suggestions on diagnosing random resets

[davidrees]

My previous setup died to defective caps.

I now have the following setup and it is NOT overclocked - it will randomly reset its self, especially when I am playing a 3D game and especially when I am adjusting video resolution.

Asus A7N8X-X
2x HyperX 512MB PC2700
MSI GF4 Ti4600
Audigy2 6.1
Enermax 365 PC
Quantum 40G 7200
Maxtor 80G 5400

Win2k/SP4

Nothing wacky or unusual in my hardware - anyone got an idea on what to test? I don't have another video card - maybe my GF was damaged by my previous mobo and the failing caps?

 

[thorin]

1) If it seems video related (to you) then it definately can't hurt to try a different card.
2) MemTest86 and test the RAM.
3) Check your temps and let us know what they're like.

Thorin

 

[Jeff7181]

You didn't say what processor you have. Also check your voltages...

Ti4600's are very power hungry and have to draw power through the motherboard since they lack the molex power connector like the GeForce FX's have. My Ti4200 @ 325/650 limited my processor's overclock because it sucked too much current... now with my GFFX and it's extra power connector, it has relieved the stress on the motherboard and I was able to get another 100 Mhz out of my CPU.

 

[davidrees]

I have an XP3000

I am wondering - I was thinking power draw, but then I just palyed some games and it did not reset.

I am goint to get the memory checker and do that and keep an eye on it.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[davidrees]

It looks like the problem may be my primary hard drive.

I have system logs warning of impending failure.

I have got a few memory errors, but I suspect they are due to a failure of the VMM to properly recall certain blocks from the failing drive.

My system runs, but it can crash at any moment - although it has been fine all night - probably because I am only surfing.

Bummer is - I dont have $ for a new drive just yet.

 

[Viper96720]

Try using the mb dividers run the memory slower to see if the crashes stop.

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: davidrees
It looks like the problem may be my primary hard drive.

I have system logs warning of impending failure.

I have got a few memory errors, but I suspect they are due to a failure of the VMM to properly recall certain blocks from the failing drive.

What memory diag did you run?

My system runs, but it can crash at any moment - although it has been fine all night - probably because I am only surfing.

Bummer is - I dont have $ for a new drive just yet.

RMA?

Thorin

 

[davidrees]

I have not run the memory diags yet - I am going to, but I cant really burn a CD reliably or anything.

My drive is about 2 years old - probably not in warranty.

Actually, I think it is a warranty replacement - I sent for the new drive, they chharged my CC and I never sent my old - I am not what you call "detail oriented"

edit: I will try slowing down the RAM - good thinking - I was using it on a 133 system - not a 166 system so that could be why any defect never presented before...

 

[davidrees]

Turns out one of my HyperX Dimms was bad.

I had my Bro-inlaw make me a bootable memtest86 CD when I was in CA for Christmas.

When I got back, I ran it and it worked fine - then I later realized that I had underclocked the system to 100mhz FSB.

When I cranked it back to 166, it cound 11 errors and I tried both dimms individually and the error followed one dimm.

So - doing the cross ship with Kingston.

what a pain - thanks for suggesting this program, it really is a great tool - one I will use a lot going forward.

 

[thorin]

Glad you got things sorted out.

Happy New Year!
Thorin