Ram installation causing blue screen error on start-up

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lexy60

lexy60

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Oct 17, 2017
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I recently upgraded the RAM on my pc and now everytime I start-up my pc I get the blue screen error (DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION i beileve it's called). At first the blue screen only appeared on start-up; however, now it has started to happen mid-game (recently been playing Warframe and Civ 5).

Old RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 2400MHz 2x4GB
New RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 2400MHz 2x8GB
Motherboard: MSI Z87I Mini ITX LGA1150

There are only two RAM slots in the motherboard so there is no mistaking which slot to use. I have checked in the BIOS and changed the frequency to match the RAM installed. I haven't flashed the BIOS yet however.

Any suggestions on what to do next? Do I flash the BIOS? What other settings in the BIOS should I check/alter?

Apologies if this has already been solved elsewhere in the forum, I did have a look through the other posts that came up with similar problems and none seemed to help my particular problem. Also are there any other pc specs I need to add to this post? Many thanks for any help offered.

Edits:
- CPU is Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
- I have enabled XMP in BIOS and left everything else on auto Should I be changing CPU frequencey? (at this point in time I just want a stable system even if memory doesn't run at full capacity)
 
Solution
B
Memtest detects "faults" when running the diagnostics. But any "faults" found may be due to hardware issue on the memory modules, and/or due to incorrect installation of the modules within the memory slots. Memtest can't determine the cause of any faults found.

If the 2 x 4 GB modules are installed properly and run OK as well, then that suggests there are no problems with the memory slots. So when installing 2 x 8 GB modules, some effort is required to ensure as far as possible that they are installed correctly (use the 2 x 4 GB modules seated position in the memory slots as a reference when seating the 2 x 8 GB modules).

Memtest is usually a bit more thorough in testing modules in comparison to Windows memory test.
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lexy60

lexy60

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Oct 17, 2017
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Sorry it's taken me a while to answer, work got in the way :-(

The ver no. on the module is 3.24.

I also ran a Memtest64 and got the following results and I have no idea what they mean.
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Edits: Because apparently I am failing when it comes to embedding images in this post!
 
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brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
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OK. The issue is not due to use of higher density memory chips, as the modules are using lower density memory chips.

Try updating BIOS first.

If still have issues, then one or both new memory modules may be faulty.

Running Memtest, ideally there shouldn't be any errors reported.
 
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lexy60

lexy60

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Oct 17, 2017
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So, I updated the BIOS the other day, it really needed it. Went from v1.2 to v1.9 and the issue is still occuring. In the BIOS itself, as I mentioned above, I have enabled XMP so it is running the memory at 1600MHz. Everything else I left on auto. Now my system seems stable once it loads up properly. So basically I turn on my pc and the blue screen appears. Once the pc has turned itself off I turn on my pc again and it has no problems. If I restart my pc or turn it of and on again within a short space of time it's no problem. However, if I leave my pc to "cool down", i.e. turn it off and not turn it on for a wee while it encounters the blue screen again.

If you reckon the memory is faulty hopefully I can return them!
 
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brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
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Leaving the system on AUTO for memory is the best way for now.

The original 2 x 4 GB memory works OK(?), so it seems likely the new memory is faulty.

Could try the new memory in another computer (if available, or borrow one from friend, neighbor etc) to double check that this memory is indeed faulty.

Using Memtest (or some other equivalent program), there should be no errors at all reported. If errors reported, return BOTH modules (if from the same dual channel kit) and replace with another 2 x 8 GB dual channel kit.
 
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lexy60

lexy60

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Oct 17, 2017
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510
Thanks brispuss for all your help.
Yes, the original 2x4 GB memory worked fine so I'll put that back in again. I'll see if I can borrow someonelse's computer to try my memory but I think you might be right in that it is faulty. It was bought as a 2x8 GB dueal channel kit.

With Memtest, does it test whether the modules are faulty or whether it hasn't been "installed" correctly? i.e. settings are off. Or does it only test for faulty hardware? Oh, I also gave the Windows 10 Memory Diagnosis a try as well and that reported no faults.
 
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brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
2,607
26
26,490
Memtest detects "faults" when running the diagnostics. But any "faults" found may be due to hardware issue on the memory modules, and/or due to incorrect installation of the modules within the memory slots. Memtest can't determine the cause of any faults found.

If the 2 x 4 GB modules are installed properly and run OK as well, then that suggests there are no problems with the memory slots. So when installing 2 x 8 GB modules, some effort is required to ensure as far as possible that they are installed correctly (use the 2 x 4 GB modules seated position in the memory slots as a reference when seating the 2 x 8 GB modules).

Memtest is usually a bit more thorough in testing modules in comparison to Windows memory test.
 
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