Classic bsod case

[jacket]

I put it to sleep and woke it over and over about 10 times with no BSOD

 

[jacket]

Another bluescreen, this one happened while I was watching a video with firefox. It just bluescreened in the middle of the video and the audio continuously went in and out as it did. I did have photoshop open when it crashed but I know i wasn't stressing the system any. (sadly lost the picture I was working on in the crash)

Here's the dump.

 

[jacket]

Another bluescreen when I plugged in a usb flashdrive into my computer. I've been slowly trying to learn how to read the minidumps myself so I downloaded the windows debugger and also loaded the symbols. It stated it was a win32k.sys file that caused the crash this time. I"ll upload the minidump anywho if i misread it.

 

[Route44]

The first error was 0xA and, sigh, it specifically said memory corruption.

The second only listed a Vista driver and the error is 0x0000001A: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

This memory management error is usually hardware related.

 

[jacket]

So you think that the ram is corrupt even though it keeps passing memtests? or if it's something to do with the motherboard? or perhaps my core is clocked incorrectly *hasn't touched anything with that*

 

[jacket]

Another blue screen. This time it faults a vista driver again, particularly sbp2port.sys which if I understand it correctly is a fire wire connection. It happened when I attempted to open my external hard drive and then it was acting really slow and wouldn't load the folders. Then when i closed down and asked the comp to restart (I figured something wasn't right) it blue screened.

 

[Route44]

0x9F - "A driver is causing an inconsistant power state." The problem is it only lists disk.sys as the cause and this is a OS driver. When your BSODs occured was your external harddrive always attached when these occured?

By the way, you don't need to zip single minidumps. You can attach as is if you just have one or two.

 

[jacket]

Oh, okay. I just started zipping them after you asked for it the first time. I totally didn't realize.

My external was attached when the latest ones occured. I recently switched it from a usb connection (because I needed the usb adapter for my scanner) to a fire wire connection. I usually don't unplug it just turn the power off to the external when I'm done using it.

 

[jacket]

Well... My computer just blew up. The computer went black without a shut down and then all of a sudden the power supply started sending out sparks and the smell of burnt plastic and smoke.

I turned off the power and unplugged the power cord of the computer.

I don't know if this was the reason around the BSOD or if it was just a different issue that my computer had.

Just a small update on what happened. I'm currently using my old computer (thank god for a backup)

Though the computer decided to blow up in the middle (literally) of my finals week

 

[Route44]

I am really sorry to hear this especially in that it took place during finals week. It sounds to me like your power supply was faulty to say the least though there was nothing to indicate it. However, if it was defective it could explain a lot because if it wasn't putting out the power your system needed and thus other hardware was failing to do what it is designed to do. What was its make?

Also, check your motherboard. Are there any bulging caps on your capacitors?

Where will you go from here? Will you be building a new one? If so there are a number of people here that can help you in making good solid choices for parts.

Thanks jacket for the update as painful as it is. Let us know what you plan on doing.

 

[jacket]

Well since my roommates are heading back home for a week, one of their father's is that tech support person I mentioned before. He's going to run some tests (using his equipment) to see if anything is broken and also help me figure out what to do from here. Basically this computer was the sum of my saving for nearly 2 years so I'm kind of in a spot where I don't know what I can do in getting a back up. This current one is far too weak to do anything.

I realize I made a mistake in choosing the power supply I had. It was a sigma innovation monster power supply, which I am trying to see if I can collect the warranty on it (it has a 3 year). However I've heard that the company is MIA and impossible to get a hold of.

I don't know if there are any bulging caps, I already have it packed up to travel down with my roommate. However I'll keep everyone updated as soon as I receive some extra information.

I do know that when I opened it after wards I didn't see any physical changes to the motherboard or anything that looked burnt except for the power supply and the cord to it which was partially melted

 

[jacket]

I got the reply back from the tech. Apparently everything is fine with the motherboard, ram, harddrive and CPU, the only thing that was fried was the power supply.

However, he thinks to have found out the reason behind the possible crashes (aside from the faulty power supply)

He's not 100% sure so I'll open it up for you guys. Apparently he said that my motherboard slots, even though they can go up to 2.0 volts, are designed only up to 1.8 volts. Because the ram I chose is 2.0-2.1 volts, it may not be able to be 100% compatible with the motherboard.

To be precise

Ram x 2 (aka 4 sticks)

Motherboard


Do you guys have any input or idea if this could be the cause of the blue screens? Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Another suggestion (though by someone else) was that the power supply was far too big for my system and that was the reason. I chose an 850 watt due to my plan to eventually purchase a larger graphics card that would require more power (I wanted to be more safe than sorry since my roomate's comp doesn't have enough power for her graphic card of similar specs that I'm interested in)

Any thoughts?

 

[almcneil]

I'd have to actually speak with the tech to understand exactly what he/she means. I recently had a customer relay to me what a tech at a store explained and it sounded like hogwash. Then I spoke to the tech and got a clearer explanation and it was correct.

When it comes to desktop MoBos, the types of RAM modules are pretty standard. Currently there are 3 types: DDR, DDR2 and DDR3. There was SD-RAM but that's virtually obsolete now. All desktop MoBos memory slots are "notched" as are the memory sticks types to ensure you don't insert the wrong type or insert the stick backwards. As for speed, most MoBos BIOS programs read the speeds of the individual sticks and clock to the slowest. There is the occasional MoBo BIOS that insists all sticks be of the same speed. As for voltage, that's really part of the memory type (DDR, DDR2, DDR3) So either the tech doesn't know what's he's talking about or there's more to his explanantion.

Yes, it is possible to have more than one cause for BSODs. A bad PSU certainly can cause a BSOD. I'd wait and see if it happens again and take it from there.

-- Andy

 

[jacket]

well my current issue is I don't have a power supply, since it's completely unusable.

The tech finally returned my computer and he gave me the manual for the mother board with a phrase circled '4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory)

He said that the power supply was just faulty, but didn't give me any information if it could of been the cause of the BSOD or not.

He did think that there was compatability errors with the ram sticks and the motherboard because of the voltage. (thus the circled phrase)


So the situation is that I want to know if I should just go and look into buying a new power supply instead of sticking with a refunded sigma PowerSupply


If the motherboard and the ram sticks aren't compatable due to voltage, I was considering purchasing these Other ram sticks to stop the BSOD. I dunno. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

I also am considering suggestions for a different power supply due to this last one seeming to have a history of blowing out after a few months (from other customer reviews I've dug up)

 

[almcneil]

I'm beginning to seriously wonder about this tech you used.

If the PSU is faulty, not only can that cause the BSOD, it needs to be replaced!

If you have the right type of memory for your MoBo, then it should work fine. The only problem could be speed as I explained above but in that case, the system wouldn't boot! His argument about compatitbility just doens't make sense.

Replace the PSU and see if the BSODs stop.

-- Andy

 

[Route44]

jacket, can you give us your other system specs as well such as video card, harddrive, etc. so we can help you choose a good power supply.

@ almcneil, thanks for looking in on this; I asked him to jacket.

 

[jacket]

Ah, well he left getting a new power supply up to me I just wasn't able to get a conclusive answer on what he believed my power supply should be (size wise).

The ram is the correct speed, it's just that they're 2.0-2.1 volts and he says that the my motherboard supports only 1.8 volts possibly.

The full list of my supplies would be

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.83GHz
8GB G.SKILL 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 Dual Channel Kit
Western Digital 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
ZEROtherm CF800 92mm CPU Cooler for the cpu fan
FireGLv3600 (was going to replace eventually to a higher power
and it's in a termaltake armor with lots of fans



Thank you both though for all your help. I really appreciate all the help and insight~

 

[Route44]

First, congratulations on selecting a great motherboard. I was doing research on it and even though it isn't the newest out there it is loaded and can do Crossfire as well (if you can afford it).

1. You have several cpu choices.

2. You can easily upgrade to a better video card.

3. It is stable and as I said it is loaded.

* I went to Gigabyte's website for your particular mobo specs and they list your slots as 1.8v so what you were told is correct. A shame too because those sticks you have now are really good memory.

* In my research over at Overclockers forums I looked at several people's rig set-ups and paid particular attention to the power supplies that were being utilized. They ranged from the 600w to the 700w.

I went to NewEgg and I believe this one will do you very well; it has excellent reviews, nice price, great performance and it will supply you what you need when you finally upgrade to a better video card.

All in all jacket with a new video card, good psu, and correct RAM you'll be good to go with this set-up for some time.

PSU link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

*** I do have one very important question though: Did your tech tell you that the mobo and the rest is okay in spite of your old PSU's major fail? In other words, your mobo, etc. is good to go because it wasn't damaged by the psu failure, correct?

 

[jacket]

yea I got the motherboard for the possibility of crossfire.

Thank you for all the help~

I was considering getting these ram sticks for a possible replacement towards the 2.1 volt ones. (sadly it's too late to return them to new egg)

Possible ram replacement

 

[Route44]

RAM looks good. I like GSkill. You may be able to sell your current RAM and get a decent return. That psu I linked you to is definitely Crossfire ready.

Your welcome on the help.

* Let us know what you eventually do.

 

[jacket]

I have a quick question/ want to know your opinion about one thing before i make a full decision.

I was talking with my roomate and I eventually am considering to get another internal had drive and I have 2 dvd drives atm

Given this do you think I should go for the 650 watt or the 750 watt

I just am torn I guess, I'm worried about making another mistake regarding power supplies

 

[Route44]

The major thing about power supplies is quality and not wattage per se (though you do need the correct amount of power as well). Just because a psu says it delivers a certain amount of wattage it doesn't mean it actually does. This is why a quality power supply is so critical to a system. It is the backbone so to speak. far too often people will put a load of money into all kinds of quality parts and then skip on a low priced psu to save money. Or they buy a case with a power supply thinkingthey are saving money. The thing is, with possible exception of Antec and maybe a few Thermaltake offerings, psu's that come with a case are garbage.

Corsair makes quality power supplies and both are 80 plus certified which means they are very good at supplying the needed power. The 650 should do you fine but go with what makes you comfortable.

 

[jacket]

Okay, thank you. I went ahead with the 650 power supply. I also ordered the 2 gig x2 ram from gskill (4 gigs total). I figured I'll get more when I can get a 64 bit os

Thank you again for all your help, I really appreciate all the input and putting up with all my questions.

 

[jacket]

got the new parts (power supply and new ram sticks) and put them in. So far so good, wish me luck for not having more BSOD

 

[Route44]

got the new parts (power supply and new ram sticks) and put them in. So far so good, wish me luck for not having more BSOD

Oh, I sure hope so! Let's see, after 2+ months it looks like you finally have stability. Thanks for getting back to us; this information is important to this community and others as well.