Your PC crashes with a BSOD related to memory issues, but you're unsure how to fix it.
Your PC crashes with a BSOD related to memory issues, but you're unsure how to fix it.
It started with a BSOD while playing GMod. Everything seemed normal until the game froze and strange windows appeared. I suspected it was related to running Linux on a USB drive, possibly outdated, causing a security certificate issue. I resolved it by disabling fast boot and secure boot. The next day, while playing GMod again, the same problem occurred with a "MEMORY_MANAGEMENT" error. After enabling fast and secure boot, a day later I was playing Plague Inc. on multiplayer. At the same time, I was downloading a movie at about 150-200 KB/s using the latest Opera GX release. Suddenly, another "MEMORY MANAGEMENT" error appeared with an orange background. This sequence happened without any overclocking and on my MSI GE60 laptop running Windows 10 64-bit version 20H2 (build 19042.746).
Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and see if that brings up any errors. It would also be helpful to check your BIOS and post what voltage and frequency your RAM is running at. Also, is this a new build, or have you been using the PC for a while and this just recently started happening?
It began recently and the laptop is already quite outdated (even with a 760M GPU). I’m thinking about a fresh build since it barely runs Windows. Regarding the diagnostics tool, I’m looking for the Windows memory diagnostic utility—just to avoid searching online. As for the voltage, I’ll share it tomorrow because I’m in GMT+1 and it’s late now; DDR3 might be helpful.
It's a laptop, so ignore my previous comments about voltage and speed. For the memory check, type "memory diagnostic" in the start menu and it should appear. When prompted, restart your computer and wait for the default test to begin—usually two passes. If you need to adjust settings, press F1 during the test. It might take an hour or so; keep the laptop powered on. You can review any error messages at any time by checking the status. If errors appear, open the Windows Event Viewer and look for more details afterward.
Sure, I'll start by sharing the voltage details. Then I'll proceed with the diagnostics. Just to clarify, you're thinking about switching to Linux for reliability and compatibility with your machine, but you're still unsure if it's the Windows issue or a RAM problem—so I'll keep that in mind while we go through the checks.
I hadn't realized the device I was talking about was a laptop. Its BIOS settings are typically secured to prevent modifications like changing RAM voltage or speed, which means it likely won't reveal its current configuration.
Oh yea, I couldn’t find pretty much anything except for some system info :/.
Also consider installing memtest86 and employing the provided tool to generate a bootable USB. Allow it to complete its tasks. Should your RAM be defective, you’ll notice frequent crashes soon after.
I just ran the "Windows memory diagnostics tool" and immediately it warned me: "Hardware issues detected. To fix these problems, you need to reach out to the device manufacturer." After completing the standard test, it restarted and displayed a screen that essentially repeated the message: "Windows memory diagnostics; The computer likely has memory problems. Memory issues can lead to data loss or shutdown (this is what it means in plain language). If you want to resolve this, contact the manufacturer of your device." Based on this advice, I believe it’s time to move forward. Even though the machine functions properly now, I think it’s wiser to replace it rather than risk further damage. I’m considering purchasing a new PC for around 640 dollars, but I’m also weighing whether to wait and see if the current one can last another six months before investing in a better build. If it holds up well, I might be able to save money in the long run. Otherwise, I’ll need to decide quickly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.