New PC Build, crashing/hangs in W8.1 and W7

bananaking

New Member
Messages
21
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Hi there, have been having crashes with my newly built PC at various stages in setting the computer up. Sorry if my technical language is lacking.

My System
CPU: AMD FX 6300
GPU: Gigabyte ATI HD7870 OC Ed
Mobo: ASRock 970-PRO3.R2
RAM: G SKill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800(GS-F3-1600C9D-8GAO)
SSD: Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO
HDD: Seagate 1TB Barracuda
PSU: Antec NEO 520C ECO 80Plus Bronze

Windows 8.1
First noticed issues when on the initial installation of windows 8.1 there was a hang while it was showing the blue windows logo. Multiple attempts led to me reaching various stages of setting up the computer, i.e. installing all latest drivers, BIOS and firmware for the hardware and installing a number (but never all) of the available windows updates. Through out the process I experienced frequent BSOD (generally within second or minutes of logging into the user) that did not appear to be initiated by anything in particular. Hangs were frequent when attempting windows updates (happened during 'checking for updates', 'downloading updates' and 'installing updates' on shutdown). Examples of the types of BSOD experienced.

CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT error
SYSTEM_THREAD_EXTENSION_NOT_HANDLED
KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
PAGED_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

Attempts at fixing the issue included fresh windows 8.1 installs (where crashes/hangs during installation off disc were experienced), resitting RAM, installing windows on HDD by itself (as opposed to SSD by itself), running startup repair tools (various times did not detect a problem or could not fix). Problems continued in various frequencies at various stages no matter the attempted fixes.

Windows 7
Suspecting compatibility issues between the hardware drivers and windows 8.1, a fresh install of Windows 7 was attempted. This has been more stable on installing drivers but on attempting windows updates the same update problems were experienced in the forms of hangs rather than BSOD, the only BSOD error that has come up on occasion is 'a clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within the allocated time interval'. This BSOD has interrupted the installation (on shutdown) of windows updates on the rare occasion they manage to download in their entirety. More frequent crashes was also experienced after updating to the latest GPU driver. Installing the latest mobo AMD All in 1 driver from ASRock (contains AMD Catalyst Install Manager, AMD SATA AHCI Driver, AMD USB Fillter Driver) causes windows to freeze on restart at the Starting Windows page with windows logo but seems to function OK after restart.

Troubleshooting for windows updates including running check disk and windows update diagnostic tool which did not appear to show or fix issues.

Startup repair was also attempted and provided the following
Root cause found: Unknown Bugcheck: Bugcheck 101. Parameters = 0x21, 0x0, 0xfffff88002f65180, 0x2. Not sure if that means anything.

At the moment the PC has windows 7 installed onto the SSD, latest lan/usb/audio drivers and microsoft security essential (antivirus) installed with only 2 windows updates installed:
Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB2621440)
Update for Microsoft Windows (KB976902)

This appears to be stable, but attempts at windows update and installing the mobo driver causes the problems mentioned above. I have been using the current setup as a restore point.

The below minidump is within the context of the 'stable' config + latest mobo AMD All in 1 driver and the BSOD occurred while installing windows updates before shutdown.

View attachment 31633

I really appreciate any help, this issue has been doing my head in for the past few days
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Hi

According to "Speccy" , F3-1600C9S-4GAO is your RAM module ( 2 nos).

Code:
Type: DDR3Size: 4096 MBytes
Manufacturer: G.Skill
Max Bandwidth: PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
Part Number: [COLOR=#ff0000][B]F3-1600C9-4GAO[/B][/COLOR]
SPD Ext.: EPP

Current timing values is different than what G-Skill recommends.

Code:
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz ([B][COLOR=#ff0000]11-11-11-28[/COLOR][/B])


Here is what G-Skill Recommends.

Code:
Tested Speed    1600MHz    Tested Latency    [COLOR=#ff0000][B]9-9-9-24-2N[/B][/COLOR]    
Tested Voltage    1.50v

Reference : Ares - F3-1600C9S-4GAO - G.SKILL DDR3 Memory

Incorrect timing values can cause rogue BSOD issue, especially with "G-Skill" modules. Enter BIOS setup and set the timing values as printed on top of the modules. You can refer the motherboard manual for details. Let us know whether it makes any difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
+1 on the timing. Well said, Anshad.

At the same time, the sata controller is also probleming, as it is visible in the crash dump.
Code:
fffff880`033ef458  fffff880`00c69ef6Unable to load image amd_sata.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for amd_sata.sys
***[COLOR=#ff0000] ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for amd_sata.sys[/COLOR]
 amd_sata+0xdef6
And the driver is old enough.
Code:
fffff880`00c5c000 fffff880`00c74000   amd_sata T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: amd_sata.sys
    Image path: amd_sata.sys
[COLOR=#ff0000]    Image name: amd_sata.sys
    Timestamp:        Tue Dec 13 02:22:00 2011[/COLOR] (4EE66970)
    CheckSum:         000173E9
    ImageSize:        00018000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4
You may try to update the AMD Chipset Driver from AMD Chipset Drivers.
 

My Computer

Thanks again Anshad,

I adjusted the values in the BIOS. I then tried to install google chrome and got a hang/freeze. Restarted the computer and attempted a windows update again and during installation of the updates I got another BSOD (a clock interrupt was not received etc.). This is similar to the problems I have been experiencing. The freezing/hangs have been more characteristic of my issues in W7 (particularly related to updating) while during W8 the variety of BSOD was a more frequent problem.

Appreciated ARC, I will try to update the chipset driver now. Anything I can do in relation to the SATA controller at the moment?

Will get back to you guys, giving me a bit of hope having some experienced people help with the trouble shooting :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Hey so I updated the chipset drivers from AMD website. Then decided to try and install the latest driver for the GPU and got BSOD (a clock interrupt was not received etc.) during the catalyst installation process.

I'm not sure if this works or is relevant but here's the most recent file dump after the crash

View attachment 31652
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Yes, the last one one seems to be a Bugcheck 101 .

Code:
BugCheck 101, {21, 0, fffff88002f65180, 2}

Probably caused by : Unknown_Image ( ANALYSIS_INCONCLUSIVE )

Bug Check 0x101: CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT (Windows Debuggers)

Usual causes : Overheating , Overclocking , BIOS bugs , a rogue driver who locks up the CPU etc.

BSOD Index

In your case CPU is not overclocked, it is not overheating , BIOS is up to dated and there is only a small number of third party drivers are present. Although STOP 0x101 can be caused by software issues, my suspicion is a hardware issue as the BSOD still presents even after multiple OS installs.

I would first reset the system BIOS and load default values to revert any accidental changes happened to the frequency or core voltage value of CPU.

How To Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS)

Then first test the RAM using "Memtest86+" - RAM - Test with Memtest86+ - Windows 7 Help Forums

If it came clean, run "Prime95" to stress test the CPU - Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95 - Windows 7 Help Forums

I thing "SmallFFT" test is best in your case. Let it run for 3-6 hours (system may crash before that). You will find the test result in a file named "Result.txt".

Both tests are time consuming so please be patient until the tests complete.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I ran both tests

RAM test 9 passes no errors

Prime95 SmallFFT passed the tests that were run

View attachment 31742

(only ran for 3hrs because I have to leave home for now and didn't want to leave the stress test running while I'm not around)

Also Windows Updates had downloaded while I was running the stress test, and I just shut down the computer to leave home and the updates tried to install then the computer froze again (not BSOD). Go Figure.

Thanks for all your help again

edit: Just to be clear, I am still experiencing all the same problems, is there another step in this process or a provisional diagnosis of the issue at this time?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Hi guys, still having the same issues (namely random hangs + consistent hangs/BSOd when windows updates are installing).
Does the history of the problem/attempted fixes/diagnostic test results/data point towards particular issues that I can go on from here (e.g. faulty specific hardware parts)?

I would like to be able to get some form of a short list of what could be wrong. If you guys think it's a specific piece of hardware I could bring it into the store I bought it from for replacement. Have been trying to sort this out for close to 10 days now :(

All help is appreciated as always, cheers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Sorry for the delayed response mate. Somehow, almost forgot about your thread :eek:.

Both memory test and CPU stress test looks clean so it is very difficult to find what part is causing the issue. Please check whether there is an update available to the SSD firmware by running "Samsung Magician" software.

Samsung Magician software : http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/samsungssd/downloads/Samsung_Magician_v421.zip

How to update firmware : How to Upgrade Samsung SSD Firmware | StorageReview.com - Storage Reviews

Latest firmware for 840 EVO : http://www.samsung.com/global/busin...sd/downloads/Samsung_SSD_840_EVO_EXT0BB0Q.zip

Also i recommend resetting all connectors inside the system. That is disconnect and reconnect all cables, remove and reinsert all PCI peripheral cards and memory modules from it' s slot etc. A contact issue in PCI or memory slot can cause rogue blue screens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Good to have you back Anshad :)

I had already updated the SSD to latest firmware a few days ago. Just did a double check and it's up to date.

Disconnected/Reconnected all the cables and PCI cards etc.

Just had a hang while trying to install the latest GPU drivers, it hung during installation of .Net Framework 4.5 (via the catalyst manager)

I then tried to restore to the restore point I made just before attempting to install the latest GPU drivers and got a BSOD during the restore process (clock interrupt was not received on secondary processor etc.)

What's next :)

edit: also within the last 15minutes without doing much I have been getting hangs, maybe 2-5mins into logging onto the user. Have to restart each time

edit2: yep looks like all the same problems are persisting if not maybe a little more unstable. getting more hangs, might either be from Samsung Magician or that I changed the resolution from 800x600 to 1920x1080... Subjectively more unstable though, hard to if that's a true observation
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Hi

There is a virtual device seems to have driver issues according to the last system information report.

Code:
Security Processor Loader Driver	ROOT\LEGACY_SPLDR\0000	This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.

A little research shows this driver is related to "Video" and can cause freeze issues.

Security Processor loader Driver - Windows 7 Help Forums

Please try the below steps.

1. Uninstall the device from "Device Manager".

2. Remove currently installed display driver in the proper way.

How-To Uninstall AMD Catalyst Drivers From A Windows Based System

3. Update the display driver to the latest.

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/beta/amd_catalyst_13.11_betav9.2.exe


If that also can't fix the issue, i would recommend getting the RAM replaced from the store.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Thank you so much for all your help Anshad.

The computer appeared to be a little more stable once i uninstalled the display drivers and installed the beta display drivers. Unfortunately the issues with windows updates persistent (i.e. it crashes or hangs during installing downloaded updates).

Do you have any theories as to why that is? You suggested trying to buy new RAM that is on the mobo compatibility list, would the incompatible RAM be the cause of consistent hangs (and occasional BSOD) during windows update installations?

edit: I'd just like to know the rationale behind why you think it's a particular piece of hardware (i.e. ram) as opposed to another (i.e. mobo). It would be nice understand why I should go and buy a replacement. Unfortunately the place I bought the RAM from will not replace it for me if it's just a compatibility issue. They would replace parts if they were faulty though
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
Hi

Sorry for the confusion. I won't suggest buying a replacement part unless i am sure it is faulty. What i meant is, try to get the RAM replaced with another model from the shop (if possible). Since they are not ready to do that, replace the current RAM under warranty. My primary suspicion is either a bad RAM (60% chance) or a bad motherboard (40%) . What we do at work is directly replacing suspected parts to find the bad one but that is not possible in remote assistance :confused:.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Hi

Yes, it is hard to differentiate. Your memory model is not listed on the qualified vendors list but that doesn't means it won't work with your MoBo. Usually it should work if timing values are entered correctly in the BIOS. Please rerun the "Speccy" and post a new snapshot. I need to verify the timing values are correct before proceeding to replace the RAM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
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