Crashing Computer (DPC Watchdog Violations), flashing colors (in games), stutter freezing, looped buzz audio

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Good evening.

I am writing you all today because I have become incredibly frustrated with my newly built gaming rig. I have had my computer built for maybe two or three weeks, and have been getting the Blue Screen Error 133 (DPC Watchdog Violation) and LiveKernelEvent code 141 as my most common crashes/errors. I typically get an error while gaming, and have froze / crashed in the following games: Counter Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and Dark Souls 3. I have also crashed (Blue Screen crash) while watching a YouTube video, and shortly after launching Overwatch for the first time.

Another weird thing to note: While playing Dark Souls 3, I have this weird light flashing glitch. Here is a link to the video I recorded earlier today (best seen between 1:05 - 1:25 in the video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqwStJFTUdQ

Besides blue screening and that weird light glitch, I also occasionally get a freeze where a horribly buzzing noise fills my headphones. This either leads to a blue screen or my game unfreezes moments later. In addition to this, occasionally my game will freeze for a split second, looping whatever the current audio is (without the horrible buzzing) before continuing as normal.

I would also like to mention that the Blue Screen crashes appear to be happening at random. I can play for hours, and then I'll get a Blue Screen, or I could play for a couple minutes and it could happen. It also does not appear to happen again for a while after it happens once, as far as I can tell. Sometimes the Blue Screen is paired with the buzzing audio, sometimes my game just freezes and is dead quiet, and then crashes.

Below are my specs, and I'll list what I have tried.
(or if you prefer, here is my PCPartPicker list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vpzvd6)

Specs:
Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CRYORIG H5 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Corsair Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB
EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX PSU
Acer XG270HU 27.0" 2560x1440 144Hz Monitor
Rosewill N900PCE PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter
Windows 10 64 bit
Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

If it matters, here is my headset and mic that are plugged in:
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Headphones
Blue Microphones Snowball Black ICE Condenser Microphone

What I have tried so far:
1) BIOS Update - I have the latest BIOS for my motherboard.
2) Disabling all other audio drivers (that may have been conflicting with my own).
3) Deleting and reinstalling my graphics card drivers.
4) Updating all my drivers (all drivers are up to date, according to Driver Booster 4).
5) Switching the minimum processor state (in the Processor power management area of the Power Options) to 99% and to 100%.
6) Lowering all graphics in game.
7) Making sure "Change size of text, apps, and other items" is equal to 100%
8) Setting my monitor to 60Hz instead of 144Hz
9) My computer is cool, and my temps appear to be normal while I am in game.

I'm sure there are a couple more small things I changed, but nothing has worked so far. Please, any ideas what's wrong? Right now I'm leaning more towards having a faulty motherboard, but I don't want to send it back and replace it if I don't have to.

And also, I'm relatively new to this. I had a friend who is pretty handy with computers help me through the setup process, so I may need some more explanation than normal. If you could, please explain in a way that someone relatively new may understand.

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Upload the dmp files to onedrive, then post the link. Updating the BIOS usually fixes the watchdog crash.

But since it has been updated it maybe something else

Looks like the livekernel crash may have something to do with the video drivers. Did you install these from cd or get them from the Nvidia site? Or the EVGA site??

That CPU cooler isnt hitting anything on the mobo is it??

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

I installed my drivers from their respective websites. The CPU cooler should not be hitting the mobo, it was set up properly.

Erm... Because I'm an idiot, in trying to upload my dmp file to onedrive I actually deleted it. I found it in my windows folder in my C drive, it was called MEMORY.dmp. Is that the file I was supposed to upload? I'm sorry, I didn't really know what you meant, and that was what I gleaned from the internet. I'm sure I can get my computer to BSOD again, if I need to generate a new file (is that how it works?)

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

The smaller dmp files in c:\windows\minidump folder

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

Sorry for the late reply, here is the link:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvkZGIS0pM9vbCY__VZsUESruZo

It took me a while to figure out how to change permissions, Windows 10 was blocking me from uploading.

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Did you get this crash before or after you updated the BIOS??

If On/Off, or any overclocking programs are installed, uninstall them. Easytune. Altho I cant see any drivers relating to any of these in the dmp file

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

I was crashing before the BIOS update, and updated in an effort to stop the crashes. I do not have any overclocking programs installed... And have never turned on overclocking. Is it possible my computer is overclocking by default, or is that not how it works? If so, how do I check that?

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

So if the crashing was before you updated the BIOS. And now that you've updated the BIOS. Is it still crashing now?

nah dont think OC'ing is the prob.

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

Yes it is still crashing after the BIOS update.

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Set the BIOS to its default settings, then reconfigure the settings. See if that helps

Since there's glitches in the games it could be the video drivers. Where did you get the drivers?

I wouldnt rely on programs like Driver Boost

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

I originally downloaded my video drivers from GeForce Experience, and then uninstalled and re downloaded them from their website (some people were saying that GeForce Experience can mess up your drivers).

I will set my BIOS to default and get back to you if it changes anything.

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Since its an EVGA card, try the EVGA site. Sometimes the latest drivers arent always the best drivers to use

I found that out with the cheap Nvidia card here. It came with a cd but I decided to install the latest Nvidia drivers on the site. Bad move !

The drivers crashed firefox, and I started to see glitches too. And it kept bringing up the not responding and xxx has recovered message. Just before the message the screen went black for 2-3 secs, every 3-5 mins

This happened with the last 2 Nvidia installs. So I decided to uninstall them and downloaded the drivers on the ASUS site (it's an ASUS card). The prob disappeared

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

Thanks, I'll try this as well. I will be gone for a few hours, but will get back to you when I get home as to if it worked or not.

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Sweet

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

That would be a negative, I blue screened again about 3 minutes into Dark Souls 3. Same Watchdog Violation.

I'm headed to a friends now to test out my graphics card in his system.

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 26, 2016

Paul NZ :

I didn't go over to test tonight, and have been poking around with audio drivers and such. I have not blue screened again today after switching the settings ^ above, but my games have still been freezing or crashing. Maybe I haven't played long enough to blue screen? Any other ideas?

I heard someone say something about LAN drivers or internet drivers on another post. Think it could be something like that?

Paul NZ · Dec 26, 2016

Do you mean those red/green/blue lights with the glitches in Dark souls?

Might be part of the game

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 28, 2016

Paul NZ :

I also have the same error with Ryse: Son of Rome. I no longer am blue screening, but my games are getting those flashing lights and then getting "The Game Has Stopped" or something along those lines. Any idea what's up?

It might also be worth mentioning that while I tried to screen record in Ryse: Son of Rome to create a similar video, the game ran smooth and there were no flashing colors. However, right as I stopped screen recording, the colors flashed and the game almost instantly crashed. Weird, huh?

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 29, 2016

Paul NZ :

I asked around on a few sites, and got this as a reply. I was wondering what you think of it?

"Your Intel processor and NVIDIA graphic card use a combined total of 241W of power.
Your NVIDIA graphic card requires a minimum of a 500W power supply.
When you factor in the power needs of the other hardware and the demands of gaming, your EVGA 500W power supply is being pushed to the max.
I'm not a hardware/gaming expert, but it's my guess you need a better quality and higher wattage power supply."

Do you think I need a different power supply?

Paul NZ · Dec 29, 2016

Possible. I have no idea. I dont game on this either. I use an Xbox.

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 31, 2016

Paul NZ :

Power supply was not the solution, although the upgrade was helpful.

I have a friend testing my graphics card now, we believe that may very well be the issue. Will post my findings.

Paul NZ · Dec 31, 2016

k cool

Zach_LaCroix · Dec 31, 2016

Paul NZ :

It turns out I have a bad graphics card. Unlucky, I suppose! I'll be returning it and getting a replacement, will update one last time if this is the fix! Thank you for all of your help!

Paul NZ · Dec 31, 2016

Sweet !

Crashing Computer (DPC Watchdog Violations), flashing colors (in games), stutter freezing, looped buzz audio

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Commendable

Polypheme

Share this page