At my wits' end...

[imported_inspire]

I've had it. I just got all my new stuff in today and I build it and installed XP Pro SP2 and patched everything up. But now, the systems sporadically reboots - like a ghost is pressing the reset button.

I'm running a AM2 300+ X2 on an Asus M2N-E with 512 x 2 Corsair DDR2 800 @ MHz - all stock -nothing fancy.

Yes, I've searched and found the thread with the links to the drivers and the DC Optimizer. Still have the problem. Yes, I did the hotfix and installed the patch - same problem. I currently went back into my registry and edited the value of my 'Throttle''s key to 0. I've also uninstalled the DC Optimizer and made sure the newest X2 driver was installed. Now I'm just waiting for the compy to reboot again all by itself, so that I will know without a doubt that it just doens't like me.

While I wait - any ideas? I can't run memtest86 right now because I have no floppies (I know - shot), but the memory is brand spanking new. Any help at all is appreciated.


EDIT: Just did it again. I'm calling it a night, but let me give some additional info. I have my memory setup in a dual channel in slots 1A and 1B (if that helps). This has happened to me twice while playing Halo, once while trying to open regedit, and a few times while trying to copy files from my old box to my new one over my network - and some other times when I can't remember what I was doing. In other words - it's really only happened when I was doing something. I know that may not help much, but anything's worth a shot for me at this point.

I'm ready to reformat and start completely over (like that would help - this install is only 4 hours old....) Good night....

 

[Budman]

my guess would be the power supply is too weak.

What power supply do you have?

No floppy is no excuse to not run memtest, they have bootable iso images.

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

 

[imported_inspire]

How does the iso thing work? https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373048">The PSU is an Ultra X-Finity 500W</a>

My other power mongers include a floppy drive, CD-combo drive, DVD multi-burner, a Samsung 250 GB SATA-II drive, a 120mm case fan, a 80 mm case fan, a Scythe Mine, and the only card I have is a 6600GT.

500 W should be able to push that without breaking a sweat, right?

EDIT: I have my other box running right now, too - in this same room (KVM Switch)..... You don't think it's possible to be undervolting the household current and causing something like this, do you?

 

[Zebo]

PSU most likly like BUDMAN says. Ultra is'nt so ultra, in fact.... well nevermind I don't want to get sued,.. I think you should make a bootable Memtest CD..run it an hour just to be sure..

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Zebo
PSU most likly like[/b] BUDMAN says. Ultra is'nt so ultra, in fact.... well nevermind I don't want to get sued,.. I think you should make a bootable Memtest CD..run it an hour just to be sure..

I agree wholeheartedly. Ultra is, in fact, the antithesis of ultra.

 

[Brunnis]

Your best bets are the memory or the PSU. I'd personally start with checking the mem, since it's simple enough. You should also try to use the other mem sockets and underclock both the mem and CPU and see if that helps. Report back with your findings so that we have a starting point!

 

[A554SS1N]

I keep seeing this pop up everywhere - people with an ASUS M2N-E having problems, usually caused by incompatible memory. This can be eitehr fixed by a BIOS update, manually raising the voltage of the memory, or RMA'ing and getting a different board.

 

[Keysplayr]

Looks like your PSU has Dual 12V+ rails. One at 16A, the other at 18A. That should be sufficient for what you have, but uncertain of the quality of your PSU.

For starters, you should try one stick of memory at a time in different slots. Could be bad or incompatable memory. You may want to try an Enermax PSU. I have used them for years and they seem to be what they are advertised to be.

So PSU or memory is my first guess.

 

[nyker96]

yes mostly PS problems you are having now. Your PS is probably no good.

 

[imported_inspire]

So last night instead of of doing the ghost reboot thing, it actually hung. It had done that a few times before, I just hadn't thought to mention it. And when I say 'hang' I mean zero functionality - mouse won't move, keyboard doesn't do anything (can't even switch boxes via KVM Switch).

Okay, so following in the footsteps of my most time efficient buddy, here's what I plan to do:

Take out one stick of memory and try something wacky like playing Halo. If that still causes a crash, I'll move that stick to another slot.
Update the BIOS (I can honestly say I've never updated a BIOS in my life, but I guess they gave me a manual with my mobo to read...)
At this point, I should probably check the voltage on the memory and maybe fiddle with that and the clock speeds of the memory.
Finally , I think I'll run memtest on one stick, then on the other, then on both in dual channel.

If that doesn't work, I guess it'll be the PSU. I guess I'll be able to RMA it and spend more $$$ for a new one.... (and wait for it to ship - I'll check ZZF's RMA Policy...) I just thought that a $70 PSU would be able to do what I needed. Noobtacular question - why would the memory cause the system to 'ghost reboot'? I can understand system instability and hanging, but spontaneously rebooting?

Oh, and, undoubtedly since the PSU is the last thing on the list, that's what it will be (Murphy was an optimist), so I should be looking at brands like Antec and Enermax? Will 400 or 430 W hold me with one of those brands? Thanks for all the help guys, and sorry for all the questions; I won't be able to do any of this until I get home from work today.

 

[shamans]

Originally posted by: inspire
So last night instead of of doing the ghost reboot thing, it actually hung. It had done that a few times before, I just hadn't thought to mention it. And when I say 'hang' I mean zero functionality - mouse won't move, keyboard doesn't do anything (can't even switch boxes via KVM Switch).

Okay, so following in the footsteps of my most time efficient buddy, here's what I plan to do:

Take out one stick of memory and try something wacky like playing Halo. If that still causes a crash, I'll move that stick to another slot.
Update the BIOS (I can honestly say I've never updated a BIOS in my life, but I guess they gave me a manual with my mobo to read...)
At this point, I should probably check the voltage on the memory and maybe fiddle with that and the clock speeds of the memory.
Finally , I think I'll run memtest on one stick, then on the other, then on both in dual channel.

If that doesn't work, I guess it'll be the PSU. I guess I'll be able to RMA it and spend more $$$ for a new one.... (and wait for it to ship - I'll check ZZF's RMA Policy...) I just thought that a $70 PSU would be able to do what I needed. Noobtacular question - why would the memory cause the system to 'ghost reboot'? I can understand system instability and hanging, but spontaneously rebooting?

Oh, and, undoubtedly since the PSU is the last thing on the list, that's what it will be (Murphy was an optimist), so I should be looking at brands like Antec and Enermax? Will 400 or 430 W hold me with one of those brands? Thanks for all the help guys, and sorry for all the questions; I won't be able to do any of this until I get home from work today.

Umm, that's just about the worst way to test memory besides not testing it at all. lol.
Got a burner? burn mem test iso (downloadable somewhere).

 

[najames]

Like said before run MEMTEST. I have some old BH2 RAM, if run at "stock" voltages it will reboot. A **small** voltage increase in the BIOS and the PC is rock stable.

I only buy one brand of PSU now, SeaSonic. All my AMD64 single cores (2x3000, 2x3200)have 1GB, 6600 video, NEC DVD burners. 2 are Chaintech VNF4, one MSI Neo2 Plat, one Asus A8NE. These setups ALL work fine with SeaSonic 330W power supplies. One 3000 box has 1GB, 6600, 4x160GB Hitachi drives, it has an **extra powerful** Seasonic 380W. SeaSonics are very efficient and will save power too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151022

I also have a dual CPU Opteron box with a 500W Zippy. It has 4 250GB drives, only onboard video though. Solid unit.

 

[joealtus]

You should turn off automatic restart so you can actually see the BSOD rather than just have the computer spontaneously reboot. That way you may be able to figure out what is causing the problem by the BSOD error message.

Do it by right clicking on My Computer, selecting Properties, selecting the Advanced tab, select Settings under Startup and Recovery, and uncheck Automatically Restart.

The next time it reboots you should see the error screen.

 

[imported_inspire]

Okay, so here's a revised to do list:

Disable Auto-Restart,
Update BIOS.
Run Memtest.
Pray to the Supreme Being.
If Memtest fails, try raising memory voltage (by about how much?).

If everything checks out, RMA the PSU and get Something Better (I'll check ZZF for SeaSonic).

If the memory gives me problems, well - we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Thanks guys - this list is shorter.

 

[bobsmith1492]

Don't be too quick to ship back the PSU. Some people just get it into their heads that anything wrong with their computer must be the PSU. In reality, 99% of the problems are software. Keep that in mind... although, you DID just build a new system (new parts are the most likely to be bad) and a fresh install, so the software SHOULD be ok...

 

[Corren]

Read this article from Silent PC Review on Power Supplies:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page3.html

Here's the short of it. They've tested power supplies under full load on high performance systems, and still rarely cracks 200W and they estimate 300W is as much as you'll ever need.

So, I'd get a good Seasonic 330 or 430 PSU (review here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article596-page1.html) and make it a non issue.


Edit: fixing broken link

 

[imported_inspire]

Good advice. I found that ZZF has A SeaSonic 330W and a SeaSonic 380W in stock and they're very reasonably priced.

Now, I went to the most comprehensive source of user submitted feedback I could find on the Asus M2N-E -- Newegg's Customer Reviews

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

And what I found was that this board, in all likelihood, has problems with my memory. The folks there suggest updating the BIOS. Some of them said the memory needs more voltage, but the board maxes out at 1.95v. I'm not sure if the newer BIOS revision allows more headroom or not, but I think I'm going to stick to my last list and go from there.

Cross some fingers for me...

 

[Corren]

Here's another piece of advice: If you have to do work to get your mobo to work with your memory. Send back the mobo, and get one that just works.

If you're spending your hard earned dollars (presumed hard earned, maybe you're filthy rich ), don't waste your time dealing with the hassle. It's for this reason I've done so much research for my conroe system, avoiding hardware that has had alot of early problems in revisions, or needs a specific revision to work.

For example, look at the Newegg feedback for the P5W-DH and sort by lowest rated. Nothing but bios/revision/memory problems. Even though that's the top rated board according to Anand, no thanks, I'll pass on that board.

 

[imported_inspire]

Ah, I don't know about that - I know this is being a PITA, but I think that if I can get it stable without having to jerry-rig it, I'll keep it. I've just spent way too much time on it - waiting and working - to have to wait for another board (which would invariably cost more $$$).

The AM2 socket is still only a couple months old, so I don't rightly expect all the BIOS kinks to be worked out. Hopefully that's all it takes.

However, if I do end up RMA'ing the board, I will be much more careful about the next board I get.

EDIT: Nvm.

 

[aka1nas]

Be careful with Antec PSU's with that board. I don't know about this model, but the A8N series all had issues with newer Antec power supplies. Enermax might be a bit safer.

 

[imported_inspire]

Okay, SO I updated the BIOS and enabled the BSOD. How many passes should I let memtest go through? And how long should that take? No ghost reboots since updating the BIOS, btw.... (yet...)

EDIT: Sorry guys, I'm getting a little anxious - I'm just going to shoot for five complete passes - hopefully I can figure out how to work it.

EDIT: Okay, I'm typing this update on my laptop - I've made it through one complete default pass (First 8 tests) running memtest86+ V1.65 It took about 24 minutes. I'm going to let it go through another 4 passes.

If I don't get any errors, I'm going to just try and use the computer normally for awhile, and if it doesn't hang or ghost reboot, I'm going to assume the BIOS update took care of my problem. Unless you guys think I should run more tests...?

 

[myocardia]

Run MemTest overnight. Although, I don't use MemTest anymore, I now use SP2004, and have it run on the mixed test, which stresses both memory and cpu. I've had MemTest run overnight, and fail out on SP2004 in 20 minutes or less, with the memory being at fault. Here's a link to it: SP2004 download, and if you're interested, here's a link to the newest Beta version: SP2004 Beta Good luck.

edit: And if you need to replace that unUltra psu, get either an Enermax or a Seasonic. They're both 10x the psu.

 

[imported_inspire]

thanks for the links - it just finished its 3rd pass on the default tests, so I might let it run the extended tests (I could get 2 passes in while I sleep), and then wake up a little early and let SP2004 run while I'm at work.

 

[myocardia]

That will work. But, if it doesn't pass MemTest, don't worry about SP2004.

 

[imported_inspire]

I'm running two instances of SP2004 right now on blend mode. How long should I let those run?

I've had them on for an hour now. Side note - CPU right now is at 27C.