Issues with a New Build

[roguey]

Hello,

Two weeks ago I received the parts needed for my new system:
Intel Q6600 Processor + Stock Cooling
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Motherboard
OCZ GameXStream 700W Power Supply
BFG Nvidia 8800GT OC 512MB
4X1G F2-6400CL5Q-4GBNQ G.Skill RAM
250G Seagate SATA Hard Drive

It originally ran stable for the better part of an hour. During that time I was able to install and update Windows XP, install drivers, and start to install programs. After a few reboots it locked up right at the time it was supposed to start hitting boot drives. I never got into Windows XP again after this point. Proceeding reboots yielded mostly the same results, with lock-ups and random reboots happening anywhere from the BIOS screen to when the boot drives are hit.

From this point I reset BIOS physically a number of times and reseated each stick of RAM in each slot of the MB. I also tried booting up with no RAM and no video card, respectively, and the correct error beep codes were issued. I also reseated the MB and the CPU. This led to me to doubting that the RAM and MB were the culprits.

I then decided to RMA my MB. Yesterday I received the replacement MB and installed it. The first and second boots allowed me to enter the Windows XP that I had installed two weeks ago. Then it randomly rebooted while in Windows and started exhibiting the exact same symptoms as before the RMA. I have run through the same steps as before to isolate the problem to no effect, yet again. I also tried to increase CPU voltage by .1V and RAM by .2V; there was no change.

So I am faced with the same situation as before with the following possible causes:
I received another defective MB.
My four stick of RAM are either all defective or incompatible with the MB.
The power supply is defective.
The processor is defective.

I have narrowed nothing down after one RMA. I would greatly appreciate any assistance that you can offer me. Thank you for your time.

 

[robisbell]

download and create a cd for http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ then run memtest86+ for 6 hours minimum, please report back the results.

 

[roguey]

Originally posted by: robisbell
download and create a cd for http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ then run memtest86+ for 6 hours minimum, please report back the results.

Hello,

I booted up and got to the first screen of the CD's boot menu before the computer reset. Next it got to the CD splash screen and locked up. The PC then locked up or reset on its own every proceeding boot before hitting boot drives. It also seems to lock up or reboot sooner each time I try it again in a row.

 

[robisbell]

okay, pull all the ram but 1 stick. and try booting into the cd again.

what version of XP are you going to install?

 

[roguey]

Originally posted by: robisbell
okay, pull all the ram but 1 stick. and try booting into the cd again.

what version of XP are you going to install?

Hello,

I've been using one stick of RAM the entire time. Windows XP Home Edition is already installed on the hard drive, but the computer resets on its own before it gets loaded. In fact the computer usually locks up or resets within a minute of booting up now.

 

[robisbell]

okay, pull the ram and try booting, it show throw a beeping fit. also you could unplug the powercord to the PSU and clear the cmos, and then hook up the power and try booting it.

 

[roguey]

Originally posted by: robisbell
okay, pull the ram and try booting, it show throw a beeping fit. also you could unplug the powercord to the PSU and clear the cmos, and then hook up the power and try booting it.

Hello,

I get the correct beep code when I remove the sole RAM stick. Also clearing the CMOS did not change anything.

 

[robisbell]

http://www.devhardware.com/for...-it-to-test-75111.html

test the voltages , see if they are dipping down low enough to trigger a reboot.

 

[robisbell]

also, try booting it with as little installed or connected via ide/sata cables and power after testing the voltages.
I've had no luck with gskill ram lately, seen issues that cleared up as soon as the ram was replaced.

what are the exact models of the ram?
here's what Kingston lists as 100% compatible with the board.

 

[roguey]

Originally posted by: robisbell
http://www.devhardware.com/for...-it-to-test-75111.html

test the voltages , see if they are dipping down low enough to trigger a reboot.

I guess I'll look into getting a multimeter tomorrow.

Originally posted by: robisbell
also, try booting it with as little installed or connected via ide/sata cables and power after testing the voltages.
I've had no luck with gskill ram lately, seen issues that cleared up as soon as the ram was replaced.

what are the exact models of the ram?
here's what Kingston lists as 100% compatible with the board.

I have been booting up with a minimal amount of hardware connected to the MB. It does crash even when no SATA or IDE devices are connected.

The model number for the RAM is: F2-6400CL5Q-4GBNQ
I bought them from Newegg: G.SKILL 4GB(4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[robisbell]

http://www.ec.kingston.com/eco...butor=0&submit1=Search

and the gskill one

http://www.gskill.com/en/f2-6400cl5q-nq.html

I'd check the timings on the ram. The gskill seems to be close to the kingston, but there is some info that is omitted that would give me a better idea. I'd say if adjusting the timings does not work, then the ram may be suspect. would be 1005 certain if we had a way to test the ram.

 

[roguey]

Hello,

I obtained a multimeter today and found the following:

3.3V rail: 3.41V stable
5V rail: 5.04V stable
12V rail: ~12.34V

The 3.3V and 5V rails were 100% steady during the chain reboots and crashes. The 12V rail fluctuated +/- .02V during reboots. I tested these voltages on the 20pin plug. So I'm assuming that the PSU is operating within norms?

The supported memory list from Gigabyte's website lists two types of Corsair RAM being combatible with my motherboard.

So I'm thinking of going out and trying RAM from the local CompUSA which has the following in stock:
Corsair Memory 2GB PC2-6400 800MHz 240pin DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit
or
Corsair Memory Xtreme Performance TwinX Matched 2GB( 2 x 1 GB ) PC2-6400 800MHz 240 pin DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit

Do either of these look okay or should I stick with trying to get one of those Kingston chips?

 

[roguey]

Well, I went out and bought the Corsair memory and have the same problem.

 

[robisbell]

which one did you buy?

the voltages look good, and the fluctuation is within tolerances. I have a question, how much thermal paste did you use when you installed the CPU HSF?

this is starting to look like a bad motherboard.

 

[roguey]

Originally posted by: robisbell
which one did you buy?

the voltages look good, and the fluctuation is within tolerances. I have a question, how much thermal paste did you use when you installed the CPU HSF?

this is starting to look like a bad motherboard.

I bought:
Corsair Memory 2GB PC2-6400 800MHz 240pin DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit

I used roughly the amount of thermal paste indicated in the Artic Silver's instructions.

 

[robisbell]

okay, I am leaning towards a defective motherboard, but a slight chance it's a bad processor.