System Crashing Randomly!

Seanoog

Seanoog

Seanoog

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Joined
4 Aug 2011
Posts
647
Hi hope I can get some help with my system crashing randomly.

Intel i5 2500K (Stock)
Thermaltake Venomous X (2x14CM Fans)
Cooler Master CM-690II
Asrock Extreme 4 Gen 3 (UEFI 1.0)
Corsair XMS PC1333 (4x4GB)
zalman ZX 850W Gold Modular.
Sapphire 6950 Toxic (Unlocked to 6970).
Samsung SH-B123LBSBP BLU-ray.
Samsung F1 1TB Primary.
Samsung F4 2TB Secondary.
Dell 2407WFP DVI Port.
Windows 7 64Bit Retail.
CAT 11.10 BF3 Preview 2 Drivers.

I had been running the system stable for just over a month.
An last night it starting throwing wobblies.

Initially I was playing Kerbal Space Program, an the screen just froze.
No BSOD, or HDD clicking, No Sound, Mouse/keyboard inputs none responsive.

So had to do a hard reset, to start windows again.
Almost within minutes of windows loading, an at desk top it happened again.

Since then I have had the system lock up in exactly the same way in:
BIOS UEFI interface.
DOS.
An windows.
Also any stress testing (Prime 95 or games) locks the system in the exact same way.

Presently I have reset the CMOS.
Removed the Radeon GPU - Running off CPU-GFX.
Removed the Samsung 2TB HDD.

An yet the system still crash's when ever it likes.
Initially I though a corrupt Hard drive or a virus, but even crashing in the BIOS an DOS splash screens is odd.
Has any one ever encountered this problem?
Would it likely be a Hardware or software fault.

After posting this I am going to take RAM out, an reinstall windows.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
 
Run the latest memtest for a few hrs - from a bootable ISO - link

If it throws up errors test each stick individually.

EDIT: I would do this before you re-install windows as if it gives out errors straight away (within 1 hr) it will save you a lot of time.
 
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Plec said:
Run the latest memtest for a few hrs - from a bootable ISO - link

If it throws up errors test each stick individually.

EDIT: I would do this before you re-install windows as if it gives out errors straight away (within 1 hr) it will save you a lot of time.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
But how? I have formatted the USB pen, an installed the latest version on the Pen using the .exe file.

Set up boot priority in BIOS to use USB ports first, but it still loads windows the is third option.
I have tried F11 an manually choosing the Pen but still doesn't work!

- On a side note. Its very much looking like faulty RAM or a Poor connection between the RAM as, I am now running with one module an the system is stable-ish.
 
It sounded like a memory problem, whether module, MB or CPU related (odds are that it's a module).

Could you make a bootable cd/dvd?
 
Additional: Check the memory modules and the motherboard DIMM slots for post manufacturing residue/debris.
 
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Try installing every possible update in Windows. Keep doing this (ie. install, reboot, install more updates, reboot etc etc). Until you eventually install everything including service pack 1.

Sorted all my problems :)
 
han_solo said:
Try installing every possible update in Windows. Keep doing this (ie. install, reboot, install more updates, reboot etc etc). Until you eventually install everything including service pack 1.

Sorted all my problems :)
Click to expand...

Unfortunatelty, it isn't a Windows issue as the problem is occuring in the BIOS as well - it's definetly hardware related (although if memtest doesn't reveal anything a BIOS flash may be an option).

It's looking very much like a memory related problem (probably the modules themselves) but the OP needs to run memtest and establish if it's the sticks, the mothrboard (DIMM slots) or even the CPU (least likely)
 
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Thanks every one.
Been busy the past few hours.

Windows is updated, to the latest version.
Bios was also updated to version 1.1 latest version.

Been trying different configurations of the Ram sticks in different modules.
Can't get a conclusive stable system, especially not in Prime 95 Blend.

The initial random crashing, was some thing I had never encountered before after years of building systems. But now that I can almost definitely confirm its either ram sticks or Ram modules on the motherboard at fault, this was to be expected.
I bought both from a competitor, an when initially building the system, it also show memory problems.
- It would never POST if all modules where used, I RMA'd the parts but competitor never found a fault. On receiving the parts back the problem had gone?
I'll definitely be contacting them, an continue to fix the problem. Immensely frustrated...

On inspection I could never find any issues or missing parts (resistors or capacitors) off the motherboard. All Ram sticks happily work on there own, in module 1.
As of yet, been unable to get memtest to work, will keep trying.

I appreciate the help, an i'll update once I know more.
 
Seanoog said:
- It would never POST if all modules where used, I RMA'd the parts but competitor never found a fault. On receiving the parts back the problem had gone?

All Ram sticks happily work on there own, in module 1.
As of yet, been unable to get memtest to work, will keep trying.
Click to expand...

It's looking like it may be a DIMM slot, or the controller on the CPU if the sticks have been tested independently.

However, i would still memtest each stick individually in slot 1 (6 hrs each) so that you can rule them out altogether (once you've got a bootable ISO up and running).

But if you can't get either stick to work in an another assigned DIMM slot then the motherboard is looking to be the most likely culprit.

Having said that, i would reseat the CPU as there's a slim chance the heatsink's fittings may be putting undue stress on the DIMM slots and causing the second slot to not function properly (MB warping). Also, if you do do this take the oppunity to have a good look at the underside of the CPU and the MB socket to make sure that it's making complete contact with all the pins. As this too can cause memroy related problems if one of the socket pins isn't making full/constant contact with the CPU.
 
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