BSOD while gaming

[LordKelvin2099]

Hi, I'm Kelvin. I don't know if I'm in the right section of threads (software or hardware). I've been having problems with my computer for the last month/month and a half. Already last year I had some very similar problems: blue screens. Likewise, they used to pop up when I was playing video games (in this case, Elden Ring or Sea of Thieves), but every once in a while (extremely rarely, maybe after close a game I was playing) it could also happen without playing games. The frequency of occurrence of these BSODs is not usually too suffocating, but every time I play, one may occur every other day or every three (game days, because if I'm not playing it doesn't happen). It was not always the same error code, but varied between three or four different ones. After updating some drivers, I managed to fix it. Now it has happened again, but I am not able to detect any incompatibility or locate outdated drivers. The error codes are usually: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, REFERENCE_BY_POINTER, ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NOEXECUTE_MEMORY and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. I have already run several scans on the hard disks to see if they have problems, and everything is fine. I would like your help, as I am getting desperate, and I don't know what to do. I have the minidumps of some of those errors, and a MEMORY dump of the last one: a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, in which the blue screen showed me Wdf01000.sys as wrong. After analyzing it with WinDbg, it appears to me that it was caused by ucx01000.sys. Another minidump I have from a REFERENCE_BY_POINTER points to ntkrnlmp.exe as the originator of the error. Thank you very much for your help. If you need anything, I will be attentive to it. I will leave here the data obtained from WhoCrashed and WinDbg of the two errors specifically commented (DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and REFERENCE_BY_POINTER), and other two minidumps with VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA.


WhoCrashed

• Crash dump file: C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\071024-11421-01.dmp (Minidump)
• Bugcheck code: 0xD1(0xFFFFF0061F1088B0, 0x2, 0x0, 0xFFFFF806157CDD5E)
• Bugcheck name: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
• Bug check description: This indicates that a kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high.
• Analysis: This is a typical software problem. Most likely this is caused by a bug in a driver.

• Crash dump file: C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\070424-11687-01.dmp (Minidump)
• Bugcheck code: 0x18(0xFFFF8D8FB8EFA220, 0xFFFF8D8FD39267E0, 0x1, 0x1)
• Bugcheck name: REFERENCE_BY_POINTER
• Bug check description: This indicates that the reference count of an object is illegal for the current state of the object.
• Analysis: This is a typical software problem. Most likely this is caused by a bug in a driver.

WinDbg
(Attached files)

• DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.txt
• REFERENCE_BY_POINTER : REFERENCE_BY_POINTER.txt

Minidumps
(Drive links)

• DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: 071024-11421-01.dmp
• REFERENCE_BY_POINTER: 070424-11687-01.dmp
• Other minidumps:
  • VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR: 061124-8890-01.dmp
  • PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA: 060924-12812-01.dmp

Specifications

• OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
• Version 10.0.19045 build 19045
• AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Six-Core Processor, 3400 Mhz, 6 Main Processors, 12 Logical Processors
• BIOS version and date American Megatrends Inc. 3810, 11/21/2022
• Motherboard manufacturer ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
• Motherboard product PRIME B450-PLUS
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB

 

[eidairaman1]

Post your full and complete detailed system specs please.

Are you overclocking anything?

Video issue sounds like gpu might be dying.

 

[redeye]

Post your full and complete detailed system specs please.

Are you overclocking anything?

Video issue sounds like gpu might be dying.

I had that (something like that) on cp2077, because i was overclocking.

make sure everything is stock, default settings on Motherboard…

your bios is old. looks like the original one, Update your BIOS.

easiest thing to do,
get a extra HDD, (or any SATA SSD larger than 128G )make sure to use UEFI, install windows clean. then install game, then play until it crashes… if it does not crash, problem solved. then re-install all programs…

good luck.

 

[eidairaman1]

I had that (something like that) on cp2077, because i was overclocking.

make sure everything is stock, default settings on Motherboard…

your bios is old. looks like the original one, Update your BIOS.

easiest thing to do,
get a extra HDD, (or any SATA SSD larger than 128G )make sure to use UEFI, install windows clean. then install game, then play until it crashes… if it does not crash, problem solved. then re-install all programs…

good luck.

So suspecting winblows10/11 problem?

 

[redeye]

So suspecting winblows10/11 problem?

perhaps… can DRM cause these sorts of problems?

swap out the old GPU, try a new gpu. but if it is DRM problems. it might need programs to be removed…

 

[eidairaman1]

perhaps… can DRM cause these sorts of problems?

swap out the old GPU, try a new gpu. but if it is DRM problems. it might need programs to be removed…

Not sure but anything is possible, its like gpu pcie speed problems can be caused by a spec of dust or corossion on a pcie pin or pad, or mobo is warped causing weak bonding. The gpu point, could be that the gpu is dying.

 

[LordKelvin2099]

Post your full and complete detailed system specs please.

Are you overclocking anything?

Video issue sounds like gpu might be dying.

Specifications

• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 10.0.19045 64-bit
• Motherboard: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. PRIME B450-PLUS (AM4)
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• PSU: Seasonic S12II 620W 80 Plus Bronze
• RAM: 16,0GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1182MHz
  • Slot #1: Kingston DDR4-2400, 4096 MBytes
  • Slot #2: Kingston DDR4-2400, 4096 MBytes
  • Slot #3: Kingston DDR4-2400, 8192 MBytes
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
• Storage
  • 223GB TOSHIBA-TR200 (SATA (SSD))
  • 894GB KINGSTON SA400S37960G (SATA-2 (SSD))

I didn't know what the term "overcloking" was (although it did ring a bell), but I have seen that it is to increase the operating speed of the components of the computer, manually. In that case, I have not done it, or I have no record or awareness of having done it.

Thanks for your answer!

 

[Dr. Dro]

This is an older system already, R5 2600/1060-6GB indicates it's about six years old. This is about the age most PCs start to malfunction if they haven't been kept.

I would start by process of elimination:

1. Complete reinstallation of Windows, if possible. An old, bloated install of Windows is bad news.
2. Complete clean-up of the machine and replacement of thermal paste, thermal pads, whenever applicable.
3. Memory test. See if your RAM hasn't gone bad.
4. GPU maintenance. Open the card, replace thermal paste and if possible, also the thermal pads.
5. Power supply test. See if voltages are within spec, and if the machine does not misbehave or shut down under load. PSUs in lower tiers (use cultists network as a reference), or with cheaper components (usually 80+ Bronze and White models) tend to fail earlier than models made with higher quality components.
6. Replacement of components that are deemed dodgy. SSDs and RAM are inexpensive, GPUs that match or exceed the GTX 1060 are nothing special nowadays either.

 

[LordKelvin2099]

I had that (something like that) on cp2077, because i was overclocking.

make sure everything is stock, default settings on Motherboard…

your bios is old. looks like the original one, Update your BIOS.

easiest thing to do,
get a extra HDD, (or any SATA SSD larger than 128G )make sure to use UEFI, install windows clean. then install game, then play until it crashes… if it does not crash, problem solved. then re-install all programs…

good luck.

I will try to update the BIOS of my computer. I hope my GPU is not dying, because if I have to buy a new one I will have to change quite a few parts of the computer, but if there is no other choice...

I guess I'll leave reinstalling the OS as a last resort in case I can't find any other solution...

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[redeye]

Specifications

• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 10.0.19045 64-bit
• Motherboard: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. PRIME B450-PLUS (AM4)
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• PSU: Seasonic S12II 620W 80 Plus Bronze
• RAM: 16,0GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1182MHz
  • Slot #1: Kingston DDR4-2400, 4096 MBytes
  • Slot #2: Kingston DDR4-2400, 4096 MBytes
  • Slot #3: Kingston DDR4-2400, 8192 MBytes
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
• Storage
  • 223GB TOSHIBA-TR200 (SATA (SSD))
  • 894GB KINGSTON SA400S37960G (SATA-2 (SSD))

I didn't know what the term "overcloking" was (although it did ring a bell), but I have seen that it is to increase the operating speed of the components of the computer, manually. In that case, I have not done it, or I have no record or awareness of having done it.

Thanks for your answer!

where is RAM slot four? it may work, but two ram sticks or four ram sticks each equal size!
not three sticks.

 

[eidairaman1]

I will try to update the BIOS of my computer. I hope my GPU is not dying, because if I have to buy a new one I will have to change quite a few parts of the computer, but if there is no other choice...

I guess I'll leave reinstalling the OS as a last resort in case I can't find any other solution...

Thank you very much for your help.

Do not do that yet, please get the tool hwinfo64 and load it with sensors only, need to know what voltages are being provided by the power supply

where is RAM slot four? it may work, but two ram sticks or four ram sticks each equal size!
not three sticks.

1182MHz PC2364. Interesting

 

[thesmokingman]

where is RAM slot four? it may work, but two ram sticks or four ram sticks each equal size!
not three sticks.

Also, (w/o knowing the exact specs) the 8gb stick usually runs at different or lower timings than the 4gb sticks. Mismatched timings are bad putting aside mismatched density and missing sticks.

 

[eidairaman1]

Also, (w/o knowing the exact specs) the 8gb stick usually runs at different or lower timings than the 4gb sticks. Mismatched timings are bad putting aside mismatched density and missing sticks.

Would manually need to be set considering xmp is not foolproof

 

[phanbuey]

those are all memory errors... not guaranteed but typically you have either a dead or dying memory stick or overclock is not stable.

 

[thesmokingman]

Would manually need to be set considering xmp is not foolproof

I think that's the least of the issues but yea could reduce issues manually via timing, but OP has #1 and #3 slots are taken by the 4gb and 8gb sticks.

 

[LordKelvin2099]

This is an older system already, R5 2600/1060-6GB indicates it's about six years old. This is about the age most PCs start to malfunction if they haven't been kept.

I would start by process of elimination:

1. Complete reinstallation of Windows, if possible. An old, bloated install of Windows is bad news.
2. Complete clean-up of the machine and replacement of thermal paste, thermal pads, whenever applicable.
3. Memory test. See if your RAM hasn't gone bad.
4. GPU maintenance. Open the card, replace thermal paste and if possible, also the thermal pads.
5. Power supply test. See if voltages are within spec, and if the machine does not misbehave or shut down under load. PSUs in lower tiers (use cultists network as a reference), or with cheaper components (usually 80+ Bronze and White models) tend to fail earlier than models made with higher quality components.
6. Replacement of components that are deemed dodgy. SSDs and RAM are inexpensive, GPUs that match or exceed the GTX 1060 are nothing special nowadays either.

Even if some of the advice other forum members give me works, I will keep in mind some of the steps you have given me to do good PC maintenance.

Thanks a thousand!

those are all memory errors... not guaranteed but typically you have either a dead or dying memory stick or overclock is not stable.

Maybe I could try disconnecting the single, which is 8GB, do this weekend a test, and see if I have problems? Both today and tomorrow night I will be playing Sea of Thieves, which the last time I played it I had in the same session two BSODs (one of them is one of the ones I posted in the thread).

where is RAM slot four? it may work, but two ram sticks or four ram sticks each equal size!
not three sticks.

I only have 3 slots occupied because I originally bought 2x4GB, because it was kind of expensive RAM at that time (2018 I think). A year ago I bought a 1x8GB one to have 16GB total. Hence why there is no 4th one.

Do not do that yet, please get the tool hwinfo64 and load it with sensors only, need to know what voltages are being provided by the power supply


1182MHz PC2364. Interesting

Tomorrow I will try to do the test you told me about with hwinfo64.

 

[phanbuey]

yes try to play with one stick and the other at a time and let us know if this resolves the issue.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I will try to update the BIOS of my computer. I hope my GPU is not dying, because if I have to buy a new one I will have to change quite a few parts of the computer, but if there is no other choice...

Definitely don't update the UEFI/BIOS until after you know your memory is working correctly. Especially if your motherboard does not support BIOS flashback. A bad flash will make everything worse.

Your memory configuration is a bit unorthodox. Whether or not this is contributing to your issues is unclear.
For AM4 you typically install RAM in pairs into the primary channel first A2+B2, then the secondary channel A1+B1.

As indicated by your manual I would take out ALL the RAM and install only reinstall the kit/pair of Kingston DDR4-2400, 4096 MBytes into the primary channel (be sure they are seated properly) and run Passmark Memtest86 from a USB stick after resetting UEFI/BIOS to defaults and the stock ram settings. If that works apply the XMP profile if your memory supports one and test again. While this won't always be 100% conclusive to testing memory stability at least it will be reasonably good enough to say your system is stable enough to successfully perform a UEFI/BIOS update if you need to do so.

If you encounter memory errors during the the memtest then test only one stick at a time in slot A2 to determine which sticks are not functioning properly.

 

[eidairaman1]

I think that's the least of the issues but yea could reduce issues manually via timing, but OP has #1 and #3 slots are taken by the 4gb and 8gb sticks.

Yes i know that because i saw the operating speed is 1182 MHz and not 1200

 

[LordKelvin2099]

Good evening, members. After reading your replies, I made the decision to remove the third RAM module, and keep the two 4GB modules I had originally, and I also updated the BIOS (I know a user told not to do it, but it was late) and physically cleaned my PC (to see if I had anything visible from the outside that wasn't right and to remove some dust).

I did two gaming sessions with my friends with Sea of Thieves. The first session was great, but during the second I had two crashes, and a BSOD. I checked the two crashes in the game, and analysing them with WinDbg I realised that they were RAM pointer access problems, and the BSOD I got was a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. Unfortunately, I don't have a BSOD minidump, as I got stuck at 0% for a very long time and had to press power once to turn it off. When I looked for the minidump (or MEMORY.dump update) I couldn't find the new thing. I don't know if I was right or wrong. After this I took the initiative to do a MemTest86 (as A Computer Guy and Dr. Dro told me), and it seems that I had three errors during the test (when from what I understand it should be zero). Could this mean that I have some RAM module that I should change, and explain the problems I had?

Thanks for your help!

 

[A Computer Guy]

Good evening, members. After reading your replies, I made the decision to remove the third RAM module, and keep the two 4GB modules I had originally, and I also updated the BIOS (I know a user told not to do it, but it was late) and physically cleaned my PC (to see if I had anything visible from the outside that wasn't right and to remove some dust).

I did two gaming sessions with my friends with Sea of Thieves. The first session was great, but during the second I had two crashes, and a BSOD. I checked the two crashes in the game, and analysing them with WinDbg I realised that they were RAM pointer access problems, and the BSOD I got was a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. Unfortunately, I don't have a BSOD minidump, as I got stuck at 0% for a very long time and had to press power once to turn it off. When I looked for the minidump (or MEMORY.dump update) I couldn't find the new thing. I don't know if I was right or wrong. After this I took the initiative to do a MemTest86 (as A Computer Guy and Dr. Dro told me), and it seems that I had three errors during the test (when from what I understand it should be zero). Could this mean that I have some RAM module that I should change, and explain the problems I had?

Thanks for your help!

If MemTest86 reported errors either your ram is defective or there is an problem and your ram settings are not stable. Did you test each module individually as I suggested to try and confirm if one particular stick is bad? Assuming one stick is bad do you have a budget to purchase a replacement ram kit?

 

[LordKelvin2099]

If MemTest86 reported errors either your ram is defective or there is an problem and your ram settings are not stable. Did you test each module individually as I suggested to try and confirm if one particular stick is bad?

Not yet, but as soon as I can free up my computer I will test each RAM module individually. Should I test everything in slot 1? Or each one in its own? As additional information, I remember that the errors were two errors in Test 7, and one error in Test 8. The first Test 7 error was during lap 2/4, and the second Test 7 error, and the Test 8 error during lap 3/4.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Not yet, but as soon as I can free up my computer I will test each RAM module individually. Should I test everything in slot 1? Or each one in its own? As additional information, I remember that the errors were two errors in Test 7, and one error in Test 8. The first Test 7 error was during lap 2/4, and the second Test 7 error, and the Test 8 error during lap 3/4.

Ideally test in the primary slot A2. If your slot is the problem you won't know unless you test the same stick in a different slot.
If you have the budget to replace ram with a 2 stick 16GB or 32GB kit I would just do that and avoid the extra wear and tear on your slots. (perhaps avoid Corsair ram too and go with a different brand)

 

[LordKelvin2099]

Ideally test in the primary slot A2. If your slot is the problem you won't know unless you test the same stick in a different slot.
If you have the budget to replace ram with a 2 stick 16GB or 32GB kit I would just do that and avoid the extra wear and tear on your slots. (perhaps avoid Corsair ram too and go with a different brand)

Then I will do 4 tests if possible: Each of those two RAM modules in slot 1 and 3, individually.

I have the 8GB ram module, which I bought last year. I could just buy another one exactly the same, and thus have 16gb, right?

 

[A Computer Guy]

Then I will do 4 tests if possible: Each of those two RAM modules in slot 1 and 3, individually.

I have the 8GB ram module, which I bought last year. I could just buy another one exactly the same, and thus have 16gb, right?

It's recommended you buy them in kits because they will have been tested together and contain the same IC's (chips) - in other words the best chance for a trouble-free experience. Buying them individually at different times you may end up with incompatibly or unstable configuration needing manual tuning. This is because the manufacturer can change IC's and not change the model number and/or timings can be different between individual modules when purchased separately.

Remember the AMD R5 2600 CPU is rated for DDR4-2933 but it should be able to run DDR4-3200 ram (2 sticks, dual rank). If you get a higher clocked ram kit you can always downclock the ram if needed. There should be some good deals $50 or below if you are cash strapped. I would aim for DDR4-3600 if you plan on upgrading your CPU later without changing platforms. Even if you have to downclock it to DDR4-3200 or DDR4-2933 in the short term for your current CPU.