133 replies to this topic

[ElAwesome]

I recently was using an Intel 80486dx2 rig, and had a look inside. It's from about that era (1999), and I must say I'm surprised that such a PSU is even going to power modern hardware
The CPU was passively cooled, and I somehow felt a little stupid with my custom watercooling loop on my rig that had cost me half a fortune.

Your PSU isn't really high quality - it's moe from Corsair's lower range. Your temps are very good by the way, with the stock cooler on my GTX680 I hit about 90 degrees while running BF3 for some hours on Ultra in 1440p resolution. I don't know if there is any way to test a powersupply in software - but I found this quote that might get your attention:

"However, a failing power supply can often be the cause of problems you might not expect like random lockups, spontaneous reboots, and even some serious error messages." - some random internet page

[Mr.D.]

shiftysamurai, on 01 April 2013 - 03:42 PM, said:

I just get the random (and vague):

Windows Kernel event ID 41 error "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first"

With no more information in the log (that I can see).

ElAwesome, on 01 April 2013 - 03:12 PM, said:

If memtest tells you after 14h that everything is fine, memory is probably fine.

This is some really strange stuff. I'd somehow suspect the CPU... this is the only thing that you didn't test so far. Maybe you can ask for a replacement CPU?

Mr.D., on 30 March 2013 - 03:34 AM, said:

when you say you ran all of this on your old PC, you mean the software? have you tried using some of the new components in your old rig? like new ram and gpu in the old rig or new hdd/ssd ram in the old rig? something like that? And I know PSUs don't seem to be the issue, but just remember that if something is out of tolerance by just enough, it can cause wonky behavior on your machine. try the PSU from the old rig and see what you get.

looks like you might could try a different PSU... I hope it works so then I can say "I told ya so!"

In all seriousness, troubleshooting a finicky problem like this is the worst.. I agree that it would be better if something was obviously smoking or what not. Hell - sometimes its a combination of things... the perfect storm of random errors. You are on the right track... its seems as though the CPU and PSU are your last two items that you haven't swapped out. You picked up an el-cheapo MB for testing... try an el-cheapo PSU - at least try it before you try to RMA the CPU.

[shiftysamurai]

The El Cheapo mobo is going to be returned for an El Cheapo PSU.

I will gladly listen to some "I told you so"s if that means this PC is working right. I mean, come on, I still have a lot of finishing to do with the bak panel, but I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on that until it's actually running stable.

Note to self: One more thing to consider. Grounding. Make sure to check it.

[Mr.D.]

yup - good call on the grounding as well... although that might be an indication of a flaky PSU as well...

... oh, and I think I'm gonna make a brand called El-Cheapo© so I can start making some money!!

[shiftysamurai]

Mr.D., on 02 April 2013 - 12:00 AM, said:

... oh, and I think I'm gonna make a brand called El-Cheapo© so I can start making some money!!

We'll be partners. Everything made in Brazil. Don't know if that will save us money.

I HAVE been shocked by my case a few times, but it's metal and the floor is carpet. :/

[shiftysamurai]

Update #38 -

Bad News: Bought a TX750 that I couldn't really afford.

Bad News 2: Still get the crashes.

Good News: I can take the TX750 back?

Good News 2: I like the look of the modular better?


Today's Lesson: My computer is the devil and I can't figure this out.

[ElAwesome]

If you say that sometimes you got shocked by your case (which you shouldn't because that means that the stuff inside is also exposed to this static electricity), I would think about removing everything from the case and set it up on your desk, on a non-conductive surface (for example the package of your motherboard.) That way ground is fine. This might be a bit of a hassle, but at some stage it's worth a try.

[nickjf20]

I had a TX750M, it was hardly modular and had awful grinding noises whenever the load was such that the fan couldn't decide whether to spin or not (which was the majority of the time)

After 2 replacements, they sent me out an AX760 and all has been well since!

TL;DR - Don't get a TX Corsair PSU

[shiftysamurai]

Brought my PC to work. After 4 days of looking into the problem the IT department has decided that it "must be software based" even though it occasionally crashes on the BIOS screen.

[Mr.D.]

shiftysamurai, on 08 April 2013 - 03:27 PM, said:

Brought my PC to work. After 4 days of looking into the problem the IT department has decided that it "must be software based" even though it occasionally crashes on the BIOS screen.

your IT department needs to be fired. How can it be software when the same software works on other hardware, and you have done several clean installs?

so if a different PSU didn't fix it, I guess the CPU is the last part left un-swapped correct? very funky but a CPU is a very complicated piece and just one micron off in the die and you can get unexpected consequences. The price we pay for 'semi-conductors'.

also, the idea of a proper bench test that was put forth earlier is also a good one...

[bonestonne]

When you say "crashes at the BIOS screen," what do you mean by crash? Is the machine resetting, turning off, something else?

I would agree with Mr. D., you're issue could very well be the CPU.

As far as the static discharge from the case, it likely means your front panel (power button, USB/Firewire) is not properly grounded. This is well documented with Antec cases, and the design and front panel wiring was updated in production so the issue doesn't happen anymore.

[shiftysamurai]

Well, I have what MIGHT be good news.

One of my coworkers, upon hearing my problem, says: "Man, I hate G.Skill. I'm not surprised you're having problems. The last set I had was full of s#%t about the voltage".

After that I bumped MY G.Skill RAM from 1.25v to 1.50v. Not yet had any more problems after hours of testing. I guess my 20+/hr Memtest wasn't stressing it enough?

Most likely picking up some low-profile Corsair RAM next week, and will probably not go with G.Skill again.

Anyhow, random comment made in passing seems to have save the day.

[bonestonne]

I find that funny because my previous desktop only has GSkill RAM in it, and it never had a single issue. I'd be more inclined to recognize an issue if the motherboard has a different voltage listed on the RAM slots than what the RAM is spec'd for.

Even if you get new RAM, check the voltages, it may be all voltage and your current RAM could be fine.

[shiftysamurai]

It's weird, because the packaging, and even the listing on NewEgg says "this memory must use 1.25" and that voltage didn't work for me during certain situations.

I've not yet (knock on wood) had another freeze or lockup by using 20% more power than spec'd.

Now I can continue with the finishing of this mod!

Super special thanks to Mr. D, he did what he could to save my bacon, helluva guy.