Frozen Computer! :(

[i3D]

I need help pretty bad! My computer started freezing up on me and I can't figure out what's wrong. It all started when I took my video card out to test on another computer and then put the video card back into my computer. But I'm pretty sure I didn't ruin anything. Anyway... when I play games the computer will freeze up on me every once in a while and I was thinking about replacing my powersupply anyway (in fact I had already ordered one). So I replaced my 400 watt with a brand new 500 watt PowMax and guess what... the problem happened even MORE!!! Now my computer was freezing up on me when I tried to load Winamp and ANY OTHER program at the same time, or if I just loaded too many windows at the same time. So... I put the 400 watt back in... reformated my computer and restored an image from about a month ago when everything was working perfect. Now I could load as many windows as I wanted but again (with the 400 watt) when I tried to play a game it would freeze up every so often. The computer parts are all fairly new so there is no corrosion or dust. There are 7 case fans including the CPU fan so I don't think overheating is a problem (currently running around 108 to 114F). All my connections are fine and I have plenty of memory (1 GB (2x512 DDR PC2100)), both are the same brand, speed and size. Harddrives are also new... same brand and speed, one is 100gb the other is 120gb. I seriously think it's the powersupply but now after the 500 watt incident I'm not so sure. Could someone PLEASE help me!!!!

 

[foofoo]

hi,
try checking your event viewer logs and see if any errors are reported.
are you overclocking?
also, ram is a possible culprit in this. try running memtest86 or docmemory on your ram.
http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp
good luck

 

[thorin]

Ok I'll second the vote for you running MemTest86 and add tell us what your temps, voltages, and RAM timings (if not by SPD) are.

Thorin

 

[i3D]

Well I've already checked the memory. I've even taken out each chip and only ran the computer with 1 512 chip. I'm not overclocking either. I don't trust overclocking Intel chips.

 

[foofoo]

hi,
if you've checked the memory using memtest86 and it's ok than i'd be tempted to look at the point at which it began. do you have another video card that you can swap in for a while? do you have any errors in the system (or application) event viewer?

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: i3D
Well I've already checked the memory. I've even taken out each chip and only ran the computer with 1 512 chip. I'm not overclocking either. I don't trust overclocking Intel chips.

You still need to actually test the memory. Removing 1 of 2 or 2 of 3 sticks of memory doesn't prove anything. And replacing one set (or stick) of RAM with another set (or single stick) of RAM only rules out the original RAM. A bad memtest can point to CPU heat problems, bad mobo, bad RAM, bad RAM socket, etc, etc.... If you get errors then test each stick seperately.

And we're still waiting on those temps, voltages, and timings.

Thorin

 

[i3D]

Ok here are the specs...

VCore = 1.45v
+3.3V = 3.32v
+12V = 11.77v
DDR Voltage = 2.49v
AGP Voltage = 1.48v

CPU Temp = 44°C/111°F
CHA Temp = 38°C/100°F

DRAM Clock = By SPD

SDRAM CAS Latency = 2.5
Bank Interleave = 4 Bank
Precharge to Active (Trp) = 3T
Active to Precharge (Tras) = 7T
Active to CMD (Trcd) = 3T
DRAM Command Rate = 1T Command
DRAM Burst Len = 8
Write Recovery Time = 3T
DRAM Access Time = 3T

And I ran the Memory check and everything is OK. I'm working on finding another Video card I could use in place of the 9700 Pro to test that. If it's my video card I'm going to be pissed off because I've already replaced this video card once. But I'm still thinking it has something to do with the PSU. My computer was making this really high pitched noise like when you first turn on a TV. I guess it's called a magnetic ressonance noise. So I moved my monitor away from my computer and it cleaned up that noise for a little while... then it started again. This time only when I moved a window around on my screen. So I replaced the video card thinking that was the problem and it didn't fix it. Then my computer started freezing up on me so I purchased the new PSU... and the noise was gone completely but the computer freezing up on me happened MORE often than before. I'm almost certain it has nothing to do with drivers or any software issue because I've reformated and restored multiple images from when my computer was working great. I even tried running my computer with only the bare essentials... 1 HD, Video Card, 512 RAM. No floppy drive, CD-DVDRW's, Sound, etc. I'm still at a loss.

The only errors I have in my event viewer are as follows...

*A provider, OffProv10, has been registered in the WMI namespace, Root\MSAPPS10, to use the LocalSystem account. This account is privileged and the provider may cause a security violation if it does not correctly impersonate user requests.


*The IP address lease 192.168.1.105 for the Network Card with network address 00502C06EDDC has been denied by the DHCP server 0.0.0.0 (The DHCP Server sent a DHCPNACK message).

These to me don't seem to mean much reguarding the problem I'm having. The DHCP I've traced back to an FTP hosting problem I fixed. The OffProv10 error I haven't quite figured out yet.

 

[thorin]

Excellent thanks for all the details.

If you can retest (stability) with your old PSU or another PSU that'd probably be helpful (you don't have to put it in your case or anything just set it on top or to the side and connect it up).

Voltages are all off slightly but not enough to make me worry. 44/38 isn't too bad....though 38 seems high but obviously isn't affecting your CPU much.

Those 2 event viewer errors aren't a big deal either. MS Office 10 complaining about something that's likely a non-issue and just poor MS design. And you think you've got the other one fixed.

Unfortunately that doesn't leave many choices. Try a new/different vid card and then a new/different PSU.

Do you use a Powerbar/Surgesupressor/USP????

Thorin

 

[firemoth12]

I would get a better power supply before anything else happens to the system.

An no I don't mean a Powmax.

Of course test the video card first.

 

[i3D]

Well the voltages and tempuratures haven't changed much since my computer was actually working normaly. However, the CHA temp has gone up a few degrees since I added a fan to the northbridge heatsink. Doesn't make any sense. Anyway... reguardless of the non-threatening aspects I'm running the memory test again. This time I'm running the MemTest86... I ran a windows based mem test before. How long is this MemTest86 supposed to run? It's been running now for about 2 hours. As soon as this is done I'm going to throw an old video card in it and check that.


....... Guess what... I checked the video card and when I put a PCI video card in everything works fine. And this is with the NEW 500 watt PSU. So, I guess all I need to try now is an AGP video card to see if maybe it's the AGP slot on my motherboard that's bad or if it's the 9700 Pro. Any more ideas on this new issue? Memory checks are great... voltage is ok... timing is ok... components are ok. Does anyone think that's it's now Radeon 9700 Pro vs AGP Slot? It better not be my AGP slot.