Vista x64 wierd reboot, how do I proceed with troubleshooting? - Overclock.net

andreasgb · 08-20-08

Hi everyone,

I have been experiencing some really wierd reboots on my system lately.
Im running vista x64 ultimate. Processor is at reference settings.

Normally its really stable and all. But in certain games, AND when unrar-ing certain large files (2,5GB), and when running SiSoft Sandra Burn-In test on all components the system crashes. Without any prior warning like lag or such. The screen goes black and computer stops responding. Not even a BSOD. (i sort of miss them now!).

I have latest patches for all components as well as software. (possibly excluding BIOS version)

About the stability:
Crysis runs fine, for hours and hours no crashes
Mass effect runs fine, for hours and hours

Splinter cell crashes after seemingly random time, usually about 5 minutes
Call of Duty 4 crashes after about 5 minutes

I cant find any event logs which indicate the source of the problem (but then again, I dont really understand how the eventslog ****e works)

Dxdiag reports no problems.

Ran memtest86+ once, no problems

Ran Chkdsk twice, no problems

Tried disabling/enabling Cool'n'Quiet - no effect
Tried disabling Smart CPU fan control - no effect

All in all it doesnt make sense!

cant be the CPU overheating, because 1) temperatures arent that high 2) works fine in Crysis 3) Pi-test passed just fine

cant be memory, because 1) memtest reports no errors, 2) Sandra burn in memory test passed.

cant be HDD because 1) it passes chkdsk /r fine, twice

How do I proceed???

SZayat · 08-20-08

That's really bizarre. Anyway, Update the BIOS, disable unnecessary services and startup apps. These actions might not be the answer but at the very least you’ll have a more stable system.

andreasgb · 08-20-08

Update:

Tried SiSoft Sandra again. Ran burn in tests on cpu. Computer passes Arithmetic Test but crashes either at multimedia support or the multiprocessor efficiency test. Previously passed multiprocessor test.

Reverted back to latest WHQL drivers for my 8800GT

Now going to try with 3D mark vantage and see if Comp crashes during cpu test....

andreasgb · 08-20-08

More Clues perhaps!?

Ran 3D mark vantage: graphics tests 1 and 2 passed.
Cpu test 1 passeed.
Cpu test 2: computer freezes and screen goes black after about five seconds into the test.

To me, that smells CPU problem.

Now going to run SiSoft Sandra again and try the CPU burn-ins again.

Just a note. This system is about 5 or 6 months old. When it was brand new, it ran and successfully passed the 3dmark 06. Gonna see if we can repeat that now as well.

SZayat · 08-20-08

Do you have the latest drivers installed?

**Xavier1421** · 08-20-08

I suppose you may have to Orthos or Prime95 the machine (running the CPU stress test and not the blend) to make the final call - it's unusual but not unheard of to have a processor die on you. Good thing it's under warranty!

andreasgb · 08-20-08

Thanks for all the great input!

Now:

All the latest drivers installed. BIOS, MOBO, Vista, everything.

Orthos doesnt seem to support quad processor, and Prime 95 seems somewhat legacy?

Im gonna make a try with Sandra again....

UPDATE:
Computer just frickin passed Sandra!
CPU temperature according to sandra however was 55 C before and 64 C after. That seems kinda high to me....? Because The CPU shutdowntemp is like 70C

Could that be the reason? But how could I then play Crysis for over 1 hour straight without any crashes?

andreasgb · 08-20-08

And there was LIGHT!

Thank you all for the assistance. The high temperatures got me curious so i removed the air duct hood from the cpu fan and VOILA! there was an awful lot of dust collected in the cpu fan. This was removed by a mini vacuum cleaner and now the temperatures are stable around 55 C when stressing the components and the lockups are gone!

Problem solved!
THANKS!

Lesson learnt. Air duct hoods SUCK ASS. Especially if you use a rather weak Stock CPU cooler.

Again THANKS!

SZayat · 08-20-08

You've got a really nice rig. Even if you don't plan on overclocking you should invest in an aftermarket cooler such as ZEROtherm or at the very least an ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro.

Cheers

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Vista x64 wierd reboot, how do I proceed with troubleshooting?

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