HELP; major issues

575 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by xd_1771, Dec 2, 2009

xd_1771

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2009

I seem to be having major issues with my sig rig...
I begin by getting a random restart, occasionally but normally when I'm doing absolutely nothing. I'm now also getting random freezes quite often too... and most prominently, BSODs. What I don't understand is how is this happening; I have no overclocks (in fact thanks to EVGA precision profiling I'm UNDERCLOCKING my video card), and voltages are set to default; cool'n'quiet is on. My computer was on all-day yesterday, but it was remained shut down overnight and while I was in school (as is always).

I used to have these problems when I just bought the computer, so I upped the RAM voltage to 1.9v (then eventually, 1.95v)... it's been working fine for over 2 1/2 months, even overclocked to 3.8ghz. Only recently after the crashes I downed it to 1.9 but that doesn't seem to be the problem because I only did that recently, this computer likes to crash whether RAM voltage is 1.95 or 1.9. I've tried memtesting before even as low as 1.8v for multiple passes, it works properly [though I haven't tried it lately]. The only thing I had been overclocking was the Northbridge (I reset it lately; it was also working perfectly fine before, overclocked). I'm not sure how much money I can spend on parts if I need to replace any, because this computer already cost me enough. Does anyone have any tips for me?

I'm trying to narrow it down to the fewest possible causes:
1. RAM problem (Like I suspected, before when I used to crash)
2. Power supply problem
3. a problem with one of the cables?
4. BIOS [F5, has been working stable for months]

What I know shouldn't be the cause:
1. Temperatures

Characteristics:
1. During random reboot or BSOD, it often happens randomly when I am not doing anything. In the situation after I bought the computer, it never happened when the CPU was loaded with a certain task [crashing while idle!? cool'n'quiet maybe]
2. During the random freeze, mouse and keyboard are inaccessible, audio loops

What I've tried:
1. Resetting overclocks (though for the most part this happened some weeks ago not due to crashing)
2. Resetting RAM from 1T to 2T
3. Rearranging the CPU-NB VID voltage (which improved stability sometimes)
4. Upping the RAM voltage to 1.95v again from 1.9
5. Ask for help here

Oh yeah, it seems Windows can't connect properly to the internet anymore [though it recognizes the LAN cable]. Must be because I accidentally clicked on the "Smart LAN function" while changing settings in the BIOS... (this feature basically detects the LAN cable).
EDIT: Although the onboard LAN is disabled, my computer doesn't seem to be crashing anymore...
I do have the option to plug in a USB-WiFi adapter though for temporary access

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 1, 2009

*BUMP*
Also, while the crashes seem to have stopped, I think my onboard LAN is permanently bricked...
I can't get ahold of that wi-fi adapter
Any tips? How much do PCI or PCI-E LAN cards cost?

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killerhz

· #3 · Dec 1, 2009

sounds like a drive issue to me. use driver sweeper and sweep you mobo/chipset drivers and also your gpu drives. do this while in safe mode. then re-boot back in safe mode and re-install. the other thing is maybe it's time to re-format the HD.

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 1, 2009

I just recently reinstalled my GPU drivers {upped forceware to 195.62} and used a driver sweeper, but I don't think the new drivers have caused the problem, because I did that yesterday afternoon and under the new drivers my computer was working quite fine... haven't checked any of the other drivers though.
Reformatting the HD: While I have backed-up files and have at least 2 DVD-RWs I can use, I am most certainly not looking forward to it... with little time to even do homework; I could be waiting until next weekend or winter break if I have to do such a thing.

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killerhz

· #5 · Dec 1, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by xd_1771

I just recently reinstalled my GPU drivers {upped forceware to 195.62} but I don't think they caused the problem, because I did that yesterday afternoon and under the new drivers my computer was working quite fine... haven't checked any of the other drivers though.
Reformatting the HD: While I have backed-up files and have at least 2 DVD-RWs I can use, I am most certainly not looking forward to it... with little time to even do homework; I could be waiting until next weekend or winter break if I have to do such a thing.

You should do the driver sweeper suggestion to be sure that you have cleaned out all traces of the driver best you can. Also, nobody like to reformat but if you changed hardware a lot and installed drivers often then this can cause BSOD. Do you remember what the BSOD said?

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 1, 2009

Apparently, it didn't say that the problem came from any file (there wasn't anything on the screen with a file name on it); I only BSOD'd once; the other times, reboot or freeze.
I'll try the driver sweep as soon as I can though.

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donutpirate

· #7 · Dec 1, 2009

If Driver Sweep doesn't work, try putting in some new RAM. Happened to me recently, except my computer didn't want to boot AT ALL, just got a blue screen. RAM was the problem.

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 1, 2009

I could try that, though DDR3 memory is overwhelmingly expensive...
I'm also worried, I was running my memory at 1.95v (which I learned is actually 0.05v over the max...)... I hope I didn't void the [lifetime] warranty, lol

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Heavy Light 117

· #9 · Dec 1, 2009

run a diag on your hard drive for good measure. You might have some bad sectors.

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Enigma8750

· #10 · Dec 1, 2009

use the PSU calculator link in my Signature block and fill it out. tell us what your getting

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 1, 2009

"Local area connection doesn't have a Valid IP configuration"...
Tried /ipconfig release and /ipconfig renew, no luck
@ Heavy Light 117: Alright, since I'm not using my computer anyway I'll run a chkdsk
@ Enigma8750: I'll give the PSU calculator a try but looking at my system specs [the GTS 250 is quite efficient] I estimate that I'm still within specs...

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Enigma8750

· #12 · Dec 1, 2009

After further thought I would see if you have the turn on computer by LAN. When was the last time you updated your bios. Cool and Quiet had some issues last year.

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 1, 2009

402 watts at full load and with overclocked settings (which are currently not in effect)... well within
I last updated my BIOS around mid-September. Version is F5; F4 supposedly didn't have support for the 965 but it ran on F4 out-of-the-box. I updated to F5 just to be safe. I'm on a system with Dual BIOS so I'm not afraid of flashing.

Only with 50% capacitor aging (though I don't exactly know what that is, this comp is quite new) does it approach the limit: 608 watts consumption

Also, I didn't even know you can use LAN to wake up the computer lol

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xd_1771

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 2, 2009

Well I think I figured out my problem which is that my RAM really just won't run at just 1.9v... it's too unstable. Weird as this was also happening under 1.95v (after being on for over 14 hours or so). I just hope my RAM will still last under 1.95.
And as for the onboard LAN... *disables in BIOS, then re-enables* and it miraculouslyworks again... weird

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