New PC - Random App Crashes - HDD and RAM test fine?

[hans030390]

I just put together a new computer for my family, and it's acting up. I've done a fresh install of Windows 7 three times already (twice from different DVDs I burned, once from USB drive).

Basically, the computer appears to be acting completely normal. Then, randomly, the Antimalware service that Microsoft Security Essentials uses will just stop working. So, I get an error saying that MSE isn't turned on. OK, so I turn it back on. Seems fine. Then, it will happen again. This can happen seconds after I turn it back on or 30+ minutes. It does not appear to follow a logical pattern.

I've also had IE crash on me once. Strangely enough, all it did was temporarily freeze, give me the "stopped working" error, and once I clicked through that, it was working as if nothing happened.

I've tested the HDD extensively, and it checks out fine. I even tried a different HDD. Same problem.

I've put the RAM through Memtest for 8+ hours. No errors.

GPU doesn't have any issues when running Furmark.

I tried taking one of the RAM sticks out, and so far I haven't had the same issue. That's not to say it won't come back up, but it APPEARS to be better.

I am still noticing some weird issues, though. Youtube HD videos are very choppy when I turn off hardware acceleration. This is strange, considering my Phenom II X3 CPU on my PC has no issues with those. This PC I just built is running a Phenom II X6. I just went and double checked now, and I can't say for sure if it's actually choppier or not. Might have just been a fluke at the time, because sometimes it will be choppy and sometimes not regardless of if I have acceleration on or not.

Also, I tried running Prime95 on it. I ran it for an hour at most, and I noticed that one core had completed about 5 tests less than the others. There was another core that was maybe 1 or 2 behind. I've heard that a spread like this is common with hours of testing, but such a large spread in under an hour seems weird to me.

I will continue to play around with the RAM and run more CPU tests, but for now, I'm stumped. Any ideas? Hardware is as follows:

Phenom II X6 1055t
Asus M5A97 AM3+ Motherboard
8GB Patriot G2 DDR3 RAM (2 x 4GB) - Says it's designed for Intel CPUs, but I don't think that should matter...?
500GB WD Caviar Blue SATA HDD
PNY GTX 460 OC
Thermaltake TR2 600W PSU

 

[Zaap]

Okay really basic question, but since you didn't provide the info:

You've installed all the needed drivers? Chipset/motherboard/audio/graphics card?

I've never even used Microsoft Security Essentials- maybe that's part of the problem? I find that all of the so-called anti-malware that people feel they need to run often times acts just as bad as whatever actual malware they're trying to ward off. Maybe unless you're doing high-risk downloads just run Avast or AVG.

Personally, I use IE once to download another browser (Firefox or Chrome) and then never again after that. Maybe it's causing issues as well.

 

[hans030390]

Okay really basic question, but since you didn't provide the info:

You've installed all the needed drivers? Chipset/motherboard/audio/graphics card?

I've never even used Microsoft Security Essentials- maybe that's part of the problem? I find that all of the so-called anti-malware that people feel they need to run often times acts just as bad as whatever actual malware they're trying to ward off. Maybe unless you're doing high-risk downloads just run Avast or AVG.

Personally, I use IE once to download another browser (Firefox or Chrome) and then never again after that. Maybe it's causing issues as well.

Yep, all drivers installed. Hell, even tried just running off what would install stock with the fresh Windows 7 install. Same thing.

MSE isn't the problem. It's one of the best AV software you can use. And IE shouldn't be crashing when you try to load up a quick Youtube video. This behavior overall almost always indicates hardware problems.

Things seem to be running better once I took out that stick of RAM. Like I said though, I'll be testing that more later.

 

[discerning]

I think you're right about the memory. I know to take newegg's reviews with a grain of salt, but just a glance at the M5A97 I read 5 reviews related to memory problems. Two guys even had problems with memory on the qualified vendor list (I did not see yours on there). However, those issues were about POSTing and not Windows stability so not sure if it's related.

If testing seems stable with one stick, maybe try testing two sticks with looser timings or running them in single channel mode.

 

[daveybrat]

I've had some AMD system's i've built that refuse to run the ram at their rated speeds reliably. I've had to bump the ram down to the next level to get it to work perfectly.

If you ram is 1600MHz bump it down to 1333MHz, and if 1333MHz, bump it down to 1066MHz.

If these do not fix the issue, my suggestion is to return the ram and get some Gskill Ripjaws or Sniper series ram as i have not had issues at all with their ram.

 

[hans030390]

Yeah, I think I'll just return the RAM. The 1 stick seems to work just fine. Went through and did a fresh install...no issues. Not really worth my time trying to mess with it if I can just get something different.

The RAM is automatically set to 1333Mhz from 1600Mhz on my motherboard, so that shouldn't be an issue.