What the hell is wrong with my computer?

[b182tm]

Hey guys. I just got a new mobo and CPU a few weeks ago, after I fried my old CPU, and have had some problems. Every once in a while, when I turn my computer on, everything turns on, except the monitor. The screen is blank. I turn it off, and back on, and my comp. works fine, stays on forever. So today I downloaded this program to see what might be the matter, it is called FreshDiagnose, and after a few minutes my screen went blank, but the comp. stayed on. I unplugged the monitor from the back, it said no signal, plugged it back in, still didnt work. So I had to shut down my computer with the front power button. Turned it back on, worked fine. Opened the same program, after a few minutes, same thing happened. Shut down computer, turned it back on, worked fine. Did it one more time, this time with music running to see if everything shut down, and the screen went blank, but the music kept playing fine. So now I have been running the computer for hours straight, and it hasnt shut down, it only happens in that program, and occasionally when I turn on the computer. I have run 3DMark05, ran it fine, no problems. Another thing to think about: Brand new mobo and CPU, tested RAM with MemTest86, 0 errors. PSU is just a few months old. And Hard drive works fine. So I guess its down to my Video card? I'm thinking that or PSU, or possibly a faulty mobo (doubtful though). So any help would be great as to what the problem is. Sorry for such a long post, hopefully someone reads all this. THANK YOU!!!

Derek

[Coroner Kyle]

I would try a different PSU and Video Card. One at a time of course to determine which. Also do you have the newest video drivers, windows updates, etc?

[b182tm]

Yeah, drivers are up to date. I have heard from several people it is the PSU, it just seems weird it would go out after 6 months, for no reason. And would my computer still work fine even if the PSU was bad (except for the problems above of course)?

Thanks,
Derek

[nn_step]

well if you are going from a dual core to a single core.. it could just be the CPU lagging because you are commanding too many tasks at once..

[b182tm]

Well, before I had Intel P4 3.0GHz, now I have Athlon64 3500+. Just wondering, will it damage my computer to leave it on overnight, and during the day, with this problem unresolved? Thanks.

Derek

[nn_step]

Let me guess your P4 had HyperThreading..
explains everything...
there is nothing wrong with your proc.. your just not used to the delay for AMD multitasking for a single core

[b182tm]

So your saying my monitor going black and me having to shut it down and restart it is because of a non-htt CPU? And when turning it on having it sometimes have nothing on the monitor? Doesnt sound normal to me with a new CPU...If I understood your above post correctly. Thanks.
Derek

[nn_step]

So your saying my monitor going black and me having to shut it down and restart it is because of a non-htt CPU? And when turning it on having it sometimes have nothing on the monitor? Doesnt sound normal to me with a new CPU...If I understood your above post correctly. Thanks.
Derek
Actually I was assuming it was like a second or two of darkness.. but after reading your post again.. my thoughts are Just don't use that program..

[b182tm]

Ok...what about when it doesnt work when I turn on the computer? And I figured maybe you just read my first post wrong, or I made it unclear...Sorry.

Thanks.

Derek

[nn_step]

well after rereading it two more times.. I think it is just Windows being :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:y.. but the only way to test this is if you use a knoppix disc http://www.knoppix.org/
and see if the same problem shows up.. because is just doesn't seem likely that new hardware would have problems from staying on..

[Major_A]

Are you overclocking? If so try lowering your HTT to either 4X or 3X. In all reality I've seen zero real world performance hits with your HTT at 5X or 1X.

[b182tm]

Hey. I am not overclocking. BTW, I have AMD, so it isnt HTT. So it is sounding like a sotware issue? What does that link test nn_step? Just put it on a CD and boot from the CD? Well, thanks for the help.

Derek

[[XC] leviathan18]

my guess the psu....

[nn_step]

Hey. I am not overclocking. BTW, I have AMD, so it isnt HTT. So it is sounding like a sotware issue? What does that link test nn_step? Just put it on a CD and boot from the CD? Well, thanks for the help.

Derek
it allows you to boot into linux without installing anything.. if in linux the problem doesn't exist with the same hardware we can with good reason assume it is a software flaw...

[b182tm]

Hmmmm....Well, I think is either my PSU, Video card, or drivers. Could it be anything else? how can I fix it?

[Major_A]

BTW, I have AMD, so it isnt HTT.
Yes it is, I've been on AMD for a while now, you are thinking of HT for Intel, two different things.

[b182tm]

What is HTT? I thought it was the abbreviation for Hyper Threading. HT I thought was for Hyper Transport (AMD). Maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks,
Derek

[Makubex_GB]

When I started reading your 1st post the first thing I thought about was "PSU"! But then after reading the whole paragraph it seems a bit unlikely that your PC would shut down when running a certain program because of the PSU. Maybe that piece of software is having a conflict with something else.

You said that you got a new mobo and CPU a few weeks ago, did you format your HDDs before installing them on the new mobo?

PS. Just because your PSU is relatively new it doesn't mean it should run everything perfectly. It may had came defective or it may just not be efficient enough. Other factors like heat can significantly reduce the PSU's efficiency. Like I said before, seeing that you're problems arises when you run specific software I doubt the problem is the PSU, but the PC booting and the monitor not displaying anything is a typical sign of "not good enough PSU". And seeing that you have an Ultra X-Connect I wouldn't be surprised if it was the problem.

By the way...

HT = Hyper Threading (Intel).

HTT = Hyper Transport Technology (AMD).

[b182tm]

Hey. Thanks for the reply. So are you saying you think its PSU or vid. card? When I ran that program without any video drivers installed, it came up blue screen STOP:0x0000007F. That is almost always memory, but I ran MemTest 86 for 2 tests, no problems. In the blue screen it said "In particular, run a memory check, check for faulty or mismatched memory. Try changing video adapters." So it kind of points to video card, since my memory is definitely fine. Also, do you guys think its fine to leave my computer on with this problem, like if its PSU or video card? Will it damage anything, or make the problem worse? Cuz it only happens on boot up and in that program...

THanks,
Derek

[Makubex_GB]

Well I don't think the video card itself is the problem. Getting an error while running the program with a driver-less video card is pretty normal. Since you get an error while running that specific program (and non other as far as I know) it's most likely a software problem rather than a hardware problem. Try maybe changing the vid card drivers (for 3rd party drivers or old Catalyst Drivers). Also, just to be on the safe side, post the temps of your CPU, GPU and mobo while under load and in idle.

[Serra]

I say it's a motherboard issue. To look at it logically:

1. I feel it's unlikely to be the RAM, because you've run memtest successfully.
2. I don't believe it's likely to be heat related because it also happens when you just start up your computer.
3. Based on the fact that it happens when you *just* start up your computer, it's clearly not driver-related (though I can't rule out the fact that your video card could have a BIOS issue of some crazy desc... try flashing that just to make sure). Either way, this kind of points to Knoppix not helping, so save yourself a CD... unless you want to rule out for sure not having *two* problems, one of which could very well be software related.
4. PSU? I really doubt it. If it worked just fine for 6 months (maybe not something a dead CPU supports), it's relatively unlikely it would go bad without a reason to.
5. Video cards rarely just go bad. If this was a video card that worked fine in your old system, it's *EXTREMELY* unlikely it would just die for no apparent reason.
6. Your only new parts were the CPU and motherboard. Usually, it's the new part that's to blame.
7. CPU's fail a lot less of the time than motherboards. Still, you can run Prime95 just to make sure. [I suggest this because I don't think the motherboard issue arises except during video-related tasks, something you really don't have to worry about too much with Prime95].


So that's my verdict: bad motherboard.

Serra

[b182tm]

Ok, so CPU: Idle: 32 C, Load: 44 C. GPU: Idle: 40 C, Load: 47 C. Motherboard: Idle: 34 C, Load: 36 C. And for video card drivers, should I roll-back? Cuz the most recent ones arent working obviously. And Serra, I see where your coming from, but with DOA mobo, wouldnt it be a little more obvious that the mobo was dead? And it seems to only be a video issue, could the mobo cause that? Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Derek

PS, I feel that when my CPU fried, it could have possibly taken the video card with it? Does that seem plausible?

[Serra]

Yeah, roll back video drivers. I seem to recall hearing that some of the 8 series drivers from Nvidia were pretty bad (mine work fine tho..). If that doesn't solve it, then yes it could be your motherboard. Specifically, you could have an issue with the video bus/paths or - more likely - you could also have some sort of issue in your north bridge.

Serra

[b182tm]

Ok. Well, luckily, I can get all my parts replaced free (RMA). So my only problem is trying to find out what the real problem is. Rolled back drivers, still the problem. It is just a pain in the ass if it is the mobo...Thanks.

Derek

[JeffTracy]

Most definitely the PSU is at fault here. It's not providing enough load to all devices, and your video card (which requires its own power flylead) is low man on the totem pole, so to speak.

Stop fscking around and go buy a decent, name-brand high-load PSU, NOT another nonamecheapo. Your PC will love you, I promise :D


FAB

[b182tm]

Well, I dont have a no name cheapo. It is an Ultra X-Connect, 500 W, 34 A on the 12V. Those specs dont point to cheapo. But I guess I'll try a different PSU, cuz I tried a new video card and it still didnt work.

[JeffTracy]

Specs schmecs. I, for one, haven't heard of that brand before ... but considering the dozens of brands on the market, that doesn't suprise me. Was it purchased on-spec (ie, from just you reading the specs)? Did it come recommended by other users, or just something the salesdroid in the PC shop said was good?

Also, how crowded is the insides of your case? Cables all higgle-ti-pigglety, or nicely arranged for maximum airflow? Any other fans moving air in & out of the box? Is your CPU tucked under a desk or in a nook?

It only takes one component in a PSU to start acting up, and it could be just unlucky that that the months of high heat for this one component that was not actually quite up to manufacturer's tolerances was more than a match for it.

If a replacement PSU doesn't cure your ills, I'll eat my hat :)


FAB