Converted system to RAID, now random lockups...

[Dougmeister]

Computer was running fine, then my boot drive died (it was a few years old).

I decided to use the built-in RAID functionality of my motherboard so I wouldn't have to lose data or my boot drive next time.

I put in two Samsung Spinpoint F3s from NewEgg and configured them for RAID 1 in the system BIOS.

Other components in the system:

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H (unknown rev #)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000+ 2.6 GHz Processor
PNY XLR8 2GB (2x1GB) Dual Channel Kit DDR2 1066 MHz PC2-8500
Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ 450W SmartPower 2.0 Power Supply
Logitech Illuminated Ultrathin Keyboard with Backlighting
Windows 7 64-bit

It started locking up randomly, so I re-installed Windows 7. Same thing. It doesn't happen for the first few days. The only programs I install are Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Security Essentials, and a printer driver. It obviously gets all of the updates from Microsoft. Could that be part of the problem?

I don't even know where to begin troubleshooting. First I lose the keyboard, then I lose the mouse.

Help?

 

[Zargon]

it could be a USB bus issue? or is the KB/Mouse PS2?

 

[Dougmeister]

The mouse is USB (Logitech MX Revolution Rechargeable Cordless Laser Mouse). The keyboard I referenced above (Logitech Illuminated) is also USB. There is also an external USB hard drive; not sure if those are part of the problem or not.

 

[Zargon]

have you doublechecked the drive connections?

 

[Bearach]

The mouse is USB (Logitech MX Revolution Rechargeable Cordless Laser Mouse). The keyboard I referenced above (Logitech Illuminated) is also USB. There is also an external USB hard drive; not sure if those are part of the problem or not.

Have you tried troubleshooting without the USB Hard Drive connected?

Have you installed the southbridge driver for your motherboard?

There is a USB filter driver, may help with any conflicts you may be experiencing.

Also, as Zargon says, try making sure the connectors are connected firmly for your drives, and USB devices.

 

[Dougmeister]

I will power the computer off and double-check the connectors.

A) How do I know if I've installed the southbridge driver for my motherboard? I downloaded everything from this link:

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2814#dl

(and selected "Windows 7 64-bit", obviously)

The choices are:
1) Realtek Function driver for Realtek Azalia audio chip
2) AMD Chipset Driver (include chipset\sata raid\vga driver)
3) Realtek LAN Driver
4) Realtek Ethernet Diagnostic Utility
5) AMD SATA RAID Driver
6) AMD SATA AHCI Driver

B) Where do I find this "USB filter driver"?

Thanks.

Edit: The Northbridge filter was bundled in with one of the packages but *not* installed by default. Installing it now...

(Not to sound dumb, but oops, too late: what does it do? Thanks.)

 

[Bearach]

I will power the computer off and double-check the connectors.

A) How do I know if I've installed the southbridge driver for my motherboard? I downloaded everything from this link:

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2814#dl

(and selected "Windows 7 64-bit", obviously)

The choices are:
1) Realtek Function driver for Realtek Azalia audio chip
2) AMD Chipset Driver (include chipset\sata raid\vga driver)
3) Realtek LAN Driver
4) Realtek Ethernet Diagnostic Utility
5) AMD SATA RAID Driver
6) AMD SATA AHCI Driver

B) Where do I find this "USB filter driver"?

Thanks.

Edit: The Northbridge filter was bundled in with one of the packages but *not* installed by default. Installing it now...

(Not to sound dumb, but oops, too late: what does it do? Thanks.)

A filter driver adds to the driver stack, helping a peripheral to function or fixing issues that could arise if not installed. It's not always needed.

Latest one is here :

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/11-5_vista_win7_32-64_sb.exe

 

[Dougmeister]

Getting this message when I click your link:

"Unauthorized Download
We're sorry, but this download request cannot be authorized. As an option, you may visit any of the pages below for information about our services and products..."

Trying to find it by myself. Can you list the steps to find the file? Trying a search now...

 

[Bearach]

Try this link, probably don't allow linking directly to the files.

http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/integrated_win7-64.aspx#3

 

[Dougmeister]

Darn it. Still locking up.

I've never configured a RAID drive before. It's my understanding that, if it works, I have it configured right. Is that right?

Would downloading some hard drive utilities help?

BTW, the drives I bought are Samsung Spinpoint F3s from NewEgg.

 

[Dougmeister]

1) Any more ideas?

2) I got tired of the lockups and installed Vista 32-bit (yuck). Looking to get win 7 3-bit. Think it will make a difference?

 

[Bearach]

Looks like you're going to need to troubleshoot.

Is there any sure way to get the system to lockup, or is it totally random?

Perhaps do a clean Windows 7 install. Do not install any drivers, till you tested for lockups. Once you have found the system is functioning okay install drivers one by one.

Start with the video, since that is the driver that often causes issues to arise. What is your video card? Are you using onboard video? Check for lockups.

Then sound, this makes your system totally barebones OS but usable. Check for lockups.

Now motherboard drivers, again try to seperate them and only install one set at a time. This includes RAID and Southbridge drivers. Latest versions can be got from AMD themselves here. Remember to check again for lockups.

Update your Windows with all critical updates, then check for lockups.

Have you got access to another PSU? If so, perhaps the PSU can't power the new load on the system, if too old or gone bad.

Have you ran memory tests after the lockup? Try to reset once it happens and run a memory test.

Install all things you need to do, but make sure you're checking for lockups after each thing, till the culprit is found.

When the system locks up, is it a total lockup, or is the system over-taxed and stops responding for a long time?

EDIT: Windows 7 64bit requires a minimum of 2GB to run, but it's not really smooth, I would say that 4GB should be the bare minimum, for a smoother experience.

32bit edition will be better, as its minimum is 1GB and would be so much better for 2GB of memory. Remember if using onboard video, you're also losing main memory for the IGP.