Random freezing - 'Reset to device, \Device\RaidPort0'

Hi,

First, I would like to start off by saying that this is not a Windows 8 exclusive problem, I've had it in Windows 7 and upon install to Windows 8, it still occurs, which is leading me to the conclusion that this is a hardware problem.

Ever since I built my machine in early 2014, it seems like it randomly freezes, there doesn't seem to be any root cause behind the freezing. During the freezing, it's 'responsive' but anything that requires disk access does not work, the drive indicator light on my case stays solid. I've also noticed especially lately, that when I play GTA San Andreas (a multiplayer extension) that my game tends to randomly freeze and if I unplug a USB and plug it back in, it usually unfreezes, if not, when I hit the power button, it instantly unfreezes (this freeze actually locks everything up, not just the disk); when playing BF3, it doesn't happen, but GTA SA is a pretty old game.
Also, on occasion, when shutting down my computer (sometimes abruptly due to above problems), the HDD isn't always detected, in that case if I unplug and re-plugin the SATA wire, it usually fixes it.

I run what I feel is a pretty typical setup, a FX-6300, a MSI 970a-G46 motherboard, 8GB of G.SKILL Ripjaw's, and a HD 6870 as a GPU. I've tried changing my drive controller mode from IDE to AHCI, which did seem to help with decreasing the frequency of the freezing, but it still occurs.
I'll list some things I've done as troubleshooting:
-Replaced my old HDD with a new WD Black
-Replaced my SATA wires
-Disconnected all other drives from my PC including my DVD drive
-Reinstalled OS from 7 to 8 (as mentinoed above)
-Ran Memtest86 which turned no errors
-Changed my GPU from a 4350 HD to a 6870 HD (wasn't a troubleshooting step specifically, just happened to do it)
-Reset my BIOS on a number of occasions

The obvious problem right now is that there are some serious issues with my motherboards SATA controller, and I already have a RMA ready with MSI, but I would like to hear any other input, as I'm quite frankly not even sure that MSI's synthetic testing is going to pick up on my issues at all.

Thank you.

First, there aren't any real, 100% effective tests for motherboards.
It's too expensive to make a test for a product that has such a limited life-span.

Without any reports, it's difficult to offer an opinion here.
I'd suggest that you provide this information so we can provide a complete analysis (from the Pinned Topic at the top of the forum): http://www.eightforums.com/bsod-cra...e-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html Please use Option 1 as it provides Event Viewer logs.

From your description, it appears that you've done a good job of troubleshooting this.
You've ruled out the hard drive and the video card - those are the major concerns with errors like these.

You've also noted an issue with the USB ports.
Did you try the ports in the back of the system to see if they act the same as those in the front? I realize that this may be difficult as you've stated that the ports usually help in fixing the freezes
If it's only the front ports, then it's possible that they're defective (and causing issues w/the mobo) - but if it's the back ports also, then it's (IMO) most likely the mobo

If you can get an RMA, this would be the easiest way to rule out the motherboard.
It depends on what you installed/connected to the motherboard - but in most cases if the problems continue after reinstalling the OS, then it's likely to be a hardware problem. Each extra thing that's installed/connected increases the chance that it may be something other than the motherboard.

I had disk access problems with a Win7 system and another manufacturer's motherboard. This was a monster system with a bunch of fast HDD's on a hardware RAID card - and the performance was lousy! I tried everything for months until I finally gave up and purchased revision 2 of the same mobo. And, viola! All my problems went away!

Good luck!

In addition to what John said above. Try another PSU if you can get hold of one.

usasma said:

First, there aren't any real, 100% effective tests for motherboards.
It's too expensive to make a test for a product that has such a limited life-span.

Without any reports, it's difficult to offer an opinion here.
I'd suggest that you provide this information so we can provide a complete analysis (from the Pinned Topic at the top of the forum): http://www.eightforums.com/bsod-cra...e-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html Please use Option 1 as it provides Event Viewer logs.

From your description, it appears that you've done a good job of troubleshooting this.
You've ruled out the hard drive and the video card - those are the major concerns with errors like these.

You've also noted an issue with the USB ports.
Did you try the ports in the back of the system to see if they act the same as those in the front? I realize that this may be difficult as you've stated that the ports usually help in fixing the freezes
If it's only the front ports, then it's possible that they're defective (and causing issues w/the mobo) - but if it's the back ports also, then it's (IMO) most likely the mobo

If you can get an RMA, this would be the easiest way to rule out the motherboard.
It depends on what you installed/connected to the motherboard - but in most cases if the problems continue after reinstalling the OS, then it's likely to be a hardware problem. Each extra thing that's installed/connected increases the chance that it may be something other than the motherboard.

I had disk access problems with a Win7 system and another manufacturer's motherboard. This was a monster system with a bunch of fast HDD's on a hardware RAID card - and the performance was lousy! I tried everything for months until I finally gave up and purchased revision 2 of the same mobo. And, viola! All my problems went away!

Good luck!

Click to expand...

My bad, there isn't a direct BSOD - there isn't a BSOD, but there is an error. I wasn't quite sure of the appropriate forum to post this in.

Whenever there is a freeze there are errors.
The error that occurs when there are random freezes/disk access errors is: 'Reset to device, \Device\RaidPort0, was issued.'

For the USB ports, I'm just using 3 in the back for my keyboard/mouse/headset. Unplugging/plugging it back in only works during the freezing playing GTA San Andreas, but I have a feeling that might just be a separate issue.

topguncp: I have a 450 Watt PSU laying around, I suppose that'd be sufficient to test with, I'll try that when I get a chance, never really bothered because it doesn't seem like a PSU issue.

It doesn't have to have a BSOD for us to take a look at the reports.
We get involved in other errors as a byproduct of BSOD's (sometimes fixing a BSOD leaves us with an error in the system that doesn't produce a BSOD - so we try to help with them also.

In addition to the BSOD reports that I requested (even though you're not having BSOD's), please do this:

Please do the following:
- open Event Viewer (run eventvwr.msc from the "Run" dialog))
- expand the Custom Views category (left click on the > next to the words "Custom Views")
- right click on Administrative Events
- select "Save all Events in Custom View as..."
- save the file as Admin.evtx
- zip up the file (right click on it, select "Send to", select "Compressed (zipped) folder")
- upload it with your next post (if it's too big, then upload it to a free file-hosting service and post a link here).

FYI - If we're looking for Event ID 41 errors (unexplained shutdowns), there's more info on that here: Windows Kernel event ID 41 error "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first" in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 R2

While waiting for a reply, please monitor your temps with this free utility: HWMonitor CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting
This is just a hunch on my part.

Click to expand...

You've done good troubleshooting. We offer some additional suggestions - primarily to help you decide if it's worth the RMA or not.

If you use the 450 watt PSU, make sure that you unplug enough stuff from the motherboard so that it doesn't have problems with insufficient wattage (to include BSOD's).