Hi. We need some more information to be able to help you out:
- Does it freeze in the desktop or only when gaming?
- Have you installed the latest mobo, video, NIC and sound drivers?
- When it freezes is this a total lockup? Mouse doesn't move either?
- Any error messages?
- Any errors in the Event log listed at the time of the crash?
- Have you run a thorough Spyware and Virus scan?
- Has this rig always done this or did it just start? If so, can you recall ANYTHING that changed when this started (installed any apps, hardware, drivers, etc)?
Could be a lot of things, and you'll need to do some troubleshooting. Some suggestions:
- If this is something that started happening recently, first thing I'd try is using system restore to roll the computer back to a restore point 2 weeks (or more) prior to when the problem started. If in doubt about the date, go WAY back. Remember this is reversible so you can always put it back the way it is now.
- Do a thorough spyware and virus scan. Run them from SAFE MODE. Please see my detailed spyware removal instructions here:
http://theflyingpenguin.com/spyware-removal.shtml
- Video Card. If this card has a seperate power connector, make sure it's a good solid connection. Try a different power plug. Do you have another card you can try? Also, if you've tweaked your AGP Aperature setting in BIOS, put it back to default (usually 64Mb). Changing this setting can often cause lockups.
- MEMORY. Run MEMTEST86+ all night (running it for one pass doesn't prove anything) to see if your memory is stable with your mobo. If you've tweaked your timing settings on your own, set them back to SPD defaults or safe defaults. Also check the memory manufacturer's web site to see if they list specific timing settings for their memory when used on your mobo. Corsair does this.
- Overheating. Either the CPU or the GPU. What's you CPU temps? Leave the cover off the computer and if possible, setup a desk fan blowing into it. If it stops freezing up you know you have heat issues.
- Power supply. People tend to cut corners on the PSU because they think they're all the same except for the power rating. Not true. Cheap PSU = poor voltage regulation = unexplained lockups and errors. A good PSU costs at least $80. Anything less is likely junk. I don't screw around anymore and I buy nothing but Antec True Power for both my own systems and client replacements.
Your Enermax is a decent unit with good reviews, and although I personally wouldn't put anything smaller than a 430watt unit in my own gaming rig, it SHOULD be adequate. However if you have a spare PSU lying around, it would be worth it to swap it out to eliminate that possibility (you don't need to physically replace it, just wire the reaplacement up temporarily).
- Loose memory or card. Remove and re-seat all your cards and memory. Happens all the time. The contacts on memory sticks easily build up a thin film of corrosion. Re-inserting them cleans it. Do the same for all your ribbon cables.
- Are you overclocking (CPU or GPU)? If so, don't, and see if that helps. Should always be the first thing you do.
- Are you over-voltaging the memory or CPU? If so don't, and see if it's more stable.
- Some cards are known to have issues with PCI IRQ channel sharing (not the same as an IRQ conflict) which can cause lockups. I've seen this happen with sound cards (SBLive in particular), SCSI and RAID controllers, and NICs. Pull all your cards except the video card (make a note of which slot each card was in) and see if the problem persists. If not, then install ONE CARD AT A TIME and see if you can find the culprit. When you do, move the card to a different slot.
- Could be a misbehaved driver or background application. Process of elimination. Disable anything that's not necessary in your startups. I've seen situations where people have forgotten to unintstall the driver and app for an old printer or scanner they no longer have, and that causes problems. Some of the Lexmark and HP printer apps in particular can cause problems if they can't find the printer. They keep polling the port for it tying up more and more CPU time.
Hope this helps...
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