New build PC crashing

[ThEFeAR]

Hi all,

Got a problem with a partially new PC build, specs below.

AsRock Dual SATA 939 mobo (new)
Athlon 64 3200 (new - stock cooling, standard clock speed)
1Gb RAM (333mhz, 1 512 stick crucial, 1 512 stick unbranded) old
Antec 430W PSU (new)
40Gb Western Digital HDD (old)
SB Audigy 2 (new)
Geforce 6800GT AGP (old)
Sony DVD-RW (old)
WinXP SP2 (old)

Bought some new components and built a few days ago, clean install of WinXP. Everything was fine for a day or so, then I started experiencing lots of crashes. I can work in Windows all day long with no issues, it's when I try playing games that things go horribly wrong.
WoW can be played for a while, but it will crash eventually.
Civ4 is not too bad, but does crash occasionally.
F.E.A.R. is the worst, i've not managed to play this for more than 10 mins before I crash.
A note on the crash, I don't get a BSOD or anything like that, screen just goes blank. I need to power it down and then switch it back on again for it to work.
System always boots up again after crash.
WinXP is fully updated, and im using the latest drivers for all hardware.

Anyone got any thoughts? Help would be appreciated


Update 22/02/2006

Not given it much testing recently, getting me down.
I did try Shack2's suggestion of checking to make sure the video card's fan was still spinning while playing games. It constantly spin's, temperature reading from the display properties is around 65 degrees (this was before entering any games, can't check after a gaming session as I never get around to exiting.)

So.. new video card? Certainly looking that way.

 

[BadThad]

Have you tried increasing the CPU and RAM voltage a hair? Sounds like they're not getting enough juice to me.

 

[ThEFeAR]

Thanks for the response, I've not tried this yet. Would I be correct in assuming I just need to move into BIOS and increase the voltages by 1 notch?
Also, I'm guessing I dont want to increase these by too much, what would be a safe boundary?

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: ThEFeAR
Thanks for the response, I've not tried this yet. Would I be correct in assuming I just need to move into BIOS and increase the voltages by 1 notch?
Also, I'm guessing I dont want to increase these by too much, what would be a safe boundary?

Yes, use the BIOS to make the changes. Depends on your CPU, that 3200 is probably 1.35v so 1.45 max would be safe. In general, you can safely go 0.05v - 0.1v over the rated spec without worry. Not sure about your mobo, but you may be stuck with percent voltage increases, just pick the smallest increment up and retest.

For the ram, I'd bump it to 2.6 or 2.7v.

 

[ThEFeAR]

Well that didn't work. I increased the CPU voltage to 1.425 to start with and set the RAM voltage to 'high' (only have 3 options; auto, normal and high). Booted into Windows and tried FEAR. Game crashed within about 10 mins as usual.
I then tried increasing the CPU voltage to 1.45 but got the same results.

Thanks for the suggestion all the same, any other ideas?

 

[TheSophist]

Did you try running memtest?



TheSophist

 

[Sympathy4thedevil]

Hi,
I had the EXACT same f****** problem on my rig. I changed the CAS latency timings in the bios and the voltages. I also RMAed my ram and everything works fine again.
You should try it.

 

[ThEFeAR]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Tonight I'm going run memtest. If that comes up ok i'll try messing with the CAS latencies.
I notice that most people's replies are leaning towards the RAM being the culprit... It'll be interesting to see what memtest turns up.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[ThEFeAR]

I've now given memtest a good run. Left it for 2 hours 10 mins, passed 4/4 tests with 0 fails.
I also tried changing the CAS latency and voltage of the RAM as suggested by Sympathy4thedevil, but it didn't help..
So it seems that the memory is ok.

Really frustrating, I just wish I knew which component was causing the problem.

 

[TheSophist]

Take out your old stick of RAM and try running your system. If that doesn't work, take out your new stick and run the old one. Try to isolate the sticks to determine if any of them are faulty. I have seen bad memory sticks pass memtest. It may not even be that your memory sticks are bad, but they might be incompatible with your motherboard. Check the motherboard manufacturer's website to see if your memory is approved.

Another thing you can try is using a different hard drive. A hard drive with bad sectors could cause problems. Run a thorough scandisk to check for surface errors. Keep us updated. Good luck.


TheSophist

 

[boomerang]

See if there is a newer BIOS and flash to it if there is.

 

[ThEFeAR]

Ok, I've tested both memory sticks independently. Each time I got the same result, FEAR crashed within 10 mins as usual.

I'm going to try updating the BIOS now, see if it has any effect.

 

[ThEFeAR]

Still no change, upgraded to BIOS 1.5 (latest) and I still crash

Hohum, I've still not scanned my HDD yet though. Guess thats the next stage....

 

[kalrith]

I know this might sound elementary, but is the extra power cable connected to your video card? That is exactly what happened to me when I accidentally bumped the power cable to my 6600GT AGP, and it came disconnected. It would work fine all the time, except that after playing any game for a few minutes, the screen would just go black and the monitor light would start flashing. I would also have to power down and up again. Even if your power cable is connected, I would reseat it and maybe even the video card to see if that is the problem.

Good luck!

 

[ThEFeAR]

Took Kalrith's advice and re-seated the video card/changed the power connecter leading to it. I also made sure that the only component on that cable was the video card. Probably doesn't make any difference but I used the molex connecter nearest the PSU as well.

Booted into Windows and fired up FEAR. I reached the 10 minute mark and carried on playing, this seemed hopeful. About another 5-10 mins later, crashed

Thanks again for the advice, its doing my head in...

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: ThEFeAR
Took Kalrith's advice and re-seated the video card/changed the power connecter leading to it. I also made sure that the only component on that cable was the video card. Probably doesn't make any difference but I used the molex connecter nearest the PSU as well.

Booted into Windows and fired up FEAR. I reached the 10 minute mark and carried on playing, this seemed hopeful. About another 5-10 mins later, crashed

Thanks again for the advice, its doing my head in...

At this point I'm thinking your power supply isn't getting the job done. Yea, I know it's new, but that doesn't mean squat and Antec is known for some hit and miss quality. Go for a Seasonic, Fortron or an OCZ and see what happens. I hate to recommend this, but personally, if I didn't have a known good spare, I'd go to a retailer, buy one and use it to test the system. If fixed the problem, done deal, if not, return it.

 

[ThEFeAR]

I have an old Enermax 350W PSU which I know is fine. Do you think this would be enough juice to power the above system?

I'll give it a shot anyway, it's not like it can get any worse...

 

[kalrith]

BadThad, I certainly agree that it could be the power supply, but I still think it's a video card issue. The card is listed as old, so what system did you use it in previously, and did you have any problems with it then? If the card was fine in your previous build, then maybe it could be your motherboard. Anyways, I still think it's somehow video-card related.

I would try using different stress-testing programs like Prime95 that stress your computer but not your video card. These would still stress your power supply, cpu, RAM, etc. If you can run Prime's blend test all night without an error, then I think that points back to the video card or the AGP slot on your new motherboard. Try running some older games, especially 2d ones, and see if they crash. If they don't, then I would try once again to reinstall all of the current motherboard and graphics card drivers. Also, make sure you have directx9c installed.

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: kalrith
BadThad, I certainly agree that it could be the power supply, but I still think it's a video card issue. The card is listed as old, so what system did you use it in previously, and did you have any problems with it then? If the card was fine in your previous build, then maybe it could be your motherboard. Anyways, I still think it's somehow video-card related.

I would try using different stress-testing programs like Prime95 that stress your computer but not your video card. These would still stress your power supply, cpu, RAM, etc. If you can run Prime's blend test all night without an error, then I think that points back to the video card or the AGP slot on your new motherboard. Try running some older games, especially 2d ones, and see if they crash. If they don't, then I would try once again to reinstall all of the current motherboard and graphics card drivers. Also, make sure you have directx9c installed.

You could be right, but that's not the typical symptom for a bad card...but certainly not of the realm of possibility. Screen artifacts are the number one symptom of a bad video card. The Prime95 idea is a damn good one, definately give that a shot to eliminate the rest of the system.....I'd try that next.

After that, try the Enermax in there but limit what's connected to it as much as possible....i.e. if it's not essential for the test, don't connect it.

 

[pkypkypky]

Did you patch up FEAR?

Also, make sure two sticks are running single channel mode. good luck!

btw: leave your voltages alone

 

[ThEFeAR]

Pkypkypky, FEAR has the latest patch. I also have no choice but to run in single channel memory mode, sticks are different, dual channel doesn't work.

Tried the Enermax last night, no joy.
Then downloaded Prime95, and ran the 'torture test'. Left for about 3 hours, with no errors.

Hmm, looks like things are starting to point to the video card....

 

[Shack2]

I have seen this before with a video card when it over heats. Is the fan on the video card spinning? Maybe try rigging up another fan or move pci cards away from your video card to rule that possibility out.

 

[ThEFeAR]

Bump for update