Random Blue Screens

[Neillithan]

Okay I'm not sure where to put this thread but I am pretty sure this is a motherboard issue.

My brother's computer frequently experiences bluescreens and I don't know what to do about it. The bluescreens have different error messages. I've seen at least 4 different ones now.

The first was nvidia related and I figured it was an issue with either the motherboard or the video card drivers. Why? Because they're both nVidia. I managed to narrow it down to an nforce but there was no way to be sure.

That's not the problem today. Today I received a bluescreen and I wrote down the error. I have already tried googling it but to no avail, here is the error message:

---

STOP 0x000000D1 (0x01000014, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0xafadc042)

tcpip.sys - address AFADC042 base at AFACA000, Datestamp 48025CEC

---

I'm stumped. At this point, I just want to throw the computer out of the nearest window. I can put that sucker under maximum load all day long for a week but then for no reason, the dumbest little thing will happen and it will bluescreen with an impossible to understand bluescreen message.

Should I try RMAing the motherboard for a replacement? Should I try flashing the BIOS? Is this not even related to the motherboard?

Should I try reinstalling Windows for the 10th time? I don't even know what to do anymore, this side effect to custom building computers is really driving me away from it. Okay, not really but.. I would sure love to figure this out once and for all.

Computer Info:

GPU: 2 9800 GT SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143154

CPU: Intel e8400 dual core proc
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

RAM: 4 gig (2x2) DDR2 OCZ 1066 5cas Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298

Harddrive: 1.5TB Seagate SATA 32mb cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Heatsink: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

DVD Burner SATA LG 16x Dual Layer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149

Motherboard: EVGA 750i Sli 4 SATA 1066 memory standard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

Thanks,
-Neil

 

[RazberyBandit]

Have ya tried Prime95 or Memtest86+ on it overnight, or longer? Might be worth it to stress out the CPU and memory to see if either of them gives an error. That's where I'd start.

 

[Neillithan]

I have tried both but I didn't let them go for very long. I started Prime95 about 5 hours ago, it's been on the torture test for that long. I'll be sure to get back to you and let you know if any crashes occur. 24 hours is a long time but I'm going to see if it can make it.

Also, the load temps are around 51C in Prime95, is that high? It idles at around 40-43. The internal case temp might be a little high.

I was sure to use Arctic Silver and it's running on stock clocks.

-Neil

 

[RazberyBandit]

51C isn't bad at all through a Prime95 stress test. Many CPUs on stock coolers would easily get hotter. 5 hours on Prime95 without error is a good sign all's well with the CPU and RAM.

This is reaching, but by any chance, are you and your brother in different locations? The reason I ask is because if indeed you are, is it at all possible your brother may be overloading the wall outlet, causing a brief interruption in power flow?

 

[Neillithan]

We're in the same house. We've recently moved the computer from one wall outlet to another, but it's behind a surge protector (I don't know if that really affects anything).

Okay I just finished the 24+ hour test of Prime95, it didn't crash the computer so yeah, I'm pretty sure the CPU and RAM are fine, but I don't know if that fully rules out the motherboard.

I will be sure to run a very long memtest on his PC tonight to see if I can make it do something out of the ordinary.

On a side note, the ram we purchased is 1066 but for some reason or another, it's being underclocked to 800mhz. Is it possible that this underclock is making the computer unstable and bluescreen?

Thanks,
-Neil

 

[daship]

Well your ram runs its rated speed with 2.2 vots. Your motherboard defaults are 1.8 volts.

You problem is you need to go into bios and manually set the ram voltage and timings/speed to what they are rated for.

 

[oricblack]

Agreed, could be either the voltage and/or the timings on your RAM. I had something simular with this on my last build, had to maually set my timings to some bizzare setting. but now all is good!

 

[RazberyBandit]

Agree with the voltage adjustment. As far as the speed reporting, is the memory divider set incorrectly in the BIOS as well? Not certain what the proper divider for that CPU, FSB, and 1066 memory would be, though. Sorry.