BSODs and Random Crashes

[Ysman]

Ok so I was looking at my BIOS settings again and there is a "JumperFree" option menu. Within this menu you can set the voltage management to "Auto", "Standard" or "Manual". I selected "Manual". All this does is 'ungrey' the other options so that you can set them manually. In other words, they remain Auto until you set them otherwise. I went into the Memory menu and it gives you a list of voltages, the first one being 1.92v. Would it be safe to try this setting to see if it prevents the crashes and such? You would think that the auto setting would correctly handle this for me...

Also, lately I've been recieving alot of BSODs but they aren't being reported in my Event Viewer. When I say alot, I mean ALOT. Before I got mostly lock ups, now its mostly BSODs of all kinds. Error code 100000d1, Error code 10000050, Error code 1000007f, Error code 1000008e, Error code 1000000a, you name it. Not only this but I'm getting error reports in Event Viewer from W32Time...which reports as follows...

The time service has detected that the system time needs to be changed by +76565650 seconds. The time service will not change the system time by more than +54000 seconds. Verify that your time and time zone are correct, and that the time source time.windows.com (ntp.m|0x1|192.168.1.101:123->207.46.232.182:123) is working properly.

I also failed to mention that once in a while, maybe once a month, after a BSOD or computer crash, my BIOs settings will reset and it will give me a report saying that something about my CMOS resetting. When I log into Windows, my time will be off and an error will pop up reporting that my System Time is incorrect.

Would this have anything to do with my CMOS battery by any chance?

 

[nickc]

that last part is not unusual, and I am not going to say any thing about the BSOD's as I know nothing there as far as saying what is causing or will fix it.

 

[Ysman]

If I do infact need a new power supply, what wattage would be sufficient?
The random restarts and multiple crashes/lockups/BSODs could very well be because of insufficient power.

I went on Asus' website, and used their Power Supply Wattage Calculator to figure out what I need, and it reports about 700w minimum. Would using a 650w PSU make that big of a difference?

To restate what I am running, I have a Nvidia 8800GTS, 3 internal HDs, 1 DVD-ROM drive, 1 DVD-RW/CD-RW combo drive, 4 USB devices (External HD, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse), 2 PCI devices (Ethernet Card, Soundblaster Card), Floppy Drive and Multi-Card Reader Drive.

I also want to comment that I just recently got a window mounted AC unit put into my computer room (about a week ago). There is also a 30 inch HD TV in that room. Just today I was playing some Mass Effect on my PC, had the TV running plus the AC unit. My circuit breaker was thrown and cut off power to the computer room as well as the bathroom beside it. It did this 3 times, so I decided to try connecting the PC in another room. This solved the problem. The AC unit and TV both were operational with no power outtage. However, my PC still crashed in the other room, albiet noticebly less frequent.

Could it be the electrical in my house? lol. Feels like a shot in the dark here...purhaps I should just take this thing to a tech and shell out the dough to get it looked at?

 

[Ysman]

Here is a link to download all the files in my Minidump folder:

http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/69007/Ysman-Minidump-zip.html

Purhaps there might be some more clues in there as to what is going on with my system...

 

[nickc]

here is a link to a good pofer supply that should be fine

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

 

[Ysman]

Thanks nickc, I'll definately consider that PSU if it comes to me replacing my current one. The problem is, I don't want to run out and get another power supply if mine isn't the culprit. I suppose I could try it and return it if it doesn't stop the crashes.

Is there anyone with experience reading minidumps willing to check out the files I posted in my previous post?

 

[Tucker4321]

If you could either play at another house or get another friend to test it at another house that would be a good test. But to me if its not your house wiring then i would believe those issues revolve around a bad power supply.

 

[Ysman]

Actually come to think of it, I had a friend come over here multiple times with his PC and we hooked it up on a LAN. That was in my computer room and before I got the AC unit. His PC never locked up or crashed while it was over here, so if it were the wiring then I'm sure his would of been affected in some way.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[Ysman]

I picked up a Corsair 750w power supply with a single 60amp +12v rail.
Click here to check it out.

I'll post back with the results within the new few days.

 

[nickc]

That is an excellent PSU if that is not u're problem, u still have something to be proud of.

 

[Ysman]

Nope, didn't fix the problem...

I wanted to push my PC to see if it could stand up to the test. My previous rig could handle WoW plus Winamp playing and web browsing. So I tried it again with this rig and new power supply and it locked up like so many times before.

Purhaps its the Processor? It's only a Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6300 1.8Ghz with 2MB Cache. Maybe it can't handle the workload, but my PC also crashes and locks up while idle.

I'm going to take my PC to get looked at soon. If anyone has anything to add, I'd appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

[Ysman]

Ok so I buckled down and decided on another complete overhaul...

I'm going to post my new hardware and findings so that maybe others with the same issues as me might be able to benefit from the information.

If its not my power supply perhaps its one of these reasons:

1) Overheating. I didn't get any comments on the temperatures I posted. My case is midsize and only has 3 fans...1 in the front sucking in, 1 in the back blowing out and one on the inside of the case sitting loose blowing inward towards my soundcard and vid card. I have tons of cables hanging loose in my case as well, which more than likely restricts airflow. To compound on the previously mentioned fact, my tower sits in a cubby in the bottom of my computer desk which may also restrict airflow.

My current temperatures, with my current setup including my new power supply are (according to PCWizard 2008):

CPU Temp: 45C
Core #1: 54C
Core #2: 36C
GPU Temp: 68C

All my internal hard drives are reported to be about 40C.
BTW I could post my temperatures under system load if anyone is interested...

So I ordered Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan. The full size case might help with all my cables and the multiple fans should improve airflow. The price is about mid range compared to some of the other full size cases found on newegg.com

I'm also picking up ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler. This peice is a bit pricey and there are other heat sinks certainly cheaper, but with a name like Zalman and with all the good things I hear about this heat sink, I had to own one. I also plan on overclocking, since maybe processor power is an issue.

2) BIOS/Mobo. My current mobo was a problem from the start. It has a rather small heat sink and is fanless. It is also pretty cramped, making SLI near impossible. I had problems with updating the BIOs. I decided on ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard. It's far lower priced than the 790i's and 780i's, but it has the right kinda specs that I'm looking for. It's another Asus board, however I hear from numberous friends and forum goers that Asus is high standard. Purhaps also this new mobo will handle my system voltages better as well.

3) Processor Power. I'm sure this probably isn't an issue, but its worth addressing. My current CPU is an Intel Core Duo 1.8Ghz. I do alot of multitasking and when I use multiple programs (as well as PC gaming), my system crashes or suddenly restarts. I'm going with a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600. More Ghz and its Quad. I plan on overclocking if everything runs smoothly and with the heat sink I'm buying, I hear it shouldn't be a problem.

4) Memory (RAM). I'm buying 2 more gigs of the same Corsair RAM I'm using currently. If after all this, it comes down to the RAM as originally mentioned, I'll have some dimms to fall back on or just some extra memory. Either way, it is a lot cheaper than I paid for my first 2gigs.

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On top of all this I'm going to SLI my vid card (another Evga GeForce 8800 GTS 320mb Superclocked). I figure if I find that its my video card causing the crashes, I'll have another one to back me up.

If anyone has any tips or comments...anything they want to add on this issue, the input would be appreciated.

Once I get this hardware put in with a fresh WinXP install, I'll post on my progress.
Thanks again.

 

[Ysman]

Question...

Would the CPU voltages have this kind of random effect on system stability or would the effect be much more consistant?

My current voltages according to PCWizard 2008 are...

Voltage CPU: 1.36V
+3.3V Voltage: 3.36V
+5V Voltage: 5.07V
+12V Voltage: 13.21V
VTT: 3.36V
VBAT: 3.09V

I also hear that static discharges while installing hardware can cause latent stability issues. Are static discharges that common with these sort of troubles?