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September 2016
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 17, 2020 19:18:28 GMT
Even before and after reseating, the error still happened. It wasn't reseated for some time before yesterday, and the error still happened. I still have my first gpu, the GTX 970. I remember switching back to that GPU, to my disappointment, and the error didn't happen, but then again, that could have been one of those "off" days without an error. It probably would have happened eventually...
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masseffectfanforlife
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 18, 2020 4:59:08 GMT
Update: Crashed again. This time when playing Star Wars Battlefront 2. It crashed a second time when I was just about to log back in, after the computer started. When the CMOS battery was replaced, it fixed that American Megatrends issue. We just took the old one out, and placed the new one in. Now I have my other games causing the BSOD Whea Uncorrectable error. I don't even know if my graphics card is seated properly.
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The homeostatic problem-solving structure
8860
0
Apr 26, 2022 11:22:31 GMT
8,542
Unicephalon 40-D
An unknown possibly hostile flotilla detected at eight hundred astronomical units from the sun!
4,800
Jun 29, 2017 12:57:11 GMT
June 2017
legendcncd
Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
LegendCNCD / AsariLoverFI
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Post by Unicephalon 40-D on Jul 18, 2020 8:15:26 GMT
You did RAM tests already? You can use Windows's own or then boot from USB stick etc. with something like www.memtest.org/
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masseffectfanforlife
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 18, 2020 13:26:16 GMT
No. That takes time and I have to work for several days. Someone also mentioned this happens when hardware is mismatched. This started happening after switching gpus.
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Another Crazy Finn
11505
0
4,468
rewindbutton
2,426
May 2020
rewindbutton
Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR
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Post by rewindbutton on Jul 18, 2020 14:31:25 GMT
Hi everyone, thought I'd pitch in. First of all, you are kind of in luck and out of luck at the same time. You have encountered an Machine-check exception, which narrows probable causes quite a bit. Unfortunately there's still a lot to diagnose. There is a Wikipedia page for MCE, which also lists possible causes. HereGood advice has already been given in the thread, and you have followed it, which is good, as it helps a lot. I thought I'd answer some of your questions and maybe explain a little what's going on. An MCE is always hardware related and happens when some part of your rig gives up the ghost. It can happen at totally random, or when performing a certain task (like gaming) or even every time you boot. A typical cause is some component overheating, and since it's summer in the northern hemisphere and this started happening after you changed your GPU (creating more heat), it's a good place to start. Your MB or GPU manufacturer should provide some software to control the temperatures with. Install it and check the readings, which should be well under 50C or 120F. I'm guessing your rig is around 5 years old? Thermal paste goes bad after a while, and so do cooling fans. Check your CPU's heatsink, fan and thermal paste. If the paste is tough and hardened, replace it with fresh paste. Hopefully it was this easy and you are good to go. If not, well then comes the out of luck -part: Something is failing, and it is a method of trial and error to find out what. Like pointed out earlier, make a complete backup of your important files, and start troubleshooting by replacing components. A warning though: in case it's your MB failing, it maybe time to start looking for a new rig. Hopefully it's the memory sticks giving trouble. Run the memtest as Unicephalon 40-D adviced. About your questions: "Could the CMOS and WHEA Uncorrectable Error be related in some way?" Unlikely, unless it's MB related. "Since it's a hardware error (WHEA) why is the computer incapable of pointing out which hardware is causing this issue, like the RAM, or CPU, etc.? " An MCE is a serious error that halts the kernel. There is not enough information at that time to determine the cause. All it can do is a kernel dump, which says MCE at Arg1. (props for the screenshot btw) Hope this helps. Will tune in later to check how you're doing. Cheers all!
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masseffectfanforlife
1,353
Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 18, 2020 15:48:24 GMT
My rig is 5 years old. I only had my new graphics card for about a year. The WHEA Uncorrectable error started around late 2019. For some time I kept my PC off after giving up.
Update: So, I placed my first GPU (gtx 970) back into the pc. No crashing at all when gaming (at least not yet). But after restarting the computer, the error happened again just as I was about to log in to my computer, attempting to type my password. That can't be the GPU, right? And then, I switched back to my new GPU (RTX 2060), and it crashed the moment I paused Final Fantasy XV after moving the character a few steps forward (I left the game idle for a few minutes).
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Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR
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Post by rewindbutton on Jul 18, 2020 16:02:21 GMT
My rig is 5 years old. I only had my new graphics card for about a year. The WHEA Uncorrectable error started around late 2019. For some time I kept my PC off after giving up. Update: So, I placed my first GPU (gtx 970) back into the pc. No crashing at all when gaming (at least not yet). But after restarting the computer, the error happened again just as I was about to log in to my computer, attempting to type my password. That can't be the GPU, right? And then, I switched back to my new GPU (RTX 2060), and it crashed the moment I paused Final Fantasy XV after moving the character a few steps forward (I left the game idle for a few minutes). I'm fairly confident in saying that it's not the GPU. I'd check the temps and memory next. First the temps, then memtest, just to be sure.
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 18, 2020 16:36:27 GMT
That's an excellent suggestion, Rewind! I never considered the possibility of a Machine Check Exception such as you describe in the very helpful link, as I have only seen one once before in all my years. I've been building and trouble-shooting PCs since 1998 and this is only the second time I've come across an MCE as you describe it. But for everything I have suggested/tried/attempted in those very long posts with colour highlights...for all my (limited) knowledge and experience- I have clearly not been able to solve MEfan's problems (regretfully) and your out-of-the-box thinking and discovery of the MCE does provide a clear explanation. Good find!
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 18, 2020 16:49:17 GMT
I sincerely hope it's the thermal paste and/or dust. I can't really afford new parts right now.
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 18, 2020 17:00:49 GMT
My suggestion, following up with what Rewind has now brought to light....Would be to turn off your PC, disconnect your CPU cooler and clean off both the cooler and the CPU itself. Then reapply a fresh, clean dab of thermal paste. It would also be a good idea to vacuum out/brush off your hardware, case fans and all the cracks/crevices using your vacuum and soft-bristled paint brush. Dust that clogs that filters of your case and dust settling on your hardware can overtime cause improper air flow, heat build-up and a general lack of both cooling and performance. If not dealt with regularly or at all, it can eventually cause your PC's hardware to have a shorter lifespan than if it were cleaned regularly.
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2,426
May 2020
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Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR
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Post by rewindbutton on Jul 18, 2020 18:00:25 GMT
That's an excellent suggestion, Rewind! I never considered the possibility of a Machine Check Exception such as you describe in the very helpful link, as I have only seen one once before in all my years. I've been building and trouble-shooting PCs since 1998 and this is only the second time I've come across an MCE as you describe it. But for everything I have suggested/tried/attempted in those very long posts with colour highlights...for all my (limited) knowledge and experience- I have clearly not been able to solve MEfan's problems (regretfully) and your out-of-the-box thinking and discovery of the MCE does provide a clear explanation. Good find! Nah, you give me too much credit. You were all doing a good job and your solutions were logical. It's just that I've serviced more PC:s than I care to remember. And I built my first PC in 1997. That one year makes all the difference.
And I wasn't thinking so much out-of-the-box as very-much-in-the-box, as I followed protocol: Check dump logs and run diagnostics. They may seem obscure but they provide a lot of information. That said, let's hope the information is actually useful.
Cheers!
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masseffectfanforlife
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 19, 2020 2:57:11 GMT
I have a hunch. I took out one of my RAM sticks and left only two inside. It hasn't crashed when playing a game (yet) & it didn't happen after restarting my PC (yet). Here's hoping. I'm not holding my breath. Mind you, the RAM sticks that remain in my PC are same brand. A set. The one I pulled out is a different brand. I remember I had to buy a new set of two 4gb RAM sticks when building the PC, because one from the first set (which I bought online and is the set that the one I pulled out came from), was defective.
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The homeostatic problem-solving structure
8860
0
Apr 26, 2022 11:22:31 GMT
8,542
Unicephalon 40-D
An unknown possibly hostile flotilla detected at eight hundred astronomical units from the sun!
4,800
Jun 29, 2017 12:57:11 GMT
June 2017
legendcncd
Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
LegendCNCD / AsariLoverFI
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Post by Unicephalon 40-D on Jul 19, 2020 8:28:53 GMT
I have a hunch. I took out one of my RAM sticks and left only two inside. It hasn't crashed when playing a game (yet) & it didn't happen after restarting my PC (yet). Here's hoping. I'm not holding my breath. Mind you, the RAM sticks that remain in my PC are same brand. A set. The one I pulled out is a different brand. I remember I had to buy a new set of two 4gb RAM sticks when building the PC, because one from the first set (which I bought online and is the set that the one I pulled out came from), was defective. During my helpdesk/IT-Admin days I saw some motherboards that didnt like different set of sticks even though they had same speeds etc. Some would not even boot. After that I've only used same model & size sticks for everything. Put the ramtest to run overnight?
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Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR
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Post by rewindbutton on Jul 19, 2020 9:31:39 GMT
During my helpdesk/IT-Admin days I saw some motherboards that didnt like different set of sticks even though they had same speeds etc. Some would not even boot. After that I've only used same model & size sticks for everything. Put the ramtest to run overnight? Yep, pretty much this.
Some MBs are super picky. But they usually hang at POST and give an POST error or POST code. Faulty sticks on the other hand will work until the OS banks something into the failing circuit and then it's MCE time...
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6,588
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 19, 2020 13:56:19 GMT
I was just going to say.....It's not a good idea to mix brands, I don't think. It's doable.....But not a good idea. If you need to replace your RAM, my advice for what it's worth is to buy a set of one brand (my personal recommendation is G.SKILL. I've used G.KSILL RAM since 2007 and only had one problem with one stick last year. I reported it to GSKILL and they advised me to RMA it. It was completely free of any charge to me, and I got it back within three days. Of all the brands at my local Canada Computers, G.SKILL is the most popular and many reps have told it they sell the most G.SKILL because it is the most reliable brand. The return rate is less than 1 in 2,000 (or something like that).
Before the switch to GSKILL, in the 1990s, the company to go with was Kingston- especially for their value ram. Excellent quality even in their value RAM, and they were quite nicely priced. But in 2006-08 it was widely reported that Kingston DDR3 and 4s were at an extremely high rate of return, and many reps at my local Canada COmputers told me it was found out that the company would send the chip blueprints to China to be made, rather than their normal place, Taiwan. A great many of Kingston RAM chips that year were defective and people returned them because they came from China. That being said there are still chips made in Taiwan, but it can be hard to find out which were Taiwan and which were China, so you have to be careful. Hence the switch to G.SKILL. Mushkin and Crucial are also good (equal in performance to GSKILL) but more expensive in many cases.
No matter the brand you choose to go with (G.SKILL, Mushkin, Crucial, Patriot...whatever) my best advice is to stick with one brand, not mix them. And hey, once you find a brand you have success with, stick with them for as long as you can.
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,886
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 19, 2020 14:34:28 GMT
I am glad you are taking me up on my suggestion (posted July 15th) of testing your RAM. I know it can take several hours or even days to do it properly and effectively, but in the end, you often get the best results, and testing them as I said by single sticks, then two, then three, then four in different combinations with each other...... then all, is often the best way-- the only way to get hard, conclusive results.
I am glad you are getting results and beginning to narrow down the possibilities of the cause, coming that much closer to solving this problem and getting your PC back to gaming performance.
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May 2020
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Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR
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Post by rewindbutton on Jul 19, 2020 15:28:08 GMT
I was just going to say.....It's not a good idea to mix brands, I don't think. [snip] Yup, gone are the days of mixing and matching memory sticks. It's all about buying complete sets these days. Back in the day, you would always scavenge PCs going to scrap for their sticks.
And yes, I forgot to mention you in my post. You were indeed the first one to suggest testing the sticks.
Cheers all!
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masseffectfanforlife
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 19, 2020 15:34:24 GMT
Yeah, the two in my PC are HyperX; the one I took out was a Crucial Ballistix Sport. I'm not really getting my hopes too high. I feel like I'm constantly on alert while player. I kinda look away from the screen, and I mute it when testing. I don't like the sight and sound of my PC freezing. That's why I'm hesitant to play anything long term. You never know when it might return. When it does, it's always without warning.
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So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 19, 2020 16:38:50 GMT
Yeah, the two in my PC are HyperX; the one I took out was a Crucial Ballistix Sport. I'm not really getting my hopes too high. I feel like I'm constantly on alert while player. I kinda look away from the screen, and I mute it when testing. I don't like the sight and sound of my PC freezing. That's why I'm hesitant to play anything long term. You never know when it might return. When it does, it's always without warning. That is exactly how I felt with the ACER Predator XB321HK monitor that I purchased last month when it would randomly lose signal beginning the very day I got it. I had nothing but problems with it. My frustration in well-documented both on this site, on ACER Canada's site (don't get me started about Acer's website, I'm still trying to have my account deleted....) and on Gigabyte's website (when I thought the fault was due to my motherboard's outdated BIOS).....Then after countless rounds of testing and trouble-shooting, I finally found the answer: the monitor had a defective G-Sync module. But the whole time, like you, I was playing games on-edge....wondering, waiting, anticipating in fear of when my monitor would black-out again. And that feeling is not fun at all. Finally I had 100% conclusive evidence of the faulty g-sync module, and so I returned it to Amazon with no questions asked and full refund.
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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6,588
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,886
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 23, 2020 15:12:59 GMT
Hi, MassEffectFan.......I was just wondering if you have had any progress/success in your on-going WHEA Error troubles......This thread has been quiet for the last four or five days. Any updates to share?
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 23, 2020 21:42:54 GMT
There hasn't been any issues, still.
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
2824
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6,588
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,886
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 24, 2020 2:43:36 GMT
Well, that's good to hear. I'm curious though-- refresh my memory if you would please, as to the last thing you did (that has caused to problems to cease for the time being). My last recollection was that you tested your RAM for errors and then took out one of the modules that was mismatched. Upon doing that, the problem has disappeared over the past four or five days this week since our last correspondence on the 19th. Is that correct?
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Sept 27, 2016 13:02:18 GMT
September 2016
masseffectfanforlife
Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by masseffectfanforlife on Jul 24, 2020 14:22:30 GMT
I didn't check my RAM for errors. Simply put, I had a hunch, and I pulled it out. The real question is why the issues now, and not 5 years ago?
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Another Crazy Finn
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May 2020
rewindbutton
Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR
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Post by rewindbutton on Jul 24, 2020 16:39:39 GMT
I didn't check my RAM for errors. Simply put, I had a hunch, and I pulled it out. The real question is why the issues now, and not 5 years ago? So you went straight for the why...
Short answer: electronic circuits erode over time. There are multiple reasons for this, like manufacture, use, heat and cosmic radiation.
Long answer: Several academic careers have been made of the question why circuits fail over time. Even the Wikipedia page for the subject is rather lengthy, and thats just scratching the surface. In your case, I can think of some usual reasons: overheating, static discharge, over voltage or just a bad batch.
Funny thing is, circuit dies have a hazard rate curve similar to that of human life expectancy. Most of the dies fail either very young or very old. Those making it to the ripe old age are rare. But all dies fail in the end, it's just a matter of time.
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
2824
0
6,588
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,886
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Jul 24, 2020 18:23:35 GMT
What Rewind said; in short: nothing lasts forever. I asked the same question last year when ONE, only one of my RAM sticks went bad. Why now? Why only one? Why not two or three or all of them? They were purchased as a set and all installed at the same time.... and so on and so on..... There's no explaining why, and if there is the answer is very long and complicated. Better off to simply accept and understand that something things just happen. All you can do is Deal. With. It. (as Cassandra told the Mage) and replace the defective module/part etc.
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