Need a new power supply? Edit: Bad RAM?

[mskalak]

I've had my computer randomly restart on me 3 times just today. I've NEVER had this happen to me before. I've also had a bunch of errors when i run programs in WinXP. The errors end the programs that I have running.

Specs for my comp:
Abit at7 kt333
athlon xp 2100+
2x256 mb pc2700
16x toshiba dvd
40x10x48x memorex cd-rw
WD 80 gb 7200 "se"
2 case fans
enlight 300w power supply


Thanks

 

[zepper00]

A Sparkle, AOpen or PC Power & Cooling 350 watt PSU should do the trick.
.bh.

 

[Buz2b]

It does look like a new PS would be a nice addition but it may not solve your troubles. Can you be a bit more specific about the trouble you are having? Is this a new problem or old? Is this a new system? What are the temps like when this happens? Have you tried using the System Restore and picking a restore point from a time you know the system was working? Etc, etc, etc. Just curious as to why you think it is the PS.

 

[dexmanone]

I agree with Buz 2b, try a few different options with what you have before you open the case and spend money. PS are cheap, and they're not going anywhere.

If you close all the background progs will it reboot then? How often apart does it do this? Install any software lately that maybe causing a conflict?

 

[mskalak]

This is a new problem on a brand new system. All of my hardware set up perfect, with no problems. But I had some really weird problems with WinXP at first. First try, it for some odd reason did not realize that anyone was an administrator, so I reformatted and reinstalled. This time, I had errors when accessing AIM, or IE, or just about any program. I tried to go back and uninstall the programs that I had installed, and the problem was not fixed. So I started over. Reformat HDD, and reinstall WinXP. This time, it took me 4 or 5 times before it would install. It would lock up or have errors, or tell me to put in the CD (it was in). Eventually, it worked. I'm currently running on this final install. I don't have nearly as many errors. (the errors would shut down the program) The only time I had any errors was when running AIM and Easy CD Creator at the same time. It was yesterday that my computer randomly restarted itself 3 times. I would be sitting here listening to music or doing something, and it would reboot.

The CPU temp has been consistantly below 50 C, and the case temp has been in the upper 30's. I don't think that should be a problem at all.

It was just weird that I had never had a computer do this to me before, and I use the same power supply for my other computer that has never had any problems. The only addition on the new rig is an additional case fan.

Someone told me that I may have a stick of bad RAM and that's why the programs keep having errors and shutting down. But I don't think that would cause the system to reboot.

It rebooted only 3 times, and they were a couple of hours apart.

Hope this helps you to help me.

 

[Buz2b]

Now that we have more details, I tend to agree that the RAM is a good area to start if you can. Also video card drivers. What video card are you using and did you load the latest drivers for it? Have you tried taking one of the RAM sticks out and giving it a shot then? If it still has errors, move the same stick to a different slot. Then, do the same with the other stick. You want to see if the problem follows one stick or not. Also, if the problems go away with just one stick you will really know you are on to something. That would be the cheapest way to start your quest. Then, try updating your video card drivers if you haven't already. If you have, pull the card and then reseat it snugly; just to make sure. Then remove and reload the drivers. IF all that fails (and so far it hasn't cost you anything), then go shopping for a new PS, IF you can't beg/borrow/etc one from someone else to test. Try a decent quality 350 watt PS if you can. Good luck with your testing. Oh, and one last thing, did you load any MB drivers?

 

[mskalak]

I used the driver for my video card off of the the CD for the video card. I'll see if there is an update. OH!, I just realized I didn't put down my video card for in the specs. I have a Geforce 4 Ti4200 64mb w/ tvout and dvi.

Yes I loaded the motherboard drivers. And no, I haven't checked the RAM yet.

I just tried to play some Starcraft, and the program got shut down twice when I started a game

 

[Buz2b]

I just tried to play some Starcraft, and the program got shut down twice when I started a game

Starting to sound more like RAM. However, update the video card drivers; I'm sure there will be an update on the web. Are you getting any error messages when the shutdown from the games occurs? Or does it just quit and that's it.

 

[NyCxSpyder]

Originally posted by: mskalak
I used the driver for my video card off of the the CD for the video card. I'll see if there is an update.(

NEVER (well not always true) but never leave yur current drivers as the cd driver (unless it's the latest) because more then likely, it's not the latest. You should always check the manufactor's website or NVIDIA.com / ATI.com (depending which video card you have) (NVIDIA.com for your case) for the newest drivers. Drivers do fix a lot of things. Make sure to check everything in your PC before confirming that you need a new PS.

Also try defragging/scan disk your HDD and using any utility that can determine the status of your HDD and its health. HDD can sometime be the problem. I once had a lot of problems, couldn't install or anything and then BSOD out of no where and reboots out of no where all because of a bad HDD. Try and do all the suggested opinions first and see what happens. If you still have problems, come back and we'll be glad to help you out. Good Luck.

 

[SwampsterFL]

In WinXP, go into System Properties / Advanced tab and click on the Settings Button under the Startup and Recovery section. In the window that opens, unselect Automatically Restart. This will force the OS to give you a BSOD instead of rebooting.

With the error message, you will be able to go to M$ KnowledgeBase or Google and get more specific articles on what has happened in your system.

 

[Peacekeeper100]

I agree with Swampster. I think the problem with rebooting is the auto-reboot function in Windows XP. It is setup to reboot instead of giving you a blue screen error. With all the problems you are having every once in awhile it is probably a blue screen error and reboots.

And if you had a bad stick of ram a lot of the time it will cause blue screen errors.

 

[mskalak]

Thanks for the suggestions

I updated the video card driver, deselected the auto start up and checked the RAM. Each stick worked well individually, but when together seemed to cause errors. Starcraft before just shut down, with no errors, just poof, gone.
EDIT:

Upon trying to run multiple programs, I recieved this error when again starting Starcraft (one of only a few programs I have on this computer so far)

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

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

Run a system diagnostic utility supplied by your hardware manufacturer. In particular, run a memory check, and check for faulty or mismatched memory. Try changing video adapters.

Disable or remove any newly installed hardware and drivers. Disable or remove any newly installed software. 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: 0x0000007F (0x0000000D, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance."

So are there any programs that I can use to test to see if my RAM works, or anything?
What do you make of this?
What can I do?

Thanks

 

[Buz2b]

Sounds more and more like a RAM problem. Are the sticks the same make and model? You said each worked ok by themselves. Does that mean that you installed one stick at a time and rebooted and played the various games and all was well?? If so, there's your answer. You either have the wrong type of memory or you have incompatible memory. I stress that this is true ONLY if you tried each RAM stick by itself in more than one slot and each was fine. I suppose there could be a problem with the RAM slots, but that is a long shot at best. If these were a new purchase, I would return them and consult the MB manufacturers list again for compatible memory sticks.
One last thing you could try is to return your BIOS memory settings to default so that they run only at spec or SPD.

 

[mskalak]

I bought both of these brand new from Crucial. PC2700 DDR. Yes I tried each one seperately in different slots. Maybe I was sent the wrong RAM? My motherboard should be able to handle the RAM. I have the BIOS on default settings already.

Thanks

 

[Buz2b]

Yes I tried each one seperately in different slots.

So, what happened? Did the system work fine with one stick of RAM? Did each RAM stick perform the same? Did you have any shutdowns? Did you try each stick in EACH slot? If so, what were the results? And why change/edit the title of the thread? We aren't "there" yet. There's always a possibility of "Bad RAM" but getting TWO sticks of "Bad RAM" from Crucial doesn't happen very often. The odds are against it frankly. There could be several reasons and causes of your problem. We just need to go a bit further.

 

[Peacekeeper100]

Ok lets start with this, it's from the Abit web site.

[/quote]Supports 4 banks up to 2 GB DRAMs for unbuffered DDR/SDRAM modules. (PC 2700)

Supports 6 banks up to 3 GB DRAMs for registered DDR/SDRAM modules. (PC 2700)

When using DDR SDRAM, please use DIMM1 first ,or follow our recommendation in DDR memory test report which published on web page

AT7 does not support using both unbuffered DDR and registered DDR at the same time[/quote]

I noticed that Nanya PC2700 must be in slots 2 & 3, and the KingMax in 3 & 4. Maybe you should try that too.

They haven't tested Micron memory at 256Mb yet, but the 128Mb seem to work. They seem to have some wierd results with the memory tests though. They seem very picky on what setup, and type of memory.

 

[Peacekeeper100]

Another thing, did you use the crucial memory selector? You should have gotten part No. CT3264Z335.

 

[mskalak]

Ok, I finally got the time to sit down and actually test each RAM stick in each slot, and run every program to see if any errors occured.

Results of tests.

RAM1 slot 1

No error messages, but IE suddenly ended itself twice for no reason.

RAM2 slot 1

IE explorer shuts down twice, and AIM shuts down with no error messages.

RAM1 slot 2

No problems

RAM2 slot 2

error message as seen in previous post (really long error message)

RAM1 slot 3

No problems

RAM2 slot 3

will not start windows on first attempt, ends with a blue screen error

second attempt---- NO PROBLEMS (???)

RAM1 slot 4

No problems

RAM2 slot 4

will not boot into windows, blue screen "Stop C000021a fatal system error"

second and third attempt----same error

fourth attempt---- new system error, says it cannot load a needed file

I checked each RAM stick and both are No. CT3264Z335.16T


Thank you all for your help thus far.

 

[Peacekeeper100]

You can try this. I've never used it so I don't know how good it is, but it's free for now. I would try it just on the second stick first. I don't know if you know anybody, but RST (Ram Stress Test) is a really good program, but you have to buy it.


Memory Test

 

[FluxCapacitor]

Hey guess what? I have an Abit AT7 board, and a stick of Crucial XMS 3000 DDR RAM (512MB) that has similar problems on my system. Interesting huh? And yep, I've never had problems like this either. I wrote it off as the RAM and sent it back to Crucial for testing and replacement. I haven't received it back yet.

When I played Warcraft 3 my system would occasionally crash to desktop with an odd error. Playing Everquest would randomly cause lockups. Never had a problem with IE though. Then, my system stopped detecting the RAM altogether sometimes (the good old endless beeps loop).

Running Memtest86 for 4 hours (before it stopped detecting it) turned up no errors, so I suppose it could be a defective motherboard as well. I guess if my RAM comes back and they couldn't find any problems with it I'll know the answer to that question.

I should be getting the RAM back soon so I'll let you know the result. Could be we both got a stick of bad RAM. Kind of looks that way to me, but then again, I don't have much respect for most motherboard manufacturers' quality control. I've gotten more bad motherboards than any other components combined.

Also, you can check out my system specs below and see it's not a power issue.

 

[Buz2b]

mskalak,
Sounds like RAM 2 is your culprit, if I read your results correctly. I know you had IE shut down twice in slot one with it but that could have been just left over "garbage". I would retest it in all four slots again just to make sure (pain in the butt, I know). If it holds up, then RMA the other stick. And yes, it would be a good idea to run a memory test. I have a feeling that stick #2 will fail though. You could also try this memory test. This one has had some controversy at times about it but just make sure you run it a few times to validate the results.

 

[mskalak]

Thanks Buz2b and Peacekeeper100 for the Memory test software. I will try those out tonight when I get a chance. And I'll post the results or what happens.

Thanks a bunch guys, I hope I can get this all straightened up.

Mike

 

[mskalak]

Ok, I ran the DocMemory test on both stick of RAM in every slot. No errors, and each stick passed the "test" with no failures. Anything else I can try?


Thanks,
Mike

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: mskalak
Ok, I ran the DocMemory test on both stick of RAM in every slot. No errors, and each stick passed the "test" with no failures. Anything else I can try?


Thanks,
Mike

Drop back ten and PUNT! J/K
Did you try both sticks together and run the tests?
It still looks like, from your earlier post, that stick #2 was the culprit in your troubles; despite what the tests show. Can you confirm that stick #1 works in all slots and no abnormalities show? If so, then I would still replace stick #2. It may pass the tests, but if it won't work with the other one it is still a problem.

 

[mskalak]

I haven't run the test with both sticks, but I will do so soon. Right now, I'm running with stick number one with absolutely no problems at all, it's great, I can actually use my computer. I guess my best option is to RMA the second stick back to Crucial and hope I get a stick that works.

Thanks a bunch guys, I owe you.

Mike