Problems after building a PC

[vladiator]

Hi everybody

Sorry for the long first message. However, I wanted to make sure that I provide the full info regarding what has happened.

Last week I decided to majorly upgrade my PC (which I originally built 4-5 years ago). So, now I have:

New components

1. i5-4670k
2. gigabyte H87M-D3H mobo
3. SANDISK SDD 128GB for Windows installation
4. 2 x 4GB ddr3
5. A basic LG DVD-ROM

I reused -

6. a SATA WD HDD (I think it was WD Blue)
7. Cooler Master eXtreme 650w atx
8. GeForce 9800gt GPU

I installed and activated Windows 8 Pro on my Sandisk SSD. Installed all the drivers that came with the mobo.

The problems appeared after a couple of days of the PC working well, in the following order:

1. First, I receive a message that "SATA available disk: Removed" and my second drive - WD HDD - disappeared from My Computer. Once I restarted the PC, it came back.

2. Later that day I was using Photoshop CS6 to edit some of my photos which are on my WD HDD. On first two tries, as I was using one of the plug-ins (Color Efex 4), the PC crashed and restarted. Both times there was a rather long error message - unfortunately the crashes happened too quickly for me to properly read them, but there was something about "memory".

3. On the third try using that PS plug-in, the PC froze. After 5 mins, I forced restarted it. After that, the PC refused to boot at all. It would repeatedly try to boot, make noise for a few mins, and then become silent. Then it would automatically try to start again - and again unsuccessfully. And so forth, until I unplugged PSU. The screen would alternate between being blank on one boot attempt or getting to the motherboard welcoming screen on the next one (i.e. where you choose to enter BIOS, boot, etc).

4. I checked inside the case, and everything was in order and connected.

5. Next day, the PC started normally and worked fine most of the day. However, when I tried to use the Photoshop again, my WD HDD (and possibly DVD-ROM) disconnected and disappeared again . They "reappeared" on restart.

6. I ran SeaTools and WD Diagnose tool for my HDD and both said that the HDD passed the tests (one WD test took 2 hours).

7. Today, I decided to check SATA cables - I changes the cable that connected to HDD and also connected it to other SATA on the motherboard. After that the PC stopped starting and behaved like I described in Point 3 above - i.e. repeatedly trying to boot. I checked all types of SATA connectors/cables combinations without success.

8. I tested individual RAM sticks by alternatively removing one of them and booting the PC. One time, the PC started with one of the sticks. However, it was a one off and then it would not start again.

9. Finally, I gave up, put everything back together (with both RAMs), closed the case, pressed the power button and...PC started.

Irrespective of the PC now working, there is obviously a problem and I do not know when the next crash/disconnect will happen. Do any of you have any ideas regarding what it could be or how to check it?

BTW, the reason I was testing the RAM as per Point 8 was because I remembered how I stupidly tried to force them in when I was putting the PC together (totally forgetting that they can only go one direction). But it appears that they either both work or are both are semi-broken.

Thanks in advance for responses!

 

[denis280]

did you check for update on bios. is the ssd firmware upgraded.

 

[vladiator]

did you check for update on bios. is the ssd firmware upgraded.

Hi Denis

I just checked and it appears that there is one BIOS update for my motherboard, and it "Adjust Windows mode screen" - http://www.gigabyte.co.nz/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4492&dl=1#bios.

I assume it would not make much of a difference then?

I have not updated my SSD firmware yet. Is it something that is geenrally recommended to do?

 

[Matt1970]

I am thinking the Sata Controller drivers may be at fault. They may or may not be seperate from the chipset drivers.

 

[XavierMace]

Have you run an actual memory test?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Have you run an actual memory test?

^ This.

Also power supply requirements of the new Intel chip/motherboard are much more stringent than before with specifications on the ripple and variance from spec. Your power supply might not meet those requirements and the limitation is causing certain components drop off (due to the chipset not having the power it needs to read the SATA controller data, etc.).

 

[Ketchup]

Number 3 got my attention. My (older) Gigabyte does that when I am changing bios settings, or when it encounters settings it doesn't like. I would check the RAM first, mainly due to the randomness of your issues, and the fact that this occurs when running an application like Photoshop, which would use a good bit of system memory.

The power supply is a decent guess too, since it booted fine when the power supply was cooled down (number 5).

I think the memory would be the easiest thing to check though. You could either run Memtest, or run one stick at a time and see how the system behaves. The nice thing about memory also is the lifetime warranty.

Tell the computer not to reboot on blue screens. It would be helpful to know more details about what the error message says.

 

[sdougal]

Agreed it does sound like a possible RAM issue. Especially of you're using older, higher clocked dimms. Memtest man...

 

[sdougal]

But yeah, as always latest BIOS rev (i.e. it is brand new platform/board) plus chipset drivers. Make sure you've got drives set to AHCI mode although this should be the BIOS default...

 

[vladiator]

Thanks for responses everyone.

Today I got back from work and the PC did not start. I tried it multiple times but all it does is that automatic restart thing which I described in point 3.

Since I cannot start the computer I cannot conduct the memtest which was mentioned in some responses. As I mentioned I tried running it on a single stick yesterday and it did not appear to make much difference. My RAM sticks are brand new...

Sorry, what is the BIOS rev? And how do I make sure that drives are set to AHCI mode?

But considering it does not want to start and that I am running out of patience/ideas, I am thinking about taking it to computer repair shop. To let them, hopefully, diagnose the problem and resolve it once and for all.

 

[vladiator]

Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention. When I was building the pc, I realised that my mobo asks for 4x2 12v connector. However, my psu only has one 4 pin connector. I asked a technician in a local pc repair store if I needed an adaptor, but he said that 4 pin 12v connector will be fine. Since my PC worked for a while I forgot about the issue till now.

Could that be a problem?

 

[Ketchup]

Sure, I think you are down to a PSU-related problem. Whether it is the power supply or the 4-pin plug itself would be hard to say for sure.

 

[Steltek]

I agree - that Coolermaster power supply really wasn't that great of a unit when it was new, much less 4-5 years later. Were it my system, I'd definitely try swapping it out for a better quality Seasonic, Corsair, Antec, or XFX unit.

 

[vladiator]

Thanks. I will get a new PSU tonight and will give you an update as to whether it resolved the problems.