My PC uses a Ryzen 3 3200G with integrated Vega 8 graphics, an ASUS Prime A520M-K motherboard, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM in two 8 GB sticks, and Windows 11 23H2. While playing a game, the system froze and showed a SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED blue screen naming amdkmdag.sys. After rebooting, it worked for a couple more hours, but later froze again during another game. This time the keyboard stopped responding and the system now powers on with fans and lights, but the monitor shows no signal and the keyboard does not illuminate. The mouse receives power, and the computer remains on instead of repeatedly restarting. I have checked the monitor, HDMI cable, USB ports, and peripherals. Could the original AMD graphics-driver crash be connected to this failure, and should I suspect the RAM, motherboard or BIOS, integrated graphics, or power supply? I have already cleared CMOS and tested both RAM sticks individually, but the system still does not display anything or appear to POST.
2 Answers
amdkmdag.sys belongs to the AMD graphics driver, so the first crash could have been caused by either a corrupted driver or instability in the integrated GPU system. However, once there is no BIOS display and the keyboard never initializes, Windows drivers are no longer the main suspect. That points more toward a POST-level hardware problem involving the motherboard, RAM, CPU/APU, or power delivery. Normally I would clear CMOS, boot with one RAM stick in the recommended slot, try the other stick, and disconnect every unnecessary USB device. If the machine still cannot POST after that, testing with a known-good power supply or a separate graphics card would help isolate the fault.
The lack of keyboard initialization is an important clue: the system likely is not reaching POST, rather than simply failing to load the graphics driver. Check the motherboard manual for the correct single-stick memory slot, make sure the 24-pin motherboard and 8-pin CPU power connectors are fully seated, and try booting with only the motherboard, CPU, cooler, one RAM stick, and monitor connected. Inspect for loose connections or signs of damage. If there are no diagnostic LEDs or beep codes, the most useful next step is substitution testing with another compatible PSU, RAM kit, graphics card, or motherboard. The earlier crash may have exposed an underlying hardware fault, but it cannot be confirmed from the driver name alone.
The 3200G is supported by the installed BIOS, and the board has no diagnostic LEDs. Since clearing CMOS and testing both memory modules individually changed nothing, I am trying to avoid buying parts until I can test a PSU or graphics card.
I already cleared CMOS and tested each RAM stick by itself, but neither test produced a display or keyboard lights. I also do not have a dedicated graphics card available, so I cannot currently get into Windows to remove and reinstall the AMD drivers.