Vista wont run for a whole hour since installation - BSOD ecache.sys

J

jpedrosa

New Member
Hello.

I just got this new computer and decided to partition its hard drive so I could have XP and Vista in the same Hard Drive. So I installed XP succesfully and used Acronis Disk Director to shrink the partition in half and create a new partition for Vista Ultimate x64.

So then I began installing Vista, but the first time it loads after installing, BSOD. I then restart the computer and try again, and sometimes it loads OK, but after a few minutes, BSOD. BSODs during windows update, during internet browsing. I can't have even one hour withou having BSODs.

Almost everytime the BSOD is a DRIVER_IRQL_LESS_OR_NOT_EQUAL problem, and it shows ecache.sys followed by a huge address.

My system is as follows:

Intel QuadCore Q6600
4GB RAM (4 x 1GB sticks) 800MHz PC6400 Kingston
Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA
Zogis Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT 512MB
ASUS P5K Premium Motherboard

My XP installation works just fine, but I want to give Vista a try. After a few successful Windows Update sessions, Vista found out that the problem COULD be related to ATK ACPI UTILITY driver, but I tried to update that using Windows Update and it says I don't NEED and update. So the system keeps BSOD'ing and it's not long before files start to get corrupted, CHKDSK has to be run, and then the whole installation goes to hell. I have tried reformating the Vista partition 5 times, I did 5 fresh installs and every single one of them wont give me one hour of stability. The system will BSOD even after I get lucky and manage to install every existing P5K ASUS driver there is for Vista x64.

Any clues of what might be happening?
 

My Computer

System One

Ok so I tried removing 2 memory sticks which left my computer with 2 GB. And then, Vista ran just fine. I was able to make all updates and I found out about this 4GB hotfix, KB929777, which allow us to use more then 3GB in Vista 64.

So I downloaded the hotfix but when I try to install it, I get the "this patch does not apply to your system" error. So I cant even fix my problem!!

Vista will run fine with three 1GB sticks, but not four.

So what I am missing here?

I should tell you that I installed Vista with all my four sticks plugged in. I got a few BSODs during the process, but ultimately the installation went through. Does this mean I have to install Vista all over again with just 2GB and THEN try to apply the hotfix?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi jpedrosa,

Double check your BIOS version for your motherboard to see if there is a new version available for it. This will sometimes clear up the memory problem with a updated version.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Ok, my BIOS version is 0302 and I saw in the Asus website that the most current BIOS is 0504. I'll try that.

Installing KB929777 didn't work. I couldn't install it in Vista x64 SP1 ("this update does not apply to your system" error), but I reformatted my Vista partition (for the 16th time) and installed Vista x64 WITHOUT SP1, using just 2GB RAM. Installation went OK, KB929777 hotfix installation finally went through but when I tried starting the computer with all my four 1GB mem sticks ... guess what : BSOD.
 

My Computer

System One

The KB 929777 hotfix is to solve a startup error with 4 GB of RAM and certain types of memory controller. If you don't have that type memory controller then the patch doesn't apply to your system and it won't install.

Electrically, 4 DIMMS are harder for your motherboard to drive than two. And up until very recently more users wuld only run two sticks - so that's what makers test/certify with. So what you're going to have to do is experiment a little to find what works.

(1) MANUALLY set your timings to the maker's specs, don't use Auto.
(2) MANUALLY set memory voltage to the high end of the range specified by the maker
(3) Manually set the command rate to 2T. You should not run 4 sticks on 1T.

Use Memtest to verify your DIMMS are running properly.

If it's not stable, the next step is to raise the voltage to your Front Side Buss slightly - 0.05 should do. Test again.

If that STILL doesn't work, bump the voltage to your DIMMS by 0.01 at a time. TEST in between.


If it tests well, you can use apps like Prime 95 to beat the snot out of your computer (Yes, "Beat The Snot Out" is a very technical term - use with care) 8 hours Prime 95 stable is a good minimum. More retentive types will want up to 24 hours.

Post back and let us know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64) Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz
Yes - If driving 4 sticks is the issue, then going to two (twice as large) sticks should solve it. But IMHO, there's no reason to spend the money unless you absolutely cannot get the 4 you already have working properly. Manually take over the things and see can you handle what the component makers dropped the ball on.. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64) Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz
jpedrosa said:
Ok, my BIOS version is 0302 and I saw in the Asus website that the most current BIOS is 0504. I'll try that.

Installing KB929777 didn't work. I couldn't install it in Vista x64 SP1 ("this update does not apply to your system" error), but I reformatted my Vista partition (for the 16th time) and installed Vista x64 WITHOUT SP1, using just 2GB RAM. Installation went OK, KB929777 hotfix installation finally went through but when I tried starting the computer with all my four 1GB mem sticks ... guess what : BSOD.
Click to expand...

Nice.

Now I have BIOS 0504 and I'm getting more BSODs than ever. A LOT. Even on installation, even when using just 2GB RAM. I could see that one of them was a MEMORY_MANAGEMENT BSOD. And now I can't even start Vista, not even on safe mode. It just restarts.

So, everything got WAY worse with this BIOS update. And guess what, I cant find 0302 in Asus Website...
 

My Computer

System One

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
I ran memtest on all my sticks ... and at 800 MHz, ALL OF THEM make Memtest freeze at test#3, at different points (no more than 30%).

I then put the sticks in 667MHz and memtest went OK, at least for one stick. So I figured these are not 800Mhz as advertised, but only 667MHz.

Nevertheless, four sticks in 667MHz still give me blue screens in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1. DRIVER_IRQL_LESS_OR_NOT_EQUAL.

I'm having trouble finding WHERE to set DIMM voltage in BIOS ... where is it after all? 1T, 2T .. dont know where they are ... I see 1N and 2N , is that the same thing?
 

My Computer

System One

jpedrosa,

Each board is different, but it should be the same. I have 1 GB 667 MHZ PC5300 Kingston RAM sticks to. My timing settings are 5 (CAS# Latency)-5 (RAS# to CAS #)-5 (RAS# Precharge)-15 (tRAS)- 20 (tRC), with a 1.8 V.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2, 4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2, 8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system, Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn, APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI, Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
I already called the store where I bought the computer and they agreed to trade my 4x1GB 667MHz sticks for 2x2GB 800MHz sticks ... after all, they SOLD me 800MHz sticks ...

Let's wait until Saturday, if things go wrong again I'll update here.

Thanks for all the help!
 

My Computer

System One

I actually just helped someone with this problem...and it worked...all you have to do is backup ur old ecache.sys file and get the new one in which i will post when i get home

i recommend u try doing this before u buy the ram
 

My Computer

System One

Thanks man.

I once tried to replace that file with some file I found on the internet. Problem is Windows thought that the installation became corrupt and prompted me to "repair" using the Vista DVD.

Lets see what happens when I use "your" file.

Cheers
 

My Computer

System One

Umm not sure how to upload it because this forum doesn't want to accept .rar and .zip files...

But first go to your HDD (C://)>>>Windows>>>System32>>>Drivers>>>ecache.sys

Right Click this file and go to Properties>>>Go to Security Tab and Click Advanced
Now Go to the Owner Tab>>>Click Edit and Change it to Your Username...Completely close out all those boxes, and go back to the original properties>>>Go to Security Tab>>>Edit>>>and Check All those Boxes...This should allow you to make this file a Backup File

Rename the Original file "ecache.sys.bak" and Put the New One In...Again Not sure how to post the file...but let me see

Hope this helps :)

ecache.rar
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

Hi mathews

Can you please post the link to the discussion board that has the post similar to my problem?

Oh ... and this file you uploaded ... Sure it will work with Vista Ultimate x64 SP1?

Thanks !
 

My Computer

System One

yes it will..got it from my computer vista sp1 ultimate x64
and it wasnt on this forum...it was a person from this forum, but i jus chatted with him on AIM

sorry about that
 

My Computer

System One

the guy that mathews helped was me
and i can assure you that it works.

it solved one of three of my BSOD's
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Pentium 4 3.0ghz/ Dual Xeon 2.8ghz 8 cores
    Motherboard
    Intel D915GUX
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 533MHz Memory/4gb DDR2 FB-DIMM
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon x600 Series/ATI Radeon x2600xt
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual 19" Gateway FPD1965
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    2tb WD Velociraptor 300GB WD 40gb Mac Pro - 500gb, 2x 320gb, 150gb
mathews2010 said:
Umm not sure how to upload it because this forum doesn't want to accept .rar and .zip files...

But first go to your HDD (C://)>>>Windows>>>System32>>>Drivers>>>ecache.sys

Right Click this file and go to Properties>>>Go to Security Tab and Click Advanced
Now Go to the Owner Tab>>>Click Edit and Change it to Your Username...Completely close out all those boxes, and go back to the original properties>>>Go to Security Tab>>>Edit>>>and Check All those Boxes...This should allow you to make this file a Backup File

Rename the Original file "ecache.sys.bak" and Put the New One In...Again Not sure how to post the file...but let me see

Hope this helps :)

ecache.rar
Click to expand...

Hi Matthew

It didn't work. Happened the same thing that happened before. I can replace the file, but when I restart the computer Windows tells me that one of my drivers has gone corrupt or missing : ecache.sys . So I'm prompted to restore the original file through Vista DVD.

Is there something I must do to the new file so Vista recognizes it as being OK? Do I need to set special permissions, ownerships, etc?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

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