Memory corruption BSODs but passing tests

Thanks guys! Really appreciate it!

 

I'm not sure why my memory usage was so high, perhaps I took the diagnostic when I was using the computer for other means. There's nothing using a lot of memory when I check now in task manager.

 

Last night I ran HCI Memtest for the first time and woke to my laptop freshly restarted, sitting on the log in screen. Event viewer showed another bugcheck and restart, and there's a new minidump included in the attached report. It seems like its another memory-related error.

 

I will uninstall the Razer drivers and see if it changes anything, thanks.

 

I did search for some new firmware for the SSD but its an OEM part so its not compatible with Samsung magician, nor do they release any firmware updates. I am guessing in this case its up to the OEM (HP) to release updates, of which there are none.

 

I fear the worst, I'll have to contact HP again in the USA and ask, they already made an exception replacing my keyboard. HP are pretty clear that you have to purchase global warranties separately, and whilst my laptop isn't in warranty here, it is covered in the UK.

 

Worse case scenario I have to return it to the UK, which will be a nightmare considering the cost of postage, lack of packaging, time and the fact I don't really have any confidence HP will be able to find or repeat this fault and therefore may not repair it.

 

On the other hand, if I somehow get replacement parts to fit myself then I run the risk of it being related to something other than only memory or HDD.

 

There's a couple of other things that I think may also be the cause, the battery within the laptop is rated now as weak, and the laptop just turns itself off when it reaches around 20% left. I know how batteries work, but for the laptop to suddenly shut off like that shows the battery is either completely dead or there's a power supply issue. Annoyingly the battery isn't one of the externally replaceable ones, so I don't know if I can test without it inserted. I've had to combat this by setting it to go into hibernation at 30%, but I never really use my laptop only on battery, so didn't think it could be causing this problem.

 

The other thing was a fault I saw upon return of my laptop previously, the ribbon cable inside the laptop for the left side USB ports was broken at one of the ends where it connects to one socket. Initially upon getting the laptop back I was getting a alert in windows warning about not enough power for the USB ports, I took the laptop apart and re-seated the cable (after noticing it was broken) and the warning and USB has since been working okay.

 

I'll try the suggested tests, maybe running one stick at a time will uncover the problem but its going to take some time to notice it in normal use if the tests don't uncover anything. I'm not so sure I should be taking the laptop apart again though when its in warranty?

 

Very kind for all your help, so thank you again!

 

EDIT* I do have another power supply I can test with the laptop, is it worth trying that too?

Edited by Dodgexander, 17 November 2019 - 04:06 PM.

Hello Dodge,

 

No report attached I`m afraid.

 

jcgriff2 has provided any testing info that you need so no need for me to chime in there but for research purposes can you post the model name  or number of the notebook for us if you will

.

As long as you do not brake anything, upgrading the RAM or HDD/SDD will not normally void your warranty but there may be exceptions, if there are service hatches to access the RAM it would be less of an issue but partially dismantling the notebook to gain access for any reason may not fly too well with HP etc.

 

You are welcome btw 

Hello Dodge,

 

No report attached I`m afraid.

 

jcgriff2 has provided any testing info that you need so no need for me to chime in there but for research purposes can you post the model name  or number of the notebook for us if you will

.

As long as you do not brake anything, upgrading the RAM or HDD/SDD will not normally void your warranty but there may be exceptions, if there are service hatches to access the RAM it would be less of an issue but partially dismantling the notebook to gain access for any reason may not fly too well with HP etc.

 

You are welcome btw 

I forgot to attach the file again! What a fool! Well its attached to my last post now! Sorry.

 

My laptop is the HP OMEN 17-an018na model with the FHD 120hz 1080p IPS screen, i7700HQ and GTX1060, 256gb Samsung NVME SSD/1TB WD HDD and 2x 8gb DDR4-2400 Samsung memory.

 

I was hoping I'd wake up to a standard memory error in HCI Memtest, but I guess the fact it rebooted during the test only confirms everything I know already..possible fault with hardware be it ram, SSD/HDD, motherboard or even PSU.

Edited by Dodgexander, 17 November 2019 - 04:13 PM.

The bugcheck on the latest dump -

 

0x50 = invalid memory referenced

 

NO 3rd party driver named which means that we are dealing with unknown hardware failure.

 

The dump gave up no other information.

 

Regards. . .

 

jcgriff2

Ran seatools in dos after some difficulty getting the computer to see my various USB pen drives. No errors long test on both drives.

Smart test passes on the HDD and self test too.

The SSD smart test and self test are unavailable but I already tested smart test for the SSD in CrystalDiskMark.

Anyway, I took the laptop apart again as there's no easy access slot and decided for testing purposes I'd remove the USB daughterboard ribbon cable that I know has a slightly damaged end... Frayed copper traces to be exact.

The laptop is now running 8 passes of memtest overnight with only one memory module inserted. Next test, probably tomorrow night, will be the other module in the other slot.

Unfortunately one of the case screws was a real pain coming loose when dissembling and I sighed with relief when it finally came free with no case damage, but it's head is basically worn to nothing so I'll need to get hold of some replacement screws for that.

Any idea what size laptop case screws usually are?

Also if I were to replace the broken ribbon cable leading to the USB daughterboard, how can I get the right part?

HP don't have any parts for my laptop when I search the HP part store even though it finds the laptop okay from my serial number...I hoped there would be an easy way to determine the type of cable even if it just means buying a generic, non HP replacement!

Sorry - I'm not a hardware expert and have no idea what size screws you need or about the USB cable. Try Amazon or Ebay.

 

The extent of my involvement with hardware - replacing a bad laptop HDD and swapping out laptop RAM.

 

Regards. . .

 

jcgriff2

The laptop is now running 8 passes of memtest overnight with only one memory module inserted. Next test, probably tomorrow night, will be the other module in the other slot.

 

 

 

Test each stick in both slots for at least four or five passes.

 

Just a fyi, testing the RAM can be done without fear of voiding any warranty as that by all accounts has already been done based on certain content in your reply #6

 

The other thing was a fault I saw upon return of my laptop previously, the ribbon cable inside the laptop for the left side USB ports was broken at one of the ends where it connects to one socket. Initially upon getting the laptop back I was getting a alert in windows warning about not enough power for the USB ports, I took the laptop apart and re-seated the cable (after noticing it was broken) and the warning and USB has since been working okay

 

 

it would have been best if you had gotten onto HP regarding this repair, shoddy workmanship on their behalf would have given you some leverage when it came to them putting it right in the US and while they were at it this latest hardware issue.

it would have been best if you had gotten onto HP regarding this repair, shoddy workmanship on their behalf would have given you some leverage when it came to them putting it right in the US and while they were at it this latest hardware issue.

Yes, well it hasn't been that long since the laptop was returned to them. After return I received a courtesy call from them and I mentioned the complaint with the ribbon cable, so I hope they have record of it.

At the time it didn't seem to cause a problem, so I didn't think anything of it. I had thought it was possibly a driver or windows problem...the USB power message that is.

 

As it stands I've tested both sticks now in their original slots over two nights, the first stick (first slot) passed 8 tests without error, the second stick (second slot) passed 10.

 

Tonight I'll swap the stick into the other slot, test again and the night after tomorrow I'll repeat it.

 

Can't get much more thorough than that!

 

Thanks for your help!

Okay, so I managed to fit in two tests last night and now have completed them.

 

10 passes with each stick in both slots.

 

Test 1 - Stick 1 in Slot 1

Test 2 - Stick 2 in Slot 2

Test 3 - Stick 2 in Slot 1

Test 4 - Stick 1 in Slot 2

 

So as usual, its not a simply RAM job, it doesn't seem a simple SSD/HDD fault either...and I am left with another stupid intermittent hardware issue that I doubt HP are going to be able to repeat   

 

I'm still running with 8gb in slot 2, so I guess I can keep using the PC like this to see if I still get the BSODs, then later try the other stick on its own in the other slot..

 

Thing is, I know how these kind of problems work when it comes to service centres. If they can't find the fault they just won't be able to fix it. I very, very much doubt I'll get a replacement. 

Once you have finished testing the RAM check the VRAM using MemtestCL 1.00 which you can download from here