GA-B85M-HD3 with Corsair Memory failing MemTest86+

[craigaustin]

GA-B85M-HD3 (rev. 1.1)
BIOS F5 (I have not reflashed, it came with the latest BIOS).
Windows 7 x64
CML8GX3M2A1600C9 or CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 memory (2x4GB)

This is a new system built Jan. 11, 2014. Fresh/authorized install of Windows 7. Memory is CML8GX3M2A1600C9 2x4GB and also tested with CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 (on approved list for this motherboard http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4568#ov).

I have been getting crashes from ntoskrnl.exe and cdrom.sys right after login into Windows. I have run memtest86+ and it passes/fails the following conditions:
PASS 1 core 2x4GB installed
PASS multi-core 1x4GB (tested both sticks in both slots)
FAIL multi-core 2x4GB installed (fails <2min in). CPU temp ~50C.
This is true for both CML8GX3M2A1600C9 and CMX8GX3M2A1600C9

Also tested with Windows Memory Check tools built into Windows 7 and it also freezes too. CPU temp ~57C.

I am able to get into Windows 90% of the time without crashing. I ran the Intel CPU Diagnostic Tool. The tool did not find any issues when configuring the tool to test all memory. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=19792

How else can debug to help understand if there is a Windows/memory/CPU/motherboard issue?

Thank you in advance for all your help!

[dmdilks]

The memory is it running at the default setting of the board or are setting speed & timings.

[craigaustin]

Yes. BIOS settings are default. I forgot to mention the processor is i5-4670.

[dmdilks]

One thing is the CPU temp is a little high. If you are using the stock heatsink & fan.

Just make sure that all the lock down pin have come through the board and lock in place.

The other thing is there are some people on the forum that have posted having problems with Corsair memory.

Did you install the Chip-set drivers or any other drivers? Plus are you getting a BSOD or just crashing and reboot.

[craigaustin]

Hi dmdilks,

I don't understand what you mean by lock down pin. Do you mean the CPU latch? Or, do you mean the jumpers (I haven't check those, thanks for the reminder). Can you please clarify a bit?

I installed the drives that came with the board. I installed them after running Windows Update after the initial install of Windows. The crashes, which happened after that (and are infrequent). The crashes are BSOD. I have the crash mini dumps but they are pretty generic and not specific to a driver (in my opinion). The memory tests (memtest86+ and Windows) locking up seem more indicative of a hardware failure at some point.

I am getting a replacement motherboard, same type GA-B85M-HD3, that I can test with to see if it also has an issue on Friday.

I can get a different brand of memory, but I hope that the memory on the the "approved list" would be sufficient enough to test with.

The CPU temps did concern me, I am running with the side panels off at the moment. I am using the default fan/heat sink. When Windows is idle the CPU is around 38C. While the memory tests are running them temperature is steady +/-3C from 50C. What would you expect the CPU temp to be at?

Thank you for your replies. It helps to bounce ideas off of people.

[dmdilks]

What I meant was when you push down the lock tabs on the heat-sink just make sure they come through the MB.

Those heat-sinks are junk and why Intel would have something like that. On the drivers I do all that before I update windows.

Updating windows is the last thing I do. Plus that is when I happy with the way it is running first.

One other thing is don't ever let windows update any of your hardware. Plus check the Gigabyte site to make sure drivers are the most latest ones too.

[craigaustin]

Ok. Gotcha. Yes, the tabs are in place. Updating the heat sink is a good idea.

I did try two sticks of Kingstons with memory test, it still locked up. I'll go about checking for lastest drivers.

Do you have a recommended cooler for my setup. I don't need anything fancy.

Thanks for your insights.

[dmdilks]

The crashes, which happened after that (and are infrequent).   

I know this might be a pain in the butt. But what I would do is start all over again. Re-install windows.

Don't do any windows updates. Do the Chip-set driver. Do this one first: Intel INF installation.

This one you really don't need: Intel Management Engine Interface. If you do install it see how things run.

If you do to many things at once and the problem comes back then what did it. On the HS & fan there really isn't to much out there yet.

[craigaustin]

Sure, I can do that tonight. However, what about the memory tests freezing?  Those don't even require Windows and their drivers. Do you think the driver updated something on the board that causes the freezing?

[dmdilks]

But what you said is that it all started after the updates right. That is why I said only do things one at a time see which one is causing the problem.

[craigaustin]

Yup, you are right and it did start after the updates. However, it is hard to say they are the cause. I am not opposed to reinstalling windows for a test, but the "damage" has been done. If the updates did indeed cause an unknown mobo firmware (not BIOS) update then the change has been done already and I can not go back.  These tests shold technically run without issue regardless of driver state on Windows. Don't you agree?

[dmdilks]

That would rule windows at this point. It could still be hardware, but at this point you having problems with windows crashing.

I just work on a computer that it would just freeze on the Internet. you could play around in windows all day.

But once on the internet it was done. It turn out to be a video card. So yes it could be hardware like a Hdd too.

[craigaustin]

OK. HDD removed. Still same issue. I have received the new mobo from Amazon, still same issue with memtest86+. I sound like I am chasing my tail about memtest86+ freezing. Could be a bug in memtes86+. However, the Windows 7 Memory Checker tool had a freeze too. Could be the CD drive I guess. I'll test that next.

[craigaustin]

Here is a summary of the issue so far:

Problem:
We are getting BSOD with Windows 7 x64 on a new computer build. The BSOD typically happens when waking the computer up from sleep or logging into Windows from cold boot.  When computer is idle or in use there are no BSOD. This is a clean install of Windows to a new system build, then updated drivers to latest versions. The configuration we are shooting for is as follows:

HW Setup:
Gigabyte B85M-HD3
i5-4670 BX80646I54670
Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB memory CML8GX3M2A1600C9
WD10EZEX
HD7770-2GD5
BC-12B1ST

Troubleshooting:
1. We have changed motherboards three times (one ASUS B85M-E/CSM and two Gigabyte B85M-HD3). Tried different BIOS settings with memory changes and confirm latest BIOS with mfg. website
2. CPUs twice (same type, i5-4670),
3. memory three times (CML8GX3M2A1600C9, CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 , and Kingston memory).
4. I have not try a new hard drive, but chkdsk comes back clean
5. Reinstalled Windows for each build. Installed default drivers from CD's provided with hardware, and then updated everything accordingly.
6. I have confirm latest driver downloads.
7. memtest86+ 5.01 will freeze only when SMP is enabled Test 7. It will freeze on any of the combinations of hardware above.
8. Windows 7 Memory Diagnostics will freeze as well
9. The memory tests were run with minimal hardware required.
10. Prime95 will run fine for many hours, running high temperatures (~80C reading RealTemp 3.70) with no instabilities (no BSOD).
11. Idle CPU temp on Windows in ~38C, with Firefox and other normal programs on around 40-45C.
12. Case temp is near constant 34-38C. Never more than that.
13. Crash dumps with symbol files loaded are all over the place. One is cdrom.sys, ntoskernal, one says firefox.

There must be an incompatibility that I am overlooking, unless there is an inherent issue with B85 or i4670. Unless the hardware is OK, and memory tests are failing and there is a driver issue.

Again, thank you for your help. I don't know what to do next other than try a different chipset on the mobo or a new CD or HD combo.

[dmdilks]

The only thing you haven't done is throw in the kitchen sink and tried a different hard drive.

It is just funny that you have 3 different boards and two different brands at that too.

That are doing the same thing. There has to be something that you are over looking and saying that isn't it.

This might a long shot but have you tried a different video card?