BIOS. Without it I would only have 3320MB of usable RAM. Running like this also didn't cause any crashes and everything was normal.

Also, I should mention that on the 32-bit of Windows I didn't run all 4GB of RAM, only like 3.5 because I thought that was the limit and didn't try going for more.

hackerk · Nov 4, 2014

so solution to your problem is that you have to use the available ram not the whole 4GB but you have to let go 512 MB of that

so you can use the 3.5 GB of your ram without any problem because it is the available memory without over clocking......

TotalCookie · Nov 4, 2014

hackerk :

Yeah, I think I'll end up using 3.3 GB of RAM if nothing else helps. I just wish I could use it all since that's why I have installed 64-bit Windows.

hackerk · Nov 4, 2014

dude if you can use all of 4 GB in 32-bit then u should use 32-bit version.......

TotalCookie · Nov 4, 2014

hackerk :

I don't think I'm able to use all 4 GB in 32-bit, i'll try installing Windows on another HDD and see if remapping I can do it.

hackerk · Nov 4, 2014

ya sure the best way is trial and error method...

TotalCookie · Nov 4, 2014

So I tried using the 32-bit Windows with all 4 GBs of RAM, but it would only see 3.3, even with remapping enabled. Anyway, I decided to just use the 64-bit with the same amount of memory, as I haven't found a solution to stop the crashing, except by enabling a BIOS option called Flexibility mode, which stopped the BSODs but the other problems still lingered ( White/black lines, buzzing sound, bad video performance ).

Thanks to everyone who tried to help me!

Paul NZ · Nov 4, 2014

32 bit will only see / use 3.3 / 3.5 of 4 GB. Not all of it

RAM causing video driver to stop responding and BSOD

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