Multiple Issues

[Destinova]

This machine has gone through 2 iterations, the most recent one giving me nightmares.

First build:
Intel E6400
Asus P5B Deluxe
2x1GB Corsair TwinX 6400
Barracuda 7200.10 250gb
BFG GeForce 7900 GT 256mb

Installed the OS with no issues, everything ran well, but I wasn't happy with the motherboard or graphics card. I had read good things about the P5N32-SLI and also hoped to upgrade to SLI down the road so I traded in the P5B and the 7900 GT for the following:

Second build:
Intel E6400 (same chip)
Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe
2x1GB Corsair TwinX 6400
Barracuda 7200.10 250gb
BFG GeForce 7900 GTX OC 512mb

On boot, the bios loaded and then the machine shut down immediately. I gave it a few seconds and started it again. Got into the bios and checked temp. 65C and climbing! I shut it down, and check the sink and fans, all running properly and seated well. I start it back up and check voltages, all stock 2.13 Ghz, not overclocked. Temp's climbing and it shuts down at 95C. I turn 2x120mm, 1x92mm, and 1x80mm fans onto HIGH and restart. Temps sit now at 65C idle. Too hot.

I decide to try and install an OS to check the temps with Core Temp. I begin installing WinXP and during file transfer to the HD it stops..."cannot copy file...". I retry, it moves on and then stops again, "cannot copy file...". I try the CD in another machine, works fine. Check the cables to the drive, etc. all fine. Run the setup again and now the C: partition is corrupt. Delete the partition, reformat, reinstall. Stops early in the copying process again ""cannot copy file...." always on a different file, but never past about 20%.

So, 2 issues - cooling the C2D, and the HDD? Or are they related and is the motherboard to blame? The same chip and HDD ran fine on the P5B.

Any thoughts or assistance would be great.

Cheers!
Destinova

 

[chairbornrangerx]

what kind of PSU are you running?

 

[Destinova]

Stock Antec PSU - 450W.

 

[Destinova]

Anyone?

 

[1N0V471V]

Try a different PSU -- 450w should be enough but I'm weary of Antec

 

[ForumMaster]

Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
Try a different PSU -- 450w should be enough but I'm weary of Antec

ditto. although i haven't had personall experience with Antec PSU's, i've heard very bad things about them. sometimes, 350W of good power can be better then a 600W stock PSU. try a different one.

 

[Destinova]

I'm hard pressed to blame the PSU. I've used Antec cases and power for years and never had an issue. All 3 of my current machines run them.

In any case, the same PSU, same CPU, different mobo (the P5B) didn't have any issues.

I've ruled out the HDD being faulty...put it in a different machine and installed the OS without any issues. Going to try a different SATA channel on the new rig maybe.

I'm going to strip the thermal compound off the cpu and heatsink and reapply new Arctic Silver 5, and see if that helps. The change from one mobo to another may have pooched the factory thermal goo, maybe?

 

[imported_2x]

This does not sound like a power supply issue to me. If it is the same chip as before, and you are having heat issues with the C2D, I would look to the heatsink and how it is contacting the cpu. Is it a stock HSF? If so, when you took it off to move it to the new MB, what did you do about the thermal pad? Apply new stuff? Resuse old stuff? Even if the HSF is seated properly, maybe the thermal contact is not adequate. I would check this 1st. I would clean off the HSF and the CPU of any old thermal compound, and then reapply some new paste properly, reseat and see if heat is still an issue before switching out a Power Supply.

 

[Destinova]

Tried new thermal compound, and still too hot. I ripped everything apart and put everything back on the P5B and it worked fine again, temps in the 35-40C range.

Took the P5N32 back and got a new one. Installed it, and temps are 35-40C. (Yay!)

However....I have a new issue. The HDD is still acting up, or something related. I'm installing WinXP, and get the "cannot copy file" errors again. I retry a number of times and get it to finish copying then reboot to start setup.

BSOD now "page_fault_in_nonpaged_area"

Is this bad ram?

 

[imported_celticbattlepants]

This sounds like RAM to me. I had almost identical issues with my e6400 plus corsair ram and asus p5w. Try doing memtest from a cd, or if thats not possible, take out one of the sticks of RAM and try installing windows. Whichever is the faulty one will fall over, the other one will let you install windows. Only thing is when I RMAd mine, I had to send both of them back (I had 2x1gb Corsair 6400 as well, still have in fact great ram).

 

[Conky]

The ASUS boards, especially the P5B are known for their overly high temp readings despite not actually running all that hot. Hopefully they will fix it in an upcoming bios.

Not really anything to worry about unless you aren't running stable.

 

[Destinova]

Wow, this is getting sad. I am about ready to give up on this build, lol.

I don't have a copy of Memtest Deluxe (the one that will run from a bootable CD) so I test the ram 1 stick at a time, as suggested. Both times just as setup finished copying all the files to the HD, I get the BSOD "page_fault_in_nonpaged_area".

I see 2 possibilities. Either BOTH sticks of ram are bad (which seems unlikely to me), OR the L1 or L2 cache on the CPU itself is pooched.

So, do I return the CPU or the RAM or both?

Any other possibilites?

 

[Destinova]

Found a bootable iso for Memtest....lots of errors.

So...going to the store for new ram tonight. *sigh*

Please oh f'ing please let this be it.

 

[Destinova]

Got new ram, same stuff....same f'ing error.

I'm totally stumped.

Do I turn in the CPU next, wtf?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Unfortunately you downgraded on the Motherboard in my opinion.

 

[techmanc]

sure sounds like a bad motherboard

 

[Dragoon42]

that mobo is one where a lot of people have had problems with it. I can't remember which forums i ran across it. When you bought new ram did you get the same type of ram? maybe it's ram incompatible?

 

[n7]

The "cannot copy files" errors are due to RAM.

I suspect your RAM needs more voltage.

What is the RAM's rated voltage?

Have you set it to that manually?

If not, then i'd venture that you've been causing your own issues...

 

[Sqube]

If I may ask... what was wrong with the old motherboard?

It seems to me like you threw away the bird in hand for two in the bush, if you know what I mean.

 

[Bozo Galora]

i wonder if the "new" board with the "normal" temps just had a later bios loaded that had better temp monitoring

 

[Destinova]

The new mobo fixed the overheating issues (the old motherboard had some kind of voltage issue, causing temps to shoot to 90C+), and it was the same one, the P5N32. I wanted this instead of the P5B because it is the only SLI board available for the Conroe right now, and while the P5B might be better for OC'ing I'm not worried about that right now.

Both boards had the same bios revision.

The voltage is fine, verified the QVL.

"Cannot copy files" is not due to RAM, that has been tested and ruled out.

I tried a different HDD and Windows setup ran fine, but temps still too high.

Thinking about taking the CPU back, I think it's the source of many of these issues.

 

[Raduque]

I don't think it's the CPU; you said it worked fine in the P5B.

If I were you, and dead set on SLI+Conroe, I'd wait till there are more and more stable boards. Just sayin....

 

[Destinova]

Originally posted by: Raduque
I don't think it's the CPU; you said it worked fine in the P5B.

If I were you, and dead set on SLI+Conroe, I'd wait till there are more and more stable boards. Just sayin....

You might be right, and I'm kinda sick of fighting with this build

I may just rebuild the P5B version. If everything plays nice together with that version, I may just return the P5N32 and wait for a better SLI board down the road. I'm not planning to pick up a second 7900gtx anytime soon anyway.

The only thing that really bothers me, is the P5N32 swept the board reviews, even here on Anandtech, especially in the high-resolution gaming tests, which is why I wanted it with the Conroe.

I ordered a Dell 30" for it too. Heh.

 

[Destinova]

Well, everything is up and running, however temperatures are still high. 45C idle, 60C under load.

 

[Bozo Galora]

I did see a post somewhere (here?) with a guy that had similar probs.
His temps went so high he couldnt boot.
He used the Thermalright 120 with the 478-775 adapter.
So he checked and it appeared the HSF was so tight it warped the IHS plate.
He then just held the HSF down by his finger pressure (unlocked) and everything worked fine.
I dont recall if you mentioned HSF in thead here?
If yu have a 6" steel scal, you could check for flatness, or try holding it down with finger force.


FWIW: most peeps are using Scythe ninja or TT BT on the allendales
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/sho....php?t=104172&highlight=conroe+coolers