Broken PC question

Mal Cullen

Mal Cullen

Mal Cullen

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Joined
7 Feb 2010
Posts
191
Location
Essex
Hi All

Sorry in advance if this post is breaking any rules. I looked but couldn't see it prohibited. If it is please remove.

I have a 2 - 3 year OCUK made PC obviously out of warranty. Great box but... it is starting to give me loads of problems. It was triggering BSoDs fairly regularly then I seemed to get a handle on that and it worked fine unless it was being particularly stressed or playing Steam games where it would BSoD occasionally but in general it was usable and stable. Very recently when i am using it everything will suddenly freeze on the machine and if it was playing a video the sound will switch to a constant noise and everything will lock up and the screen freeze. I am starting to think this is hardware failure related rather than a software issue. I have nothing new installed & no new devices.
I am just wondering does anyone have any recommendations for PC repairs in or around Lakeside in Essex? If you have I would really appreciate a PM. If anyone wants to earn £50 quid I can pick them up or drive to theirs with the machine as long as they aren't too far away. As I said I am in West Thurrock. My machine specs are

"Ultima OC Complete 9800GT" Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz @ QX6950+ 3.00GHz+ Quad Core DDR2 Complete System
Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 6400C4 TwinX Dual Channel (TWIN2X2048-6400C4G)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-Bit Nvidia GeForce 8800GT.

I have a suspicion it is either the memory or GPU. All looks fine on the board except for a rather strange red light but that has I think always been there.

Any takers or any advice? I am happy to pay anyone that can fix it and can cover any new parts required. I am very comfortable around PCs but not around building them and this has me stumped.

Any takers or anyone point me in a good direction I appreciate.

Cheers Mal
 
Confused about your PC spec

"Ultima OC Complete 9800GT" Video card is a 9800GT ??
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz @ QX6950+ 3.00GHz+ Quad Core DDR2 Complete System ??
Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 6400C4 TwinX Dual Channel (TWIN2X2048-6400C4G) - Fine
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - BOO Ditch for Win7 Pro 64bit Vista hates Quads.
Nvidia GeForce 8800GT - So is this another video card??

Try the following if you upto it.

Run Memtest86+ from the DVD
if all ok check you have all the latest drivers chipset video, sound card etc.,

If you still get the BSOD note the error number and post.

The fact that you get this after some use suggests a heat build up some where, GFX card maybe.

When did you last remove dust from inside?

TIP never remove dust with a vacuum cleaner, NEVER. Get some canned compressed air and an Artist paint brush but not nylon bristles. Just be Oh So Careful with the brush.

~That will do for now be brave and open her up.
 
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When was the last time you cleaned it? sounds like it could be overheating, cheapest thing to test first anyway get some new thermal paste and some compressed air and clean it out.

Then either do a fresh install or at least a defrag/virus scan/CCleaner.

IF that doesn't help then its probably hardware, run Memtest and see if you can get a GPU off someone you know to test, or use on-board if you have it, try a new PSU maybe to, if you have one.
 
I think from your specs your CPU is overclocked? If so then a build up of dust could prevent the heatsink from cooling it efficiently and thus causing it to become unstable. As with the others, I recommend a thorough dusting.
 
Thanks all. I gave machine a good (but gentle!) blast with compressed air can but surprisingly wasn't too dusty inside.. (wife is savage with hover at home due to allergies..) so really did nothing spectacular. I ran Windows Memory Diagnostic which I know most people will not rate but for some reason I was having problems burning the Memtest86 iso to a blank CD & booting from it which is very embarrassing (the joys of streaming to xbox360 mean I rarely ever burn anything these days). I'll get on top of that tonight when I have more time & less distractions and let memtest run for a couple of hours on each stick. WMDiag threw up absolutely nothing.. I know however something just isn't right and I have to think it may be either HD going to fail (is all backed up..) or more likely overheat problems with 6600GT .. as could never get Prime95 to run for very long (1-2 minutes). Will also try to get hands on Win 7 as been putting that upgrade off for far too long.

Thanks again for help but expect will be back as just don't think I have nailed this problem down yet and hate having a machine that is jumpy or unstable..
MC
 
Your PC is out of warranty but that doesn't mean they won't support any system failures - always good to call them/send them a web note, see what they can tell you about it.

Go to BIOS and see if the overclocked settings are saved to a profile. If so, load default/optimized settings and boot up - see if it resolves any problems. Post some temperatures read by CoreTemp/RealTemp under load. What brand is the PSU you're using?
 
We can always assist you with your system just not do anything warranty related (take in for reapir etc).

However sounds so me like you just need a good dust out like everyone else is suggesting a fresh Windows install wouldn't do any harm either.
 
Thanks again for replies..

I had CoreTemp running but not under stress.. Prime95 just shuts down after a few secs.. will try a different one soon..
 
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