Octane VI laptop shutting down mid games

[Adrian_Kain]

Done

Octane VI Logs – Google Drive

drive.google.com

I did what you asked and cleared the logs before playing anything. This happened about 10 minutes in playing AC Mirage. There was nothing in any of the folders inside LiveKernellReports. No dump files into any of the sub-folders.

Temps were fine, within acceptable parameters.

Screw it...while my warranty expired a while back, once i get back to Scotland I will contact PCS and send it in for a service diagnostic and whatnot. Maybe it is a Hardware failure to be, but I looked in Device manager and everything looks ok. No warning or whatnot.

 

[ubuysa]

The System log is interesting here. The timings are local to me (Event Viewer does that) and I'm UTC+3 here in Crete, so decut 2 hours for UK time.

The log starts at 12:15:22 when the two logs were cleared.
The first actual log entry (at 12:16:07) is a power entry...

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-UserModePowerService
Date:          07/10/2023 12:16:07
Event ID:      12
Task Category: (10)
Level:         Information
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
Process C:\Program Files\iolo technologies\System Mechanic\LBGovernor.exe (process ID:11304) reset policy scheme from {c54d89c6-d8f0-4bc6-bd6f-b8d4f1edaa68} to {c54d89c6-d8f0-4bc6-bd6f-b8d4f1edaa68}

And that might well be the root of the problem - System Mechanic is one of those tools that are best avoided, and here it's modifying the power policy. That's worrying.

Then, only two seconds later (at 12:16:09), we get a shutdown...

Log Name:      System
Source:        User32
Date:          07/10/2023 12:16:09
Event ID:      1074
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:      Classic
User:          S-1-5-21-247464530-1804164506-324485242-1001
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
The process Explorer.EXE has initiated the power off of computer RAZYELKAIN on behalf of user RAZYELKAIN\smokk for the following reason: Other (Unplanned)
 Reason Code: 0x0
 Shut-down Type: power off
 Comment:

What are the odds that the explorer.exe initiated shutdown is due to System Mechanic?

We then see the error for the Ensergy Service Service failing to shutdown properly...

Log Name:      System
Source:        Service Control Manager
Date:          07/10/2023 12:16:31
Event ID:      7043
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
The Energy Server Service queencreek service did not shut down properly after receiving a pre-shutdown control.

Is that perhaps System Mechanic related as well?

The system finally shuts down at 12:16;36...

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Power
Date:          07/10/2023 12:16:36
Event ID:      109
Task Category: (103)
Level:         Information
Keywords:      (70368744177664),(1024),(4)
User:          N/A
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
The kernel power manager has initiated a shutdown transition.

Shutdown Reason: Kernel API

The system is then restarted at 14:06:04 - and then it gets REALLY interesting...
..

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-General
Date:          07/10/2023 14:06:04
Event ID:      12
Task Category: (1)
Level:         Information
Keywords:      (128)
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
The operating system started at system time ‎2023‎-‎10‎-‎07T11:06:04.500000000Z.

Following this restart there are other interesting entries...

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FilterManager
Date:          07/10/2023 14:06:12
Event ID:      6
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
File System Filter 'trufos' (10.0, ‎2022‎-‎12‎-‎01T01:23:47.000000000Z) has successfully loaded and registered with Filter Manager.

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FilterManager
Date:          07/10/2023 14:06:13
Event ID:      6
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
File System Filter 'bdprivmon' (10.0, ‎2023‎-‎08‎-‎09T12:46:10.000000000Z) has successfully loaded and registered with Filter Manager.

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FilterManager
Date:          07/10/2023 14:06:13
Event ID:      6
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
File System Filter 'Ignisv2' (10.0, ‎2023‎-‎08‎-‎02T11:33:11.000000000Z) has successfully loaded and registered with Filter Manager.

The trufos.sys, bdprivmon.sys, and ignisv2.sys filter drivers are components of the BitDefender antimalware product. All third-party anti-malware tools cause problems now and then. BitDefender is one of the bad ones too.

What makes this worse however is this log entry...

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FilterManager
Date:          07/10/2023 14:06:12
Event ID:      6
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
File System Filter 'AMP' (0.0, ‎2019‎-‎07‎-‎05T17:58:25.000000000Z) has successfully loaded and registered with Filter Manager.

As far as I can tell the filter driver amp.sys is a component of the Active Malware Protection Minifilter software developed by CYREN. That means you have TWO real-time antivirus engines running (Cyren and BitDefender) and that's a definite no-no and a common source of problems.

Then we see this entry...

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FilterManager
Date:          07/10/2023 14:06:12
Event ID:      6
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      RazyelKain
Description:
File System Filter 'PDFsFilter' (6.1, ‎2018‎-‎10‎-‎26T21:49:03.000000000Z) has successfully loaded and registered with Filter Manager.

The PDFRsFilter.sys filter driver is part of the Raxco PerfectDisk product, this is known to cause all sorts of issues on some systems.

I have a list of recommendations for you then...

• Uninstall BitDefender using the specialised tool found here.
• Uninstall whatever Cyren product you have - check to see whether there is a specialised uninstall tool (I can't find one).
• Uninstall System Mechanic.
• Uninstall Raxco's PerfectDisk product.
• Uninstall all other third-party 'tune-up' tools you may have and any othr third-party security products you might have.

If that doesn't stop the shutdowns - and they do appear from this log to be a shutdown and not a sudden power off - there are other troubleshooting techniques we can try.

I am now much less sure that this is a hardware problem, it's looking more like bad software now.

 

[Adrian_Kain]

Thank you...I will do that right now.
* I will uninstall Bit Defender and would you recommend i use another antivirus? What would be your recommendation?
* I will get rid of system mechanic as well.
* I do not remember installing anything CYREN related and I cannot find anything in Program files/Program files (86) with that name

besides system mechanic the only other tools tune up programs I have installed are Iobit Drive Booster/Iobit uninstaller and I have NordVPN

I have looked and Cannot find anything in regards to PerfectDisk or Any Cyren programs installed on my laptop.

Will update, but at this point, considering I do not have any important files on my laptop and I am home on a 1 Gb internet line, I am considering wiping the C drive and reinstalling windows again, that way I would have a clean drive to start with. Any games i have can be downloaded within a day.

 

[SpyderTracks]

* I will uninstall Bit Defender and would you recommend i use another antivirus? What would be your recommendation?

Windows Defender is part of Windows and far better than any 3rd party AV anyway

besides system mechanic the only other tools tune up programs I have installed are Iobit Drive Booster/Iobit uninstaller and I have NordVPN

Oooo, you definitely need to uninstalled IOBit, that's a big no no too

I would strongly suggest a clean install, but wait for @ubuysa as he may want to test after those programs are uninstalled.

 

[ubuysa]

If you're happy to do a clean install from bootable media, and deleting existing UEFI partitions, then that would be your fastest way back to a reliable system.

Obviously, don't reinstall any of the software products that we have highlighted.

 

[Adrian_Kain]

If you're happy to do a clean install from bootable media, and deleting existing UEFI partitions, then that would be your fastest way back to a reliable system.

Obviously, don't reinstall any of the software products that we have highlighted.

Yeah, i guess i will do that. I cannot find the Cyren and Roxco programs you mentioned after looking all over the place and as I said, I am on a 1Gb line so anything wiped off can be reinstalled later. I am making the Bootable USB now and will format my HDD and install from the USB. Just need to get my windows key from the PCS account

 

[SpyderTracks]

Yeah, i guess i will do that. I cannot find the Cyren and Roxco programs you mentioned after looking all over the place and as I said, I am on a 1Gb line so anything wiped off can be reinstalled later. I am making the Bootable USB now and will format my HDD and install from the USB. Just need to get my windows key from the PCS account

Windows key is embedded in the BIOS, you don't need to enter it, it will autoregister next time it hits the internet on the hardware ID of the system

 

[ubuysa]

Well their filter drivers are being loaded, so a clean install to be sure they're gone is wise.

 

[Adrian_Kain]

Well their filter drivers are being loaded, so a clean install to be sure they're gone is wise.

Perfect, one last question because I am old and rusty at this windows install. Should I just boot from the USB once i get it done without formatting C drive or should I format C before and start from scratch?

As in, should I do a reset/keep my files or do a full wipe/clean install

Again, thank you for all your help

 

[SpyderTracks]

Just to confirm, you'd never use the windows ISO from your PCS account as it will be far out of date, always create a bootable media with the latest image from microsoft.

Should I just boot from the USB once i get it done without formatting C drive or should I format C before and start from scratch?

No need to format for many years now, you just delete all system partitions and install to the spare space.

 

[Adrian_Kain]

Thank you for all your help with the issues I was having. I have completed the clean install and am slowly adding back most of the things i need however (and this might not be the best place to ask) I don`t feel confident with only using Windows Defender as my sole Antivirus. I can live without system mechanic, but what antivirus should I get? @ubuysa said Bit Defender is bad, but for me worked fine since i got the laptop the only shutdown issues were the ones I had to deal with since i came home one vacation

 

[ubuysa]

Windows Firewall and Windows Defender ARE all you need. The scaremongering by the security product vendors is due to their products no longer being required. What you say about "not feeling confident" is exactly how they want you to feel.

All those techies on here who know what they're doing use Windows Firewall and Windows Defender - including me.

I should mention that I do BSOD dump analysis on several fora, and third-party anti malware products cause many BSODs on many systems.

 

[Adrian_Kain]

Windows Firewall and Windows Defender ARE all you need. The scaremongering by the security product vendors is due to their products no longer being required. What you say about "not feeling confident" is exactly how they want you to feel.

All those techies on here who know what they're doing use Windows Firewall and Windows Defender - including me.

I should mention that I do BSOD dump analysis on several fora, and third-party anti malware products cause many BSODs on many systems.

Thank you for your reply. I will stick with your recommendation and not put anything besides the Windows Firewall and Windows defender. Will see how it goes. I will update tomorrow once i reinstall all my games and programs minus the ones you said not to install

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thank you for your reply. I will stick with your recommendation and not put anything besides the Windows Firewall and Windows defender. Will see how it goes. I will update tomorrow once i reinstall all my games and programs minus the ones you said not to install

Since windows 7, 3rd party AV's are snake oil, they actually reduce security and massively impact system performance, as well as often impacting stability.

 

[Martinr36]

if you're a bit rusty on clean install, then just follow this:

Download a new copy of Windows using the Media Creation Tool (Second option on linked page) to an 8GB (min) USB.
Boot that USB and choose a Custom Install.
Delete all UEFI partitions on the system drive (EFI System, Recovery, MSR Reserved, Primary).
Select the unallocated space that results and click the Next button. The installer will create the correct partitions and install Windows.
Run Windows Update repeatedly, even across reboots, until no more updates are found.
You may need/want to download and install the latest graphics driver from the Nvidia/AMD website (they change so regularly the latest version isn't always in the Windows libraries).

This is also worth a watch

 

[Adrian_Kain]

Windows Firewall and Windows Defender ARE all you need. The scaremongering by the security product vendors is due to their products no longer being required. What you say about "not feeling confident" is exactly how they want you to feel.

All those techies on here who know what they're doing use Windows Firewall and Windows Defender - including me.

I should mention that I do BSOD dump analysis on several fora, and third-party anti malware products cause many BSODs on many systems.

Octane VI Logs – Google Drive

drive.google.com

Well, it happened again @ubuysa ...just on CP2077 on a fresh install, no mods whatsoever, clean install on Cyberpunk2077 as well.

I did upgrade to Windows 11 since i posted last. Did not install any of the programs you said not to, the only thing i added back was NordVPN and Clevo Control Centre 2.0, i think it`s the 1.78 version or whatnot. it is the highest version i found for my laptop

I was able to play Assassin`s creed Mirage for quite a while without any shutdowns. There was one or 2 spikes in temp when the CPU went to 100C but no shutdown either, it stabilized afterwards at 85

In regards to CP2077 - CPU temp was stable at around 86-88 according to HWmonitor when my laptop shut down

 

[DarkPaladin]

It's probably a shot in the dark but when configuring your laptop, do you happen to change any settings in Windows Power Plan? I had constant shutdowns playing Overwatch 2 and it turned out having PCI Express: Link State Management set to "Off" was the culprit.

 

[ubuysa]

There is nothing in either log that would account for the shutdowns. Can you check again in the folder C:\Windows\Minidump to be sure there are no dump files in there? Please also check in the folder C:\WIndows\LiveKernelEvents, and check every sub-folder under there too. Upload any dumps you find. If the file C:\Windows\Memory.dmp exists then please upload it to the cloud with a link to it here (be sure to make it public).

From the CPU documentation here, the Tjunction temp is 100°C - so it may be a thermal shutdown after all. What do the hardware gurus think?

Have you cleaned the dust from inside recently? The finned heat exchanger next to the fan is where ALL the CPU/GPU cooling is done, but it's prone to getting blocked up with dust and fluff. That would cause overly high temps.

TBH I wish you had not upgraded to Windows 11- because in doing so you've introduced a whole new set of uncertainties. If it came with Windows 10 then I would much prefer you to clean install Windows 10 again, with all the necessary drivers (via Windows Update) and then download the latest graphics drivers (iGPU and dGPU) from the Clevo download site. Use DDU to remove the existing Nvidia driver and then install both the Intel and Nvidia graphics drivers from Clevo. These drivers are often customised on a laptop so it's important to test with these drivers.

When you've done that, install as limited a set of third-party software as you need to be able to test the laptop. Just install the game that most often causes these shutdowns for example. Do not install anything you don't absolutely need to test it.

BTW. Does it only shutdown when gaming, or will it shutdown when idle or when not gaming?

 

[Adrian_Kain]

It's probably a shot in the dark but when configuring your laptop, do you happen to change any settings in Windows Power Plan? I had constant shutdowns playing Overwatch 2 and it turned out having PCI Express: Link State Management set to "Off" was the culprit.

You mean the Link State Power Management under PCI Express? Yeah mine was on Off for default so I chose the Maximum Power setting. TBH, the choice I had was between Moderate and Maximum so I chose Max

@ubuysa Not sure it was a thermal one. When I played AC Mirage a few days ago, it did get to 100C but it did not shutdown. It stabilized at around 85-86C after 20s or so. Cyberpunk shutdown occurred about 20 mins in when the CPU temp was around 85ish

The power shutdown only happens when I play Cyberpunk and more recently Starfield, but When that happened, the games were modded with Nexus Mods. What makes it weird is that before coming to Romania i was able to play both Cyberpunk and Starfield with mods (that was pre 2.0 update on CP). As far as I know these are the only trouble causing games. I will give some of my old ones, like AC Valhalla and Warframe, and Metro a test see if it extends to them as well

What makes it even weirder is that every benchmark i run, it works fine. Whether is the Cinebench Stress test/Stability test on both CPU and GPU, or the Heaven Benchmark all seems to be good. No shutdown no throttling...nothing. I had Heaven Benchmade run for 2h on Extreme settings and was fine. GPU was sitting at around 70-75ish and that was it.

Also, No shut down issues when idle or not gaming. Works just fine

It might be just the 2 games causing issues, I dunno..as I said,, Ol`Bess here is 5 years old but I have kept her in tip top shape. I did get it cleaned in August + repasting, but Once I get back to UK i will redo the repasting, just in case.

 

[ubuysa]

Do see whether other games fail as well. This is a strange one TBH. It might just be those two games. Is there anything on related game fora?