- Sep 1, 2013
- 6
- 0
- 10,510
I have had an unfixable problem for a very long time with this computer. However I say unfixable, yet every time I do some thing it seems to fix it, but then slowly it comes back.
I will try to keep this short but the amount of stuff I have done and tried and need to explain will no doubt make this quite long. Please skip to Main Symptoms at the end if you just want the main details.
First off I bought this system back in 2009, custom built by Cyberpowersystem.co.uk
Original Specs:
Intel i7 920 OEM
2 x 500gb HDD
MSI X58 Platinum Crossfire LGA1366 motherboard
3 x 2gb DDR3 PC10666 1333mhz hk Gskill Ram
Coolermaster psu silent Prow 700w
Radeon HD4870 1Gb Graphics card
3 x case fans
History
All is well for quite a long time but I begin to get random BSODs. They dont point to anything inparticular at first. I use BlueScreenViewer to view them. Other crashes occur and these form the main symptoms that always return.
The crashes become more frequent from once a month to once a day
Eventually more and more of the BSODs point to the graphic card driver.
I buy a new graphics card a GeForce GTX 660.
Then the problem is gone for about 6-8 weeks!
Again the Main symptoms come back.
The crashes get even worse and happen under load even a long time after a cold boot. Eventually it is every 10 mins when gaming.
I run Memtest from WARM BOOT for 7 hours. NO errors.
I run Memtest from COLD BOOT. Crashed within 15 mins.
I take it to a PC repair shop and it does not crash at all for 2 days!!
They say to try removing the surge protector I have at the plug.
Got back home instant crash.
Removed Surge protector
Then the problem is gone for about 4 weeks!
Then, yet again it comes back, Main symptoms again.
I post on TomsHardware and someone recommends a new PSU, which I had been considering myself too.
I buy a Seasonic G series 650w 80 Plus Gold Modular.
Instantly fixed.
No crashes
Until 6 months later...(almost present day) and BSOD. Failed to write mini dump.
Run Memtest again, all fine. Even from cold boot. 7 hours +
Couple days later, 2 crashes in quick succession when gaming.
Then nothing for a couple of weeks, and now its back to freezing after COLD BOOTS and on to today when it froze after cold boot then continually powering up and down, then displayed the boot message as listed in the Main symptoms
Main symptoms:
The system is always most unstable from a COLD BOOT. Usually crashing within the first hour. System is not under load and can be idle.
A lot of the time the system just freezes. Mouse doesnt move. Keyboard lights dont respond. Have to press reset or power button.
If I do get a BSOD even the BSOD crashes and fails to write the mini dump.
If I do get a Mini dump there is no one direct cause
On the restart sometimes the computer fails to boot and just powers up and powers down until finally booting up with the error message “Warning! Previous Overclocking has failed abd system will restore to its default setting. Press any key to continue.”
Other Notes:
During all of this time regular hard disk scans are being done, with no errors being reported.
Sfc /scannow are being run regularly (problems are found but apparently there is a bug with IE always making a problem)
Sytem temps are fine. Even under load. Fans and heatsinks regularly cleaned.
The system has never been Overclocked! Bios Fail-safe defaults or optimised defaults are used.
Registry is cleaned with Ccleaner
I believe i have checked all mobo connections. All seem fine.
Conclusion
This problem is driving me mad and has plagued my computer for so long I am getting really fed up with it to the extent I just want to throw it out of the window. But I am on a low income and save up to buy a top end system that would last me a few years before I would need to up grade, but it is still costing me money.
I have a long computing background and have had many problems over the years. Altho I am not all that confident with the hardware side of things (like building one from scratch).
I really need to know what is causing this problem and would love for someone to really be able to give a confident answer to what the hell is going on!
How can changing the graphics card, the PSU, and surge protector all seem to fix the problem just for it to come back?!!
Of course I am now beginning to think that it is the mobo, but really dont want to have to change that unless I am absolutely certain (even then I dont want to have to do it as I am not confident in doing it)
Final Notes and questions
Could it be the cpu too?
What else could it be?
Could I need to reseat CPU or RAM?
Does anyone know any known issues with my motherboard?
Could this be a BIOS problem? ( dont want to have to flash unless absolutely necessary)
Can someone please explain why so many different things seem to fix it!!!!!!!!
Dear god someone please help!!
I will try to keep this short but the amount of stuff I have done and tried and need to explain will no doubt make this quite long. Please skip to Main Symptoms at the end if you just want the main details.
First off I bought this system back in 2009, custom built by Cyberpowersystem.co.uk
Original Specs:
Intel i7 920 OEM
2 x 500gb HDD
MSI X58 Platinum Crossfire LGA1366 motherboard
3 x 2gb DDR3 PC10666 1333mhz hk Gskill Ram
Coolermaster psu silent Prow 700w
Radeon HD4870 1Gb Graphics card
3 x case fans
History
All is well for quite a long time but I begin to get random BSODs. They dont point to anything inparticular at first. I use BlueScreenViewer to view them. Other crashes occur and these form the main symptoms that always return.
The crashes become more frequent from once a month to once a day
Eventually more and more of the BSODs point to the graphic card driver.
I buy a new graphics card a GeForce GTX 660.
Then the problem is gone for about 6-8 weeks!
Again the Main symptoms come back.
The crashes get even worse and happen under load even a long time after a cold boot. Eventually it is every 10 mins when gaming.
I run Memtest from WARM BOOT for 7 hours. NO errors.
I run Memtest from COLD BOOT. Crashed within 15 mins.
I take it to a PC repair shop and it does not crash at all for 2 days!!
They say to try removing the surge protector I have at the plug.
Got back home instant crash.
Removed Surge protector
Then the problem is gone for about 4 weeks!
Then, yet again it comes back, Main symptoms again.
I post on TomsHardware and someone recommends a new PSU, which I had been considering myself too.
I buy a Seasonic G series 650w 80 Plus Gold Modular.
Instantly fixed.
No crashes
Until 6 months later...(almost present day) and BSOD. Failed to write mini dump.
Run Memtest again, all fine. Even from cold boot. 7 hours +
Couple days later, 2 crashes in quick succession when gaming.
Then nothing for a couple of weeks, and now its back to freezing after COLD BOOTS and on to today when it froze after cold boot then continually powering up and down, then displayed the boot message as listed in the Main symptoms
Main symptoms:
The system is always most unstable from a COLD BOOT. Usually crashing within the first hour. System is not under load and can be idle.
A lot of the time the system just freezes. Mouse doesnt move. Keyboard lights dont respond. Have to press reset or power button.
If I do get a BSOD even the BSOD crashes and fails to write the mini dump.
If I do get a Mini dump there is no one direct cause
On the restart sometimes the computer fails to boot and just powers up and powers down until finally booting up with the error message “Warning! Previous Overclocking has failed abd system will restore to its default setting. Press any key to continue.”
Other Notes:
During all of this time regular hard disk scans are being done, with no errors being reported.
Sfc /scannow are being run regularly (problems are found but apparently there is a bug with IE always making a problem)
Sytem temps are fine. Even under load. Fans and heatsinks regularly cleaned.
The system has never been Overclocked! Bios Fail-safe defaults or optimised defaults are used.
Registry is cleaned with Ccleaner
I believe i have checked all mobo connections. All seem fine.
Conclusion
This problem is driving me mad and has plagued my computer for so long I am getting really fed up with it to the extent I just want to throw it out of the window. But I am on a low income and save up to buy a top end system that would last me a few years before I would need to up grade, but it is still costing me money.
I have a long computing background and have had many problems over the years. Altho I am not all that confident with the hardware side of things (like building one from scratch).
I really need to know what is causing this problem and would love for someone to really be able to give a confident answer to what the hell is going on!
How can changing the graphics card, the PSU, and surge protector all seem to fix the problem just for it to come back?!!
Of course I am now beginning to think that it is the mobo, but really dont want to have to change that unless I am absolutely certain (even then I dont want to have to do it as I am not confident in doing it)
Final Notes and questions
Could it be the cpu too?
What else could it be?
Could I need to reseat CPU or RAM?
Does anyone know any known issues with my motherboard?
Could this be a BIOS problem? ( dont want to have to flash unless absolutely necessary)
Can someone please explain why so many different things seem to fix it!!!!!!!!
Dear god someone please help!!
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