Machine Check Exception?

kelston · May 20, 2006, 10:38 PM

One of my WoW guildmates is getting the very friendly BSOD -> Machine Check Exception. I've never encountered one but a quick Google of it has it listed as having a whole slew of possible causes.

So i'm looking for suggestions, starting with the least painful potential solutions.

He replaced his hard drive as his first theory, but it resolved nothing.

Currently i've got him running memtest86 to rule out memory stick issues - This was because he was able to run his PC at longer duration running one mem stick instead of two, though the problem would eventually still occur.

I have him slated to run a Prime95 after the memory check. But from there, i'm not sure what to suggest if both pass. In theory, i'd hope one would fail since he stated it'd be easier for him to replace the memory or CPU rather than the mobo or power supply.

But, say both pass. What next?

Spec:

A64 3500+
1GB RAM (2 sticks)
Gigabyte GA-K8U-939 (ULi M1689 chipset)
XP Pro

PangingJr · May 21, 2006, 11:59 AM

sounds like one of memory modules is faulty, how's memtest going?

kelston · May 21, 2006, 12:25 PM

Alright. Results came back but I didn't have a chance to update this thread.

Memtest, passed. No problems. Both sticks simultaneously, passed. Each stick individually, passed.

Prime95 was where the problem presented again. Couldn't say exactly how long it was but, it seemed like, maybe 2 seconds after starting Prime95's torture test? We had a good laugh over the phone after figuring out which options to select for the torture test.

PangingJr · May 21, 2006, 12:56 PM

clean install the CPU cooling fan/heatsink. if he hasn't tried that.

May 20, 2006, 10:38 PM	#1
kelston HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bayside, NY USA Posts: 360 Rep Power: 0	Machine Check Exception? One of my WoW guildmates is getting the very friendly BSOD -> Machine Check Exception. I've never encountered one but a quick Google of it has it listed as having a whole slew of possible causes. So i'm looking for suggestions, starting with the least painful potential solutions. He replaced his hard drive as his first theory, but it resolved nothing. Currently i've got him running memtest86 to rule out memory stick issues - This was because he was able to run his PC at longer duration running one mem stick instead of two, though the problem would eventually still occur. I have him slated to run a Prime95 after the memory check. But from there, i'm not sure what to suggest if both pass. In theory, i'd hope one would fail since he stated it'd be easier for him to replace the memory or CPU rather than the mobo or power supply. But, say both pass. What next? Spec: A64 3500+ 1GB RAM (2 sticks) Gigabyte GA-K8U-939 (ULi M1689 chipset) XP Pro __________________ Pants are a dangerous foe!

May 21, 2006, 12:25 PM	Thread Starter #3
kelston HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bayside, NY USA Posts: 360 Rep Power: 0	Alright. Results came back but I didn't have a chance to update this thread. Memtest, passed. No problems. Both sticks simultaneously, passed. Each stick individually, passed. Prime95 was where the problem presented again. Couldn't say exactly how long it was but, it seemed like, maybe 2 seconds after starting Prime95's torture test? We had a good laugh over the phone after figuring out which options to select for the torture test. __________________ Pants are a dangerous foe!

May 21, 2006, 11:59 AM	#2
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	sounds like one of memory modules is faulty, how's memtest going?

May 21, 2006, 12:56 PM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	clean install the CPU cooling fan/heatsink. if he hasn't tried that.