dev-all

I am fighting a complete Vista Ultimate SP1 (32 bit) lock up and looking for ideas. The machine will lock up completely. Mouse won't move, screen won't update, no hard disk lights, no response from the keyboard etc. I must reset the system. The lock ups occur randomly and often. It happens during startup, after startup, during login, after login, using any application or using nothing.

My computer is a home build inspired by ArsTechnica Buyers Guide, Hot Rod model from May 2008.

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
RAM: OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
Video: BFG Tech BFGE88512GTSE GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS
Case: Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower

Both the RAM and CPU are on the Mobo's list of supported devices.

The computer is connected to a Cables To Go 4 port KVM model #35555...if that matters.

The exhaustive list of software I have installed is Office Home & Student 2007, Palm Desktop, Acrobat Reader, HP Printer Drivers for Officejet 7310, PrimoPDF, Firefox and EnginSite PHP editor. All are most up to date versions as offered on their respective web sites.

I have applied all critical updates. I have applied all optional updates that were related to drivers. I have applied all driver updates from Gigabyte's and BFG Tech's (redirects to NVidia) web sites. I have upgraded the BIOS to rev F4a. In the BIOS, I have "Loaded Fail-Safe Settings".

When the machine locks up, I boot into the BIOS and the CPU temperature is typically 42-45 Celsius...so it isn't overheating.

I also ran the memory test that is offered if you press Del a little too late in the POST process and it reported no problems.

Can anyone think of something I'm missing?

scottydont2841

Are there any activities to suggest malware/adware such as popups, etc?

dev-all

No, there are no signs of malware. Other than the lockup, the machine behaves perfectly. It is always responsive and there are no inappropriate windows/popups.

Mikegyvr

How about your driver versions? Are they the latest? Especially the MB (Chipset) and the Vid... I see alot of white box problems with Vista that all come down to drivers. This version won't work with that version, etc.. Thinking back, most all of the issues have been on one of the bridges... I have had to replace -as opposed to upgrade- the drivers most of the time...

dev-all

I have updated every driver available on Gigabyte's and BFG Tech's (redirects to NVidia) web sites. Do you have a reference of drivers that are incompatible with each other?

One new piece of data....

It seems that the lock ups are occurring more frequently when CPU usage is high. For the most part, I can browse the internet, read email with relative impunity. But I can just about guarantee a lock up within the first minute of encoding a DVD. When this happens, the computer will lock up repeatedly during startup. After I power down the computer completely, it will then typically boot successfully. If I try doing some basics things, no lock ups for the most part. But as soon as I try encoding the DVD again, there is a probably 95% chance that it will lock up.

I have tried a few different things to try and narrow down where the problem is. I tried removing the printer drivers. I have also tried disabling sound software via BIOS. I have also tried removing the DVD burner and putting in an old IDE one. None of these have altered the situation in any combination.

dai

your underpowered a by more than a fair bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%2b650w

FreoHeaveho

I would have thought 33A on the 12V rail would have been sufficient here dai?

Stu_computer

the hard drive is likely corrupt so do a full scandisk then defrag it.

dev-all

I was worried about this when I built the computer...and the symptoms are making me question it again. However, when I use http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine (I got the pro version), and I add a few extras just to push it, it says...

Recommended PSU Wattage: 326w
Amperage (combined)

+3.3V = 5.2 A
+5V = 9.6 A
+12V = 21.8 A

Minimum UPS rating: 466 VA
Recommended UPS rating: ** 600 VA

And according to my PSU manufacturer's web site (http://www.corsair.com/products/vx.aspx), it looks like I have enough power. Am I reading something incorrectly? Is the calculator incorrect?

dai

the calculator does not take into account for psu inefficiecy you have to add 30% to the end result
plus ageing of the m/b and components this depends on the age of the system
pcie requires a min output of 26a on the 12v line
this is not a figure we pluck out of the air,this figure comes from the manufacturers
your 450 @ 33a=approx 25a available at best
from expierence rule of thumb is
pcie min 550w
8600 550
8800 650
8800gtx 750

dev-all

I don't understand your numbers, and I would like to*, but I have been worried that I was underpowered and with a second opinion that this may be the problem, I'm gonna go ahead and get a bigger PSU. I think I'll get the 750W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006) for future flexibility. Hopefully I will have good news to report in a week or so.


* from http://www.corsair.com/_images/chart...efficiency.jpg and the specs at http://www.corsair.com/products/vx.aspx, it looks like the worst case scenario would be 80% (rounded down) efficiency of 33A leaving 26.4A. The equipment is new (built 8/20/2008 or so). Can you tell me what else I'm missing?

dai

discussion on psu moved to here
psu discussion

dai

try and borrow a higher watatge first and see if it resolves the problem

dev-all

Well....bad news...no change in behavior with the 750W PSU.

magnethead

runing 42-45C in BIOS isn't exactly desireable..what does it run like under OS?

FreoHeaveho

WHat does the Vista reliability and performance reports say?