Computer acting VERY strange (psu maybe)

[Achtung]

Hi guys,

I've been having this problem with my computer for about a year or so, but it seems to have escalated recently. It actually seems to be several problems, but I get the feeling the source is the same.

First, my computer blue screens... a lot... for no apparent reason. I know, I know, its Windows. I tried reformatting and reinstalling XP--got the same result with the blue screens. A lot of uninterpretable messeages about IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, and some other stuff that is similar. Often it happens when nothing else is running, and no one is even there. I'll get up to do something else, come back to my computer, and voila, BSOD.

Second, sometimes my computer will lock up and my screen will turn to, for lack of a better word, gunk. Crazy color patterns everywhere, kind of like a color bar test pattern you see on TV sometimes, except repeating about 50 times all over my screen. Seems like a video card problem, but I have tried updating the drivers and everything.

Third, and this is the most bizarre of all, my computer will sometimes manage to turn itself on! The first time I saw it was on and I couldn't remember having turned it on, I just assumed my dad used it or something, but he said he didn't. But then one time I was just lying on my bed reading something, and it just turned itself on and started booting. I took a look to see how far it would go, and it completely booted, without me ever touching the power button. I saw it again a few nights ago.

I don't really know what is causing these problems, but I suspect it could be a psu problem. Other than that, I thought maybe my video card. Here's my setup:

Athlon XP 2000+
512 MB RAM
GF4 Ti4200
WD 100 GB HD
AverTV tuner card
SB Audigy sound card
Antec 350W PSU
Antec SX630 case
Lite-On DVD drive
Lite-On CD-RW

If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate it. Thanks a lot!

 

[Dahak]

You could be right in suspecting the psu unit. aslo what ive seen, mostly on the faster amd xp chips if the heat sink gets really dusty (expecially the stock heat sinks) it will actually raise the temp of the chips. I had one at work recently that was running idle in high 60's C and once cleaned idled down to about 30-35c

 

[Achtung]

I actually recently replaced the heatsink/fan with a Zalman 7000 unit. The computer seems to be running cool when I check it in the BIOS.

 

[Viper96720]

Check the memory

 

[Achtung]

I've heard of a couple of programs to check the RAM... I'll try to check some out unless there is one that you recommend highly.

 

[apoppin]

Sounds like possible multiple problems.

First of all, are you overclocking?

Secondly, check to make sure there is no HW conflicts (possibly graphic card) or driver issues (try an earlier nVidia driver - IS your video card O/C'd?)

Finally, make sure your system is free of viruses and has all the latest updates.

 

[Viper96720]

Use memtest also try slowing the memory down and see if it matters.

 

[Winchester]

As far as the computer turning itself on, Do you have your LAN WAKE turned on, (NIC)?

You didnt mention being networked but these days it is almost given.

 

[Achtung]

I am networked, and I don't think I have LAN wake on. Where is that setting?

Nothing is overclocked, not the CPU, not the video card.

I'll check the memory once I get home. Not sure how to check for hardwre conflicts. I remember it used to be you'd have to manually set the IRQ and such, but not anymore. What sort of hardware conflicts could I have?

 

[Slammy1]

So you've had this problem for over a year and it's been worsening, have you reinstalled the OS on that time? I'd suspect processor also, though it is hard to diagnose that. Corrupted files could be a culprit, especially if you get sudden program termination. Other than that, as suggested, ensure your memory and CPU settings are Prime95/Memtest (advanced test) stable. Also any error codes you get, try a Google search as there's a wealth of info, some actually pertinent.

 

[Achtung]

Yep, I've reformatted twice, to no avail. Completely wiped clean each time, and very gradually reinstalled to try and figure out that the problem is. Nothing helps though.

I'll try the memory checking.

 

[Achtung]

Looks like Test 5 keeps failing... I'll have to try removing or replacing one of the sticks of RAM.

Thanks.

 

[sandorski]

Try upping the voltage to your ram or using relaxed settings for it first.

 

[Achtung]

Is that something I can do in the BIOS?

 

[Slammy1]

Yes, though given that your problem was one that became worse over time, I'd suspect it will not help. It's interesting that you did not have any install problems, perhaps your memory issue lead to some file corruption (again, playing with memory would not help)? I know first hand how these types of problems can be hard to diagnose, but a good start would be to try different memory configs (1 at a time, different slots) to try to narrow it down.

 

[apoppin]

Crazy color patterns everywhere, kind of like a color bar test pattern you see on TV sometimes, except repeating about 50 times all over my screen

Check the voltage to your videocard? Have you tried another GPU?

 

[Viper96720]

Are you using brand name or generic ram. Failing test 5 is common with athlon systems and generic ram. Memtest page recommends trying relaxing the timings. If you know the SPD settings can try increasing each setting by 1. If motherboard has that ability.

 

[Achtung]

It's Crucial RAM, so definitely not generic. I guess I can try adjusting the memory settings like has been suggested. Also I'll try removing one of the sticks (I'm at 512 MB right now, I guess I can go down to 256 temporarily).

 

[Achtung]

Update: looks like the RAM is failing other tests as well, so I've gone ahead and ordered new memory from Crucial. Hopefully that solves the problem.

 

[snidy1]

Probably memory