Weird problem turning on PC

TemjinGold

Diamond Member
Dec 16, 2006
3,050
65
91
Hey guys,

First my system:

Intel X3350 OCed to 3.2
Gigabyte P35-DS3L
2X2 Patriot ram running at DDR2-800
Antec P182
Corsair HX520
8800 GTS 512
1 300gb Velociraptor
1 250gb 7200rpm WD hard drive (5-6 years old? can't remember exactly now)

I think that's the relevant hardware...

Now the problem:

I have Vista 64 installed. Each time I power on the PC, it would go part of the way to loading up windows then freeze up. Sometimes it would bluescreen and power off but most of the time it just freezes. Reset button doesn't work and I'd have to hold power switch for 4 secs to power off then try again. The second try usually goes all the way into windows without a hitch. This used to happen once in a while a couple of months ago. Now it's happening EVERY morning when I power up. This morning, it actually did that TWICE in a row before the third time booted fine into windows (though that only happened once.) The only other oddity I've noticed is that whenever I try to access stuff on my 250 gig drive, it freezes for a few seconds as that drive "powers up" or something like that (I hear this whirring noise and it takes a few seconds before my files open.) Is it the drive? I used to have a 74gb raptor as my system drive but the 300 gb velo serves that role now. The 250 gig is simply storage. The 74 raptor was purchased and installed at the same time as the 250. WDC Diag software says both drives are fine.

Once in a while, when playing games, it might freeze up as well. Once again, reset button won't work and I need to power off.

I also noticed that my 2 front panel USB ports seem weak. When I plugged my portable 2.5" HD into them, it had a hard time maintaining the connection. This problem went away when I plugged it into the rear USB ports. Don't know if that helps but hope it might be a clue.

The only thing I know is that it's not the OC. I've tried without and same problem. I also have really good cooling from both the case and the Noctua HSF I installed.

Help!
 

TemjinGold

Diamond Member
Dec 16, 2006
3,050
65
91
Okay, will do and report back!

UPDATE: I started Memtest but I just remembered something: The Patriot ram is 2.1v (according to the package.) I assumed the P35-DS3L would account for that in the bios or it simply wouldn't boot up at all, right? Or am I wrong and I need to go into the bios and specify more volts?
 

TemjinGold

Diamond Member
Dec 16, 2006
3,050
65
91
Well, ran memtest overnight. No errors. Could it be the mobo? If so, how would I figure that out?

UPDATE: I left the memtest running this morning (from last night) as I continued about my business (just surfing the web on IE.) Around 317% tested, 32 errors suddenly popped up one after another. So I guess it's the ram. Do I need to replace both sticks or what should I do? Since it took so long to pop up, would I be able to run with one stick to that point (~317%) or would that not be conclusive?
 

SJP0tato

Senior member
Aug 19, 2004
267
0
76
It's always better to try and isolate problems like this. Since an error came up, I'd recommend installing a single stick of RAM and running the test overnight (12+ hours). Then remove that stick, install just the other and run it overnight (12+ hours) again. If one or the other come up with errors then you'll know which is bad.

I've seen cases where having 2+ sticks installed and running will cause errors to not be discovered, or to take a very long time (like in your case). Hopefully running them singly will cause the error to come up sooner.
 

TemjinGold

Diamond Member
Dec 16, 2006
3,050
65
91
Okay, will do that. Thanks! I'm concerned on whether it's the ram or the dimm slots. Is there any reliable way to tell?
 

SJP0tato

Senior member
Aug 19, 2004
267
0
76
Not with 100% reliability.

You can wait to see which stick tests bad, then try swapping that stick to another slot and test it again. If it tests okay under the same test/duration that the other slot failed, you have an okay chance the previous slot was bad.