NUC8i5BEK keeps freezing

[RWang56]

My NUC has started freezing after I had updated to the latest drivers with Intel DSA on 3/17/19. The updates that were installed if I remember correctly was: 1) BIOS 2) Graphics Display 3) WLAN 4)Wifi 5) Bluetooth.

I never had any issues prior to the updates. I have tried resetting my pc, re-installing windows OS, and uninstalling/reinstalling different drivers and older graphics drivers, updated SSD to latest firmware.

Hardware/OS:

• Windows 10 Education
• G.SKILL Ripjaws (2 x 8G) 260-Pin DDR4 SO-DIMM DDR4 2400 Model F4-2400C16D-16GRS
• Samsung 960 EVO Series - 250GB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6E250BW)

[LeonWaksman]

1. Remove one of DDR4 SODIMMs and work with one only at time. After working with one of the SODIMMs, replace it with the second one.
2. Set bios setting to default. While in bios, press F9 confirmed by "Y" and then F10, followed by "Y", to save default settings and exit to Windows.

Leon

[RWang56]

1. I will perform a series of memtest86 to determine whether the RAM is defective and report back.
2. I have set the BIOS settings to default at the time of reading your answer. I will report back whether this will resolve my issue.

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @RWang56,

I recommend for test, to use one SODIMM at time. It is better in this case than memtest86.

Leon

[RWang56]

Why would it be better in this case?

Thanks.

[LeonWaksman]

1. Few times already I saw that memory passed memtest86 and still the computer crashed. Only after replacing the SODIMM the problem disappeared. Assuming that the your memory was working and it is compatible, working with one module at time will discover even dormant failure (if any). Since you have the system reinstalled and updated, could be that hardware failure occured, causing crash.
2. Other think that I suggest to do is to update your bios using Bios Recovery method rather than with DSA tool you have used. The recovery method is much more thorough. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005532/mini-pcs.html
3. If you wish, I can see in this link detailed instruction how to perform Bios recovery. https://forums.intel.com/s/question/0D70P000006FWDySAO

Leon

[RWang56 · Accepted solution]

Just an update. I had installed my OS from Windows 10 Education to Windows 10 Home, and I had BIOS jumper recovery update (rollback) to BIOS version: 0051, which is 2 version behind the latest BIOS. It has been about 1~2 days since I have done this and I am no longer seeing my NUC freezing. Not exactly the perfect solution but it's better than having the issue.