Different Complicated Computer Issues

[Nexen]

Troubleshooting starter

1. Overview of the problem
   My computer has been experiencing several issues in the past year.
   
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   In each situation, I have reinstalled my operating system for it to load Vista again. I'm thinking it has to do with my motherboard. The nForce Chipset on the board seems a little loose, and is always extremely hot. The computer no longer gives the single beep like it did when I first purchased it when loading up. My CPU is usually at 78-80 F and my HD at 88-92 F.
   
   I'll be describing the symptoms from newest to oldest order.
   
   (Fresh OS Reinstallation no automatic updates)
   I'm using the drivers for my vid card and nforce that came with my computer. I kept my computer on for about 8 hours, and the video suddenly just died out. All I was doing this whole time was surfing the net, msn, and watching streaming video.
   This is the same blue screen that I would get before when playing MMORPGs and the computer would no longer load vista.
   
   

   A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
   
   Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.
   
   If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
   
   Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need.
   
   If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.
   
   
   Technical Information:
   
   *** STOP: 0x00000116
   
   Beginning dump of physical memory
   Physical memory dump complete.
   
   Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further
   assistance.

   
   (Fresh OS Reinstallation with no automatic updates)
   My latest problem involves my computer just freezing up when it first loads up and I attempt to do something like surf the new, watch a vid, or simply load up multiple things together (firefox,msn, etc). After say..1-2 minutes, it unfreezes. During this time, I am able to move my mouse.
   
   (Fresh OS Reinstallation with no automatic updates)
   My issue before this was attempting to defrag my cpu. I conveniently fell asleep for around 2 hours, and when I woke up, my video was gone. My monitor was blank, but my computer was still on. I attempted to start Windows Vista, and it stalled after the loading bar sequence. It didn't even get to the Windows Vista logo.
   
   (Fresh OS reinstallation with no automatic updates)
   At this point, I was able to play games MMORPGs for several hours. After awhile, my computer would freeze. I started changing my vid card drivers, since I have around 4 drivers from different dates. Everytime I reinstalled, it would work fine for awhile then same thing would happen. I also tried updating my nForce chipset drivers. After trying Vid Driver Versions: 7.15.0011.5824, 7.15.11.6375, 7.15.11.7519, it got to a point where the game froze, I reset my cpu, and it would either just freeze up after the vista loading bar, or blue screen mentioning something about recent hardware changes and such.
   
   
   
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   The reason why I no longer installed automatic updates, is because it was working fine for several months without having any updates installed. Prior to this, I installed all updates including Service Pack 1 on Vista and my computer died. I am unable to remember the video drivers I used. I am fairly positive that the vid driver I used at that time, I've tried with the attempts above.
   
   
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   The problem involving my computer suddenly freezing after playing MMORPG's for several hours at a time is pretty consistent. However, it was able to "recover" to the point where Vista would load. However, It would freeze up much sooner, within 10 minutes, or 1 hour depending on which driver I used. The computer refused to load vista up when used the latest vid driver of what I listed above and nForce update.
   
   
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   I've tried reinstalling the Operating System. I made sure everything inside my computer is fully seated/plugged in. The only thing that really feels like it's getting hot, is the nForce Chipset on my motherboard which happens to be a little loose.
   
   
   
6. My software:
   • Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Bit (No automatic updates, no SP1)
   • Antivirus (I used AVG for awhile, but i'm 100% positive this isn't virus related)
   • Firewall (Vista's built in firewall, not getting attacked by anyone)
   
   
   
7. My hardware
   • CyberpowerPC Gamer Infinity 7300
     
   • Motherboard: MSI P6N SLI-FI (nForce 650i SLI Chipset)
   • CPU model: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600(2.4 GHz not OCed)
   • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT 512MB
   • RAM modules: Corsair 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800
   • Power supply: Apevia X-Jupiter Jr. Mid-Tower 420W Case
   • Hard Drive: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD
     
     
   • Other information that might be relevant
     I had another issue(s) before, Previous Issue
     It was fixed after I did the following:
     Cleaned it out with can of compressed air
     Turned the fan on full power (Stupid knob in front of my tower controlled fan speed, was turned off/low)
     Reinstalled the OS
     Turned the neon light inside my case off
     After doing all this, my cpu was fine for several months. I originally thought it was an overheat issue or my power supply wasn't sufficient for my setup.

 

[mechBgon]

If you happen to have a different high-quality power supply you could test with, that's one easy thing to try. Unstable power can be a real problem, and a 420W unit that came included as a freebie with the chassis might not be quite enough for your quad-core rig with an 8600GT.

 

[Nexen]

Ah yes, that was one of my original conclusions for my previous issue that I had. I thought it wasn't the issue though after my computer worked for several months. My other thought was my vid card, but I can watch videos fine without any visual problems, I can play games without any visual errors. My current power supply has a fan in the back, where the power cord plugins and the Power Supply power switch is. I notice a lot of power supplies now seem to not have that, or have a fan which would be pointing directly towards the top of my case. Do you have any recommendations for what power supply I should try? Also, if I do go for a new mobo, would ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard be compatible with my setup? I looked it over and seemed fairly close to what I have. The only issue I noticed was something about the chipset and video, which I read up on a bit and seems to be fixed now?

Sidenote: I edited my original post to hopefully organize it a bit.

Updated: I don't want to rebump the thread, but I updated my original post.

(Fresh OS Reinstallation no automatic updates)
I'm using the drivers for my vid card and nforce that came with my computer. I kept my computer on for about 8 hours, and the video suddenly just died out. All I was doing this whole time was surfing the net, msn, and watching streaming video.
This is the same blue screen that I would get before when playing MMORPGs and the computer would no longer load vista.

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.


Technical Information:

*** STOP: 0x00000116

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.

Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further
assistance.

Despite this, I still find it hard to believe it would be my vid card. I don't see any graphical errors, and this is really the only issue I have related to my video card.

 

[mechBgon]

I was trying to decide on a new PSU recently and it looks like Corsair's units are pretty solid, plus I believe they rate the wattage output at a full 50°C (power supplies can't put out as much power at high temperatures). I'd probably go with something in the 500W+ range, or 650W+ if you ever plan on high-end SLI'ed video cards.

The other thing that can sometimes come into play, is if the memory modules are "fancy" ones rated for above-normal voltages, as opposed to plain-vanilla RAM designed to work at industry-standard voltages. If in doubt, you can check to see what voltage range Corsair recommends for your modules, then try boosting your memory voltage in the motherboard BIOS to whatever the modules' maximum is, and give your system a quick reality check to see if it's still crash-prone.

 

[Nexen]

Update: So, I decided to boot in safe mode and completely uninstall my nForce and video card drivers. I downloaded/installed latest version of both. For some reason, vista actually loaded this time. However, it gave me some vid card file error. After testing my MMORPG for roughly 2 hours, no problems so far. The graphics seem slightly different also. I noticed my computer seems to load vista faster (loading bar sequence anyway). Only other issue I notice is when it says Welcome and the circle loading pointer is suppose to be spinning, mine is frozen, but vista is loading. I seriously hope I find a solution to for this computer. It just continually stresses me out with new issues, and I don't really trust places like Geek Squad to know how to fix this issue without stalling and charging me outrageous fees.

 

[Nexen]

Ok so, for several days it worked fine, then same crap happening now. What I did was, completely uninstall all my nivida drivers for vid card and mobo chipset, then install the newest for each. It worked for awhile, but occasionally the game screen would flicker/freeze for a second, but it would recover. After 5 days, it wouldn't recover anymore and it would stay frozen. Once it freezes, video freezes, the sound freezes repeating itself, and for a few seconds, my mouse is able to move around sometimes, but then also freezes. I noticed my nForce 650i SLI chipset on my motherboard is pretty hot everytime this happens, and a little loose i think. I'm coming to the conclusion that it has to be motherboard related, and as mechBgon said, possibly weak powersupply.