Impending HW or SW failure? Which one?

DoubleCheese

DoubleCheese

DoubleCheese

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26 Jun 2005
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My main PC is acting weird and I can't figure out if it's Hardware or Software related. Spec is i7 2600K, 16GB RAM, Gigabyte mobo, decent PSU and GTX 960 on Win7. OS and applications are on a 128Gb SSD, Data is on a 4TB internal HDD along with another 4TB backup disc. I also make daily (now hourly!) backups to external discs.

It's worked flawlessly for years (2013 at least) but has last week started to crash (Windows freezes after an hour of use) and the cursor turns to a spinning blue disc. A hard reboot fixes it for another hour's worth of work, but anything unsaved is lost!

So, where to look first for issues? Backup and re-isntall Win7?
 
Not exactly the most probable symptom, but what exactly is PSU's model?

And does Event Viewer show anything related to tiem of crashes?
 
Plec, only slightly via the Gigabyte Advanced BIOS settings. Nothing crazy.
FreeStream, yes! It is an M4 SSD! Will try that.

Luckily I have a space Win10 installation on a Samsung EVO850 that I bought and isntalled when Win10 was available for free. I've booted off it, run all the updates and its been working flawlessly all day today. So I've almost ruled out all the other PC components and think its the M4 SSD as FreeStream suggests. I'll boot off it again later this weekend, install the updated drivers and then take off all the data I need. I'm liking Win10!
 
DoubleCheese said:
So, where to look first for issues?
Click to expand...
DoubleCheese said:
Plec, only slightly via the Gigabyte Advanced BIOS settings. Nothing crazy.
FreeStream, yes! It is an M4 SSD! Will try that.
Click to expand...
You will need to remove the clock, regardless of how small so you can rule it out. Quick and simple test too (But via a CMOS reset).

It's not unusual for stable clocks to destabilise overtime - especially years - and it's probably the simplest test you apply. Even minor/moderate clocks when applied with minimum volts possible...

Reset the CMOS, apply optimised defaults and set the BIOS parameters that your system needs - Boots options, AHCI, etc... Save and Exit.

If you're still getting problems 'leave the clock off' as this would still be a cause for ambiguity while troubleshooting. Best to re-apply once you're sure you've diagnosed the problem.

And, SSD firmware is always worthy test - again better applied at stock and be sure to back up.
 
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