clock_watchdog_timeout error!

Question

Hi!

I recently did some updates and now my computer keeps getting a clock_watchdog_timeout blue screen.

It usually happens when I play any video game, or sometimes just randomly freezing my computer.

I did some research on the error, and it mentions something about the processor. I recently updated the chipset as well with a driver. I'm running a P8P67 ASUS motherboard with an intel i5-2500k processor (not overclocked) on Windows 8.

I've attached a dmp file: http://sdrv.ms/18AzoGU

Any help would be appretiated!

Answer 1

Thanks for the DMP!

It is of course of the WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (124) bugcheck.

This bug check indicates that a fatal hardware error has occurred. This bug check uses the error data that is provided by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA).

Note that this is a hardware only bugcheck, most of the time. The only software that can generally cause this bugcheck are OS to BIOS utilities or software such as Asus' AI Suite that provide a direct bridge from the OS to BIOS to perform on the fly adjustments, monitor voltages and BIOS settings, etc.

If we run an !errrec on the 2nd parameter which is the address of the WER structure, we get the following:

===============================================================================

Section 2     : x86/x64 MCA

---

Descriptor    @ fffffa800dcd6138

Section       @ fffffa800dcd62c0

Offset        : 664

Length        : 264

Flags         : 0x00000000

Severity      : Fatal

Error         : Internal timer (Proc 0 Bank 3)

  Status      : 0xbe00000000800400

  Address     : 0x000000006ba52315

  Misc.       : 0x0000000000000000

It seems an internal CPU timer failed on Processor 0 (first and primary CPU core) and Cache Bank 3. As we of course have only seen ONE *124 dumps, it's hard to make any calls in regards to the CPU possibly being the issue.

There is only so much you can do with a bugcheck like this until it comes down to a faulty processor that will need to be replaced. Start from 1 and work downward:

1. Ensure your temperatures are within standard and nothing's overheating. You can use a program such as Speccy if you'd like to monitor temps - http://www.piriform.com/speccy

2. Clear your CMOS (or load optimized BIOS defaults) to ensure there's no improper BIOS setting or to clear overclock settings - http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm

3. Ensure your BIOS is up to date.

4. As I said above, the only usual software conflict that can usually cause *124 bugchecks are OS to BIOS utilities from manufacturer's like Asus' AI Suite. If you have something like this software-wise, remove it ASAP.

5. If all of the above fail, the only left to do is replace your processor as it is faulty.

Answer 2

My laptop model is Dell Inspiron 15R SE (7520)

I have been facing the Problem of CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT for an year of now 

I don't exactly get the problem ,

the system hangs on for 15-20 seconds and then recovers on its own ,then runs for 4-5 minutes then again freezes to 15-20 seconds and so on.. finally giving a blue screen saying (" Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart , We're collecting information for you -- shows the ERROR : CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT " and says You can check the solution for this error online later ) even though the dell technical support asks me to reinstall windows 

I reinstalled it around three times in the past 1 year 

But there is no result 

Is there a permanent solution to this ?

Please help , a case of urgency !

Answer 3

Not a problem, glad to hear your CPU wasn't the issue!

Regards,

Patrick

Answer 4

Hi, 

With reference to the above question. I will also present my own concern, as i am running MS Windows 8 Pro, in Dell Optiplex 990 Machine, normal specs of Machine are as follows.

I was running Win 8 Pro x64, during the installation after 1st restart while saying "getting Devices Ready 60%" i receive the error for the firsttime. it was something like "blah blah blah....... you can check later for "clock_watchdog_timeout error", i restarted the system which consequently restarted the setup, which completed successfully after 3 more "Manual" restarts, everything was fine but it was Halting/stucking/hanging more often, i contacted Dell Support they said its not their fault, i contacted microsoft they said its not their fault, i called dell again, they ran diagnostic, and returned me back to microsoft, this time microsoft asked me to install again my OS, i did, it but with x86 instead of x64, and luckyly i have just faced 1 halt as of now.

i have already installed the latest drivers, for chipset, along with updating the bios to bios version 18 for dell.

is there anything that i can get in as solution insted of "faluty processor"

Answer 5

Hi,

Glad to hear updating the BIOS has solved your issue. I'd recommend marking my post that recommended updating the BIOS as the answer if you feel and are comfortable your issue is solved.

Regards,

Patrick