more MCE problems

unpolloloco

Member
Jul 2, 2005
41
0
0
I have been having major issues with my computer since i got it a few months ago. I get machine check exceptions randomly in windows and at startup. Also, in Windows, occasionally, the input to the monitor will quit and the comp will go into a hard freeze. I have tried just about everything - i have tried one stick of ram at a time, got the mobo/processor replaced, and reformatted/reinstalled windows several times. What else could be causing this issue? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Here's an image of the MCE error: http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0460a4ox.jpg

My specs:
athlon 64 3500+
MSI K8N NEO4-F mobo
hitachi 160 gb sata hdd
Geforce 6600 GT
sony dvd
lg dvd-rw
fdd
2x 512mb Geil value ram (pc3200)
420w turbolink psu (+3.3V @ 28A, +5V @ 40A, and +12V @ 18A) (not the greatest, but not too bad?)

Anyone have any ideas? (since the mobo/processor sould be fine, could it be either the hdd or psu? or maybe video card???)
 

sieistganzfett

Senior member
Mar 2, 2005
588
0
0
hi. try running memtest+ to see if ram passes the diag to rule that out. try running a hdd diag from your hdd manufactorer to rule that out. random blue screens are rough and can be due to your hardware or software. what is the 0x... error in that anyway? is it always the same? also try out 3dmark03 or 05 for a few hrs to see if it occurs in that. does the bsod start after you install a certain app after you do your reinstalls or this is even just randomly with only windows installed so far?
 

unpolloloco

Member
Jul 2, 2005
41
0
0
Just did memtest - checked out fine. Hdd diag was fine too. Error code is 0x0000009c (0x80545ff0, 0xb2000000, 0x00070f0f). It will vary slightly, but the first 6 0's in the first string, the 805 in the second, and the 000 in the fourth string do not seem to vary. They always start with 0x (probably a given). I have dialup, so downloading 3dmark would take too long (probably ~20 hrs). The BSOD's are totally random, tending to occur more as time progresses after i have reinstalled windows, until, after a couple weeks, windows fails to load. Could this suggest a hdd failure, even though the diagnostics say its fine?
 

sieistganzfett

Senior member
Mar 2, 2005
588
0
0
possible but i never seen it happen. since its *constantly* random right from the install it is most likely your motherboard. there is no mobo test i know of. so instead of 3dmark. try out prime95 or super pi @ 32M.. i feel your problem is the mobo though.
 

CreativeTom

Banned
May 10, 2005
1,092
0
0

CreativeTom

Banned
May 10, 2005
1,092
0
0
Originally posted by: unpolloloco
No overclocking. Temps are all good, system and cpu never over about 40 C under full load. Any ideas?


You are 100% sure that it's not a problem with your PSU??? It sounds to me like that is what the problem is.
 

gsaldivar

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2001
8,691
1
81
First off - Stop reformatting/reinstalling Windows.

Have you checked the Event Viewer log for any signs of hardware misconfiguration/incompatibility?

The problem seems to be hardware related. Work towards isolating it by using a process of elimination: Substitute the video card with another for a few days to see if there is any improvement. Substitute the PSU with another for a few days to see if there is any improvement. You mentioned that you already tried pulling one stick of RAM and running with the other - try moving the single stick to different slots, run for a few days and see if there is any improvement. Pull both optical drives, run for a few days and see if there is any improvement... etc. etc.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329284

Double-check the memory closely. Did you receive the exact part you ordered? Does your MB require ECC or Non-ECC RAM? Is your BIOS configured properly (bus settings, processor buffers, etc. etc.)?

Post back your results. :beer::D
 

sieistganzfett

Senior member
Mar 2, 2005
588
0
0
also try removing all add in cards and devices. only leave cpu/ram/video card/hdd and see if it locks up. it can be your power supply or a faulty add in card.
 

unpolloloco

Member
Jul 2, 2005
41
0
0
It could be a problem with the psu, but i dont have another that would have enough juice to run even a basic config (i have a 200W from my pII comp).. I dont see any misconfiguration or incompatibitity issues. I already tried moving ram around, and found one memory timing issue, but my problems have still persisted after correcting the problem. With video cards, i have pci-e on this board, so i cant switch with my other comp's agp. I will try pulling the optical drives, but is it possible for them to be causing the problems i have been experiencing? Anyone have any ideas???
 

sieistganzfett

Senior member
Mar 2, 2005
588
0
0
its rare for optical drives to cause it, but i seen it cause a pc to lock up when a cd is copying over 200MB to hdd. take every pci card out, un connect your cd/dvds, try only mobo, cpu, 1 ram, your 1 hdd, and your psu. check event viewer for any errors, if it does bsod, its your psu or video. probably psu. your ram passed, you said you replaced the cpu and mobo, and your hd passed the manufactorers hd diag.. just a stupid question... if your video is high end, do you have an extra power cable going to it?
 

unpolloloco

Member
Jul 2, 2005
41
0
0
According to video specs, extra power cable is not needed for the 6600 gt. Any card higher than the 6600 gt needs one. I will try removing hte optical drives and see what happens.
 

unpolloloco

Member
Jul 2, 2005
41
0
0
Still having prblems with MCE's after removing IDE cable. Is there any way that i can test the video card or PSU without replacing them?