GA-P67A-UD5-B3 BSOD 116 / atikmpag.sys with HD6970 in PCIe slot 1

[stransky]

SYSTEM:

i5-2500K
GA-P67A-UD5-B3
Crucial C300SSD 128GB
Corsair Vengeance RAM 2 x 4GB
Corsair AX750 PSU
ASUS HD 6970 2GB

ON BOOT:

Weird screen artifacts including ASCII characters and 3 x vertical stripes on post screen. Horizontal lines on Gigabyte splash screen.

Gets to 'Starting Windows' then goes to BSOD code 116 : atikmpag.sys

ACTIONS:

First I thought it was just the video card, but it works perfectly in another PCIe slot. I have flashed MB BIOS, reset all BIOS to default, un-installed and re-installed all graphics drivers/software, un-seated and re-seated GPU and CPU.

I'm thinking it's the PCIe slot failing - any other suggestions?

[Rolo42]

That is my thought.  Inspect the PCIe slot, its pins, and shoot some air into it.

Do you have anything in any of the other slots?  (checking for conflicts)

[stransky]

Yup, looks OK to the naked eye and also looks completely free of dirt/dust.

I have nothing else running in any slots right now to be sure it wasn't a conflict.

[Rolo42]

Looks like an RMA is in order.

[stransky]

That was the unhappy conclusion I was thinking was pretty much inevitable...

Guess I'll have to dust off the laptop!