Software for fault finding on motherboards?

sastusbulbas · 13 Aug 2012 at 23:33

Hi all,

I was wondering if there is any sort of software that can diagnose problems and faults with motherboards?

I have the following system,

Gigabyte EP4-DSP3
Intel Q9550
Corsair PC8500 8gb
Sapphire HD4870 1gb Toxic
Samsung F3 1tb drive
Seasonic X Series 650w psu
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

This PC has not been in use much due to two issues, my usb ports fail to recognize usb drives, external drives etc, stating they need formatted etc. And not long after the above fault started the desktop would freeze now and then, it also shuts down, blue screens and fails to boot sometimes, but does boot and work better in safe mode with networking. It has been running for a an hour or so tonight in standard, I am typing this on it now.

Windows memory diagnostic showed no faults with three different 4gb sets.

The fact that it works now and then, and in safe mode, even with components swapped, makes me think the motherboard has developed a fault? component or bios? I don't know!

I have tried a new CPU, two other sets of memory, a new HDD with a fresh install, and a new graphics card. To the point where only the motherboard and PSU were original, but the problem still persists.

Anyone have any ideas?

tipes · 14 Aug 2012 at 11:29

Hi there,

pm me - i think I can help you.

Mark

MADMAN · 14 Aug 2012 at 12:59

usb ports that are faulty can effect freezine/crashing, sometimes its handy to see if the other ports are seeing the flash/usb devices and are working.

Surges via the ports can cause all sort of issues sadly.

Surveyor · 14 Aug 2012 at 13:03

tipes said:
Hi there,

pm me - i think I can help you.

Mark

If you think you can help then why not post on the forum?

Your answer may be of benefit to others.

MADMAN · 14 Aug 2012 at 13:08

I was wondering samething lol, if there is a name of software that is great but ive only seen hardware devices before that scan the mobo directly, like a volt checker etc.

tipes · 14 Aug 2012 at 20:59

Surveyor said:
If you think you can help then why not post on the forum?

Your answer may be of benefit to others.

Sorry - was going to offer the op a copy of PC Check diagnostic software which can check all sorts of hardware in pure dos mode - including mobo.The only reason I said pm me should be obvious as I would be giving him licensed software.

Mark

pc_monkey · 14 Aug 2012 at 21:11

Hi tipes, can I try that slw too please

tipes · 14 Aug 2012 at 22:08

pc_monkey said:
Hi tipes, can I try that slw too please

This was the very reason why I said pm me - I could now get loads of people asking for a copy. Op & monkey - send me pm and I will send you the software.This is a one off just to help people sort their problem out or get an angle on it.

Mark

sastusbulbas · 15 Aug 2012 at 20:14

Still have this issue, I managed to copy this from the last blue screen.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 50
BCP1: FFFFF1800822EAC0
BCP2: 0000000000000000
BCP3: FFFFF9600018B702
BCP4: 0000000000000007
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 256_1

Tipes I will send you a PM

Edit, I cant send you a PM tipes, I get this message. sastusbulbas, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

tipes · 15 Aug 2012 at 23:02

sastusbulbas said:
Still have this issue, I managed to copy this from the last blue screen.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 50
BCP1: FFFFF1800822EAC0
BCP2: 0000000000000000
BCP3: FFFFF9600018B702
BCP4: 0000000000000007
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 256_1

Tipes I will send you a PM

Edit, I cant send you a PM tipes, I get this message. sastusbulbas, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Have sent you my e mail in trust - have a look and message me.

Mark

tipes · 19 Aug 2012 at 12:19

sastusbulbas said:
Still have this issue, I managed to copy this from the last blue screen.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 50
BCP1: FFFFF1800822EAC0
BCP2: 0000000000000000
BCP3: FFFFF9600018B702
BCP4: 0000000000000007
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 256_1

Tipes I will send you a PM

Edit, I cant send you a PM tipes, I get this message. sastusbulbas, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Hi,
Have not heard from you -so have you solved your problems or not????

Mark

8 Pack · 19 Aug 2012 at 12:34

Code 50 RAM error.

Get that memtest going testing one stick at a time for errors.

tipes · 19 Aug 2012 at 15:02

8 Pack said:
Code 50 RAM error.

Get that memtest going testing one stick at a time for errors.

Well spotted - I missed that from the info above - duh.

Mark

sastusbulbas · 21 Aug 2012 at 18:48

Hi tipes,

My appologies, I did not get the message via trust, as it was an old blueyonder email account link that has since vanished.

But I did add another email.

8 Pack said:
Code 50 RAM error.

Get that memtest going testing one stick at a time for errors.

This computer originally had 8 gb that I removed and tried as two 4gb kits. Same issues. I also installed another 4gb kit. same issues, ran windows memory tool. No issues.

So you think running memtest on an unstable computer that may or may not crash is worthwhile?

Could it be a bios issue? Memory settings are on auto just now.

Edit, running Memtest at this moment.

tipes · 21 Aug 2012 at 22:06

sastusbulbas said:
Hi tipes,

My appologies, I did not get the message via trust, as it was an old blueyonder email account link that has since vanished.

But I did add another email.

This computer originally had 8 gb that I removed and tried as two 4gb kits. Same issues. I also installed another 4gb kit. same issues, ran windows memory tool. No issues.

So you think running memtest on an unstable computer that may or may not crash is worthwhile?

Could it be a bios issue? Memory settings are on auto just now.

Edit, running Memtest at this moment.

Hi,

Although you have a seasonic 650W psu - it may be worth trying another psu - preferably a known good working one, just to eliminate possible power supply issues, as this is one of the only two original items. I would also suggest setting the memory timings manually to what they should be.Have you checked for shorts - I say this because the fact that your usb ports are misbehaving could be indicative of a short - so to eliminate this possibilty, try running a bare minimum setup outside of your case, and then add bits back until you find the culprit. If none of the above proves conclusive - then maybe your board could have developed a fault.

Mark

sastusbulbas · 21 Aug 2012 at 23:19

Thankyou Mark.

I may have to leave the PSU swap till Friday/Sat. Memtest has been running, just going on 5 hours, 4 passes, half way through 5th, with no errors. At 5 passes I will give up for tonight.

I will reset the memory timings manually, just in case.

Just reset memory manually in bios. Noticed that it was running at 5/6/6/16 and 1.80 volts. Memory has settings on it stating 5/6/6/18 and 2.10 volts? Trying out the stated settings on memory. Does not resolve my USB issue and I doubt it will stop any BSOD's or crashes. Probably fine on full auto.

PSU swap next, 450w corsair it will be.

sastusbulbas · 29 Mar 2013 at 12:00

An update on this. A different PSU made no difference.

Previously I had ran memtest on the old 4x 2gb PC-8500 XMS memory overnight and it showed no issues. I had left 4gb in the machine and played with timings with no avail. overall I had tried three separate 4gb sets of XMS, 2x PC-8500 and 1x PC-6400 and still got blue screens.

The above memory had shown no problems? Until I stuck all 4 XMS PC-8500 sticks in my old Asus Maximus II Gene, due to old memory getting in the way of an HDD install in a TJ08B-E case. With 8gb on 4 sticks the Gene would not boot or overclock with the XMS stated timings or voltages, and so far, currently runs stable at PC6400 speeds, even with a 3.5Ghz overclock on its Q9550 that failed due to CPU cooling. I have not played anymore with this, or with just two sticks, and have heard the Gene is fussy with memory timings and OC'ing?
It is not blue screening, but not booting at the memory's stated PC8500 timings? So have no idea if this is a memory issue or fussy motherboard needing tweaks.

I guess I will once again, test the Corsair XMS PC-8500 sticks, more thoroughly. Is there anything other than Windows Diagnostic or Memtest?

The Asus Gene's old memory, Corsair Dominator GT PC8500, 2x2gb, has ran the last two days without issue in the Gigabyte EP45-DS3P?

BUT!! The Gigabyte will still not recognize any usb pen drive, eternal HDD, camera or phone, and states every time one is plugged in, that it needs to be formatted, regardless of usb port?

This is rather frustrating. :confused:

sastusbulbas · 30 Mar 2013 at 10:20

OK,

Just to add.

I tested 2x2gb of the original Corsair XMS2-1066 memory AGAIN with Memtest. Both sticks ran individually for 3 hours 6 passes 0 errors. then I ran both sticks overnight, they are still running currently 8 hours and 9 passes 0 errors.

The other 2x2gb ran Memtest together in this PC overnight, 7.5 hours 8 passes 0 errors.
I will test these sticks individually too.

So it still looks like the memory is not at fault, and as read online, my Maximus II Gene is fussy with memory n overclocking.

So I still have not traced the cause of my Gigabyte EP45-DS3P motherboards blue screening as mentioned above in previous posts.

The USB issue I have traced to a software issue unresolved on the original HDD's installed OS, as a fresh install cured that, both original and new installs are not blue screening with Dominator GT?

Talk about infuriating.

sastusbulbas · 11 May 2013 at 10:06

Hi all, though an old thread, due to work and various other life requirements, this has not been a priority, but been getting a wee bit of time here and there.

So this PC was blue screening.

Memory was suggested, I tried Windows Memory diagnostic, and ran all original memory with Memtest, overnight on every stick, individually, paired, and with all four banks occupied. No errors.

I tried a few sets of memory.
I tried a different GPU.
I tried a different CPU.
I tried a different HDD, with a fresh install.
I tried a different CPU cooler.
I tried a different PSU.

I still got blue screens throughout all this, so thought faulty motherboard and gave up. I put the original Seasonic PSU, Q9550 CPU and 8GB of Ram in another PC. It ran fine apart from the Asus Gene not recognizing Memory as PC-8500.

Now, due to the Asus not recognizing the PC-8500, I thought, it must be the memory. So in both machines I ran Memtest again on the original PC-8500 as two different sets, and as individual sticks.

No errors, Asus would not utilise PC-8500 settings. So I put my E8500 CPU and Dominator GT memory back in the Asus, and rebuilt the old blue screening Gigabyte with it's 8GB of PC-8500.

It has not blue screened since :eek:

So I reinstalled the Q9550, it still has not blue screened :eek:

I ran Prime95 overnight, got up in the morning, it has still not blue screened :eek:

I am completely stumped on this one. This thing was blue screening badly, to the point of being unreliable and not used.

Even when the computer had every component changed it still blue screened.

I was even wondering about the PSU, but it blue screened when it had the BeQuiet fitted, and the Seasonic was fine in another machine.

So I am still guessing the Motherboard was acting up, but what could it have been causing the blue screens? If it is fine now, and a poor connection seems questionable, what should I be looking for to guarantee the motherboards integrity?

Oh, it still has issues with USB drives, it states they need formatted when they do not. I know this is a software issue, as it is not replicated with a new install on another HDD.

So this is the current system. That I would still like to find out why it was blue screening. IF anyone can recommend software for finding faults in motherboards?

Gigabyte GZ-X1 Case.
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P rev1 Motherboard.
Intel Q9550 CPU.
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro rev1.
Corsair XMS2 PC-8500C5 4x2GB.
Samsung F3 Sata II 1TB HDD.
Sapphire HD4870 1GB Toxic GPU.
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.
BeQuiet Pure Power L8 630W PSU.

tipes · 11 May 2013 at 10:40

sastusbulbas said:
Hi all, though an old thread, due to work and various other life requirements, this has not been a priority, but been getting a wee bit of time here and there.

So this PC was blue screening.

Memory was suggested, I tried Windows Memory diagnostic, and ran all original memory with Memtest, overnight on every stick, individually, paired, and with all four banks occupied. No errors.

I tried a few sets of memory.
I tried a different GPU.
I tried a different CPU.
I tried a different HDD, with a fresh install.
I tried a different CPU cooler.
I tried a different PSU.

I still got blue screens throughout all this, so thought faulty motherboard and gave up. I put the original Seasonic PSU, Q9550 CPU and 8GB of Ram in another PC. It ran fine apart from the Asus Gene not recognizing Memory as PC-8500.

Now, due to the Asus not recognizing the PC-8500, I thought, it must be the memory. So in both machines I ran Memtest again on the original PC-8500 as two different sets, and as individual sticks.

No errors, Asus would not utilise PC-8500 settings. So I put my E8500 CPU and Dominator GT memory back in the Asus, and rebuilt the old blue screening Gigabyte with it's 8GB of PC-8500.

It has not blue screened since

So I reinstalled the Q9550, it still has not blue screened

I ran Prime95 overnight, got up in the morning, it has still not blue screened

I am completely stumped on this one. This thing was blue screening badly, to the point of being unreliable and not used.

Even when the computer had every component changed it still blue screened.

I was even wondering about the PSU, but it blue screened when it had the BeQuiet fitted, and the Seasonic was fine in another machine.

So I am still guessing the Motherboard was acting up, but what could it have been causing the blue screens? If it is fine now, and a poor connection seems questionable, what should I be looking for to guarantee the motherboards integrity?

Oh, it still has issues with USB drives, it states they need formatted when they do not. I know this is a software issue, as it is not replicated with a new install on another HDD.

So this is the current system. That I would still like to find out why it was blue screening. IF anyone can recommend software for finding faults in motherboards?

Gigabyte GZ-X1 Case.
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P rev1 Motherboard.
Intel Q9550 CPU.
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro rev1.
Corsair XMS2 PC-8500C5 4x2GB.
Samsung F3 Sata II 1TB HDD.
Sapphire HD4870 1GB Toxic GPU.
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.
BeQuiet Pure Power L8 630W PSU.

Hi,

Do the bluescreens happen straight after boot - or even while trying to boot. If the machine boots into windows ok,do the bluescreens happen straight away in windows or take a time to happen - for example when the machine has warmed up a bit?

Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to take this further towards a possible answer.

Mark