Help me fix my PC crashing...

R.C.Anderson

R.C.Anderson

R.C.Anderson

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I'm pretty much out of ideas now, so need some additional heads to help...

Starting earlier today, my PC has begun crashing on me (No blue screen, just all screens go blank, but audio continues (for a while) until I restart)

It might have been a coincidence, but it started fairly shortly after I updated my gfx drivers (ATI control centre popped up to say there was an update, so I let it update)

First thing I tried, was a system restore (was to a few days ago, but to when it was definitely working), but I still had the same issue.
I then tried a full manual uninstall of all ATI drivers (deleting all files/folders on my C drive & removing all registry entries related to them), then a restart & an install of the latest drivers (my thinking was it was just a corrupt update), same issue.
I then tried a manual uninstall again, and reinstall of the last drivers I had on (12.6 (I skipped 12.8, as I had similar issues with those too, but rolling back fixed it)) but I’m still getting the same issue.
I have tried with each stick of RAM on it’s own, in both channels, without any difference.

My system specs are:
Intel 2500k
Asus P67 pro
ATI 6950
Corsair XMS3 RAM (2x4GB)
OCZ Vertex 3 SSD
Various other HDDs
X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Corsair HX750

I think that’s everything that I can think of, so, anyone got any ideas what I can try? (Unfortunately I don’t have any other components I can swap out instead to test)
 
What were you doing at the time, gaming, watching vids, for example.
Have you looked in your event logs for any indications as to the problem.
Might also try using the on board graphics and replicate the event, just to make sure it is the Gpu and not something else.
 
Happens pretty much whatever I'm doing. Can be whilst just on the desktop (or even when the PC is locked), or I can be watching a video, doesn't seem to make a difference.

Haven't looked at the event logs, mainly because I've since given up trying to get any useful information from it in the past, as it always seems to be so vague, it's not worth it. I'll check it anyway in the morning when I turn my PC on (I'm typing from my laptop atm)

As for on board gfx, I don't have it, so I can't.
 
Hello R.C.

I had the same issue with my previous ATI and I would 90% guarantee that's the source of your problem. You really have listed my first two ideas, roll back drivers and switching it. I know you've said it's difficult to swap the VGA card but that would be a very clear indicator to the source of your problem.

My card was essentially dying a slow death so I had to submit it for a warranty return (thanfully it had a lifetime return warranty). I even tried re-application of thermal paste to no avail.

I'd highly recommend buying one of those cheapo VGA cards that go on sale for back up so you can troubleshoot in future or still use your system during a warranty return.
 
trentlad said:
Hello R.C.

I had the same issue with my previous ATI and I would 90% guarantee that's the source of your problem. You really have listed my first two ideas, roll back drivers and switching it. I know you've said it's difficult to swap the VGA card but that would be a very clear indicator to the source of your problem.

My card was essentially dying a slow death so I had to submit it for a warranty return (thanfully it had a lifetime return warranty). I even tried re-application of thermal paste to no avail.

I'd highly recommend buying one of those cheapo VGA cards that go on sale for back up so you can troubleshoot in future or still use your system during a warranty return.
Click to expand...

2500k has IGP, it wont handle crysis on ultra but youtube videos will be ok.
 
trentlad said:
Hello R.C.

I had the same issue with my previous ATI and I would 90% guarantee that's the source of your problem. You really have listed my first two ideas, roll back drivers and switching it. I know you've said it's difficult to swap the VGA card but that would be a very clear indicator to the source of your problem.

My card was essentially dying a slow death so I had to submit it for a warranty return (thanfully it had a lifetime return warranty). I even tried re-application of thermal paste to no avail.

I'd highly recommend buying one of those cheapo VGA cards that go on sale for back up so you can troubleshoot in future or still use your system during a warranty return.
Click to expand...

Yea, that's what I've been thinking. I'm asking everyone I know if they've got a spare gfx card I can borrow to test, so hopefully I'll manage to get hold of something, but if not, I'll just have to try buying one cheap, and just keeping a spare.

Anyone else got any other ideas in the mean time?
 
Slight update (but not a very good one)

I tried a new W7 Install on a spare HDD I had in a draw, loaded 12.6 drivers on it (the ones I had working fine on my PC before) and the same issues are occurring (it actually crashed once the first time I tried starting the W7 install wizard)

Makes me even more sure it's not a driver issue, but infact a hardware issue.

I tried a run of Memtest today too, and that all passed, so atleast I can cross of the RAM as being a cause, it's definitely looking like a GPU issue, more than anything else, but I could do with being sure first.
 
A faulty GPU is looking more likely. These days I've not got the patience for troubleshooting, so if it was me I'd buy a replacement, if it sorts the issue the RMA the older one, if it doesn't DSR it back.
 
Speed said:
A faulty GPU is looking more likely. These days I've not got the patience for troubleshooting, so if it was me I'd buy a replacement, if it sorts the issue the RMA the older one, if it doesn't DSR it back.
Click to expand...

Yea, that's what I'm currently thinking of doing, I'm waiting to see if anyone I know has a spare lying around that I can try first though (as that'll save the costs of DSR etc)
 
A slight turn in events... It's partly good new, and partly bad.

The bad news; There's something wrong with my PC (Although I knew that before), the good news; I don't think it's my GPU anymore.

Unfortunately I don't have many spare components to switch out to test, but as I had a spare PSU (Corsair VX450) I thought I may as well try it, just in case. After switching all the power leads to it, I booted, and browsed the web etc fine for about 30-40 mins (it would usually have crashed by now), so I decided to run Furmark for a while, see if that crashed it (it seemed to crash almost instantly when I last tried it) and it ran for about 1 hour, 10 mins (before I stopped it) without crashing.

So, it seems like there's an issue with my PSU instead (And I've always been so confident about Corsair PSUs :()

I'm going to see if my department at uni (Electrical engineering) has some load testing equipment I can borrow for a while, so I can check the outputs on the PSU before I try to RMA it.
 
Cooler Master PSU's are pretty good these days :). I'm using a 600W Silent Pro Gold Modular and it's been perfect for over a year now! I had a 600W Corsair unit before, but had to RMA as it kept buzzing and whining. I also installed a cheaper Cooler Master GX550 into my girlfriends new rig and it's been great so far (they really are quiet and stable!)... Their 5 year warranty is not to be sniffed at either ;).
 
Hopefully I'll not need to buy a new PSU, as my current one is less than 2 years old, and they have a 3 year warranty iirc, so I should just be able to RMA it.
 
Well, the computer god seems to like me (or just enjoys teasing me) As I've just tried putting my normal PSU back into my PC (I now have an oscilloscope to measure the rails) and it seems to be working fine again. I'm not thinking maybe one (or more) of the power connections was a little iffy, which is what caused it. But as it's working, I'm going to leave it as it is :)
 
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