Random Powering off - Need help

[mubber]

Issue - 1

Subject: Processor (AMD Athlon X2 3600+ AM2 socket) temperature crosses ~70 degree Celsius forcing power-off.

Exact Steps / Reproduction scenario:
The computer with the above mentioned configuration (hardware installation done at MSI) was turned-ON. Started watching a video (extremely-low processor intensive application). Application running smoothly for approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Stopped the video and started installing (extremely-low processor intensive application) various utilities like Microsoft Office Tools, Winamp, etc. Computer suddenly powers-off. Hence, the total time of operation after power-ON was an approximate 2 hours. Honestly, I thought the power in my home was gone. Left it there and got back to it after ~20 minutes. Computer turned ON again. Computer powers-off in ~10 minutes. This time I specifically waited (to let the CPU cool down completely) for 20 minutes. Powered-ON the computer and went straight to BIOS Main Menu and navigated to H/W Monitor. I found that the CPU Temperature reading under "PC Health Status" was crossing 70 - 72 degree Celsius (takes approximately 10 minutes) and the computer powers-off.

Inference:
If the problem was with any particular component (first suspicion would be Processor / CPU Fan) on the motherboard then it would not have worked for the first 2 hours. Additionally, software problems cannot induce this (definitely). Therefore, I reckon the problem lies in the motherboard.

Issue - 2

Subject: DDR2 SDRAM on dual-channel mode gives BIOS warning.

Details: The DDR2 RAM Kits, when received from MSI after the hardware installation, were "banked" on D1MM-1 and DIMM-3. This would operate the RAM kits on single-channel mode. When the RAM kits (quantity 2 of Transcend RAM Kits each 512MB at 800MHz) were placed on DIMM-1 and DIMM-2 the BIOS warns (with a single-beep) me informing (not exact words):
"............... bank interleave feature requested but not enabled ...................... "
Please note in the MSI K9NGM2-FID manual, chapter-2 under Memory section, it is clearly mentioned that the "Dual-Channel Memory Population Rules" has 3 possible RAM placement:
RAM Kits 1 and 2 in DIMM 1 and DIMM 2 (currently I have quantity 2 RAM Kits).
RAM Kits 1 and 2 in DIMM 3 and DIMM 4 (currently I have quantity 2 RAM Kits).
RAM Kits 1, 2, 3 and 4 in DIMM 1, DIMM 2, DIMM 3 and DIMM4.

 

[olmer]

Hmm, alarmingly interesting style of posting you?ve got there.

Issue 1 ? CPU overheating (run with open case to be sure) ? check fan, dust, reapply thermal paste.

Issue 2 ? you may be mistaken as to which socket is which ? normally there are two different colour sockets ? make sure you put your sticks in the same coloured ones. (I?d trust MSI on this)

 

[Alopez777]

mubber,

U don't give details on PSU and Video. Please enlighten us.

U may have an issue with PSU not having enough amps on 12V rail to sufficiently power your video card. (if its a newer video card which requires power).

good luck

al

 

[mubber]

Thanks for the replies.

olmer,

I have tried both the DIMM1 + DIMM2 (different coloured ones) - BIOS detects it as Dual Channel
and DIMM1 + DIMM3 - BIOS detects it as Single Channel. Hence ...

Alopez777,

this is a brand new system and I am using "on-board" nVIDIA 6150 gfx card. I am using a navtech 450Watts PSU. I doubt the voltage deficiency. I presume I cannot run high-demanding (like Q3 for e.g) video applications if the voltage is insufficient.

Guys,

However, I discovered something new today. I operated the computer for an approximate 30 minutes. After 5 minutes of playing Q3 it crashed. Then restarted opened up Q3 again. I crashed in a minute (CPU is burning man!). Restarted this time again and went to BIOS utility. When the temperature automatically reached 70degrees Celsius it stopped (approximately 2 minutes).
Looking into this new information, there is a possibility that the CPU has a problem of getting over-heated when some processor intensive application (Q3 is used even now for bench marking processors) is used. But again when idle why should it reach the upper threshold? Guess it could be a faulty CPU.

Comment please ..

 

[Alopez777]

mubber,

CPU might be fine, Have u removed the Heatsink to verify if there is a thermal pad or grease?

If u do find a therm pad check if you see any hard particals that may have gotten stuck to the pad prior to installation, this would cause a heat transfer problem.

If u find grease, check for same thing and u should have a THIN layer of thermal grease.

If u don't find anything wrong with thermal pad/grease then u may have a bad CPU, however, I suspect thermal pad/grease.

good luck

al.

P.S. please update your thread with resolution. thanks,