Random Computer Crashes (Black screen)

[dylin]

Fairly new computer. Every once in a while (about once or twice per day) my computer just crashes. Black screen, no response, the fan becomes really loud. The reset button won't work either. I have a dual-boot with ubuntu (7.10) and vista ultimate (64 bit) and this problem has occured in both operating systems. It seems to happen quite randomly...any help in diagnosing this would be greatly appreciated.

Processor: Intel Q6600
Motherboard: MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA
Memory: Patriot eXtreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Harddrive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
Optical Drive: Pioneer Black E-IDE/ ATAPI DVD Burner
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2
Video Card: EVGA 256-P2-N765-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3

 

[robisbell]

Bios revision?

 

[dylin]

A7350NMS V1.3

 

[robisbell]

okay, the latest BIOS is 1.5

I'm checking into if that ram meets MSI specs for those boards.

 

[dylin]

The complete first line is:
"A7350NMS V1.3 061807"

so I'm guessing it's 061807?

 

[robisbell]

well, from what I can find out that memory may not be compatible, doing some more research.

per MSI and Patriot, that memory is not compatible with that board.

 

[dylin]

hmmm, I see. are you pretty sure that's the source of the problem then?

 

[robisbell]

http://www.ec.kingston.com/eco...butor=0&submit1=Search

http://www.crucial.com/store/l...icro%20star%29&cat=ram

the two choices. OCZ doesn't touch that board. it's a very finicky beast it seems.

 

[robisbell]

well, I've dealt with MSI for a while now. usually it's memory incompatibility. I'd do the BIOS update 1st, but I have a feeling it'll be the memory being incompatible.

 

[dylin]

okay, thanks so much for the help!
also, perhaps a silly question, what's the easiest way to update the bios? I don't have a floppy drive. I tried using my vista install disk, and then eventually getting to a command prompt, but when I tried to run the bios update program (which I downloaded from msi), it couldn't run (probably because vista is 64-bit?)

 

[robisbell]

burn it to a cd, or onto a usb drive, from what I see, the bios can update from that itself. if not, let me know.

 

[dylin]

got new compatible memory, still have the same problem (ran memtest86 on it and it passed). I'm hesitant to update the BIOS because from the manufacturer's website, the updates since my current version don't apply at all.

I've noticed a possible recurring pattern...it seems my computer will crash about 10-15 minutes after I first turn it on that day. Then after it crashes and I hold the power button to shut it down..when I then turn it on again a minute or so later, it them seems more stable (doesn't crash at all). The latest time my computer crashed I had memtest running from the boot up. If it's not the memory, and almost certainly not software...what could it be?

I chose the power supply I'm using because it seemed very stable and had incredibly good reviews, does it sound like a motherboard problem? maybe the graphics card?

When my computer crashes, everything is unresponsive. Even the light on my keyboard won't change when I hit the numlock key.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[robisbell]

the PSU is 500 or 550 watt?

 

[dylin]

it's 520W

 

[robisbell]

hmm. odd for corsair to put out a odd powered PSU.

I've been doing some digging, can you download Ultimate Boot CD?