BSOD daily while gaming & watching videos

frebreez3 · 01 Aug 2016

Running:
GPU - R9 380 4gb.
CPU - i5 4460.
RAM - 8gb balistix ram.
PS - CS550 M corsair.
Mobo - MSI b85 G41

I have been crashing very frequently while running Overwatch (exists out of the program) as well as occasional 1-2 a day *BSODS usually during game. This is more rare when idle on the desktop screen. I ran Win10 verifier in order to investigate what could be causing this, it seems like an AMD driver.

The reason I suspect it is AMD is because of the error message I received when trying to investigate what is causing all these issues (by running verifier to stress my drivers)

ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by : atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+105c )

However, not all the BSODS that occur while gaming point to the GPU. The BSODS have been ranging in type such as irql_not_less_or_equal, various memory issue ones, paging file size, as well as a 'attempted to write to read only position' (or something).

Various fixes and diagnosis I have tried:

Install a fresh copy of windows
Make sure all other drivers are updated (including bios)
Changed various graphical settings ingame (ranging from lowest to highest, all crashing, as well as various different screen rates)
Ran the *more* stable Crimson 15.11.1 beta driver, still crashes .Tried 16.3 crashes, now running 16.7, still crashes.
Set a longer TdrDelay value (now currently at 8)
Ran memtest86 overnight to check ram. Passed 6 full tests, no errors.
Used DDU and reinstalled only the AMD video driver(Crimson 15.11.1) (went to Realtek website for most recent audio driver . Didn't restart, used CMD and typed:
'expand.exe atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys' (found in AMD folder)
'expand.exe atikmpag.sy_ atikmpag.sys' (found in AMD folder)
**Moved these back into my System32->drivers folder, seemed to be a bit more stable at first, but then returned back to crashing. (This was a fix I found online that some reported would help).

I uploaded the general zipfile that is instructed to be posted. But I also uploaded a folder containing four separate debugging reports I had during the bsods (just started collecting them and saving the crash reports).

** It should be noted that this has been frequently referenced as poor driver software from AMD, but I really would like you guys to take a look at it and see if there's anything else I can do other than wait.

philc43 · 02 Aug 2016

Hello frebreez3 and welcome to TenForums :)

I would tend to agree with your diagnosis so far. I captured a few pointers from the dump files below and these confirm there are problems with the AMD drivers. You are using the most recent dated 18 Jul 2016.

Code:

fffff801`c63bb838  fffff801`37e5bd94Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
 atikmpag+0xbd94


0: kd> lmvm atikmpag
Browse full module list
start             end                 module name
fffff801`37e50000 fffff801`37ed1000   atikmpag T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: atikmpag.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys
    Image name: atikmpag.sys
    Browse all global symbols  functions  data
    Timestamp:        Mon Jul 18 21:32:52 2016 (578D3CF4)
    CheckSum:         0008A233
    ImageSize:        00081000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

BugCheck D1, {ffffe0001c717080, 2, 0, fffff801378e0bf0}

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmdag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmdag.sys
Probably caused by : dxgkrnl.sys ( dxgkrnl!DxgNotifyVSyncCB+0 )

There is evidence of memory corruption but I would guess it is more to do with the drivers than bad RAM. However, I should point out that we do not confirm that RAM is error free until at least 8 passes of the Memtest86+, you would need to repeat the test and leave it for longer to be sure you have tested your RAM thoroughly.

frebreez3 · 02 Aug 2016

philc43 said:

There is evidence of memory corruption but I would guess it is more to do with the drivers than bad RAM. However, I should point out that we do not confirm that RAM is error free until at least 8 passes of the Memtest86+, you would need to repeat the test and leave it for longer to be sure you have tested your RAM thoroughly.

At first I was frustrated I was going to have to run another memtest on my system, but low and behold, there was a ram error on pass # 6 and #8! (Was on 10 when I stopped it). Just my case alone should be used as an example for why its important to run the FULL 8 tests.

I have two sticks of 8 gb's of RAM; however, I only had one in because I have been trying to diagnose what is wrong with my system. I have now put in my OTHER stick of ram(#2). (the test was run on only one of my sticks of ram (#1) because I knew there was a small chance it could be RAM related). My most recent install of my OS and all my gaming has been done on this one stick of RAM (#1), so perhaps this could be the problem in the end. However, from my knowledge it could also be my DIMM slot for my ram?

In summary, the most recent results came from having 'RAM stick 1' in my DIMM #2 slot. I have now put in 'RAM stick 2' into my DIMM #4 slot. I will run a memtest probably tomorrow night and get back to you to see what I get. If this configuration comes back clean, then it means both the 'RAM stick 2' and the DIMM slot #4 are good. Which makes me want to go test my other RAM stick in this slot #4 to verifiy if its the 'RAM stick 1' thats corrupted or the DIMM slot #2.

Regardless of the outcome, it indicates my OS was installed using faulty RAM (slot/ram doesn't matter still corrupt). Will I need to do a full OS install again? Also, what else will I need to do to get a stable system?

philc43 · 03 Aug 2016

Once you have completed the tests on both sticks and also on the slots you will know whether it is just the RAM or if it is the slot on the Motherboard. Either continue with 8GB or buy a new matched pair of memory sticks to use the dual channel mode. Having a matching pair is most important so unless you know that you can buy an exact match to your current good stick it is not worth the time or money saved.

You should not need to do a OS install but note that the new Anniversary Update is here so you will get a new install anyway :)