Shutdown during memtest

[j_rich]

I was having problems getting windows to load, but I was able to boot my old harddrive in safe mode and load the video card drivers. That helped get Windows up and running in normal mode. However, the PC keeps shutting down after about 10 mins in windows. I was trying to run memtest but it shutdown in the middle of that too. Is this a indication of bad ram or could it be something else. Here is what I am working with.

Motherboard: DFI LanParty DKT2R
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
RAM: 2 GB PNY XLR8 DDR2 PC26400
Video Card: BFG GeForce GTX 260 MaxCore


I did my first build a few years ago and this is my first since then so I am a noob. Please help.

 

[GhislainG]

Check your CPU temperature. If you just assembled it, your HSF might not be installed properly or it no longer is making good contact with the CPU.

 

[Proximon]

Are you trying to run a new motherboard from an old installation? You need to reformat the hard drive and install Windows fresh.

 

[j_rich]

It is an old installation of windows. I couldn't get through a new install on a new harddrive. It would freeze when you get to the screen where it asks if you want to do a new install or repair an old one.

 

[aford10]

Is the disc scratched?

 

[j_rich]

No. It was a good disc. So far so good. The fan and heat sink were a little loose. I pushed them down and now it seems to be running pretty well. But I was having problems installing the fan. One of the brackets keeps coming loose. Is there any way to get a new one?

 

[aford10]

Your better off buying an aftermarket cooler w/ a mobo bracket. They install so much nicer than those damn pushpin fans.

 

[j_rich]

Cool thanks. So I got it to run stable with these, but I also have another 2GB stick of RAM, a Harddrive and a wireless lan card. I tried all of them at once and each one individually, but windows freezes on load every time.

 

[aford10]

So now the pc is running fine? You can boot into windows?

 

[GhislainG]

What PSU do you have? The system shouldn't freeze when adding a hard disk.

 

[j_rich]

Corsair 650TX is my power supply.

 

[aford10]

Did you change anything in the bios?

Try installing windows on the other HD, and boot with that one.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Man I feel like a broken record for the number of times I've posted this today, but did you manually set the RAM speed/timings/voltage to the manufacturers specs in the BIOS? It looks like your RAM is rated at 4-4-4-12 timings @ 1.9v if this is your RAM:

PNY XLR8 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178221

 

[j_rich]

Resetting the RAM settings worked, and I set the proper boot order for the HD so now both will work. The wireless internet card I have just won't work, Windows freezes on load whenever I install the card.