Computer locks up

[gotensan01]

AMD64 2800+ s754
Asus K8V mobo, k8t800 chipset
2x512mb Corsair Value Select pc3200 memory
Leaktek 6600gt agp video card
Microsoft Windows SP2
Antec True380S, 380W PSU from Sonata case
two hdd's, pata 7200rpm
Liteon DVD burner

CPU idle : 38C
CPU load : 44C
Chipset idle : 33C
Chipset load : 39C
6600gt idle : 48C
6600gt load : 68C

These are all software readings and are averages. If the computer does anything, the 6600gt temperature shoots up to about 60C. It has hit 70C while heavy gaming before.

The problem for the computer described above is that it will completely lock up (both video and audio). It mostly occurs when gaming for a while, but has also occurred while just browsing the internet.

I've checked the 12V and 5V lines on the PSU with a multimeter and the readings are very good.

I Memtested the memory for about 10 hours and it returned no errors.

One of the biggest concerns I had was that the video card was either overheating or it was just bad. However, I have also read many people saying that 70C for a Leadtek 6600gt is not terrible. Also, I tried going back to my old Radeon 9600pro (which has worked for over 2 years without a problem) and the computer still locked up.

The only thing that I have yet to try is to either remove SP2, or reformat my hard drive with a clean image of Windows. Before I try this, are there any ideas I may have overlooked?


EDIT: Forgot to mention, how do I check/know if my motherboard is the culprit?

 

[orangat]

Do you have a fan blowing over the harddisks?
I had some problems with system hangs because I uninstalled a fan blowing over the drives (for another box). This problem was subtle and took a heck of a long time to figure out.
Check event viewer for errors and SMART values for temps and errors.

 

[orangat]

I forgot to add, you could open your case and point a fan blowing hard at drives etc for a quick and dirty way to diagnose heat related issues.

 

[gotensan01]

Thanks for the info orangat.

There is no fan blowing on the hard drives and they are both shoved up into the 5.25" bays. I have tried removing both side panels from the case, but have not yet tried using a big house fan to cool the entire system.

So you're thinking that it is the hdd's that are overheating? Well, I'll try cooling them off with the method you recommended. Thanks.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: orangat
I forgot to add, you could open your case and point a fan blowing hard at drives etc for a quick and dirty way to diagnose heat related issues.

Good idea seeing as you have no fans blowing on your drives. Those babies can get very hot and start acting flaky. If you need to have them in 5 1/4 bays you should consider getting a removable 5 1/4 HD carriage with built in fans. I use 2 of my six drive in the carriages and they really need proper cooling.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: gotensan01
Thanks for the info orangat.

There is no fan blowing on the hard drives and they are both shoved up into the 5.25" bays. I have tried removing both side panels from the case, but have not yet tried using a big house fan to cool the entire system.

So you're thinking that it is the hdd's that are overheating? Well, I'll try cooling them off with the method you recommended. Thanks.

Buy a small plastic table fan from wallmart for $10 and point it at the harddisk. Use Everest home edition to read the temps from SMART.

Why is it shoved up into the 5.25 bays? Try to spread them out. 7200rpm drives are hot regardless of what manufacturers say.

 

[gotensan01]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: gotensan01
Thanks for the info orangat.

There is no fan blowing on the hard drives and they are both shoved up into the 5.25" bays. I have tried removing both side panels from the case, but have not yet tried using a big house fan to cool the entire system.

So you're thinking that it is the hdd's that are overheating? Well, I'll try cooling them off with the method you recommended. Thanks.

Buy a small plastic table fan from wallmart for $10 and point it at the harddisk. Use Everest home edition to read the temps from SMART.

Why is it shoved up into the 5.25 bays? Try to spread them out. 7200rpm drives are hot regardless of what manufacturers say.

There were originally 4 slots or so for hdd's on the bottom front of the case. I dremeled that hdd rack out to fit a radiator for water cooling. Since the case is made out of aluminum, I can't really re-attach the rack.