Unsolvable lockup problem

[Nexworks]

Short background: problem didnt exist before, appeared after I replaced my dead P4C800 motherboard with a P4P800.

Problem: If I run any version of 3dmark (01, 03, 05 or 06) or ATITool (latest version or any version), system immediately freezes. Mouse unresponsive, numlock unresponsive, ctrl+alt+del unresponsive etc. All other apps and games work fine.

Hardware:
Pentium 4 3.0Ghz
1GB DDR433
Asus P4P800
Leadtek 6800 GT
Soundblaster Audigy 2

Tried: uninstalling and reinstalling apps, reinstalling directx 9.0c, reinstalling video card drivers etc. Once all has failed, I formatted the drive, reinstalled windows. Installed video card drivers. Installed above mentined applications. Problem STILL persists on new installation. Installed motherboard drivers. Installed latest audigy 2 drivers. Problem still persists.

Any ideas?

 

[Luckyboy1]

Overclocking anything?

What bios version are you using? Is there an update available?

Post your diagnosis please. If you need instructions, see Luckyboy's Guide For Complete Users.

 

[Nexworks]

Nothing overclocked. Though I will tomorrow reset it all back to bios defaults just to make sure. Using 1019 bios which is the last final. Theres a beta bios out I guess I could try as a last resort.

 

[allanon1965]

do you have onboard sound with that board(i am too lazy to google it) if so, may i suggest you remove the audigy and enable the onboard sound and try your tests again...or if you dont have onboard sound, move the audigy to another slot....

 

[Nexworks]

Hrm ok. It does have onboard sound but its disabled in the bios. Neither 3dmark or ATITool use sound though, and everything that does use sound is working fine. Either way in the morning im going to reset the bios to default and flash with the latest beta and see if that helps anything.

 

[Nexworks]

Flashed latest bios, and reset bios defaults. No change, still lock up. Any thoughts?

 

[envy me]

I had similar lockup but it was due to a bad graphics card (which sometimes caused "snowing" in games) it is unlikely but possible that if your gfx card wasnt damaged before, whatever damaged your mobo might have affected your gfx card. I would try running benchmark with another card if possible.

 

[Luckyboy1]

What brand and model power supply is running all this fun?

Big time edit:

Loosen up the RAM timings all the way and set it into like 5:4 or 3:2 mode and try again. If it doesn't freak out, then I'd say the problem is RAM and you'll want to run Memtest or something like that to see if it's spitting errors back in 1:1 mode at stock timings.

 

[Nexworks]

I have a new videocard not 3 days old (old one died).

I changed ram timings from 2-3-3-7 to 3-4-4-8, no change. I changed ram from Corsair to OCZ. No change.

PSU is a Vantec 510W. Also tried an Antec 430W. No change.

Yeah im grasping at straws here, all was fine until the board changed. And besides 3dmark and ATITool, everything else is rock solid. I can play WoW or Oblivion or UT2k4 for 8+ hours straight without a hiccup or glitch. Prime95 for 3 hours etc.

 

[secretanchitman]

i have the same mobo, different cpu...

maybe this is a mobo issue? or windows got installed incorrectly again...?

it aint memory, psu, or anything else. it only crashes on 3dmark and atitool? (i didnt know you could use atitool for nvidia cards)

i think your mobo hates your stuff. try switching mobos if you can.

 

[Nexworks]

it only crashes on 3dmark and atitool? (i didnt know you could use atitool for nvidia cards)

Yes, only all versions of 3dmark and ATITool. And yes ATITool does support nvidia cards now. Unrelated question, do you know any other programs like ATITool that can scan for artifacts?

I dont have a diff mobo I can try

 

[allanon1965]

did you try moving the audigy? or removing it and using the onboard sound? I know the benchies dont use sound but that doesnt always matter, creative and I go a long way back with compatability problems....just try it, wont cost a dime I would first remove it and use the onboard sound....then if it works, try another slot...I used to have similar problems with the Live! cards from creative...

 

[SparkyJJO]

topic title: Unsolvable lockup problem

well if it is unsolvable nothing we can do to help that

 

[envy me]

I've learned a very valuable lesson while building pc's. Don't build one unless you have a second one to use. That way you can swap parts at will and test everything individually. I would bet 90% chance that the issue is caused by either your video card or mobo. Your PSU is fine, you replaced your mobo so there is a chance you got a lemon (not likely), I would lean towards your video card though. RMA's can be common. I've had to RMA 2 video cards, a mobo, and a PSU in the past 6 months, mind you they were all top-of-the-line so RMA's were no issue but you have to realize that stuff like this happens. I would try using a diff. video card first, if that fails, a diff. mobo.

good luck..