Question Out of ideas, please help. Computer randomly restarting and sometimes various BSOD. Stumped and frustrated.

[I need a less insulting username]

Brand new computer, about 6 months old. Last couple weeks i've had issues with my computer randomly restarting and sometimes getting BSOD, various errors.

I've done memtest twice, no errors both times. Just finished a FurMark test and no crashes. Which is why i'm very very stuck and I don't understand what else it could be.

I'm assuming a hardware failure of some sorts. Done some research since the FurMark test and it seems it could be PSU or the PSU isn't giving the right amount of power? But i don't understand why the FurMark passed at high stress.

I am just stumped and i'm getting very frustrated with things. I got a new computer to prevent this fun stuff.

PC - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/KmctrV

I wiped my computer a couple times, I thought maybe software issues, but the problems persisted. I've also switched ram slots, same issues. i did a scv test and it came back with corrupted file and fixed them, problem persisted. (Was recommended after the BSOD)

Edit - Forgot to mention I am getting random FPS drops in various games. Mainly playing PoE atm and I get FPS drops at both intense and seemingly nothing events. With this build it makes no sense I should be getting any severe FPS drops.

 

[4745454b]

What drives are you using? Cpu cooler? You said bsod, the info it gives is important. What is it? What's in the event viewer?

 

[Darkbreeze]

"Switching RAM slots" does nothing, ever, for anybody. There are specific DIMM slots that memory should be installed/populated in based on how many DIMMs are installed, and it doesn't matter what the platform is. Dual channel, quad channel, etc., there are specific slots to use for one, two, four, six, eight DIMM installations and NOT using those slots can cause it's own problems as well as not solving any issues to begin with.

Your motherboard is a four DIMM slot dual channel motherboard, which means for two DIMMs the memory should be installed in second and fourth DIMM slots, not ANY other configuration, when two DIMMs are installed.

If your memory is not installed as seen below, then fix it, and then leave it. If there is EVER a memory related issue that doesn't allow proper operation with the memory populated as seen then there is some OTHER problem going on, like bad memory, bent pins, or something else, and moving the memory to another slot isn't going to solve that so it's a waste of time. The only time the memory should EVER be removed when there is a problem is to reseat it in case of poor contacts or to replace it.

Moving right along, if you don't have the MOST recent motherboard BIOS version installed, I'd start there, followed by making sure you have the latest drivers from the motherboard product page for LAN/Ethernet and Audio chipset AND the latest AMD chipset drivers for the B450 chipset from the AMD website installed.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

I honestly didn't know about event viewer so I'm not sure which I should be checking to see the errors of BSOD. I've had 3 different errors with it though.

1 was something TRAP and the other 2 were something IRQL related. Sorry I can't be more specific.

CPU cooler is stock from AMD.

What do you mean by drives? Video card drivers?


Okay. I was told by someone to switch the ram to see something so I'll definitely put that back.

I am downloading the "AMD Chipset Drivers"


Not sure if that comes with BIOS but if not i'll do that as well. Thanks everyone for replying so far. I'm at a loss atm.

Having a HELL of a time updating the bios. nothing i seem to do works. Trying "rufus" now. But every time i go to m-flash. I click m-flash (in bios) it automatically asks "run flash setup" i click yes. it reboot, takes me to a screen to select a file from my usb, but there's no file there. only thing there is "system information". I've followed the instructions from MSI to a tee, multiple other guides. idk what i'm doing wrong here. but basically it seems its not recognizing the bios file what so ever.

 

[Turtle Rig]

I honestly didn't know about event viewer so I'm not sure which I should be checking to see the errors of BSOD. I've had 3 different errors with it though.

1 was something TRAP and the other 2 were something IRQL related. Sorry I can't be more specific.

CPU cooler is stock from AMD.

What do you mean by drives? Video card drivers?


Okay. I was told by someone to switch the ram to see something so I'll definitely put that back.

I am downloading the "AMD Chipset Drivers"


Not sure if that comes with BIOS but if not i'll do that as well. Thanks everyone for replying so far. I'm at a loss atm.

Having a HELL of a time updating the bios. nothing i seem to do works. Trying "rufus" now. But every time i go to m-flash. I click m-flash (in bios) it automatically asks "run flash setup" i click yes. it reboot, takes me to a screen to select a file from my usb, but there's no file there. only thing there is "system information". I've followed the instructions from MSI to a tee, multiple other guides. idk what i'm doing wrong here. but basically it seems its not recognizing the bios file what so ever.

Well sorry to say event viewer will give info but it does not log BSODs by default. You can thank Uncle Billy for that one. So your box crashes even if idle? Or must you stress it? If it is happening at random playing a game or not then Im hundred percent shure it is the PSU and its awful ampage on the 12v rail. Just be happy it did not damage any of your components. Also please go to BIOS and set to optimized defaults, then go to Windows power options and choose high performance plan then hit us back up as to what happened☮🚔🍩💯👽🤷‍♂️

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Well sorry to say event viewer will give info but it does not log BSODs by default. You can thank Uncle Billy for that one. So your box crashes even if idle? Or must you stress it? If it is happening at random playing a game or not then Im hundred percent shure it is the PSU and its awful ampage on the 12v rail. Just be happy it did not damage any of your components. Also please go to BIOS and set to optimized defaults, then go to Windows power options and choose high performance plan then hit us back up as to what happened☮🚔🍩💯👽🤷‍♂️

Updated bios finally. I have been running at high performance plan already so there's that. It does both while idling and stress i believe. cause sometimes i'll just come back and my computer restarted so.

updated drivers and bios so i'll see where that leads me. i hope i'm not back =\. except to say thank you. Would you suggest replacing the PSU asap then if that's the case? If so what would you recommend for the build, seeing as you seem to not like the one i got

 

[Darkbreeze]

There is nothing wrong with your power supply. It is among some of the best units out there. Ignore the post regarding your power supply being to blame. It might be, but it's VERY doubtful as it's a very good model overall.

Anybody who posts the belief that the Seasonic Focus plus platinum units are "awful ampage (sic) on the 12v rail" obviously has ZERO knowledge of what they are talking about, and should refrain from posting in topics with the adults.

Be sure to take a look at CPU and graphics card thermals too, to make sure this isn't a case of thermal problems. I recommend using Ryzen master and Core Temp for monitoring thermals, or HWinfo. ONLY those utilities. Not HWmonitor, Speccy, or anything else.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

There is nothing wrong with your power supply. It is among some of the best units out there. Ignore the post by Turtle rig, he talks nonsense sometimes. A lot in fact. Certainly in this case.

Anybody who posts the belief that the Seasonic Focus plus platinum units are "awful ampage (sic) on the 12v rail" obviously has ZERO knowledge of what they are talking about, and should refrain from posting in topics with the adults.

Be sure to take a look at CPU and graphics card thermals too, to make sure this isn't a case of thermal problems. I recommend using Ryzen master and Core Temp for monitoring thermals, or HWinfo. ONLY those utilities. Not HWmonitor, Speccy, or anything else.

Okay. What exactly should i be monitoring? How much heat is too much, etc.

After all the bios fuss and updating all drivers, i just got another crash. Was playing a game but it wasn't intense at the time, just as a note.

Back to the fun of diagnosing...

I should also note, my main monitor sometimes just goes dark, then comes back. Quite quickly. Like when you update a driver. Only goes for about 1 second. I run three monitors. All different resolutions also. But my main is 1440p.

I don't know what I would be looking for but here's a little clip of the event viewer around the time of the most recent crash.

https://imgur.com/6U60igV

View: https://imgur.com/6U60igV

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Found some error codes on trying to track BSOD (which i havent had since yesterday)

Found this:


Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger
Date: 9/25/2020 9:41:42 PM
Event ID: 18
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords:
User: LOCAL SERVICE
Computer: DESKTOP-MN823J3
Description:
A fatal hardware error has occurred.

Reported by component: Processor Core
Error Source: Machine Check Exception
Error Type: Cache Hierarchy Error
Processor APIC ID: 4

The details view of this entry contains further information.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger" Guid="{c26c4f3c-3f66-4e99-8f8a-39405cfed220}" />
<EventID>18</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2020-09-26T04:41:42.5082938Z" />
<EventRecordID>3509</EventRecordID>
<Correlation ActivityID="{8cebfd87-91da-43f8-be08-2c47925fc9b3}" />
<Execution ProcessID="4172" ThreadID="5096" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>DESKTOP-MN823J3</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-19" />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="ErrorSource">3</Data>
<Data Name="ApicId">4</Data>
<Data Name="MCABank">5</Data>
<Data Name="MciStat">0xbea0000000000108</Data>
<Data Name="MciAddr">0x7ff6fa6d431e</Data>
<Data Name="MciMisc">0xd01a0ffe00000000</Data>
<Data Name="ErrorType">9</Data>
<Data Name="TransactionType">2</Data>
<Data Name="Participation">256</Data>
<Data Name="RequestType">0</Data>
<Data Name="MemorIO">256</Data>
<Data Name="MemHierarchyLvl">0</Data>
<Data Name="Timeout">256</Data>
<Data Name="OperationType">256</Data>
<Data Name="Channel">256</Data>
<Data Name="Length">936</Data>
<Data Name="RawData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ata>
</EventData>
</Event>

https://imgur.com/SU7rWBu

View: https://imgur.com/SU7rWBu

 

[Darkbreeze]

I've asked somebody with more experience, specific to crash dumps, to jump in and see if they can help with interpreting your error.

 

[Colif]

Can you follow option one on the following link - here - and then do this step below: Small memory dumps - Have Windows Create a Small Memory Dump (Minidump) on BSOD - that creates a file in c windows/minidump after the next BSOD

copy that file to documents

upload the copy from documents to a file sharing web site, and share the link in your thread so we can help fix the problem

Not going to try to interpret it from an event viewer report. It often shows errors there that have happened once and not again.

WHEA - Windows Hardware Error Architecture.. they are errors called by the CPU but not necessarily caused by it. Machine check exception is an error very similar to WHEA errors

can you run this as well - it will create a zip file so if you can upload that as well, it would be great - https://www.sysnative.com/forums/pages/bsodcollectionapp/

Have you tried running Prime95 on the PC?
Download location - https://www.mersenne.org/download/
Prime 95 Guide: http://www.playtool.com/pages/prime95/prime95.html

its only real CPU test we have for AMD.
Have you got the latest motherboard bios?

build seems to be lacking storage. I would be surprised if it was a Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum not supplying the right power... i guess there is a first for everything

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Can you follow option one on the following link - here - and then do this step below: Small memory dumps - Have Windows Create a Small Memory Dump (Minidump) on BSOD - that creates a file in c windows/minidump after the next BSOD

copy that file to documents

upload the copy from documents to a file sharing web site, and share the link in your thread so we can help fix the problem

Not going to try to interpret it from an event viewer report. It often shows errors there that have happened once and not again.

WHEA - Windows Hardware Error Architecture.. they are errors called by the CPU but not necessarily caused by it. Machine check exception is an error very similar to WHEA errors

can you run this as well - it will create a zip file so if you can upload that as well, it would be great - https://www.sysnative.com/forums/pages/bsodcollectionapp/

Have you tried running Prime95 on the PC?
Download location - https://www.mersenne.org/download/
Prime 95 Guide: http://www.playtool.com/pages/prime95/prime95.html

its only real CPU test we have for AMD.
Have you got the latest motherboard bios?

build seems to be lacking storage. I would be surprised if it was a Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum not supplying the right power... i guess there is a first for everything

I updated the motherboard bios yesterday and still encountered a crash.

I'm working right now but I'll run through everything you've mentioned in a few hours and let you know.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Can you follow option one on the following link - here - and then do this step below: Small memory dumps - Have Windows Create a Small Memory Dump (Minidump) on BSOD - that creates a file in c windows/minidump after the next BSOD

copy that file to documents

upload the copy from documents to a file sharing web site, and share the link in your thread so we can help fix the problem

Not going to try to interpret it from an event viewer report. It often shows errors there that have happened once and not again.

WHEA - Windows Hardware Error Architecture.. they are errors called by the CPU but not necessarily caused by it. Machine check exception is an error very similar to WHEA errors

can you run this as well - it will create a zip file so if you can upload that as well, it would be great - https://www.sysnative.com/forums/pages/bsodcollectionapp/

Have you tried running Prime95 on the PC?
Download location - https://www.mersenne.org/download/
Prime 95 Guide: http://www.playtool.com/pages/prime95/prime95.html

its only real CPU test we have for AMD.
Have you got the latest motherboard bios?

build seems to be lacking storage. I would be surprised if it was a Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum not supplying the right power... i guess there is a first for everything

https://we.tl/t-7Va9AlsRwa -- Zip folder off the Sysnative.com link. BSOD Collection APP

https://we.tl/t-ynKa8S3V9n -- Previous Dump Files of the last 2.

I've never tried Prime95 before, don't know what it is, but i'll do this as well


Currently running a "Blend" test with prime 95. Not sure how long i should be running it or if "Blend" is the right option here. To be honest i skimmed through the guide, it seems that blend is fine. My CPU and Memory are at 100% / 94% respectively.


Wondering, if i should run it for a long time, if I should just run it overnight while i sleep?

Ran it for 15 minutes, no warnings / errors. I will run overnight, as the consensus seems to be to run for 12-24 hoursish? If i get another BSOD i'll report those right away. I haven't had one in a couple days but I have gotten lots of random computer restarts.

 

[gardenman]

Hi, I ran the dump files through the debugger and got the following information: https://jsfiddle.net/gnm7srw0/show This link is for anyone wanting to help. You do not have to view it. It is safe to "run the fiddle" as the page asks.

Spoiler

File information:	092420-6500-01.dmp (Sep 24 2020 - 18:25:18)
Bugcheck:	UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP (7F)
Probably caused by:	memory_corruption (Process: iCUE.exe)
Uptime:	0 Day(s), 1 Hour(s), 30 Min(s), and 15 Sec(s)

File information:	092220-10125-01.dmp (Sep 22 2020 - 14:52:35)
Bugcheck:	IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (A)
Probably caused by:	memory_corruption (Process: iCUE.exe)
Uptime:	1 Day(s), 1 Hour(s), 32 Min(s), and 52 Sec(s)

Possible Motherboard page: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B450-TOMAHAWK-MAX

This information can be used by others to help you. Someone else will post with more information. Please wait for additional answers. Good luck.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

So had my 3rd crash within the last few hours. Still no BSOD but I do get Kernel-Power errors event viewer.

I was watching my temp every now and again. video card got up to about 76ish and processor I think was between 60-70 max. Was hoping I might be able to see a log from when my computer crashed on Core Temp or Ryzen Master but I don't see any such thing.

Also my main monitor did the black for 1 second then to normal again, while my other 2 monitors stay on. Not sure what that's about or if its related.

While playing my game I notice I slowly get worse n worse fps drops. It doesn't seem to crash DURING the fps drops but I been noticing my performance slowly gets worse the longer I play. It definitely acts like the power gets cut off for a split second then it just boots up like normal.

I went through my computer and made sure everything was plugged in nicely and it all seems perfectly fine. Hoping we can get to this soon. Starting to become super frustrating, crashing in the middle of something sucks, lol.

 

[ChumP]

So had my 3rd crash within the last few hours. Still no BSOD but I do get Kernel-Power errors event viewer.

I was watching my temp every now and again. video card got up to about 76ish and processor I think was between 60-70 max. Was hoping I might be able to see a log from when my computer crashed on Core Temp or Ryzen Master but I don't see any such thing.

Also my main monitor did the black for 1 second then to normal again, while my other 2 monitors stay on. Not sure what that's about or if its related.

While playing my game I notice I slowly get worse n worse fps drops. It doesn't seem to crash DURING the fps drops but I been noticing my performance slowly gets worse the longer I play. It definitely acts like the power gets cut off for a split second then it just boots up like normal.

I went through my computer and made sure everything was plugged in nicely and it all seems perfectly fine. Hoping we can get to this soon. Starting to become super frustrating, crashing in the middle of something sucks, lol.

Do you have iCUE installed on your computer?
Both of your dumps point to it.

There are many who have had various problems with this software.
If you have it installed, try uninstalling it and see how it goes.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Do you have iCUE installed on your computer?
Both of your dumps point to it.

There are many who have had various problems with this software.
If you have it installed, try uninstalling it and see how it goes.

Yup I do. I'll give that a go. I do use it to rebind a couple keys on my keyboard but I can figure out another way.

 

[tsibiski]

This may not be a feasible suggestion for you from an "available resources" perspective. After this debugging is done, and if the issue persists, it might be worthwhile trading out a component 1 by 1 to see if the issues stop.

For example, if you know someone who has another Ryzen processor, you can take your 3600 out, and throw that in. Then see if the errors persist. You might find it worth getting a really cheap used one on Ebay for this purpose as a last resort - at least when you feel like you are close to building out a whole new PC or buying a prebuilt in frustration.

If the errors persist, you've probably ruled out an issues with the CPU. Then, it might be worth trying the GPU next. After that, RAM could be next. And if it all continues, then it seems possible that the PSU or mobo are having problems.

Note, before using all new RAM, I'd try simply using one of the DIMMs at a time in the A2 slot. If it keeps occurring with 1 of them, insert the other stick in A2. Using only 1 of them at a time could rule out a RAM issue without needing to use a different DIMM entirely. This might actually be the most logical first step since it doesn't require you to find another part, or buy something. Sorry if I missed it if you actually tried this already. I saw the comments about switching slots with the RAM, but didn't see anything about removing one of the sticks and using 1 at a time.

I threw it out in that order because that seemed like a reasonable order that might include more likely components to be having issues.

I am a programmer, but not a big source of knowledge on hardware. I'm sure any of the mods/posters in this thread can correct me if my suggestions seem less than prudent.

 

[RealBeast]

Brand new computer, about 6 months old. Last couple weeks i've had issues with my computer randomly restarting and sometimes getting BSOD, various errors.

I've done memtest twice, no errors both times. Just finished a FurMark test and no crashes. Which is why i'm very very stuck and I don't understand what else it could be.

I'm assuming a hardware failure of some sorts. Done some research since the FurMark test and it seems it could be PSU or the PSU isn't giving the right amount of power? But i don't understand why the FurMark passed at high stress.

I am just stumped and i'm getting very frustrated with things. I got a new computer to prevent this fun stuff.

PC - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/KmctrV

I wiped my computer a couple times, I thought maybe software issues, but the problems persisted. I've also switched ram slots, same issues. i did a scv test and it came back with corrupted file and fixed them, problem persisted. (Was recommended after the BSOD)

Edit - Forgot to mention I am getting random FPS drops in various games. Mainly playing PoE atm and I get FPS drops at both intense and seemingly nothing events. With this build it makes no sense I should be getting any severe FPS drops.

Other than your memory NOT being on the QVL for your board with a Matisse CPU and assuming that you updated your bios for the CPU, you've probably heard a lot of suggestions. I would contact G.Skill and ask their tech support if any settings on that kit will work with your board.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Well getting rid of iCue did nothing. Got another crash. Even did a disk cleanup n stuff to make sure it was off the computer. Still happened.

I wish i could recreate the issue consistently so that I could try the ram thing efficiently. the 1 ram at a time that is.

Trading 1 component at a time sounds extremely tedious and definitely not feasible for me. But i totally understand that may have to be a process.

Is there really no way to pin point which part is causing the issue or if its software related? So frustrating. I appreciate all the help so far I'm just so confused and frustrated at this point.

 

[tsibiski]

Well getting rid of iCue did nothing. Got another crash. Even did a disk cleanup n stuff to make sure it was off the computer. Still happened.

I wish i could recreate the issue consistently so that I could try the ram thing efficiently. the 1 ram at a time that is.

Trading 1 component at a time sounds extremely tedious and definitely not feasible for me. But i totally understand that may have to be a process.

Is there really no way to pin point which part is causing the issue or if its software related? So frustrating. I appreciate all the help so far I'm just so confused and frustrated at this point.

Well, speaking for the 1 RAM stick at a time, it sounds like it is very consistent for you. Like, every single day, you get at least one crash or random restart. So you should be able to do just fine with one stick of RAM for a day or so. The effect on your gaming experience shouldn't be so high that it is unplayable or unenjoyable.

With the iCUE app uninstalled, it might be a good idea to get another dump. The previous dump said that it was "probably" iCUE. I assume based on which pies the app had its fingers in at the time. With updated crash data, it may offer another possible app as the culprit - assuming it is an app that could be causing this problem.

And speaking purely from a software debugging perspective - and extrapolating that to a hardware debugging process, these kinds of things are always tedious and frustrating. I empathize. But the question ultimately is, do you want to do the tedious and frustrating thing and probably save a lot of money, or do you want to just go get a new computer. The latter will definitely result in a lot less frustration, but a much bigger hit on the wallet.

Just food for thought.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

Well, speaking for the 1 RAM stick at a time, it sounds like it is very consistent for you. Like, every single day, you get at least one crash or random restart. So you should be able to do just fine with one stick of RAM for a day or so. The effect on your gaming experience shouldn't be so high that it is unplayable or unenjoyable.

With the iCUE app uninstalled, it might be a good idea to get another dump. The previous dump said that it was "probably" iCUE. I assume based on which pies the app had its fingers in at the time. With updated crash data, it may offer another possible app as the culprit - assuming it is an app that could be causing this problem.

Wait is there a way to get another dump / bsod? Can i force it to see which app it decides to blame next? lol.

 

[tsibiski]

Wait is there a way to get another dump / bsod? Can i force it to see which app it decides to blame next? lol.

I'm not sure/didn't notice how you got the first dump that blamed iCUE.exe. I'd recommend just doing the same thing you did then the next time a BSOD happens.

 

[I need a less insulting username]

I'm not sure/didn't notice how you got the first dump that blamed iCUE.exe. I'd recommend just doing the same thing you did then the next time a BSOD happens.

That's just it. I'm doing the same things as when i got the first 2. Haven't had one in 2 days now though but all i was doing was playing my game as usual.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Is there really no way to pin point which part is causing the issue or if its software related? So frustrating. I appreciate all the help so far I'm just so confused and frustrated at this point.

Of course there's a way. Create a bootable Ubuntu flash drive, run it off that and see if you have any problems with a non-Windows OS. If you do, then it's hardware. If you don't, then it's Windows/driver/update/utility/non-hardware issue. Ubuntu even supports gaming so if the problem only happens when gaming you can at least try to trigger it there as well.