Crashes, and I'm completely stumped

[ispofdoom]

My computer crashes. Their not the typical crash to desktop or everything stops type crashes. The screen usually looses signal, but sound will often continue for somewhere between 1 and 10 seconds, then it will usually start stuttering the last sound it was playing.

The thing still whirrs, quite actively, and I'm left to hold the power button and turn it off.

This may be linked so I might as well mention it: sometimes when I try to power it up it the thing starts whirring, but nothing comes up on screen, in this situation I also hold the power button, wait a bit, turn it on again, and it will start up fine (but there is a very noticable fan that only kicks in the second time).


I run Adaware, A squared, and AVG quite frequently, and they are kept up to date. I have taken my computer in to be checked over (its still under warranty) and they ran Prime95 and memtest on it quite extensively. In the 3 or so days they had it, it didn't do anything suspect, not once. I spoke to them regarding whether it could be overheating, they doubted it, as the building they are in isn't air conditioned and it gets pretty hot in there due to so many computers being on all day. My room can get reasonably how, but winters now coming on and its still doing it.

The only other thing I can think of is the power from the plug in the wall. Its not exactly new, and we do occasionally have problems with the fuses tripping (it doesn't when my computer screws up though). I bought a power filtering multiplug a few months back, but this hasn't seemed to help.

I realise this is a long post, but I'd be immensely grateful if anyone could provide any light on my problem. As I'm not at the stage where I shrug, scratch my head and give up.

thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

1) what are the specs of the system? Include the brand & model of the power supply, as well as a rundown of CPU, drives and cards.

2) do you see any correlation between this problem and, say, 3D gaming?

 

[ispofdoom]

Knew I forgot something. Yes, it does seem to have a bit of link to 3D gaming.

Specs:
DFI nf4 Ultra-D motherboard,
Athlon 64 3500+ (socket939)
Corsair 2x512Mb DDR 400 Cl2.5
Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA150
BFG 6800GT PCI-E 256mb
Pioneer 16x DVD writer
Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS
Enermax 485Watt 'Noisetaker' Power supply
Logitech MX1000 mouse
Logitech Media Keyboard
Windows XP Home
Samsung 19" 913B LCD
Thermaltake Shark Case

I really can't think of any more specs. Hope that covers it.

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, now brace for my idiot questions:

1) is your PCI-Express cable connected to the tail of your card?

2) are all four of your power plugs connected to the motherboard, including that crafty stealthy one labelled 1?

3) do you have the power supply's rear fan running at least somewhat? Try cranking it to full throttle for a test run.

4) maybe do a little test where you monitor your GPU temperature using the nVidia driver panel. Run a good heavy-duty 3D game and check the GPU temperature every couple of minutes.

5) if problems persist, perhaps your motherboard's southbridge is overheating. Maybe they didn't put thermal paste between the HSF and the southbridge core or something, you might consider removing the HSF and check that everything's kosher under there.


From the fact that it doesn't want to start again even after a forced shutdown, it sort of makes me wonder if the power supply is overheating, or perhaps the CPU or GPU are overheating. From the fact that just a CPU load (Prime95) doesn't bring it on, that seems to rule out the CPU, so I'd look at the GPU, southbridge and PSU first.

 

[ispofdoom]

I'll have to check on a few of those questions, it was put together by the people at the computershop (they seem reliable: www.computerlounge.co.nz). I've never opened it up of fiddled with the hardware, but i'll give it a look.

Just to clarify one thing, the startup issue can occur if I haven't been using it for a while (ie, in the morning when I turn it on it can happen).

I'll post back within 3-4 hours regarding your questions.

 

[JPH1121]

Have you disabled your onboard sound?

 

[ispofdoom]

Theres definately something connected to the tail end of the GPU (the slot bottom right on the pic you linked.
Nothing is connected to "the crafty stealthy one labelled 1" on the mobo.
I can feel air moving around outside the powersupply airhole.

Just going to run a GPU test.

 

[ispofdoom]

ok, another update. While I was preparing to do some temp stuff for the GPU it did it again, I wasn't running much (notepad, display properties, Guitarpro, firefox, itunes) and it crashed. This time I had a look through the case window, and I can tell you the problem, but sadly, not the cause.

Problem: The GPU fan stops working. or the GPU stops working. All I could see was the fan was not whirring round like all the others do in my mobo.
Cause: ???

edit: I have emailed BFGTech support regarding this.

 

[mechBgon]

D'oh! I'd go ahead and get the crafty-stealthy-power-plug hooked up too.

 

[ispofdoom]

yea, I'm just wondering where the thing is that it hooks into

 

[mechBgon]

It takes a floppy-disk-drive style power plug from your power supply.