"HyperTransport Watchdog Timeout Error" (0x00000124 code BSOD)

[zyxel]

Hi all

First of all, sorry for my low capacity to express myself in english. I hope that you can understand my message despite that.

Well, I will explain my problem from the beginning (the important thing is at the end, I will also explain another problem I have with the pc, because I want to know if it is related with the BSOD):

Some months ago, I had a very extrange problem with the PC. It happened one time and in the next day the computer ran well. About two months after that, it happened again and, after turning off the case fans, it ran well again
After that, I changed all my computer components except the MoBo, RAM, HD and DVD Reader. But some days ago it happened again, and it was solved by changing the SATA connector of the HD

The problem I am talking you about consists of that the windows animations/clock/all applications runs extremely fast (the clock ticks one minute every second, the animations run extremely fast, etc (all in the windows was "overclocked"))


Well, now I will explain the BSOD problem: yesterday, when I was watching a video in megavideo, the screen went black and the sound looped, and some seconds ago the computer restarted. After rebooting, in the event registry I saw that error reports (I will traduce because I have windows in spanish):

first error report:

Blue Screen code:
0x00000124 (0x0000000000000000, 0xfffffa80050308f8, 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000).

second error report:

A fatal hardware error has occurred.

Component: AMD Northbridge
Error Source: Machine Check Exception
Error Type: HyperTransport Watchdog Timeout Error
Processor ID: 0

The details view of this entry contains further information.

I have been a lot of time searching that error in google and I found that it is a hardware error

I have to say that my motherboard has 2 broken MLCC capacitors near the socket, it might be related with that

Please help me, I am very worried and also very confused, I need to know how to find out which is the broken component of my pc(testing applications are reliable?), and what have caused that.



Thanks in advance



My pc specs:

motherboard: Asus M3A78-EM (old) (AMD 780G chipset)

processor: Phenom II 1090T (new)

graphics card: Radeon HD 5870 (new)

RAM: Kingston 2x1gb DDR2 800 (old)

HD: Seagate 500GB (old)

PSU: Nox 1000W (new)




if it is needed some more information about my pc to help me please let me know.

Mindumps (I uploaded to megaupload because the forum doesnt let me upload it here :S )

megaupload.com/?d=IPP4JGGS
megaupload.com/?d=ZAMYCDO5

 

[zyxel]

nobody can help me??

I have an interesting update: I have noticed that it crashes (and I get the same error messages) everytime I see a HQ video in megavideo(but not playing)... what do you think about that?

PD: I have assumed that the problem of my computer is a hardware issue and I can solve it by formatting or something like that, but I would like to be sure about which is the broken component

 

[Route44]

Your error is 0x124: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR and is described as "A fatal hardware error has occurred."

This error code and definition has replaced the older XP code 0x9C: MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION and though it is older the definition still is applicable: This is a hardware issue: an unrecoverable hardware error has occurred. The parameters have different meanings depending on what type of CPU you have but, while diagnostic, rarely lead to a clear solution. Most commonly it results from overheating, from failed hardware (RAM, CPU, hardware bus, power supply, etc.), or from pushing hardware beyond its capabilities (e.g., overclocking a CPU).

Honestly, this is a very difficult error to work with because as it says a clear diagnosis rarely comes forth and I have never seen a minidump with either error codes give a definitive answer. I know IT techs that don't like working with it. What makes it so difficult is that it can be any hardware in your system -- and I mean any.

Here are some of the causes that were determined to be the source o 0x124/0x9C errors from posters here and abroad: NIC, DVD/CD drives, dust build up around the CPU that caused overheating of said CPU, bulging capacitors hidden by heatsink, video card, psu, motherboard, and external harddrive connected by USB.

*** By the fact that you have two broken capacitors I would say either have someone fix them or better yet get a new motherboard. Of course you'll need to get DDR3 memory but good DDR3 is cheap.*

By the way your English is quite fine.

 

[zyxel]

Your error is 0x124: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR and is described as "A fatal hardware error has occurred."

This error code and definition has replaced the older XP code 0x9C: MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION and though it is older the definition still is applicable: This is a hardware issue: an unrecoverable hardware error has occurred. The parameters have different meanings depending on what type of CPU you have but, while diagnostic, rarely lead to a clear solution. Most commonly it results from overheating, from failed hardware (RAM, CPU, hardware bus, power supply, etc.), or from pushing hardware beyond its capabilities (e.g., overclocking a CPU).

Honestly, this is a very difficult error to work with because as it says a clear diagnosis rarely comes forth and I have never seen a minidump with either error codes give a definitive answer. I know IT techs that don't like working with it. What makes it so difficult is that it can be any hardware in your system -- and I mean any.

Here are some of the causes that were determined to be the source o 0x124/0x9C errors from posters here and abroad: NIC, DVD/CD drives, dust build up around the CPU that caused overheating of said CPU, bulging capacitors hidden by heatsink, video card, psu, motherboard, and external harddrive connected by USB.

*** By the fact that you have two broken capacitors I would say either have someone fix them or better yet get a new motherboard. Of course you'll need to get DDR3 memory but good DDR3 is cheap.*

By the way your English is quite fine.

Yes, I will get a new motherboard as soon as possible (next monday xD) as well as new RAM and possibly a new HD (in order to take advantage of SATA3).

I know (by other posts) that that error code doesnt give any information about which component is failing but, what do you think about that:

A fatal hardware error has occurred.

Component: AMD Northbridge
Error Source: Machine Check Exception
Error Type: HyperTransport Watchdog Timeout Error
Processor ID: 0

? does that message give some information? and the fact that it only happens when whatching HD videos (in megavideo, but not in youtube I think (but it can be due to that the HQ videos I have seen in youtube werent enought long to make the computer fail) :S :S)? and the other windows error that I explained can have something to do with that?


By the way, I read that in my case it is recommended to use memtest to know if the RAM memory is broken, but it seems like that test must be done one time with each RAM stick, and it is very difficult to me to remove/put the RAM sticks because thay are hidden under the big cpu cooler... Do you think I must do that test anyway? or it is not really necessary in my case?

Thanks you very much

 

[Route44]

Its your motherboard. The capacitors that are broken normally means something will not be getting proper voltages and it looks like its the northbridge. The northbridge connects the CPU to the rest of the components (HDD, GPU etc) so if its getting too much or too little voltage it will cause weird issues.

Your only hope is to get either a new one of the same mobo ro a new mobo that supports your CPU and reinstall Windows.

 

[zyxel]

Its your motherboard. The capacitors that are broken normally means something will not be getting proper voltages and it looks like its the northbridge. The northbridge connects the CPU to the rest of the components (HDD, GPU etc) so if its getting too much or too little voltage it will cause weird issues.

Your only hope is to get either a new one of the same mobo ro a new mobo that supports your CPU and reinstall Windows.

are you jimmysmitty from tomshardware?

ok, as I said in the other forum, I know that more than likely it is a motherboard issue, but understand that I am very afraid because it will be a great disappointment if I change the motherboard and the problem persists

 

[Route44]

Naa, but he wrote a nice clear concise answer. But seriously, having bad capacitors will cause serious issues. Your Northbridge is having issues and it is an extremely important component of your motherboard.

 

[zyxel]

Naa, but he wrote a nice clear concise answer. But seriously, having bad capacitors will cause serious issues. Your Northbridge is having issues and it is an extremely important component of your motherboard.

I already went to buy another motherboard (an also 2 sticks of DDR3 ram)

I ordered that mobo: asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=eCWbkolMf0DOW0IV

and that ram: amdex.com/product-1017912944-KHX1600C9AD3B1-2G.html (2 sticks to enable dual channel)

I will have it the next thursday... uff I hope the problem to be solved with that

I will tell you the result

 

[Route44]

Good for you! keep us updated. Did you get the chance to look your old motherboard over to see if there were anymore bad capacitors?

Also, since this an Asus board did you check their compatible memory list?

 

[zyxel]

Good for you! keep us updated. Did you get the chance to look your old motherboard over to see if there were anymore bad capacitors?

Also, since this an Asus board did you check their compatible memory list?

nop, I will see it tomorrow, but I dont care too much about if the mobo has anymore broken capacitors, I only hope to see the problem solved by replacing it xD

I didnt check the mobo's compatible memory list, but Im sure that it supports that, because the RAM I ordered is a well known model and used by a lot of people


I couldnt replace the mobo today because the store was closed due to a local festivity xD I will bring news to you tomorrow

Thank you

 

[zyxel]

I already have the new MoBo!!

Now I must see a video in megavideo to see if the problem is solved, not? I am afraid of getting the BSOD if I do that... xd

 

[Route44]

I already have the new MoBo!!

Now I must see a video in megavideo to see if the problem is solved, not? I am afraid of getting the BSOD if I do that... xd

Waiting in anticipation to see how all goes. Good luck!

 

[zyxel]

Waiting in anticipation to see how all goes. Good luck!

XD I didnt try it yet, I'm afraid ... One question: If I get a BSOD, it can damage the computer?

I mean, if there is a broken component in the pc and it cause a bsod, that damages the rest of the components?

 

[Route44]

A bad power supply will damage other components (which is why no one should ever go cheap on a psu; its the backbone of an entire system) but otherwise you should be fine if another piece of hardware is bad in that it shouldn't affect other components.

Believe it or not BSODs are actually good and not bad. It is Windows way of protecting your system so that no damage occurs whether from infection, bad hardware, or faulty drivers or buggy software.

 

[zyxel]

A bad power supply will damage other components (which is why no one should ever go cheap on a psu; its the backbone of an entire system) but otherwise you should be fine if another piece of hardware is bad in that it shouldn't affect other components.

Believe it or not BSODs are actually good and not bad. It is Windows way of protecting your system so that no damage occurs whether from infection, bad hardware, or faulty drivers or buggy software.

ok.. I will try to see a megavideo HQ video so. I will tell you if the computer fails or not (it used to fail when running a video for 10min aprox, so I will know it soon)

 

[zyxel]

A bad power supply will damage other components (which is why no one should ever go cheap on a psu; its the backbone of an entire system) but otherwise you should be fine if another piece of hardware is bad in that it shouldn't affect other components.

Believe it or not BSODs are actually good and not bad. It is Windows way of protecting your system so that no damage occurs whether from infection, bad hardware, or faulty drivers or buggy software.

I have tried to see a video in megavideo, and it doesnt crash!!! ;D;D;D great!!! its solved!!!!


I also have to say that I have made some changes in the GPU configuration that can be the cause cause of that: some time ago, I increased the idle GPU frequency, but not the idle GPU voltage... (it could be the cause of the inestability that made the computer crash when watching HQ videos)... and now I have increased the idle voltage and decreased the idle frequency...

So now I dont know if the problem was due to the mobo or due to the GPU configuration... but anyway, im happy because I solved it xD


By the way, thanks you very much route44, your advice (and the advice you gave to other people with the same problem) helped me a lot, I have to say that you are doing a great job in this forum

 

[Route44]

Excellent! And thanks for the kind words. I would say that the first issue for you were those capacitors and then possibly your GPU.

Good luck!