Another person in need for some help...me!

[Le Québécois]

Before I begin, here's my computer:

AMD 64 (939) 3200+(winchester) @ 2ghz or 2.4ghz...doesnt help with my problem if i dont OC it, but for now just to be sure its not OC
MSI K8N NEO2 Platinium (Nforce3)
WD 80Gig SE Caviar (8mb)
ATI AGP X800XL 256MB (not OC)
SB Audigy 2 Value
2 x 512MB RAM PC3200 (Infineon Brand)
PSU ANTEC 350 W SL serie
Panasonic DVD-ROM 16X

BTW everything I?m about to describe did happend to me 7 months ago and was corrected by making sure in the MSI CoreCenter that both the CPU and NB fan where set manualy to the maximum. I don?t know why it did work at that time since neither where over heating...all I know is that it worked until now...and that it no longer does it. Oh and since that time my HD and my Video Card have both been changed so if its the same problem ( it sure look like it ) I doubt its one of those components since they were not installed when it first happend.

Ok now to the point.
MY computer can Crash at any time for no reason...could be while writing right now(in fact it did 4 times), surfing the Web, doing nothing ( meaning im not in front of the machine )or even booting up the computer. In fact the only time for now I dont remember it to crash is while I'm gaming. When I say crash, the computer doesn't give me any error and does not reset..it just stop working...1/3 of the time the screen goes in standby and 2/3 i get a weird display error like in the good old days when you video card was trying to display something the monitor could not ( resolution of refresh rate ). It began about 50 days ago. At first it was 1 time a week...3 weeks ago it was 1 time a day and since 2PM today it has crashed on me at least 20 times.

What I know:
It?s not the moniter..did try another one...same problem.

It?s not the RAM or the CPU, they both were tested with Prime95 and Memtest86 for at least 72hours in a row.

My CPU and NB temp at Idle is 29C and 34C.

When the computer crash the only way to restart it is with a reset...CTRL-ATL-DEL doesn?t do it.

It did crash one time while it was not even at the winXP boot up screen.

I don?t know what to do...I think it could be the Mobo...but doing a RMA on it would mean no computer for a while..and I sure dont want to do it unless I?m 100% certain its the problem.

It could be the PSU, I?m going to test my machine with the exact same model ( a friend will lend it to me ).

Plz help me if you have any idea, even a stupid one ( something we try to think so hard we forget about simple thing..)

Here's a screen of the moniter when the computer crash. Crash

 

[mechBgon]

Here is my dumb idea Did you check your PSU to ensure that the 115-volt / 230-volt switch is in the right position for your region? You use 230-volt in Canada, is that correct?

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Here is my dumb idea Did you check your PSU to ensure that the 115-volt / 230-volt switch is in the right position for your region? You use 230-volt in Canada, is that correct?

Even if the power supply volt switch is set correctly, I would doubt that this power supply is sufficient to carry your hardware. Try a PS near 500 watts and I bet your problem will be cured.

 

[Le Québécois]

Yes, pretty dumb ....but since I did ask for it

First thing...could you explain by what magic the switch would have changed from 115 to 230V since the computer was working before but not anymore? I dont have little kids at home .

Second...I know most american think canada is mainly beaver, mounties and snow...but where did you heard we where running on 230v for everyday electricity? Hehehe..In case you didn't know a big amount of north east US States electricity come from Canada...it would be a hell to convert all that...

Thanks for trying...NEXT

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: wpshooter

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Here is my dumb idea Did you check your PSU to ensure that the 115-volt / 230-volt switch is in the right position for your region? You use 230-volt in Canada, is that correct?

Even if the power supply volt switch is set correctly, I would doubt that this power supply is sufficient to carry your hardware. Try a PS near 500 watts and I bet your problem will be cured.

And on what do you base that?
I mean...every tools I used...like this one for exemple give me no highter than 285W...I think my 350W is more than enough.

Don't take me wrong...if you can support what youre saying ill be more than happy to give a more powerfull PSU a try.

 

[wpshooter]

Have 4 computers here and none of them are crashing !!!

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: wpshooter
Have 4 computers here and none of them are crashing !!!

Not quite sure I follow you...it pretty obvious you're one of those pple who think they need a mega powerfull PSU... since you're telling me a need more power...

So I bet all of 4 computers have mega powerfull PSU...but this in no way means those same 4 computers wouldn't run with less powerfull PSU. It's not telling 350W wont work...its just showing the obvious...500W will work fine even on a computer who only need 250W.

 

[stevty2889]

It does sound like your PSU may be at fault, but a 350w antec should be enough for your system. But even PSU's from quality manufacturers can go bad sometimes. Also sounds like it could be heat, but strange that it would not crash in games if it was heat. Do you have all the latest drivers? If you have cool and quiet enabled in the bios, try disabling it.

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
It does sound like your PSU may be at fault, but a 350w antec should be enough for your system. But even PSU's from quality manufacturers can go bad sometimes. Also sounds like it could be heat, but strange that it would not crash in games if it was heat. Do you have all the latest drivers? If you have cool and quiet enabled in the bios, try disabling it.

Yeah its a possible defect..thats why im going to try with another of the same models. I dont think its heat...none of the monitored component run hot and all the fan are working. Yes all my drivers are up to dates and no Cool n quiet is not activated...most be one of the worst technology supported by AMD

 

[mechBgon]

The 115-230 switch can be slid from one position to the other if you accidentally get your finger in the slot while moving the computer. Guess how I know that Thank you for the correction regarding your mains voltage.

I was also going to suggest a quality power supply with higher wattage, and to heck with the online calculators. Reality > online wattage calculators. As was already mentioned, it could also be a faulty power supply... my fleet has about 20 Antec SL350's and we did have one fail a while back. I must remember to RMA it sometime...

Good luck with your PSU swap test

 

[Le Québécois]

Thx..I really hope it's that because it's still under warranty and a PSU is a hell lot easier the change than a mobo. As for accidently changing the switch...i dont know about yours SL350...but mine is pretty impossible to change without a tool like a screwdriver.

Any way...ill keept you inform of my test result...in the mean time if you have other suggestion or idea..go ahead.

 

[Hairboy]

It would realy impress me if it WAS the the psu because wattage almost dosent do any difference in idle and minimal difference on full load im. A 350 watt psu like his could run 2 7800 GTX Extreme on SLI. This article on silentpcreview explains it all http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page3.html (very nice article that give's you a peak at the negative side of big PSUs)

 

[Le Québécois]

Yep...exactly what I think...but it doesnt hurt to test it...so I will...it could always be defect..even if its powerfull enough.

 

[Underclocked]

Could it be an intermittent problem elsewhere in the circuitry supplying power to your PC? By that I mean a repetitive loss of power to that outlet due to a fault of some sort?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Hairboy
It would realy impress me if it WAS the the psu because wattage almost dosent do any difference in idle and minimal difference on full load im. A 350 watt psu like his could run 2 7800 GTX Extreme on SLI. This article on silentpcreview explains it all http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page3.html (very nice article that give's you a peak at the negative side of big PSUs)

Asus's SLI power recommendations 350W is for "Light" configurations with two 6600GTs and minimal other stuff. DFI's policy is that if you want support on their nForce4 boards, SLI or not, first you have a quality 480W power supply. Food for thought

 

[Hairboy]

Ok, premierement check si ton disque dur i fait des bruit qui fesait pas avant (il pourais etre vieu, sa arrive) mais sa m'etonerais vu que la serie caviar WD c'est pas si vieu. check si ta des fan defectueux, check ton cablage aussi si ton wattage est trop bas c exactement sa que sa fait. Si c pas sa bien fait come tou le monde sauve tes fichiers important et reinstale Windows.

I'm from Quebec 2

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: Hairboy
Ok, premierement check si ton disque dur i fait des bruit qui fesait pas avant (il pourais etre vieu, sa arrive) mais sa m'etonerais vu que la serie caviar WD c'est pas si vieu. check si ta des fan defectueux, check ton cablage aussi si ton wattage est trop bas c exactement sa que sa fait. Si c pas sa bien fait come tou le monde sauve tes fichiers important et reinstale Windows.

I'm from Quebec 2

Mon disque dur est neuf...il etait defect et a du etre changé (RMA) ya 2 mois. Le nouveau marche super bien et ne fais aucun bruit

Now for those who dont understand what we said

He asked me if my HD could be the problem and I said that I don't think so because it was defect and has been changed for a brand new ( same model ) with a RMA 2 months ago...
I also ran the WD diagnostic tools on it...the drive is ok..

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: Underclocked
Could it be an intermittent problem elsewhere in the circuitry supplying power to your PC? By that I mean a repetitive loss of power to that outlet due to a fault of some sort?

I suppose it could..but how can I find where? any hint?

 

[Underclocked]

I think you would need a VOM that records voltages attached to the same outlet. Not a common tool to have laying around the house. A less reliable indication might be to plug in something like a digitial clock that flashes after a power outage. So far as where the problem might be.......from the outlet to the main distribution box ??? but I would start at the outlet.

Switching to a known good outlet might eliminate that as a possibility. Ahm frum de Ozarks sos dis iz jest a shot n da dark.

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: Underclocked
I think you would need a VOM that records voltages attached to the same outlet. Not a common tool to have laying around the house. A less reliable indication might be to plug in something like a digitial clock that flashes after a power outage. So far as where the problem might be.......from the outlet to the main distribution box ??? but I would start at the outlet.

Switching to a known good outlet might eliminate that as a possibility. Ahm frum de Ozarks sos dis iz jest a shot n da dark.

I've been running computer in this house on this outlet for at least 6 years...about the same time I joined this comunity .

SO unless something recently did something to it...i doubd its the problem. I have a VoM ( volt meter i guess you can call it ) since i studied electronic for 3 years...but i doubt it precise enough to detect something that could affect a computer.

 

[fuzzynavel]

Just a thought.....do you have any events in the event viewer that could help you....

Is there any one peice of software that seems to crash more than others.....

You say it doesn't crash when you are gaming.....do you shut down taskbar programs before gaming??? i.e thing like firewalls....antivirus etc...

By crashing...what do you mean? does the computer restart? do you get BSOD?? does it just hang with looping sound etc etc etc

Try working in safe mode for a while and see if anything happens........

I had a similar problem with norton antivirus, after an update, a while back but don't even know if you use it..

 

[KGB]

As a suggestion, try this and see if it helps.

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
As a suggestion, try this and see if it helps.

I have this build since december 2004...with the exception of the last month and a half and the 2 unstable weeks i got back in february my computer has been 100% stable, no problem at all so I would find it stange for driver that worked for many month to became unstable one day like that... Now if you tell its still possible..I could give it a try...but how..are IDE drivers like video card driver? uninstall, reboot and voila?

 

[Le Québécois]

Originally posted by: fuzzynavel
Just a thought.....do you have any events in the event viewer that could help you....

Is there any one peice of software that seems to crash more than others.....

You say it doesn't crash when you are gaming.....do you shut down taskbar programs before gaming??? i.e thing like firewalls....antivirus etc...

By crashing...what do you mean? does the computer restart? do you get BSOD?? does it just hang with looping sound etc etc etc

Try working in safe mode for a while and see if anything happens........

I had a similar problem with norton antivirus, after an update, a while back but don't even know if you use it..

In the first message of this post I explain exactly how it crash. Nope...when gaming I dont change anything in any of my programs.

It seems I forgot to mention this ( well..figures..my computer crashed at least 5 times while I was writing the first post ): my computer did crash one time while it was not even at the winXPboot screen...was still posting IRQ, cpu RAM and thing like that...so I may be wrong but I doubt this has anything to do with drivers or application in WinXP.

And now after behing shtu down for at least 16 hours in a row the computer has been running for a whole 30 min..that's more than anything I could get yesterday... Again..may be wrong..but for me this point out that I have a hardware problem and that one component of the computer runs unstable after some time...probably overheating.

 

[Underclocked]

Did you happen to have a lightning storm about a month and a half ago? How are you connected to the internet, modem or nic? Either way, I would uninstall or disable that component and see how she runs.