Xfire problem (think i jynxed it)

ALXAndy · 23 Feb 2012 at 14:21

BaNksY IV said:
Nope nothing, when i turn it off and on again i just get the old windows didnt shut down properly, safe mode, safe mode and network, start normally etc.

Run memory tests.

Open control panel.

Click on the Administrative Tools icon, and click on Memory Diagnostics Tool.

Select the Restart now and check for problems option.

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 19:36

right i just got in from work but havnt got long till the missus is over.

i just opened up event viewer (didnt know where this was before but fond it now)

its showing a critical error called Kernal Power.

Does this indicate what is wrong?

Thanks

ALXAndy · 23 Feb 2012 at 19:38

Is your CPU overclocked still? disable speedstep.

And then run a memory test. Please.

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 19:40

I just put the bios back to defult so now stock cpu, and xmp for the ram
Now doing a memtest as you suggested before

Sorry but what is speed step? I take it that will be found in the bios?

Thanks for all your help so far

ALXAndy · 23 Feb 2012 at 19:42

Speed step makes your CPU down clock when it is not being used. However, when you overclock and overvolt it can cause instability as the voltage lowers and rises. If it lowers before it downclocks you will crash, given that there isn't enough voltage to support your overclock any more.

EVGA call it something different, but from memory you ideally want to disable speedstep, spread spectrum AND turbo when overclocking.

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:08

ok that makes sense.

Right i ran the memory test it rebooted and hasnt shown me any results...so i ran it again and still no results? am i being thick?

LtMatt · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:17

ALXAndy said:
Speed step makes your CPU down clock when it is not being used. However, when you overclock and overvolt it can cause instability as the voltage lowers and rises. If it lowers before it downclocks you will crash, given that there isn't enough voltage to support your overclock any more.

EVGA call it something different, but from memory you ideally want to disable speedstep, spread spectrum AND turbo when overclocking.

Hes using sandybridge. You do not need to disable speedstep when overclocking Banks. However running memtest on each ram stick individually is a good idea.

Run at least 7 passes of memtest on each stick in slot 1 on your motherboard.

ALXAndy · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:19

LtMatt said:
Hes using sandybridge. You do not need to disable speedstep when overclocking Banks. However running memtest on each ram stick individually is a good idea.

Run at least 7 passes of memtest on each stick in slot 1 on your motherboard.

Fair enough. Not overclocked on SB before but it does look easier than with X58. Kinda like the old Athlon XP days

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:25

Ok, so am i right in thinking if there is no problem i wont get a report on the reboot?

Ok ill ignore the speedstep thing but thank you anyway Andy

tommybhoy · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:26

Kernal power crashing can be caused by unstable oc, psu not providing enough juice/dodgy, or memory faults amongst other things.

As it's all at stock, try BF3, if it doesn't crash then it's oc related.

LtMatt · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:27

BaNksY IV said:
Ok, so am i right in thinking if there is no problem i wont get a report on the reboot?

Ok ill ignore the speedstep thing but thank you anyway Andy

Windows memory diagnostic is decent, but not the best.

I dont think its your memory banks, memory problems normally cause a bsod. However you do need to rule out memory as an issue.

So, download memtest, make a bootable cd/use usb pen drive/stick (instructions on their site - use google memtest download) then run the tests. It will take some time so id start now.

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:31

sweet, i just ran haven for 30mins and no crash, will have to wait until the other half leaves before i fire up BF3 to see if its ok!

Edit - must have posted at the same time, that sounds like another thing ill have to try when the gf leaves, will give it ago if crashes still occur.

As you say i also dont think its memory related as yes it would 9 times out of 10 BSOD

And im starting to rule out the GPU's as it does not make logical sense for them to work perfectly and i mean perfectly but then system crash, also if GPUs are the culprit it would normally crash to desktop or get a driver not responding issue.

LtMatt · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:35

BaNksY IV said:
sweet, i just ran haven for 30mins and no crash, will have to wait until the other half leaves before i fire up BF3 to see if its ok!

Edit - must have posted at the same time, that sounds like another thing ill have to try when the gf leaves, will give it ago if crashes still occur.

As you say i also dont think its memory related as yes it would 9 times out of 10 BSOD

And im starting to rule out the GPU's as it does not make logical sense for them to work perfectly and i mean perfectly but then system crash, also if GPUs are the culprit it would normally crash to desktop or get a driver not responding issue.

Its likely driver related or overclocking related imo. Just need to try and narrow it down and rule out possibilities.

ALXAndy · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:46

BaNksY IV said:
And im starting to rule out the GPU's as it does not make logical sense for them to work perfectly and i mean perfectly but then system crash, also if GPUs are the culprit it would normally crash to desktop or get a driver not responding issue.

It could come down to absolutely and utterly nothing more than poor drivers. However, double the GPUs ten times the problems.

Maybe now you can understand why I'm so critical of multiple GPU set ups. Because I've been where you are and it's not much fun.

It's constant fiddle and faff and for what? a load of FPS you can't even see.

Still, hopefully you can get to the bottom of it man and get it running OK

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:52

just crashed in Haven

yep lots of whittling to do.

Whilst i do understand what your saying Andy personally abit of faffing for me is OK, its only a issue somewhere and where theres a issue theres a solution, once ive found the solution then it will be fixed.

Rocking a steady smooth 60fps looks amazing and for the little amount i pair for the pair im happy.

Im not entirly sure its the GPUs causing the problem.

Im sligtly leaning towards the PSU or somthing ive not set up correctly in the bios to control the power.

ALXAndy · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:56

Yeah fair enough. There was a time when I was younger that I used to love a faff. All I get now is annoyed quickly and want to throw things out the window

LtMatt · 23 Feb 2012 at 20:57

Banks did you download HWmonitor like i suggested and the check the power values whilst the system is idle and under full load?

BaNksY IV · 23 Feb 2012 at 22:45

Yes Matt, here's idle and load

And GPU on load

rob77 · 26 Feb 2012 at 17:24

Any update Banksy? I've just ordered my second powercolor 6950 so will let you know how I get on

BaNksY IV · 26 Feb 2012 at 22:33

yeah still having problems but pretty sure its not the gpu's as they both work spot on indiviually and in crossfire until system crash.
Hope you dont have any issues! does look awesome when its running!