Just got another BSOD..

[inf1nity]

I have a cheap computer built of low quality hardware(cheap taiwanese mobo, cheap generic PSU, cheap generic RAM). Assembled in Dec 2007. Been running cool ever since. Around Oct 2012 i got interested in tweaking and overclocking and decided to give it a go. I succeeded in getting a mild OC, ever since i've been having BSODs. A few months later i reverted to the original settings, but the BSODs still crop up sometimes, usually when the computer is under heavy load(multitasking, lots of tabs in browser). In the beginning it used to be because of the Intel video driver crashing(i could see the name igfxprs.dll in the blue screen), however i removed the driver and it still happens.

Pretty sure it is not a software problem, since i keep my PC clean(no bloatware, toolbars etc) On top of that i have just reinstalled windows last week, i also have avast antivirus installed from day one.

What is it? Is it a hardware issue? Has my computer become too old to properly function. How long before it completely fails?

 

[lxskllr]

I'd start with testing the ram, and go from there. If the ram fails, try giving it a little more voltage. That can sometimes keep it going for awhile, but you're probably on borrowed time if it's failing.

 

[Mushkins]

lxs is pretty much right on the money. Cheapo parts from soup to nuts, built in 2007?

Sounds like she's on her way out. Run some basic hardware diagnostics, you might get a little more life out of her if you slightly increase the voltage to the CPU/RAM, but overall it sounds like the hardware can no longer handle what it's original "max" load was. Frankly, i'd be more worried about silent data corruption on a PC like that then I would a couple bluescreens, hope you've got good backups of everything important!

 

[Ketchup]

Very well could be memory. You could also download WhoCrashed and see if it gives you any more info in the minidumps.

 

[SimMike2]

What OS are you running? If XP, it is more prone to these types of problems.

 

[inf1nity]

I'd start with testing the ram, and go from there. If the ram fails, try giving it a little more voltage. That can sometimes keep it going for awhile, but you're probably on borrowed time if it's failing.

The RAM (DDR2-667)doesn't work on more than 1.85V(minimum my motherboard supports). I just overclocked the computer again. The RAM is running at 369MHz right now(default 333MHz). If i give it any more voltage than 1.85, the computer doesn't complete POST. At default speeds it can handle higher voltage (2V and beyond), but that's of no use.

 

[inf1nity]

Very well could be memory. You could also download WhoCrashed and see if it gives you any more info in the minidumps.

okay, will try.

 

[inf1nity]

lxs is pretty much right on the money. Cheapo parts from soup to nuts, built in 2007?
Sounds like she's on her way out. Run some basic hardware diagnostics, you might get a little more life out of her if you slightly increase the voltage to the CPU/RAM, but overall it sounds like the hardware can no longer handle what it's original "max" load was. Frankly, i'd be more worried about silent data corruption on a PC like that then I would a couple bluescreens, hope you've got good backups of everything important!

link to hardware diagnostic program?(If you're talking about Lavalys Everest, i already have it(free version), what tests should i run?)

I might try more voltage, but i'll have to revert to stock clocks.

 

[inf1nity]

What OS are you running? If XP, it is more prone to these types of problems.

Nope its Windows 7.

 

[denis280]

Quote: Originally Posted by ketchup79 View Post Very well could be memory. You could also download WhoCrashed and see if it gives you any more info in the minidumps. okay, will try.

Did you do it

 

[Mushkins]

link to hardware diagnostic program?(If you're talking about Lavalys Everest, i already have it(free version), what tests should i run?)

I might try more voltage, but i'll have to revert to stock clocks.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2195063

Its our very own CPU/GPU/Memory stability testing guide stickied in the CPU forum. Run any/all of the memory tests as described. If they're coming back with errors, replace the ram.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The RAM (DDR2-667)doesn't work on more than 1.85V(minimum my motherboard supports). I just overclocked the computer again. The RAM is running at 369MHz right now(default 333MHz). If i give it any more voltage than 1.85, the computer doesn't complete POST. At default speeds it can handle higher voltage (2V and beyond), but that's of no use.

That indicates a power limitation, either the mobo DRAM VRMs, or your PSU.

Have you since replaced your PSU with a higher-quality one?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Did you check the Dilithium Crystals???