Is my computer doomed?

MajoritySix

MajoritySix

MajoritySix

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Joined
16 Apr 2016
Posts
13
Hey,

My desktop is driving me crazy and I'm hoping you guys will know what I should do :)

I built it a good few years ago. It's got a Gigabyte Z68X-UD3P-B3 motherboard, an i5 processor, 6GB of RAM and an AMD Radeon HD 6980. It's in a HAF case.

I was using two really old hard-drives, so it did check-disc every time I started up, on both drives. It would always freeze in the same place. I figured they were just too old and bought a Samsung EVO 500GB SSD last week, which I installed, and downloaded Windows 10 64-bit.

It doesn't seem to have fixed the problem...Neither case button works properly to turn off the machine, both the "off" button and the "restart" button just restart the computer. It always fails the first restart tried with those buttons. It gets down to the "Memory Frequency" part of the start-up screen and then restarts. Second time it starts up fine. It always starts up fine if I tell the computer to turn off/restart. It turns on fine using the "on" button, too.

I installed the Gigabyte app centre yesterday and let it update all the drivers it felt it needed. It downloaded a few then started blue-screening on start-up, with the error "System Server Exception." I had to totally format and reinstall Windows.

I've done the Windows memory test, it seems fine. I've tested all the RAM sticks one by one, and the start-up error happens on all of them... I could replace them but I'm worried that won't fix the problem.

It's a lovely machine when it's on and working! I can use it all day and it'll be fine.

Thanks :)
 
Welcome. This is a complex one so I'll try and write out my reasoning.

Doing checkdisk all the time is a very bad sign as it means the OS thinks there are inconsistencies in the filesystem(s). As you thought this could be because the drives are old and developed bad sectors, or it could be a sign of something "upstream" like memory errors, or a result of frequent BSODs/reboots/power cuts etc. Did you clone to the SSD or do a fresh install?

Now, the machine failing at memory test obviously points towards failing memory. But, the "double restart" symptom is usually either a bad overclock, or BIOS problem. Have you got an overclock? Reset to defaults if so.

The power button causing it to restart is a very weird one and unfortunately introduces suspicion about the mobo too!

So it's a very difficult one as it could be any/all of your drives, filesystem, memory, or motherboard. The memory one could be a red herring too as it's possible the CPU (memory controller) is the root cause.

So, I'd go right back to basics. Set BIOS defaults. Download UBCD and stick it on a CD or USB pen drive (preferably using a different, reliable PC) and do a memory test (memtest86) and a CPU test (prime95 say). That will isolate those systems from the HDD side of things.

Or, if you have spare parts around (memory/CPU) you could try those.
 
If it were, I'd reset the BIOS to defaults, re-flash, then finally reset to defaults again. Next check your PSU voltages are within 5% of their specified voltage.

Part of me does wonder if your motherboard is mounted correctly. So I'd also strip the motherboard down, remove it from the case and test it on some cardboard for now. As you say it's old, it would also be worth checking to see if it's flexing or not while it's out the case.
 
Thank you all!

I've reset the BIOS, and checked the header settings. I'll take the motherboard out next and check it's seated correctly.

I don't have the old hard drives connected at the moment and I didn't clone them - it's just a total fresh install.

I don't think it's overclocked at the moment, either. My PSU is a Corsair Gaming System 800W 80 Plus.

I did just notice that my CPU temperatures are pretty high... around 80 usually, spiking to 98 before it shuts down. I tried playing Company of Heroes 2 today and about 45 minutes in, the CPU hit 98 degrees and shut the computer down. On restart I got a BSOD with "IRQL Not Less or Equal" on it...

New CPU? Or new fan and coolant?

I'll admit that my CPU cooler is old and it's probably out of coolant. I also broke it whilst installing it... the frame is sellotaped together.

Thanks again for all the help, appreciated :)
 
either there is no cooling paste or the heatsink is not making full contect ... even with out a fan it should reach those temps .... i would recheck something is fishy.... stop booting up the pc check the temps in the bios ... your gonna kill the cpu after some time... if keeps shuting down due to overheating
 
MajoritySix said:
I did just notice that my CPU temperatures are pretty high... around 80 usually, spiking to 98 before it shuts down. I tried playing Company of Heroes 2 today and about 45 minutes in, the CPU hit 98 degrees and shut the computer down. On restart I got a BSOD with "IRQL Not Less or Equal" on it...

New CPU? Or new fan and coolant?

I'll admit that my CPU cooler is old and it's probably out of coolant. I also broke it whilst installing it... the frame is sellotaped together.
Click to expand...

Now you mention this?! :rolleyes: ;)

This is almost 100% the reason. What cooler is it? Talking about coolant makes me unsure whether you're talking about watercooling or a heatpipe HSF.
 
MajoritySix said:
I did just notice that my CPU temperatures are pretty high... around 80 usually, spiking to 98 before it shuts down.

...

I'll admit that my CPU cooler is old and it's probably out of coolant. I also broke it whilst installing it... the frame is sellotaped together.
Click to expand...
Get yourself a new cooler - this is almost certainly your problem!
 
MajoritySix;29400815 and coolant? [/QUOTE said:
and cooler, coolant is inside water cooling system :)

BTW, check if your motherboard contains latest BIOS revision, it might heal your button issues (assuming you put all cables to corrrect pins @ motherboard).
Click to expand...
 
It hasn't fixed :(

I've fitted a new CPU fan today, which is doing well - current temps 33 degrees.

No restart issues recently, either...

But playing Command of Heroes 2 earlier, it crashed to a bright blue screen and restarted the computer after a while. Tried again, after 15 mins or so, it crashed with a "bugsplat" screen. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but no good. Third time round it did a BSOD with "IRQL Not Less or Equal" again.

Temps seem fine, drivers are all up to date... I'm so frustrated!

Any more thoughts, please? I'm running latency monitor at the moment, which started off saying the system is fine but is now saying underruns might cause issues, but I don't really understand the tool if I'm honest.
 
mickyflinn said:
Download msi afterburner and see what max temps ar under stress/gameplay
Click to expand...

Afterburner shows my CPU1 temperature at 75 degrees even just on the desktop...

Intel has found chipset drivers that it feels I need - USB controllers - but it keeps saying there are files missing and won't install them, so only my USB 3 ports work now, too. I can make the front case USBs work but it crashes my display driver and Windows turns them off again whilst "successfully restoring" the graphics.

I don't understand how a fresh install of Windows can be so broken...
 
MBgnNIe.png


That's what this means, right? I'm doubting myself now :(
 
I fear you may have cooked your CPU or the CPU socket.

Do check the case button wiring at the button ends, just in case you have an intermittent short.
 
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