- Dec 4, 2012
- 4
- 0
- 10,510
Sit back folks, this one is a doozy.
Build
CPU: i5-4790k
GPU: ASUS Radeon R9 290
PSU: Corsair 600W
Mobo: AsRock Z97 Extreme4
RAM: Ballistix 8GB DDR3 1600
HD: Western Digital 500 GB 7200
DVD drive
4 120mm LED Fans
No overclocking on parts.
LONG VERSION: My wife recently wanted a PC built so I bought the parts for a computer. I placed my old PSU into it (a Corsair 600W) and my old Western Digital into it. Both are about a year old. The rest were new parts. About a day into installation she was complaining of artifacts on screen and BSODs. The error messages were atikmpag.sys and sometimes atikmdag.sys. Graphical glitches would come whether on video games or browser or even on idle. I automatically assumed it was the GPU (An ASUS R9 290) and, after changing drivers around without success, I RMA'ed it and got another of the same make and model. I replaced it, but after another day the BSODs began again. This time I did what I have found on multiple forums: I've changed driver versions through 13, 14, and beta drivers. I expanded manually both atikmdag.sys and atikmpag.sys using the "Expand.exe" method. I changed the Windows 7 Aero scheme to Classic. I updated the motherboard drivers (AsRock Z97 Extreme4). Nothing was working.
I should stop here and remind that both my HD and my PSU were in a build of the exact same a week ago (only the mobo was different). I have my doubts that one of these is bad, as the PSU was operating fine when I pulled it out of the old computer to plug into this new build. I put the hard drive through multiple "Check Disk" operations and Windows 7 repairs. It cleared without errors. It is also not temperature problems, as both SpeedFan and ASUS GPU Tweak confirmed that temperatures are actually under optimal temperatures (the new case works really well!). At this time I was debating increasing voltage and clock speeds when I ran into a BSOD of the "Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area" variety. I knew from previous experience this is due to RAM problems normally. I ran another disc check to rule out the HD, then ran Memtest to check the RAM. Again, no errors.
This is where it gets weird. I decided to say screw it and re-install windows to rule out the possibilities of software problems. I went to take some of the game updates out of My Documents, only to find that my entire libraries for my User had disappeared. Only the Public ones remained, and they were empty! Checked Recycle Bin, but nothing was in there. Program Files were untouched. When I put my boot disk into the DVD drive, it would not recognize the D drive even though I was staring right at it on My Computer. I did a hard reset and booted from disc. It booted up the Windows 7 installation disc, but it refused to recognize my keyboard and mouse, like they didn't have power. Tried multiple USB ports, nothing worked. I saw that the LEDS in both mouse and keyboard would flash, but then it would disappear like it had been unplugged and I wouldn't be able to use them. Did another hard reset, booted from disc, keyboard and mouse now registered. I got through installation, updated all drivers, booted up a game, and the artifacts reappeared. So, nothing new except even more problems to ponder.
Here is what I have NOT done yet that's on my to-do list: swap for a good graphics card, increase voltage to GPU, increase idle clock speeds, and check all the power cords. However, seeing as the Page_Fault error occurred, I'm now doubting it's a GPU issue, and with the screwups while trying reinstallation I'm guessing it's hardware failure. Can anyone give me more ideas to try out, or should I say screw it and RMA everything?
Thanks for reading through this.
TL;DR : Getting BSODs after recent build, specifically atikmpag.sys, atikmdag.sys, and Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area. Also would get graphical glitches and "Display Driver Has Stopped Responding and Has Recovered" messages. I have replaced the GPU, changed both mobo and display drivers through all versions I could find, changed the Aero scheme to Classic, have manually expanded atikmpag.sys and atikmdag.sys, check disk, reinstalled windows, and ran memtest. Both HD and RAM have come back without errors. It's not an overtemp issue as I'm constantly optimal temps, and I doubt it's the PSU because it was in a build a week ago of the exact same specs.
I've posted also in Seven Forums, hoping someone can help between these two forums.
Build
CPU: i5-4790k
GPU: ASUS Radeon R9 290
PSU: Corsair 600W
Mobo: AsRock Z97 Extreme4
RAM: Ballistix 8GB DDR3 1600
HD: Western Digital 500 GB 7200
DVD drive
4 120mm LED Fans
No overclocking on parts.
LONG VERSION: My wife recently wanted a PC built so I bought the parts for a computer. I placed my old PSU into it (a Corsair 600W) and my old Western Digital into it. Both are about a year old. The rest were new parts. About a day into installation she was complaining of artifacts on screen and BSODs. The error messages were atikmpag.sys and sometimes atikmdag.sys. Graphical glitches would come whether on video games or browser or even on idle. I automatically assumed it was the GPU (An ASUS R9 290) and, after changing drivers around without success, I RMA'ed it and got another of the same make and model. I replaced it, but after another day the BSODs began again. This time I did what I have found on multiple forums: I've changed driver versions through 13, 14, and beta drivers. I expanded manually both atikmdag.sys and atikmpag.sys using the "Expand.exe" method. I changed the Windows 7 Aero scheme to Classic. I updated the motherboard drivers (AsRock Z97 Extreme4). Nothing was working.
I should stop here and remind that both my HD and my PSU were in a build of the exact same a week ago (only the mobo was different). I have my doubts that one of these is bad, as the PSU was operating fine when I pulled it out of the old computer to plug into this new build. I put the hard drive through multiple "Check Disk" operations and Windows 7 repairs. It cleared without errors. It is also not temperature problems, as both SpeedFan and ASUS GPU Tweak confirmed that temperatures are actually under optimal temperatures (the new case works really well!). At this time I was debating increasing voltage and clock speeds when I ran into a BSOD of the "Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area" variety. I knew from previous experience this is due to RAM problems normally. I ran another disc check to rule out the HD, then ran Memtest to check the RAM. Again, no errors.
This is where it gets weird. I decided to say screw it and re-install windows to rule out the possibilities of software problems. I went to take some of the game updates out of My Documents, only to find that my entire libraries for my User had disappeared. Only the Public ones remained, and they were empty! Checked Recycle Bin, but nothing was in there. Program Files were untouched. When I put my boot disk into the DVD drive, it would not recognize the D drive even though I was staring right at it on My Computer. I did a hard reset and booted from disc. It booted up the Windows 7 installation disc, but it refused to recognize my keyboard and mouse, like they didn't have power. Tried multiple USB ports, nothing worked. I saw that the LEDS in both mouse and keyboard would flash, but then it would disappear like it had been unplugged and I wouldn't be able to use them. Did another hard reset, booted from disc, keyboard and mouse now registered. I got through installation, updated all drivers, booted up a game, and the artifacts reappeared. So, nothing new except even more problems to ponder.
Here is what I have NOT done yet that's on my to-do list: swap for a good graphics card, increase voltage to GPU, increase idle clock speeds, and check all the power cords. However, seeing as the Page_Fault error occurred, I'm now doubting it's a GPU issue, and with the screwups while trying reinstallation I'm guessing it's hardware failure. Can anyone give me more ideas to try out, or should I say screw it and RMA everything?
Thanks for reading through this.
TL;DR : Getting BSODs after recent build, specifically atikmpag.sys, atikmdag.sys, and Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area. Also would get graphical glitches and "Display Driver Has Stopped Responding and Has Recovered" messages. I have replaced the GPU, changed both mobo and display drivers through all versions I could find, changed the Aero scheme to Classic, have manually expanded atikmpag.sys and atikmdag.sys, check disk, reinstalled windows, and ran memtest. Both HD and RAM have come back without errors. It's not an overtemp issue as I'm constantly optimal temps, and I doubt it's the PSU because it was in a build a week ago of the exact same specs.
I've posted also in Seven Forums, hoping someone can help between these two forums.
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