Built new computer, strange behavior

[layzeegrimm]

Hello everyone,

Indeed this has been the first computer I've built, and certainly have tons of headaches because I cannot figure out the problem. Upon installing Windows 7 Professional, the computer runs smoothly. Then after installing a few updates, drivers, and programs, suddenly everything goes into slow mode. Processes start to halt, sometimes the computer goes into bootloops "trying" to repair, when it goes through Windows load it stays at a black screen (mouse moves fine), and sometimes it even goes through a BSOD loop as well. I've reformatted my computer about 8 times now, trying to diagnose and figure out what is causing the problem.

-To sum up what I've experimented, I've used two different Windows ISO's (both legal ISO's with a legal key), tried installing one driver and restarting after each and every install, and tried downloading drivers in case CD files might be messed up.

I can't figure out which component is the culprit. I want to believe that it is a software issue, but after using two different Windows ISO's it is not the case.

-Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz
-ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
-EVGA GTX550TI 1GB
-CORSAIR 500W Power Supply
-16 GB Cosair Vengeance
-WD 500GB 7200RPM

Please advise. Thanks.

 

[rdb4133]

I would get down to the bare basics.
1. Remove all RAM except for 1 stick.
2. If your mobo has onboard video take out your video card as well.
3. If you happen to have a spare PS that would be a good thing to try as well.

 

[layzeegrimm]

Thanks for your reply.

I did exactly as you have said, except I don't have another power supply. I also switched the location of the RAM to another slot in case that might be an issue. The same issue happened; constant stalling. In fact, this time around, windows explorer was not responding and stayed that way until I restarted it.

So I'm assuming this is probably my HDD? Or is MOBO still a possibility?

 

[rdb4133]

Thanks for your reply.

I did exactly as you have said, except I don't have another power supply. I also switched the location of the RAM to another slot in case that might be an issue. The same issue happened; constant stalling. In fact, this time around, windows explorer was not responding and stayed that way until I restarted it.

So I'm assuming this is probably my HDD? Or is MOBO still a possibility?

Could still be a power supply issue. I've seen a PS cause a whole bunch of funky issues on a PC in the past. It's unfortunate you don't have an extra one. If you have somewhere locally that has a decent return policy on them you can give that a shot.

Regarding the HDD since it's a WD I would download their diagnostic tool: http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=606&sid=3

They have Windows and Bootable CD versions. I would probably recommend the Bootable CD version since that is your main drive. Make sure you run a full surface scan. If it comes out the other end with no errors I would say the HDD is probably good.

 

[Steltek]

Are you trying to overclock? If so, drop everything back to defaults in the system BIOS. If you haven't tried it, it might not hurt to reset the CMOS memory and re-load the default BIOS settings. You may also want to look at the default voltage for the memory in BIOS to see if it is being properly detected and the proper voltage applied within the memory specs. Undervolting memory can cause this type of problem.

You can download diagnostic software from the Western Digital website to use in testing your hard drive. You might also try changing the SATA port the hard drive is plugged in to, as well as the SATA cables. It wouldn't hurt to do the same thing to your CD/DVD drive if you have one. If you have access to a working machine, the best thing to do would be to pull the hard drive and test it on the known working machine to eliminate variables.

I'd also download and burn a bootable ISO of Memtest86+ and run it for a little while to see if it detects any faults: http://www.memtest.org/

Does the computer run properly for a short time before it starts flaking out? If so, it might be worth checking your CPU temps. An overheating CPU can cause all sorts of weird problems, and it is easy for it to happen if you don't properly apply the thermal compound or pad between the CPU and the heatsink.

Another thing you can try is to pull the motherboard, place it on a piece of cardboard or a static bag outside the case, and try to boot the machine this way. If it works properly outside the case, I'd be concerned with a grounding problem (i.e. a misplaced motherboard standoff, etc).

 

[layzeegrimm]

Thanks for your responses! I do not have access to the computer parts at the moment so I will test them out later tonight. However, I want to say that I don't think it is a heating issue because I've gone through 2 reformats without ever shutting the computer off and it's had the same behavior. Things generally started going slowmo when programs were being installed, but ran every other process extremely quickly. However, I'd like to mention that the processor did not have any glue and installing the heat sink was installed in a very awkward way... but stable in installing.

I definitely want to do the 2 scans. I'll post some results when I get them done. But other than that, I ordered from Newegg and have advanced shipping

Thanks.

 

[Steltek]

Thanks for your responses! I do not have access to the computer parts at the moment so I will test them out later tonight. However, I want to say that I don't think it is a heating issue because I've gone through 2 reformats without ever shutting the computer off and it's had the same behavior. Things generally started going slowmo when programs were being installed, but ran every other process extremely quickly. However, I'd like to mention that the processor did not have any glue and installing the heat sink was installed in a very awkward way... but stable in installing.

I definitely want to do the 2 scans. I'll post some results when I get them done. But other than that, I ordered from Newegg and have advanced shipping

Thanks.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "the processor did not have any glue". Just to clarify, you did apply thermal paste (or, if this was retail Intel processor, was there a thermal pad) between the heatsink and the processor?

 

[paul878]

I'd like to mention that the processor did not have any glue and installing the heat sink was installed in a very awkward way... but stable in installing.

Thanks.

You mean you have no Thermal Compound between the CPU and the Heatsink???

If that is the case you are Over-Heating and your CPU is throttling.

 

[layzeegrimm]

Yes, it did not come with thermal glue. That was the one thing I was very confused about. However, according to a friend of mine who built computers in the past, he said there are models where glue is already applied if there is an indention below the heat sink (?). Also, I was following the instructions... it did not have any instructions for thermal glue. So with those two factors I went ahead and just placed it on top. I guess it is a thermal pad, I just saw some design. It was a retail Intel processor, I mentioned it in one of the specs at OP (Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz). I've been told that if thermal glue isn't there, the heat sink won't disperse the heat well which burns out the processor within seconds... is that correct?

I probably won't get these scans done till tomorrow. Will update when done.

Thanks!

 

[power_hour]

+1 on CPU overheating as a possibility

Get a good utility like CPU-Z or HWiNFO64 to monitor your temps.

Personally I would strip the computer down, and reseat everything just to be sure. And doublecheck the thermal paste. Get yourself a decent CPU fan if you don't have one already. The OEM fan is not usually a longterm option.

Let us know how it goes.

Cheers,

 

[Steltek]

Yes, it did not come with thermal glue. That was the one thing I was very confused about. However, according to a friend of mine who built computers in the past, he said there are models where glue is already applied if there is an indention below the heat sink (?). Also, I was following the instructions... it did not have any instructions for thermal glue. So with those two factors I went ahead and just placed it on top. I guess it is a thermal pad, I just saw some design. It was a retail Intel processor, I mentioned it in one of the specs at OP (Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz). I've been told that if thermal glue isn't there, the heat sink won't disperse the heat well which burns out the processor within seconds... is that correct?

I probably won't get these scans done till tomorrow. Will update when done.

Thanks!

Yeah, that is correct.

You are probably OK then on the thermal issue as long as you placed the pad in the right position. If this was a retail boxed Intel processor, the instructions should have specified where the pad was to be placed if it wasn't already pre-applied to the bottom of the stock heatsink.

Still, install CPU-Z and check the temps to be sure.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_cpuz/download/69d113b88fa316aa55342bc134f965a5/

 

[DigitalWolf]

Yes, it did not come with thermal glue. That was the one thing I was very confused about. However, according to a friend of mine who built computers in the past, he said there are models where glue is already applied.

I've been told that if thermal glue isn't there, the heat sink won't disperse the heat well which burns out the processor within seconds... is that correct?

In general if you buy a retail cpu that come with a heatsink... there is a pre-applied thermal solution of some kind. Where there is either a plastic "cap" that you take off the bottom or some kind of film you peel off (to keep it clean before use). Some aftermarket coolers come with the same thing (like the Corsair H series for an example).


While I would definitely not want to personally try it.. I believe most any modern cpu will throttle extensively to keep from burning up or shut down if needed. I've seen cpu fans fail for example and a friend was complaining about his computer being slow... it was simply being throttled to keep from burning up. Once upon a time.. that would have been the end of the cpu.