Random BSODs

[z8_eng]

Hi!

I have a custom build that randomly crashes and I'm suspecting faulty RAM or video card as the dumps are inconclusive.

All the tests pass, Memtest is clean, gaming for hours is fine, Furmark, Heavens, Prime95, SMART tests clean, the machine behaves perfectly and then randomly crashes upon watching a video or shutting down.

I've removed Avast as a test as well just now.

No OC, I have not reinstalled the OS, but I upgraded it (24H2 currently) since the crashes have started.

I did not flash the BIOS yet as it worked normally previously with that version, so I know for a fact that the BIOS version is not the issue, but it's on my to-do list.

Thank you.

 

[ET_Explorer]

System Information > Problem Device(s):

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Virtual Miniport Adapter for Windows x64 ROOT\NET\0000 This device is disabled.

 

[ET_Explorer]

randomly crashes upon watching a video or shutting down.

Causes: Dust buildup that blocks airflow, running too many programs, or even outdated software can cause this. Overheating can harm your computer's processor or power supply, leading to crashes, slowdowns, or unexpected shutdowns.

Video explains more causes of your issues:

 

[x BlueRobot]

I've removed Avast as a test as well just now.

How did you remove avast, using the official removal tool?

 

[ubuysa]

First things first: please remove the XMP overclock on your RAM. When dealing with BSODs all overclocks must be removed, including RAM. Although the RAM is certified at 5600MHz its native speed is 4800MHz and we need to see whether it's stable at that speed before moving on. Please do this first. Although Avast! appears to be involved in three of those dumps, all of them could easily be down to flaky RAM, so removing the RAM overclock is a critical step. I realise that you've run Memtest but no memory tester is able to find 100% of RAM issues.

Secondly: you DO NOT know for a fact that your BIOS isn't an issue. Your BIOS is VERY outdated, there have been more than TWO DOZEN updates for your BIOS since the version you have, many of them reference 'system stability' or 'microcode updates'. I would advise that you update your BIOS.

IMO there's little point in looking further until the BIOS is updated and the RAM overclock is removed.

 

[z8_eng]

How did you remove avast, using the official removal tool?

Yes.

First things first: please remove the XMP overclock on your RAM. When dealing with BSODs all overclocks must be removed, including RAM. Although the RAM is certified at 5600MHz its native speed is 4800MHz and we need to see whether it's stable at that speed before moving on. Please do this first. Although Avast! appears to be involved in three of those dumps, all of them could easily be down to flaky RAM, so removing the RAM overclock is a critical step. I realise that you've run Memtest but no memory tester is able to find 100% of RAM issues.

Secondly: you DO NOT know for a fact that your BIOS isn't an issue. Your BIOS is VERY outdated, there have been more than TWO DOZEN updates for your BIOS since the version you have, many of them reference 'system stability' or 'microcode updates'. I would advise that you update your BIOS.

IMO there's little point in looking further until the BIOS is updated and the RAM overclock is removed.

I've already tested RAM at 4800 MHz and it did not make a difference, so I reverted it back to the way it was from day one, running at its declared speed of 5600 MHz. BIOS version has been untouched and working since 2022 this started in 2024. I am planning to update it down the road, but again, it worked fine with this version for over a year when it was purchased.



The system is not dusty. Cisco being disabled is normal. That's a VPN that's being used as needed for work. Otherwise, I keep it disabled.

 

[ubuysa]

In appreciate your confidence in the RAM and BIOS, but you have asked for help with BSODs and crashes and I, for one, don't share your confidence. When troubleshooting you cannot assume that parts are good just because they've worked fine up to now. In addition, we know from long experience that ANY overclock introduces instability and even though you tested the RAM at 4800MHz and it passed (which really just means that Memtest wasn't able to make it fail) it's my considered opinion that you should disable the XMP profile until we have resolved your issue - we cannot assume that the RAM is fine at 5600MHz.

The same goes for your BIOS to be honest, it's well out of date and (as I mentioned) if you read the description of the two dozen updates later than your version, many of them speak of 'system stability' updates - and instability is exactly what you're experiencing. Not updating the BIOS now is a mistake that makes it much harder for us to diagnose your problem. It's entirely possible that the issues you're having were fixed in one (or more) of those BIOS updates. Do you really want to go through a couple of weeks of further troubleshooting for a problem that turns out to be a BIOS issue?

When troubleshooting I always like to eliminate the obvious potential causes first. You'll find that most others work the same way. In your case the RAM overclock and out-of-date BIOS are potential causes that really need to be eliminated first.