Windows 10 pro boot regression

Question

Windows 10 pro shows a boot regression, of sort. After normal system boot CPUs FPU is in error state -
prime-numbers test fail (IPDT64 + Prime95), Final Wire AIDA64 Stress Test FPU/Cache/RAM fails with "hardware problem".
Browser software (Firefox + Edge) crashes, no other issues. Safe boot (+network) is always OK.
Immediate system reboot 1..5 times gets rid of the problem until next boot some time later.
The error symptoms remind Intel Pentium Error from 1995 or recent Win10 fmod(), reminder() FPU stack damage issue (resolved in 20H2).

Windows 10 inplace upgrade done on May 19th to version 21H1, because of problem with Windows updates

• Error x80073701 ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING - Microsoft online help advised inplace upgrade (re-install with keeping apps/settings).
  Since May 28th Firefox start crashing, without doing any major system changes.

Hardware: Asus Z490-I MB, Intel core i7-10700 CPU, 2x16GB Corsair DDR4-2400/C14 RAM, Samsung 970 pro 512Gb SSD (Windows),
EVGA GTX 1060 SC 6GB graphic card, PSU Seasonic PRIME PX-650 (ATX 650W). In use since September 2020. No issues before.
Asus MB BIOS: 2103, last version. CMOS reset and BIOS reset done: no change, issue still present.

RAM tested: OK, RAM modules replaced anyway - no change, same issue. CPU exchanged - no changes, same issue.
Observations: when browser issue is present, several CPU tests are also failing:

1. Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool (IPDT64) fails with prime numbers and math tests;
2. Final Wire AIDA64 Stress Test FPU/Cache/RAM fails with "hardware problem", FPU/Cache test fails immediately;
3. OCCT CPU/Linpack tests fail with many errors;
4. IntelBurn Test (Linpack) fails;
5. Prime95 test fails with fatal rounding error.

Windows safe-boot with network: issue NOT present (OK), tested many times.
Using on-board (Intel) graphics (only): issue present (not OK).
Exchange of nvidia graphics card (same type, other card): issue present (not OK).
Clean re-install (newer) nvidia graphics drivers: issue present (not OK).
On-board audio drivers re-install: issue present (not OK).
Meltdown/Spectre protection switched off (restart): issue present (not OK).
ELAM drivers off (F8 menu): issue present (not OK)

Questions:
could be the culprit process or OS boot error be identified ?
was this kind of issue reported before ? what could be possible source of this issue ?
could it be the motherboard fault ? why multiple system resets help ?
fmod(), reminder() FPU stack damage issue ? was resolved in 20H2...
can nvidia GPU driver been still causing this ?

Answer 1

Problem seems to be solved: Realtek on-board HD Audio disabled in BIOS on ASUS MB.
Windows safe-mode disables any audio as well and it was trouble free.
On-board audio seems to be having problems only during booting up

• it did function well nevertheless (with a microphone).

Answer 2

Hi

The fact its working good in SafeBoot really make me think it’s a driver issue with nvidea. (and it sound more true as it’s working good with the intel onbord)

Did you have installed the KB5003690 ? It was out in June and fix some issue with videocard driver.

I would test too if nothing work to get a beta nvidea driver.

Can the motherbord could be afftected for the videocard connector/bus? It would be my last idea.

Thanks

Philippe

Answer 3

Hi,
Thank You for the answer !
Yes, I installed KB5003690, this did not change the issue.
Also removing the nvidia GPU and using the on-board (intel) GPU also had the issue.
Only thing to get rid of the problem is to boot in the safe mode, or restart the system
immediately several times - that what's puzzling me.