Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

[g2d]

Dear Sirs,

I am experiencing random Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1 blue screen.

This is my config:
Intel i7-2600KF (No OC 35 x 100)
AsRock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 (tried every bios from 1.2 up to 1.36A)
4 x G Skill F3-14900CL9-4GBXL 4 GB DDR3-1600 DDR3 SDRAM (10-10-10-27 @ 761 MHz) (9-9-9-24 @ 685 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-19 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-16 @ 457 MHz)
2 x Msi Radeon R6970 (Cayman) Lighting
Samsung SyncMaster S23A750D (DisplayPort) [23" LCD]
2 x Mushkin MKNSSDCR240GB-DX (240 GB, SATA-III) (Firmware: 3.3.2)
1 x WDC WD3200AAJS-07RYA0 ATA Device (320 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)

DxDiag (txt format / it): DxDiag.txt

What I tried:
- Using 2 x WDC 320 Gb SATA 2 (RAID 0) + WDC 320 Gb on Intel controller everything works fine (1.2 - 1.3bios default values selecting RAID under storage / stress tests passed)
- Using 2 x Mushkin Chronos Deluxe (RAID 0) + WDC 320 Gb on Intel or on Asmedia (with the single disk tried on Asmedia or on Intel) tons of random blue screen (1.30 - 1.36A bios default values with RAID on Intel)
- Using 2 x Mushkin Chronos Deluxe (NO RAID) on Intel AHCI + WDC 320 Gb on Asmedia (with the single disk forced on Asmedia because if connected to Intel was not even able to reach the BIOS) random blue screen (1.30 - 1.36A bios default values with AHCI on Intel / IDE on Asmedia)
- BIOS: activating or deactivating Intel Sidestep does not help (even cause seems that the setting is just ignored - Sidestep is in every config still working)
- 1 ghosted instal / 3 fresh installations and still have not found a reason for this reboot
- Both Mushkin and the 3 WDC work fine on a Asus board in RAID 0 configuration and not

Any suggestion that may help me?
Bios setting?
A miracle?

Thanks in advance

[profJim]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Are all of the BSOD stop error codes the same? What are the codes?
Have you checked the windows Event Viewer to see what issues are involved with each BSOD?
Do you mean SpeedStep?
What brand/model is your power supply?
Have you tried using 2 x 4GB instead of 16GB to see if your system is stable?

[g2d]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Thanks for your reply.

Are all of the BSOD stop error codes the same? What are the codes?
Have you checked the windows Event Viewer to see what issues are involved with each BSOD?

Last 24 hours (fresh install / latest drivers / win updated / no raid):
5 x Kernel Power Event 41
13 x Event ID 11_ATAPI<!---->
24 x Event ID 33_SideBySide<!---->
30 x different IDs

Do you mean SpeedStep?

Sure. My bad typo.

What brand/model is your power supply?

CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200 (CMPSU-1200AX) 1200W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified 80

Have you tried using 2 x 4GB instead of 16GB to see if your system is stable?

4 x 4Gb was working fine on the Asus (Intel P67 Express Chipset). Therefore are a 4 x 4Gb native package. I will try it anyway.


Thanks again for your support.

[profJim]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

It might just need some bios tweaking with 4 x 4GB of memory.
It might be worthwhile to perform some Prime95 stress testing with 2 x 4GB, and if there are no errors, remove the first two modules and retest with the other two memory modules installed.

[SaphireX]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Since you have the latest firmware 3.3.2 for your Mushkin Chronos Deluxe SSD's I think you can rule out for the moment, that the drives themselves ie the SandForce 2281 Controller are O.K.
However your best config based on having SandForce SSD's is to use ONLY the native Intel SATA-3 connectors albeit with a RAID-0 configured to RAID in the UEFI as opposed to AHCI. Thus leaving your WDC SATA-2 drive to be connected to the ASMedia port. I am guessing that your GSkill has an XMP profile that you can select in the UEFI and if you have not tried that by all means choose the applicable XMP profile for DDR3 1600.
To completely rule out the SSD's as the source of the BSOD's the best method would be to use Parted Magic and erase the SSD's then do a fresh install of Win7. If the drives are suspect Parted Magic might reveal that when they are erased since that utilizes the SandForce controller to do so internally.

Link on how to use Parted Magic to internally erase an SSD that only takes seconds...



Very important BEFORE you visit windows update in advance d/l from this page the latest drivers for your board and install these as opposed to the dated versions on the ASRock page or mobo CD

ASROCK Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 bios & drivers


Note that for sequence purposes you should install in this order and reboot when prompted

1. Intel Chipsets Device Software Version 9.3.0.1020 WHQL (2Mo~)(Maj:27/01/12)
2. Intel Rapid Storage Technology (ICH7/8/9/10/PCH serie Version 11.0.0.1032 WHQL (1Mo~) (Maj:28/12/11)
3. Intel Management Engine (Intel P67/Z68/X79) Version 8.0.0.1351 (35Mo) (Maj:20/01/12)
4. Intel HD Graphics (Intel H67/H61/B65/H55/H57) Version 15.22.52 pour Windows Vista/7 32bits (Maj:22/11/11) (EVEN if you don't use it)
5. Realtek 81xx Pci-E Serie Version 7.050.0116.2012 Win 7 32/64bits (Maj:20/01/12)
6. Realtek Azalia ALC-88x/26x High Definition audio Version R2.67 (6526) Win Vista/7 32/64bits (60Mo~)(Maj:16/12/11)
7. Asmedia Asm-106X Sata 6G Controller Drivers Version 1.3.1.000 Win Xp/Vista/7 32/64bits (8Mo~)(Maj:17/10/11)
8. Asmedia ASM1041/ASM1042 USB 3.0 Controller Drivers Version 1.14.4.0 Win Xp/Vista/7 32/64bits (8Mo~)(Maj:10/01/12)
8. Your Catalyst Driver Package for your RADEON's

Now visit Windows Update...After you are fully updated then re-connect your WD to either one of the native Intel SATA-2 ports or the add-on ASMedia SATA-3 ports

If you still after all of this are experiencing a BSOD then most likely the board or perhaps the SSD's are the source

Please keep us in the loop on your findings

SaphireX

ps: One last thought swap out your SATA-3 data cables with HQ ones

[g2d]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Thanks a lot for your detailed suggestions.

What I have done till now:
- used Unetbootin to have Parted Magic on a bootable USB key. It works great as usual (I have an Ubuntu bootable key that I use to run some "out-of-windows" tests) but I had to remove my 2nd graphic card to log in Parted Magic (black screen)
- followed step by step the how to posted above. Obviously I had to do the hot-swap trick to bypass "frozen by bios" message (shell / command / unplug power and replug / wait 30s / erase command). Erased both SSDs
- entered BIOS (v 1.36A beta). Disabled everything I do not use (as serial port), configured back to AUTO my DDR3 (xmp profile just loads the same auto values) and again RAID on the Intel storage controller. The Asmedia is on IDE not bootable (at this time the magnetic disk is not connected). Saved and rebooted. CTRL + I to have RAID0 ready
- installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit with no errors
- installed suggested drivers following suggested order (same revisions I already downloaded from official websites if not for Intel ones: i prefer to stick with their download center). Experienced a black screen at the restart after installing the Intel HD graphic driver (but the win pc was working, so i just typed my password, pressed ALT+F4 and ENTER just to have the shut down). I will install Catalyst 12.1 and cap 3 only after Windows update complete its process (at this time, no SP1 is installed)
- disabled indexing for the solid state raid and the windows rollback system
- installed Office 2010 and Rhino (SR9): usually starting Outlook after doing some crazy clicking around - like launching other progs and closing them - I used to have a blue screen (something like the software was no more able to find the drive and at the restart, usually, I received the message "no boot drive found" - the reset was able to solve and go on again). Maybe something went right and no blue till now
- shutdown to install WDC on Asmedia 106x IDE mode
- launched Windows Update (with update for the Office suite too). First update was about 500Mb (124 files).
- installed AIDA 64 and some other Windows updates
- installed Catalyst 12.1 and cap 3

In few hours I should be able to run some stress test but I am optimist.
I will update you with results as soon as I can.

Thanks again.
G2d

[g2d]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Moving 1Gb files on lan made me win a blue screen.
Event viewer:
1 x ID 41 Kernel Power
2 x ID 11 Atapi

I start thinking there is something wrong related to the mainboard (maybe bios side).
Maybe a compatibility iussue with my Crossfire setup / Asrock / Windows too (maybe a blue screen before entering standby or hibernate, even if I have disabled that in windows power management).
Maybe too many maybe, at the moment.

PS: Now testing after installing Intel Rapid Storage Technology 11.0.0.1032 WHQL (no trace of this file on Intel download center though)

[SaphireX]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Did you disable SATA Agressive Link MGMT in the UEFI as by default it's enabled? also the corresponding Win7 advanced power mgmt setting of PCI Xpress Link State Power Mgmt to off as opposed to the default enabled.
The BSOD on transferring a large file via your LAN displaying Kernal Power and Atapi points 2 different directions...one indicating potentially a CPU issue or perhaps a power mgmt issue in the advanced CPU settings in Win7 mgmt whilst the 2nd direction seems to point at a fault with the SATA ports...Did you set defaults in the UEFI before making any mods? and if so by jumper or by pushing the Clear CMOS button? Yes I noted that the Intel drivers at Station drivers are even newer then what Intel posts on their d/l pages but if you read the fine print they are "release to manufacturing as well as WHQL" So maybe someone at SD has the inside track with Intel to get advanced releases...

Last thought...have you tested your GSkill with memtest86 to determine if they are error free? and is there a big vdrop between what the voltages are saying in the UEFI compared to the voltages that CPU-Z or AIDA-64 reveal under the windows environment?

[g2d]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Well, I am spending my free time trying to investigate further what's wrong with my rig.

I have re-flashed my BIOS to 1.30 (1.36A was giving some problems booting from my Ubuntu / Meme86+ USB key too).
Loaded defaults (no clear CMOS - did it 200 times in the last 48 hours, by pin 1/2/3).
Disabled serial, lan 2 and some other options (I am going to post details asap).
Disabled above all Asmedia 106x.
Having 2 x SSDs in RAID0 on Intel Z68 only (no Agressive Link MGMT in the UEFI available in RAID mode).

Prime95 (1h) / AttoBench32 / Aida 64:


Till now, no blue screen (4h working on the desktop).
I start thinking there is something wrong in bios coding.
Maybe Asrock coders could solve this iussue (i would glad to support providing feedback on requested tasks - when my 2 years old son give me chance to).

I still need to have at least one more magnetic disk attached to Intel, so I will continue my quest.
I hope this experience will help others that are experiencing same iussues.


Again, really thanks SaphireX.

[SaphireX]

Re: Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 and SSDs: random blue screens

Well I guess the next steps are to start re-enabling what you disabled 1 at a time and hopefully crossing my fingers for ya you have NO MORE problems! It sounds like YOU have exhausted any reasonable trouble-shooting and it's interesting to note that you found an issue with the 1.36A - "beta" ? UEFI/BIOS so you might be onto something in that the newer version seems to be coded so differently than the 1.30 that you found more stable..
I would PM "Emily" and point to this thread and ask if they could work on a UEFI/BIOS that digs into the symptoms you had.

Hats Off to YOU for doing all the trouble-shooting and again crossing my fingers that you can relax for a change and enjoy your rig

Cheers
SaphireX