Vista or hardware problem ?

Jaap74

Jaap74

Jaap74

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25 Feb 2006
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Sydney
Specs :

Asus P5W DH Deluxe
Core 2 Duo
Corsair RAM
WD Raptor

(used to have specs in my sig but sig seems to have dissapeared)

Forgive the long post but I've been having problems since installing a new motherboard and installing Vista. My old mobo died so I bought the same as a replacement and at the same time installed Vista Home Premium. Had problems with awaking from Sleep Mode (had to remove RAM or video card) so don't use the sleep function at all now. Problem now when I shut down is restrarting the machine. This morning I had to remove 1 stick of RAM, no post. Disconnect my backup drive and DVD drive and it post's but say's "Overclocking failed". So I reload my overclocking settings in the BIOS and the machine starts. This is the first time that the "overclocking failed" warning came up, usually it just doesn't post and I have to do some combination of hardware removal to get it working again.

I don't think it's an overclocking problem as it's been running stable at 3.4Ghz for months without problems.

Does this sound like some faulty hardware or Vista ? I ran Orthos and Prime95 at the weekend to test the RAM and no errors were returned, at the overclock of 3.4Ghz. I know they aren't the best programs for testing RAM but I'm thinking this problem is something to do with Vista instead.

Anyone got any idea's please ?

Thanks
 
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Try removing the overclock completely and see how it runs for a few days. Also, try using sleep without over and ensure on USB devices or keyboard/mouse wakes the PC. You say you replaced the mobo due to a fault, could the fault have affected another component, such as RAM or CPU? Maybe the new mobo is less happy with the overclock.
 
I'll give that a try but as I said Orthos gave me no errors and of all the times I have had the problems only once has the "overclock failed" warning come up

Cheers
 
Definately hardware related rather than Vista.

As you know when you overclock you stress all of the components. I guess you've had to increase the voltage in the RAM as well?

I'd revert back to a none-overclocked state, get a memory checker and run it. You say it doesn't POST unless you remove a stick of RAM / backup drive that should be a clear indication that somethings wrong.

I'd go by a process of elimination - firstly starting with your RAM then move on to your backup drive, etc. Other things to check is that your PSU is powerful enough.



M.
 
I had something simillar......
Tuned my CPU to the lowest voltage at which it ran stable. Could reboot a hundred times with it set that way. But if I cold booted.......nothing....just a black, unchanging screen.
If I reset CMOS to default, it booted, and I could then load my OC profile and continue as normal.
I upped the CPU voltage 2 nothces (can't remember the absolute value), and the problem vanished.

I was working on the idea (bourne out it seems) that components, like racing cars, are designed to work best in their usual operating temps, and do not like being outside them. Maybe a cold CPU needs just a few dozen millivolts more juice, and or a totally cold PSU isn't quite as spot on with the voltages as it will be after 5seconds of a run-in. By tuning the tolerances out of the CPU voltage, these tiny variations were enough to push the freezing cold system, from booting, to not booting. However, contrary to this theory is the fact that letting it sit black screened (and presumably heating up) for a few secs and htting reset, did not boot the machine....which one would expect it to do at that point, were tight tolerances and a cold system responsible.


Anyway, short version, try giving everything (well, CPU and maybe RAM) the teeny weeniest bit more juice.
 
cheers for the replies guys, will try some of the suggestions when i get some time later in the week !
 
ok have reset to default settings, no overclock..... everything seems to work fine until one of the sticks of RAM in.....I have 2 x Corsair XMS2 DDR2..... just 1 in at present..

when I stick the 2nd one it it won't post..... then I take the dodgy stick out and it still won't post..... I then have to disconnect my backup drive, DVD drive and RAID array and then it boots

so looks like its dodgy RAM but why do I have to disconnect things after the dodgy stick is removed ? does this sound strange ?

cheers
 
FWIW, it's certainly a dodgy stick and not just the board refusing 2xsticks?

Tried the "dodgy" one on it's own.


Yes, the hardware disco routine does seem a little odd. Been hearing stranger and stranger tales of what it really takes to reset a BIOS these days.
 
Yeah I've tried the dodgy stick on its own and no joy.

I have contacted Corsair Australia as I'm now living here. I bought the RAM from OcUK when I was living in the UK, so hopefully it's an international warranty on the RAM and they replace it for me.

Will let you know what happens

Cheers
 
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