Power amounts, random reboots, BSOD's and overheating.

[tms1337]

First, simple question. I have an AMD Athlon Xp 3000+. it runs at about 55-60 C normally. Whats the highest temp a CPU like this should run? I dont want to overheat or anything. I have the heatsink that came with the CPU and thermal paste.

Second, I am having trouble with my RAm and I think it might be my power supply. I just installed another 512mb of ram, totalling 1gb. Should I change the power directed to the RAM? I have been haviong problems. Just a second ago I turned on CS and played for a minute, then the computer randomly rebooted itself. The comp was on for about 2 hrs with no problem after installing the RAM. I have another 512MB stick that apparently doesnt work. When i put it in with the others (dual channel mobo) it gets to windows and either blue screens or reboots as soon as windows starts.

Finally, what amount of power is ideal for my CPU?

whew that was a lot...thanks in advance.

 

[Jubble]

what speed are your rams? are they compatible.

Although it does work (i used it for years), you should generally not mix and match different manufacturers ram (even its the same rating).

I assume you've checked your motherboard manual for compatibility? post your computer spec here:
click on start, accessories, system tools, system information and cut and paste all that 'system summary' stuff into your next post.

Ram doesn't really use alot of power and its doubtful that just adding one stick would cause such extreme instability, i reckon its probably an incompatibility issue somewhere. Hope that helps

 

[fishmahn]

You don't want an Athlon XP to go over 60C under full load. I have a 2600+ that I've OC'd to about the speed of your 3000+ and it runs at 51C full load (Folding@home when I'm not doing something else) on the stock HSF. Idle is around 40 I think (hasn't been idle in over a year...). Your CPU is ok as long as it stays 60 or lower - I'd be worried if it goes over 60, and panic if it hits 65 (though the actual thermal limits may be higher - that's just when I panic...).

What do you mean by changing the power to your ram or CPU?

It sounds like it could be the PSU - Download motherboard monitor 5 (give it a google, you'll find it - and since you have an XP it should support your mobo) and have it log voltages to a file every minute or so (30sec?). Play a game or something that causes a crash and check the logfile - did any of the voltage rails dip just before the crash? If so its definitely the PSU.

To test the RAM download memtest86 (google that) and make a boot disk/cd of it, stick 1 stick in and memtest it for a few passes. Then check the other stick. If there are no errors, its probably not your ram.

Mike.

 

[tms1337]

Windows XP home w/ SP2
(working on amount of ram)
AMD Athlon XP 3000+
160 Gb maxxtor HD
nforce 2 mobo

I know for sure my mobo is compatible with these types of RAM. They are all PC2700 type.

I have 2 PNY sticks of 512, the new ones. And I have another stick thats about 2 years old, not sure which brand, thats 512 mb. I put in all 3 today, and I got a BSOD. I mixed the slots, and still nothing. Then i put 1 of the new RAM and the old one on the same channel. That worked for a few houses. Then , I kept getting random restarts out of nowhere.

Now, i have a 512MB stick of the PNY in and so far so good. Thats on the first channel. slot 2. it rebooted when in slot 1.

So Im not sure what the deal is..but I cant get all of my RAM in.

 

[tms1337]

My processor is around 55-60 C with just regular use. ive had no troubles so far. What else can i do to get it cooler? Can i change the power settings? I just updated the mobo drivers today too to try to fix these...ive never had ANY problems like this since I built it in 04.

 

[tms1337]

CPU is 49C just using internet and stuff, case is 33. lower than i thought.

 

[baracuda73]

Could try a better heat sink and fan to cool the chip. But it is running warm, I had a 3000+ with a volcano heat sink and fan and it idled at 38c and warmed up to 55c under full load. Is your 2600+ a Throughbreed or barton core cause the bartons run cooler for sure by about 10c.

 

[tms1337]

yes, my 3000+ is a barton.

 

[tms1337]

OK, I think i figured something out at least. When starting up, my mobo has the temps at to bottom, along with voltage. My VDIMM voltage is always in red. i think it needs to be bumped up. But I dont know what to put it up to and what it affects,

 

[Jubble]

In your motherboard manual it will tell you how to configure your ram (usually 1 slot is for larger ram), check your motherboard specs as well, make sure it handle 1gig, and that it can handle 1 512 stick. possibly the ram is simply incomptible (especially since your using 2 different sizes. Another thing to check is the bios settings.

What i would do if i was you is send the 512 ram back and exchange it for another 256, its a gut feeling that may make your system alot more stable.

 

[tms1337]

All of the sticks are 512 mb. I changed the VDD voltage to 1.8v and when i booted, it peaked at 1.45 and went back down to about 1.3V. Is this the problem?

Im sure my mobo suppoorts everything. i built the comp myself. It can handle up to 3gb of ram. I looked in the manual and everytrhing is set up correctly...

 

[fishmahn]

What is the vdimm voltage #? (Also vCore since you're looking at it)

Most DDR RAM runs at 2.5-2.8v. There should be a BIOS setting in advanced options or somewhere similar that allows you to change it. (assuming it's not a 'generic' type mobo) If it's below 2.7 you can change it to 2.7 - that *should* be safe for most any DDR RAM.

The stock HSF should be able to cool your system fine. Try cleaning the dust out of the HSF. Open the side of the case and get a house fan to blow into the side - if your temps go down we know you need better airflow in the case. If not then the HSF is bad, improperly seated or the thermal gunk is too old and it needs to be cleaned and reapplied.

The key temp to use for seeing if your system is running cool enough is Full load - running Prime95, your favorite game, Folding@Home, SETI@Home, whatever as long as it sticks to 100% CPU use for a long duration. (some programs generate more heat than others at full load but not that much). When your CPU has been running at full load for at least 15min or so, but give it an hour to be safe, that should be as hot as it will ever get, so that's your peak temp.

 

[tms1337]

I have a DIMM level which s around 2.5 or so and is healthy. My VDD voltage is always in the red, around .3-1.45 v. Dont know whats wrong there. What SHOULD they be at with 3 sticks of 512?

I got the computer started with all of the ram in place, but 2 . Im getting closer at least.

The first on said:

problem was caused my PCI.sys, page fault in non paged area.

stop:0x00000050 (oxe2000000, ox00000000 0xf75541BD, ox00000002)

PCI.SYS - Adress F75541bd base at F7552000


and the second:

Driver_irql not less or equal

18042prt.sys

what do these mean? what do i have to fix to get this going?

 

[tms1337]

well I moved my files, backed up, and began to restore my computer. I put in the ram, thinking it was a WEindows problem and not a hardware. But apparently it has frozen at 11% during the format process (been there for 15 mins). no HD noise, no disk noise. So...its definatly not windows, but I guess not.....


So, if this a hardware problem, what can i do? Ive spent all damn day trying to put in 2 damn sticks of RAM...