Reakt

This seems to be OS orientated so I posted it here. However it may be down to a hardware issue which I've mentioned below. Theres also more then one issue however they may be connected

1). Random crashes/lock-ups

This sometimes happens when I'm just using my PC with casual use, for example browsing the internet. Usually in this circumstance the screen just freezes solid, keyboard and mouse don't respond and the hard drive stops spinning, sometimes with a click noise then the whirring down to a stop. I have noticed on occasions that the freeze sometimes happens when I press a (random) key or click my mouse.

Now when I play games this problem becomes a lot more frequent. Sometimes the screen will just freeze in-game (at random times) or the screen will go black, like the monitor input has been taken out.

My suspicions for this problem is my CPU temperature. It usually idles at around 37-40c, however when I play on my usual game it goes up to around 42c and then the crashes become frequent. Now this temperature doesn't seem very high to me to cause any problems but when I open my case up and open my bedroom window (to basically make the room cold) the crashes become less frequent even in-game. Not sure if this is the solution or just a coincidence.

Now I have recieved a number of .dmp error files when I've restarted the computer. I managed to open these up and found this information:


2). Speeding up

Now whenever I'm casually using my PC I get a bizaare problem where it seems like my PC speed goes through the roof. Sometimes the screen goes black for a few seconds then it re-appears, othertimes it just happens suddenly. When it does everything goes super fast. The cursor blinks 10x faster, animations and .gif files speed right up and even timers go much faster; my screensaver comes on after 30 seconds and my E-mail software checks for new E-mails every 10 seconds as opposed to the usual 2-3 minutes. I usually have to restart to get rid of this annoying problem and I have no idea if it relates to the first problem I posted.

Here are my system specs:


Thankyou very much for any help. This problem has been driving me mad.

skipidybebop

The symptems of the problem are consistant with over temperature, although the temperatures you have listed seem OK.

Temperature is critical with later processors, although most tend to be OK this side of 65 degrees. Make sure you are using the correct specification of fan for the processor and it is spinning at the correct speed.

Make sure the fan blades have not rounded at the edge with time, decreasing it's air displacement.

Also, make sure the heat sink on the processer is not clogged up with dust. Brush it out with a small clean paint brush and remove the dust with a vaccum cleaner, keeping the vaccum cleaner "well away" form the electronics as they produce a lot of static.

A common mistake made with CPU/processor temperature is to bolt the biggest baddest fan to the side of the case. This does not always work efficiently, and in some instances can actually hinder the air flow to the processor, making things worse. A bit of trial and error is needed.

Stay away from small mATX cases with no room for air flow.

Reakt

Thanks for the reply.

I've cleaned out all the fan and reapplied thermal paste, however it was industrial thermal paste (my stupid mistake) and the temp rose 5 degrees However I've ordered some arctic silver 5 and that should solve it.

I've had this problem before and reapplying thermal CPU paste has worked. I just posted this because around 40c is actually a pretty stable temperature so I wasn't sure if it was causing the problem. It seems even a temperature change in 2-3 degrees completely screws up the system. I can play a certain game without any flaws at 39c or less but as soon as it hits 40-42c, the crashes and errors begin.

If anyone doesn't have anymore ideas then I guess it is the cause of the problems, however bizaare it is.

Reakt

Well I used some Arctic Silver 5 paste and it's brought my temperature down to anywhere from 37-42c, depending on the room temperature.

The thing is though I'm still getting these problems, moreso when I'm playing on any kind of game. Again it usually happens when the temperature is around 40c+. I spoke to a friend and he said that it couldn't possibly be the cause of the problem as any temperature around 40c is a very safe temperature to have. Does anyone think differently?

If not, any ideas anyone? Sorry for asking like this, I just really need some help, this is my last resort.

dai

what are your voltage readings
in the run box type
sfc /scannow
and press enter

Reakt

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I ran the SFC utility, it asked for my Windows XP disk, popped it in and it started working, after about 10 mins it finished and disappeared, nothing popped up or happened during this time.

As for my voltages, I went into the BIOS and got these figures:

Vcore = 1.700v-1.850v (The voltage was changing quite eratically and this is the rough range of the changes)
DDR Vtt = 1.248v
+3.3v = 3.376v
+5v = 4.919v
+12v = 12.928v
5VSB = 5.107v

CPU host freq = 133 (The minimum allowed in the bios)
PCI/AGP freq = 33/66 (The minimum allowed in the bios)

From CPU identification software:

Core click speed = 1674 MHz
Multiplier = 12.5v

Thankyou.

dai

what brand of ram are you running
are any of the original problems fixed after the repair of the system files

Reakt

As far as I'm aware none of the original problems are fixed.

As for the RAM, I dont actually know to be honest. It's cheap and certainly not a high quality brand however. Theres no distinct branding to it.

dai

try increasing the ram voltage by 0.02v

Reakt

I'm not sure if it's possible for me to change the RAM voltage. There are no options in the BIOS and I can't find any software which can do it (I dont even know if such software exists). My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-7VAXP, if you can think of any solutions or alternatives.

Is this likely to be a RAM issue as opposed to a Processor problem?

dai

look on page 46 in your manual
this is what you posted earlier

DDR Vtt = 1.248v

this is well below what it states in the manual

Reakt

Ahhh I see now, just checked the PDF manual. Didnt notice the RAM voltage control either for some reason.

I've just went into the BIOS and upped the DIMM voltage by 0.2v, I'll see how that goes. If theres anymore instability then I'll post back or increase it up to 0.3v.

dai

post back

Reakt

Gah, I increased the voltage up to 0.3v+ and it's still crashing when I run any games. I have yet to see it crash when I'm using the desktop but I havent had a chance to use the computer very long since last night.

The DDR VVt now says about 1.370v.

dai

i have asked someone else to have a look at the thread

speedster123

Will you move the dimm voltage up in small incriminates until you reach 1.5 then check the ram timings, try slowing them down as they might be too aggressive for the make ram installed.
This might be a problem with the supply, or perhaps the bios read outs arent accurate.

Doby

I think its a bad power supply the +12V is overvolting, he listed it at 12.9 and the vcore should not be fluctuating that way, plus he mentioned the computer does a bizzare bit were everthing seems to run faster, maybe case fans spinning to fast because of the 12v overvolting making it seem like things are running faster

speedster123

I am also leaning that way, we need the supply info off the side of the unit.
The only thing that bothers me is this "dual bios" board, which i have read can cause flukey functions.
Its advised to have the latest bios version working.
Please download SensorView Pro, from cnet downloads, and give us the readings from that.
Edit-
I dont think you moved the dip switch accidently when you reinstalled the heatsink, because of the readings, but when you applied the thermal compound, did you "overshoot" your target on the cpu, that maybe some went on the board? There are certain compounds that are conductive.
Lastly the default voltage on ddr modules is 2.6V.

Reakt

Thanks for the help so far from all of you. Heres a screenshot of the Sensorsview readings:



I'm sure theres no shortings across any connectors. I've had this problem for a long time, I just recently reapplied some Arctic Silver 5 (which is far too thick to get any accidental spillages) and the problems have continued.

Are you refering to the PSU? If so this is the model here http://www.colors-it.com/pw_desc.php...69972391a08d6e

I have a 500U model however so the readings are different.

AC Input 230VAC 3A 50-60Hz
DC Output max = +12v(20A), +5v(30A), +3.3v(28A), +5VSB(2A), -12v(0.8A), -5v(0.5A).

Hope that helps. I also must add that this PSU is rather cheap, it's certainly not high quality at all.

Doby

I would replace the psu two different readings bot show the +12V to be too high and if its a low quality unit you can't go wrong.

This will help you decide what to get, you can also post back with your choices for opinnions

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/motherboards-bios-cpu/107466-power-supply-information-selection.html