Black Screen/No Signal crashes (Registering as BSOD) - Please help

[Nepex]

Computer Specs:
PC: Alienware x51 R2 - i7 4470 Quadcore @ 3.40 Ghz 8GB RAM
Motherboard: Alienware 0PGRP5
GPU: Nvidia GTX 760
PSU: 330W external Alienware PSU
OS: Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium SP1
Monitor: Sanyo 32'' HDTV - 60 Hz 720p

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Randomly whether I'm in a game, idle, or just browsing my PC will change to a black screen read No Signal then after about 5 seconds restarts itself. The PC will usually boot right back up until it's ready to crash again but on rare occasions it will boot without a display. I'll be able to hear Windows sounds and the USB devices will turn on but no display. After plugging and unplugging the HDMI and restarting several times I'll eventually get the message "Please power down and connect PCIe cables to this graphics card." The only way I can get it to boot back up from here is open up the computer and swap out the 6-pin connectors on the graphics card. The PC will work for a few days to a few weeks then crashes start again. Also, the on-board graphics card will work at all times while this is happening.

Here is the bluescreen view:

I also was getting this WMI error ID (10) in event viewer a second after the crashes:

"Event filter with query "SELECT * FROM __InstanceModificationEvent WITHIN 60 WHERE TargetInstance ISA "Win32_Processor" AND TargetInstance.LoadPercentage > 99" could not be reactivated in namespace "//./root/CIMV2" because of error 0x80041003. Events cannot be delivered through this filter until the problem is corrected."

But it stopped showing after I ran microsoft fixit.

Another weird thing is I can replicate the crash if I set windows to go to a pitch black screen saver after idle for however long, BUT if I use power saver options instead of screen saver the crash doesn't happen.

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Things I've already tried with no results:

Clean Nvidia driver install (V334.89)
Updated BIOS and chipset drivers
Fixed registry errors
Tried EnablePowerMizer Regedits
Monitored heat (GPU runs at ~50C idle and ~65-75C while playing intensive games. Got it to max at 83C using MSI Kombuster with no crash. CPU runs at ~58C idle and max 65C while under load. I use HWmonitor and Intel Core Temps)
Tested hard drive(0 bad sectors), Did several GFX stress tests
Tried turning down power consumption and overclocking using MSI
Did BIOS tests, all passes
Virus/adware/spyware scanned all clean, defragmented as well
Used MSI to run GPU fan max at all times, crashed promptly 10 minutes later 😛

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So yeah, I'm just beginning to think it's a faulty hardware issue. If anyone has ANYTHING I could try I would appreciate it.

 

[coastie65]

If you are getting a message that says No Signal, that is a Graphics issue and from your description, the first thing that comes to mind is that the GPU is overheating. Might want to try and get as much dust as you cane for out of there especially arong any heatsink over the GPU ( I'm thinking that is a laptop ).

 

[daswilhelm]

"Also, the on-board graphics card will work at all times while this is happening."

if thats the case, its either a bad gpu or bad psu.

 

[coastie65]

Computer Specs:
PC: Alienware x51 R2 - i7 4470 Quadcore @ 3.40 Ghz 8GB RAM
Motherboard: Alienware 0PGRP5
GPU: Nvidia GTX 760
PSU: 330W external Alienware PSU
OS: Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium SP1
Monitor: Sanyo 32'' HDTV - 60 Hz 720p

----

Randomly whether I'm in a game, idle, or just browsing my PC will change to a black screen read No Signal then after about 5 seconds restarts itself. The PC will usually boot right back up until it's ready to crash again but on rare occasions it will boot without a display. I'll be able to hear Windows sounds and the USB devices will turn on but no display. After plugging and unplugging the HDMI and restarting several times I'll eventually get the message "Please power down and connect PCIe cables to this graphics card." The only way I can get it to boot back up from here is open up the computer and swap out the 6-pin connectors on the graphics card. The PC will work for a few days to a few weeks then crashes start again. Also, the on-board graphics card will work at all times while this is happening.

Here is the bluescreen view:

I also was getting this WMI error ID (10) in event viewer a second after the crashes:

"Event filter with query "SELECT * FROM __InstanceModificationEvent WITHIN 60 WHERE TargetInstance ISA "Win32_Processor" AND TargetInstance.LoadPercentage > 99" could not be reactivated in namespace "//./root/CIMV2" because of error 0x80041003. Events cannot be delivered through this filter until the problem is corrected."

But it stopped showing after I ran microsoft fixit.

Another weird thing is I can replicate the crash if I set windows to go to a pitch black screen saver after idle for however long, BUT if I use power saver options instead of screen saver the crash doesn't happen.

----

Things I've already tried with no results:

Clean Nvidia driver install (V334.89)
Updated BIOS and chipset drivers
Fixed registry errors
Tried EnablePowerMizer Regedits
Monitored heat (GPU runs at ~50C idle and ~65-75C while playing intensive games. Got it to max at 83C using MSI Kombuster with no crash. CPU runs at ~58C idle and max 65C while under load. I use HWmonitor and Intel Core Temps)
Tested hard drive(0 bad sectors), Did several GFX stress tests
Tried turning down power consumption and overclocking using MSI
Did BIOS tests, all passes
Virus/adware/spyware scanned all clean, defragmented as well
Used MSI to run GPU fan max at all times, crashed promptly 10 minutes later 😛

----

So yeah, I'm just beginning to think it's a faulty hardware issue. If anyone has ANYTHING I could try I would appreciate it.

If you are getting a message that says No Signal, that is a Graphics issue and from your description, the first thing that comes to mind is that the GPU is overheating. Might want to try and get as much dust as you cane for out of there especially arong any heatsink over the GPU ( I'm thinking that is a laptop ). You may also want to check the Fan(s) and make sure they are running right. You can check temps by using an app such as HW Monitor.

 

[Nepex]

If you are getting a message that says No Signal, that is a Graphics issue and from your description, the first thing that comes to mind is that the GPU is overheating. Might want to try and get as much dust as you cane for out of there especially arong any heatsink over the GPU ( I'm thinking that is a laptop ).

It's a compact desktop. It's only a few months old. There is no dust inside the computer and the temps are always in a good range.

 

[daswilhelm]

if its a few months old, you should call dell and have them diagnose it.

 

[Nepex]

if its a few months old, you should call dell and have them diagnose it.

I have 2-3 times and they just do stress tests and usually can't get the error to replicate. Then tell me to call back in a few days if it happens again. I guess I need to be more persistent. I was just seeing if this forum has anything to offer in the meantime.

 

[daswilhelm]

why not just demand a replacement?

i would offer more help, but unfortunately the system is not your normal system, you cant just swap in a regular power supply.

the only thing i can recommend is swapping out the gpu, but if you had an extra card there, you probably would have done that already.

 

[Nepex]

why not just demand a replacement?

i would offer more help, but unfortunately the system is not your normal system, you cant just swap in a regular power supply.

the only thing i can recommend is swapping out the gpu, but if you had an extra card there, you probably would have done that already.

After calling and talking to them for 2 hours they are replacing the graphics card and PSU. Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

 

[daswilhelm]

good to hear, best of luck.

 

[AlbertLark]

I have the same system with the same problem. Had the Power brick replaced & the 760 Ti replaced but keep getting the BSoD.
I too have no issues if the Intel 4600 is used.
But even if I unhook all monitors from the GTX, the system will still Blue Screen.

I can get it to run perfectly forever, if I just take the side of the case off and set the computer on an open shelf like a Xbox.
So I'm convinced that it is a thermal management issue, but Dell keeps making me do ridiculous tests and replacing parts. I've probably spent 10 hours on this so far....

Did you ever get your problem solved?

 

[Paul NZ]

In your case directx and the video drivers were crashing. In that dmp file. And that 0x116 stop error can mean a faulty card

 

[AlbertLark]

It seems that way, but 2 cards with exactly the same problem? And it is a problem I can make happen in less than 10 minutes by putting the case side on and running a stress test - at stress test that can't make it fail if I have the case open.

The card will run fine if you take it out and put it in a full size tower with good circulation.
It's just getting to hot at the header where it meets the riser board.

(Interestingly, if you only run the onboard 4600 graphics but leave the GTX 760 Ti enabled - no desktop extended onto it - it will still BSoD. So the heat that is causing the failure isn't coming from running a monitor. You can use Afterburner to manually force the GPU fans to 100% & it will still BSoD.)

If you saw the physical design you'd understand. There's a dead spot of air & that's where the problem occurs.

 

[Paul NZ]

Anything is possible. 2 things can get the same thing. And brand new hardware can be faulty

If it works in a better cooled case, yup it maybe overheating in the case it was in

Programs like afterburner can also crash a system. Programs like this I avoid

 

[Nepex]

Albert, I actually still haven't resolved this problem. I've had three separate replacement orders from Dell. They have replaced the graphics card 3 times, power board, riser card, power supply, and both sticks of RAM. They are now wanting me to wipe my hard drive and do a fresh install of Windows, which I can't do until October because I'm using some unique product keys for some programs for classes. After which they said they will just replace the whole PC if the error occurs again.

That's interesting that the crashes stop if you remove the side panel. I don't believe mine is a heat issue and I can't replicate the crash through stress tests. It's completely random. I suspect my motherboard is bad since it's the only part apart from the hard drive that hasn't been replaced. But we'll see.

Also, I agree - the customer service is very hit or miss. It took me weeks to finally get them to replace a part. They did dozens of tests along with sweeping my graphics drivers over and over (which I told them I've already done numerous times). I'm finally in contact with a dedicated representative who I'm happy with but I'm pretty unsatisfied with this product and would totally just buy a new system if I had the cash.

 

[Paul NZ]

Something must be overheating then, if it doesnt crash with the side panel opened

 

[AlbertLark]

Albert, I actually still haven't resolved this problem. I've had three separate replacement orders from Dell. They have replaced the graphics card 3 times, power board, riser card, power supply, and both sticks of RAM.

Yes..... Dell claims that my problem is unique... and yet here we are.

I did a "Respawn".
I did a clean install of Windows 7 from a retail disk.
I used old drivers.
I used new drivers.
I used Windows 7 drivers.
Updated every driver.
Ran just Windows without installing additional software.
Nothing stops the BSoD.


Mine will BSoD in a very inconsistent manner as well (When if first started doing it).
The problem is 100% independent of what software is running.
I've even throttled the GPU significantly while forcing the fans to run 100% - still BSoD's.

The consistent way I get a BSoD is to put the case together & set it vertically (I think that the case depends quite heavily on the vents on the bottom - pretty dumb for a case designed to sit vertically). If the computer is completely cold, it will take 1.5-2.0 hours to BSoD. Then it will BSoD very quickly a couple times after that, then just quit.

For example, I used it for 6 hours with 2 monitors on the GTX & a third on the 4600. Then talked with the Dell guy & he took over the computer. He ran Heaven as a stress test & no problem. Then I put the side on and put it vertically & in less than 7 minutes he got a BSoD.

At this point I don't want this silly case, I don't think the components can stand the heat for more than a year.

I'd

 

[Nepex]

Albert, I actually still haven't resolved this problem. I've had three separate replacement orders from Dell. They have replaced the graphics card 3 times, power board, riser card, power supply, and both sticks of RAM.

Yes..... Dell claims that my problem is unique... and yet here we are.

Yeah, I've tried all those things minus the Windows installation. I've read a few similar cases on other forums and it usually turns out to be a motherboard issue (although, yours does completely sound like a heat issue). Mine has worked for two weeks before without crashing then all of a sudden it starts crashing hourly. The technician that came to replace the parts told me only 5% of Alienware products have technical difficulties, refurbished or new - not sure how true that is.

But yeah, if I had the option I would get a refund because I honestly don't want the thing anymore.

 

[AlbertLark]

Forgot to mention that usually the computer is in a room @ 62-70°F.
The BSoD happens notably faster when ambient is up around 85°F.

I'm 99.7% convinced it's a heat issue & it is NOT CAUSED BY THE GTX. The heat is coming from somewhere else and affecting the GTX (I'm a mech eng & designed kiosks for hot weather use... so maybe I'm a little overconfident) .
The GTX's temps do not spike prior to a BSoD.
And with the GTX disabled I've run 4 hour stress tests with the case buttoned up without issue.

I think I can fix the problem by removing the LED light on the removable panel, cutting a hole in the metal panel backing plate & adding a little NorthBridge style fan in the "Dead Zone" pictured above.
By why should I have to?

How often are you getting a BSoD nowadays? or have you just gone exclusive with the 4600?

 

[Nepex]

I would not do that as it would probably void your warranty if you're still pressing to have it fixed - assuming you're still under warranty. There are people with working X51s.

As far as BSoDs go, mine are very inconsistent. I've been 4 days without one, but before that it was happening multiple times daily for about two weeks. I refuse to use the 4600 because it's a noticeable downgrade and I want to get what I paid for.

 

[AlbertLark]

There are people with working X51s.

I refuse to use the 4600 because it's a noticeable downgrade and I want to get what I paid for.

When I log into Dell it says my model is "Early 2013", but it was purchased in Jan of 2014.
From what I've seen online, the problem we are having is isolated to the GTX 760 Ti.

Is yours an "early 2013" model?
Have you heard of anyone with the same problem and not a GTX 760 Ti?

I agree with you on the 4600 - you can tell it is slower just surfing the net...

 

[Nepex]

Alienware X51 R2 (Early 2013) - yes, it would appear so.

It's worth noting we have slightly different graphics cards, mine isn't the Ti version. But no, I haven't found a single case where it was a faulty graphics card (not saying it can't be). Only overheating, motherboard, and power issues.

As far as I know, many things can cause the 0x116 stop error. It's a display driver crashing so most people want to point to the GPU, but it's pretty obvious in our cases that it is something else causing the GPU to become unresponsive.

 

[AlbertLark]

Good point on the Ti vs non-Ti.

When I look at my BSoD dump files, the nvlddmkm.sys is always first but then it also references a direct X file as part of the problem..
The fact that I got a BSoD when I wasn't using the GTX to run any monitors seems especially difficult to explain.

My gut tells me there is a component that is getting overheated. (Mother board, Riser, Video Card, ???)
And it isn't heat coming from the CPU or GPU being stressed, it's just a weird hot spot.

Have you heard of anyone getting this problem solved by Dell?

I've heard that if you change the video from Auto to Discrete and disable PCIE gen 3 in the BIOS then sometimes your problems disappear....

 

[Nepex]

Hmm, your problem is beginning to sound a little different from mine. Mine does not BSoD if I don't use the 760 while connected to the 4600. I can hear the fans ramp up on it like it does when it crashes but I can still get a display from the 4600.

I haven't specifically heard of this problem getting solved by Dell, but just be persistent with them and they are obligated to replace parts and eventually the entire PC.

My settings are PCIE Gen 3: Disabled / Video: Auto. These were set by the Dell rep. I haven't really experimented with other settings as he told me it can cause problems.

 

[AlbertLark]

To be clear - while running on the 4600:
If I go into device manager and "disable" the GTX, then I don't get the BSoD.
If I go into the Windows desktop settings and "disconnect this display" so that anything connected to the GTX760 Ti is grayed out, I still get the BSoD (the computer was on and being used for about 10 hours when it happened).