*UPDATED* Endless BSOD. I want to punch my computer! Memtest86+ run

[bugspin23]

I just build a new PC and am using Vista Home Premium 64. I get about 8 to 10 BSOD per day. I cant run any of the diagnostics that Microsoft provides because they aren't supported by Vista 64. ie. Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools,(Specifically I wanted to use the Cdburn.exe so I could make a bootable CD to run Windows Memory Diagnostic) So I cant even trouble shoot weather or not I have bad hardware components. I curse the day I bought this POS operating system...I was sketchy about vista to begin with...and should have trusted my family member who is an IT specialist...and who has an education from Johns Hopkins. Vista 64 has been a complete and total nightmare! I cant run ANYTHING; no games not even the internet. I get BSOD when I try and run Solitaire. Unless I run it in "administrator" mode. BTW...WTF is Administrator mode? If I don't...it crashes to windows or gives me a BSOD. The only time it doesn't crash is when I let it sit there and don't even move the mouse. If I move the mouse I get a BSOD. And before you ask...I am using safe mode to write this and research how I can fix this stupid PC before having to spend hundreds to have someone else try and fix it.

To let you know what I have tried so far:

1: I have tried starting from scratch 4 times. Each time erasing the drive partition and starting over. For some unknown reason the most recent install has been more stable. I don't get the BSOD for about an hour but still, if I try and run ANYTHING it crashes.

2: ALL of my drivers are up to date. I used all of the software disks that came with all of my hardware components and then went to each website for the different components and made sure to download the latest drivers that were compatible with Vista 64. BUT I am willing to try anything so if you know something that I am missing please let me know.

3:I have checked the temperatures RIGHT after a crash...System temp is always around 40C and CPU temp is always around 25C. As per the BIOS screen. I dont know of any other way to view temps that work easily with Vista 64.

4: I have run all of the diagnostic tools that are part of the Vista Boot Disk. BUT after I ran the test the PC just restarts and gives no clue as to where the results are. and the Repair function has done nothing to help

If ANYONE with ACTUAL experience with Vista 64bit has anymore ideas I am open to hear them and try them out. I am at my wits end. I spent over $1500 on this PC and I am so angry I cant believe it.


Case: Thermaltake ArmorPlus
Power Supply: CORSAIR HX CMPSU-620HX 620W
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS4 rev. 2.1
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping
Processor Cooling: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme with a Scythe S-FLEX 120mm Case Fan, 1600RPM
Memory: 2 X Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-1066 (Total of 4G of RAM)
Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
Hard Drive: WD7500AAKS
Optical Drives: SAMSUNG SH-S203N
Operating System: MICROSOFT Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Mouse: Logitech G9

 

[badge]

In BIOS set the memory voltage to 2.1-2.2v and the timings to 5-5-5-15. Run Memtest. That should solve your problem, but I'm curious what does the Blue screen say?

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed.Looks like a RAM issue to me. Try downloading Memtest86+ and run it for about 5+hrs and see if it reports any errors. If it dose your RAM is bad. Also try increasing RAM voltage. Those Ballastix are 2.0-2.2V or higher since you are running 4*1GB. If you list the BSOD error code we could help you better.

 

[badge]

Am I you?

 

[bugspin23]

In BIOS set the memory voltage to 2.1-2.2v and the timings to 5-5-5-15. Run Memtest. That should solve your problem, but I'm curious what does the Blue screen say?

I would LOVE to tell you what the blue screen said but it only flashes a blue screen and then reboots...I have no time to read it. Is there a place to find the error code or codes rather...there are about 50 of them...

I will try that Memtest86+ right now and see what happens. I am going to try testing one stick at a time...that will save time right?

 

[badge]

Right click on My Computer
Click on Properties
Click on Advanced
On Start Up and Recovery click 'settings'
Remove the chcek mark from 'automatically restart.

Next time you BS, write down exactly what is posted on the screen and post it. Should be an error code like 0x8000..... Your 4 DIMMS of RAM are undervolted to default 1.8v and not configured properly.

 

[badge]

Once you get the OS stop code, check here on GTG. If it's not listed like IRQ NOT Equal or something...google it.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Windows-XP-Blue-Screen-Death-STOP-Codes-t43519.html

 

[bugspin23]

Okay...I think I may understand a bit more now...that makes sense about the mems being undervolted. the Mobo hand book says nothing about it. and it flashes red warning messages when you change stuff in bios...lol its all so intimidating for a rookie

Also, I am having trouble with memtest. I downloaded memtest86+-2.01 and used Nero to create a data disk...I must have done something wrong because it wont boot and yes I have set the pc to boot to the cd/dvd rom in bios. hmmmmm?

 

[Zorg]

You need to burn it as an ISO image, I think there is a radio button or something. ISO Recorder v 2 for Vista will make it easy. Install it and right click on the ISO and click copy image to CD.

You may want to temporarily run one stick of RAM and see if you still have the crashes, after increasing to 2.2V of course.

 

[badge]

In BIOS, bump the memory voltage to 2.1v. Ultimate boot CD has memtest:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_d4981.html

 

[bugspin23]

Okay, I just want to be clear as to what I am doing so I am going to spell out what I have done thus far. BTW THANK YOU FOR THE HELP!!!

I changed the Timings as follows with the Gigabyte BIOS: It will be in a was/now format...ie was=what the system set stuff to. Now= what I changed it to

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time = was 5 / now 5
DRAM RAS# TO CAS# Delay = was 7 / now 5
DRAM RAS# Precharge = was 7 / now 5
Precharge delay (tRAS) = was 24 / now 15

As for the "memory voltage" I wasnt sure what the specific was to change. The only thing that even went up to 2.1 - 2.2 v was the CPU Voltage Control. What is the specific name of the memory voltage control?
Right now the CPU Voltage Control is set to 1.2000v I am not sure if that is what I should change to 2.1 - 2.2v

 

[badge]

Gigabyte has a specific way to eneter BIOS and set the memory voltage I believe. Check you manual for those instructions or someone who is familiar with Gigabyte boards can give you info. You did good with the timings, now you need to set the voltage to Mfg. Specs for the RAM, 2.1-2.2v.

 

[badge]

Maybe this will help.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/02/23/gigabyte_ga-ep35-ds4/3

 

[badge]

http://www.cpu3d.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3583&Itemid=54&limit=1

 

[Zorg]

The setting in the mobo is +.x It is added to the base of 1.8V. So 2.1V would be +.3 and 2.2V would be +.4 e.g., 1.8 + .3 = 2.1 etc. By the way, I don't believe that tightening the timings will eliminated BSODs. The loose timings which are set by the mobo by default would throw fewer errors. that's why they are set loose by default. You need to remove all but one stick with the timings set at or looser than the SPD of the RAM and then run memtest86+. Do each stick in succession until you find a bad stick, or not. Again after raising the voltage to spec., although that RAM should run at 1.8V at the stock speed.

 

[badge]

With Superfetch behind my 8 Gigs of PC28000, the RAM won't run at 1.8v. 2.1v set at 5-5-5-15 @ 1066 mhz. with VISTA 64 works very well. Those figures are Mfg. specs. I th8nk with XP 32 bit OS a lot of installed RAM is just sitting there pretty much 'dead'. With VISTA 64 and Superfetch, the function of system RAM is 'enhanced' to the user.

 

[Zorg]

Are we talking about getting a stable base line running for bugspin23, or Superfetch and the ultimate timings he is going to use?

 

[badge]

Mfg. specs say PC8500 needs 2.2v to run as advertised. I think with four DIMMS OP will have to set the RAM up to Mfg. specs. Although the DIMMS are PC6400 guaranteed to run at 1066 mhz., 2.2v @5-5-5-15 is where they want to be to perform properly.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=906D929CA5CA7304

 

[badge]

I doubt Op can run without errors at anything less than 5 CAS. Maybe not even boot. Most PC8500 will not run or even boot at 4 CAS.

 

[Zorg]

As I said earlier, he should run one stick at 2.2V at the RAM SPD timings or looser, and see if the machine crashes. Additionally, he should run Memtest86+ as outlined above. Any more advice at this point is counter productive.

@OP if you don't know what the SPD timings are, they can be viewed on the SPD tab of CPU-Z.

It appears that you are running at stock. You may want to force the RAM to run at 533Mhz, by changing the multiplier in the MIT to "2". That will force the RAM to run at 533MHz temporarily for stability testing.

 

[badge]

If OP can find the switch to set one DIMM to 2.2 John's Hopkins may revolutionize their research and development facilities and become more productive.

 

[Zorg]

What?

 

[badge]

OP's system crashes because His PC28500 defaulted to 1.8v 5-7-8-24.

 

[Zorg]

That's why I said that he needs to look at the SPD tab in CPU-Z.

What were you saying in this post?

If OP can find the switch to set one DIMM to 2.2 John's Hopkins may revolutionize their research and development facilities and become more productive.

 

[bugspin23]

Hee hee Okay every thing was set to the way that you both recomended. I still cant get the memtest program to start up on a disk...I know Im probably doing something wrong so I will go over the user guide provided again. However, I did somewhat of a stress test of just trying to play Enemy Territory: Quake Wars at all High Settings online and I was good for about 10 mins and then got another BSOD...BUT, I made the adjustments as reccomended so i could write down everything on the screen. They are as follows:

At the very top it said

Memory_Management

then the error code was:

Stop: 0X0000001A
(0X0000000000041201, 0XFFFFF680000023D0, 0XF8C00000C5056867, 0XFFFFFA8006F9A470)