My new build PC keeps locking up suddenly

[joe281180]

Hi all,
I wondered if anyone out there could help with a hardware problem I'm having. I passed the A+ a couple of months ago so when I recently replaced my home PC I thought I'd put some of that knowledge to use and build my own machine, so imagine my disappointment when the new machine locked up shortly after installing windows. And it locks up pretty much any time I use it, I usually get a few minutes use out of but when it locks up, its a total sudden freeze - mouse / keyboard do not respond, what ever image is on screen at the moment it crashes just stays frozen on screen and there is no hard disc activity light action at all.

I do not think it is software related as I have set up 3 OSs on here - win XP pro 32bit, win 7 pro 64bit and linux mint 8 64bit and have had this problem in all 3, although windows 7 seems to be the one that is most prone to locking up - linux works ok most of the but has locked up a couple of times, XP I can't actually remember if that has locked up, I haven't really used it much yet.

I'm not entirely sure what the problem could be so I'm going to include a lot of info here but obviously if anyone out there needs more information please ask,

The cpu temperature is reported in CMOS to be fairly steady at around 30 degrees C, so thats ok.

Here is a list of all of the CMOS settings that I don't know what they mean, in case any of these are important:

cool 'n' quiet - enabled
cpu phase control - enabled
PCI IDE busmaster - enabled
PCI latency timer - 64
CVM support - enabled
C1E support - disabled
HPET - disabled
Trusted computing TCG/TPM support - no

Finally here is the full spec of the build:

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 925
RAM: 8GB DDR3
Mobo: MSI 770-C45
VGA: Nvidia gforce EN8400GS 512Mb PCI-E
2x IDE DVD drive
1x 160Gb SATA 2 drive
1x 1TB SATA 2 drive.

My current theory is that the psu is at fault, I'm going to try and get my hands on another one in the next few days but until then I'd love to hear some other theories - does anyone think there could be a fault with my lovely new mobo or cpu? Or are there BIOS settings I need to change to enable 64bit or something like that?

Any help will be most appreciated.

Joe

[BosonMichael]

Lockups are hard to diagnose. Could be PSU, could be drivers, could be a dozen other things. I'd check those drivers first, particularly if it's just happening with one OS. If it's happening with all of them, it's probably a hardware issue.

What model and wattage of PSU?
_________________
BosonMichael
MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
Served proudly, US Army, 98C Intelligence Analyst, '89-'92

[joe281180]

Thanks for your reply.
I'm afraid its not a branded PSU, hence I am suspisious of it.
The lock up has occured in linux as well as windows 7, which is why I suspected hardware failure.

The PSU is marked up as 750W with the following details:
#
Input:

*
AC input Voltage: 95-132VAC or 190-264 VAC switchable
*
AC input Current: 7A res max. for 115VAC 60Hz, 4A res max. for 230VAC 50Hz
*
Overload protection :150%

#
Output:

*
+5V 36A
*
+3.3V 35A
*
+12V1 18A
*
+12V2 21A
*
-12V 0.3A
*
+5V/SB 2.5A

[BosonMichael]

750W should be enough, but I agree that the lack of branding leaves room for doubt. Still, PSUs aren't cheap. If you buy it, and it's not that... well, at least you'll have a spare PSU!
_________________
BosonMichael
MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
Served proudly, US Army, 98C Intelligence Analyst, '89-'92

[joe281180]

Hi all, heres an update,

I think I can rule out the ram as a suspect. I have removed each DIMM and run the machine using just one then swapped it so that I have booted up the machine with each of the four DIMMs individually and I still have the problem each time - so either the ram is good and not the cause of my problem or there is a fault with all 4 dimms. I then found that when windows 7 boots one of the recovery options is to run a memory test. I did this (with all 4 dimms installed) and no problems were found, so I think the evidence points to something other than RAM - do others agree with me?

So then it looks like the main suspect is the psu. I still haven't bought new psu yet but have seen one in maplin that is 570W and has three 12V rails totaling 50 amps (16amp, 18amp, 16amp) - can someone tell me, is this total amperage the only important point or does it matter how many amps are available on the seperate rails?
It may also be relevant to add here that my gfx card does not have a connector on it for a PCI-E 6pin power connector, so the card must be drawing all of its power via the mobo - should I take that into account when selecting a power supply?
One final point, it is definately the case that the lock ups occur more consistantly with win 7 than linux. I would say that pretty much any time I boot win 7 it locks up within a few minutes, whereas linux seems to only lock up maybe every 5th time I boot it up (roughly). So this leads me to ask what seems like a crazy question, does my pc use more power to run windows than linux? I've enabled all the 3D visual elements in linux to try and level the playing field but the lock ups still happen more frequently in windows.


As ever, thanks to anyone who can offer help or advice.

[BosonMichael]

I know the amps on each rail is important, but I couldn't tell you for certain what's good and what's not. I've heard conflicting stories of whether it's good to go with two stronger rails or three weaker rails, and I haven't done enough research to figure out which camp I believe more.

The brand of the PSU is incredibly important. Who is the manufacturer?

You're not overclocking or anything, are you? Have to ask.

I'm running an HD4830 graphics card with a 500W PSU, so you should be fine with a 570W PSU (depending on the brand). Mine's an Enermax Liberty, and I've been quite pleased.
_________________
BosonMichael
MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
Served proudly, US Army, 98C Intelligence Analyst, '89-'92

[joe281180]

No, not overclocking or anything.

Thanks for advice. Stupidly I didn't note the manufacturer of the one I was looking at, so I'll check again tomorrow but from what you've just said and from reading up a little, I guess if its not a major brand I won't buy it.

[BosonMichael]

[Archaeon]

If you're looking for a good PSU, I'd recommend one of Mike's favorite tech sites -- www.hardocp.com. They perform some very in-depth and thorough PSU reviews, with load testing and efficiency rating. They basically test whether the PSU actually holds up to the 80+, 90+ efficiency rating you often see on the box. And they test at much more strenuous conditions than a normal PC operates, so if it holds up for them, it will likely hold up for you.

Personally, I've been using an Antec Truepower Trio TP3-650 since 09/2007 and have never had a single problem with it. However, like Boson said, even some major brands can be bad, and often times a particular model of PSUs within a major brand may be bad, while others from that same manufacturer are great. So I would definitely recommend checking out the reviews on HardOCP. With your build you probably don't need some $400 1.5 kiloWatt behemoth, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do your research to find the best value at the lower end of the power spectrum. Check reviews for PSUs in the 500W to 700W range and find one with high marks, then check Newegg.
_________________
Certified A+ IT Technician (602)

[Glen Murray]

Can you see the CPU temperature??? A bad heatsink installation can cause the CPU to heatup and shutdown. Heatsink grease (silver type) should cover the interface area but not spill out. This can be made worse with AMD's Cool n Quiet. The CPU is not the only hot part in your box. The GPU (video card) and the main chipset components are also ovens.

I have been known to just take a small desktop style fan and blast a hurricane into the inside of the unit to see if the lockup still occurs.

If you suspect a power problem, get a good UPS and plug into it. The term "good" has lots of pitfalls. Try to find one that has a sine wave output, NOT a "modified" sine (in any sense of the word).

[bishop]

Im which order did you install these three operating systems and how did you partition your two hard drives?

[el burro]

This is somewhat of an old post so I don't know if the OP is still having this issue but if he is then I would also seriously look at the PSU. When it comes to PCs the powers supply is one of the most important components and one of the most overlooked. I would definitely go with a brand name. PC power and cooling and Antec are both good brands. Also make sure the are 80+ branded and have active PFC.

[el burro]

Oh yeah I almost forgot to say. There is no problem having multiple rails if you divide up the power usage between the rails. It is more convenient to have one powerful rail because you do not have to think about if the power is evenly distributed.

[joe281180]

Hi,

Sorry haven't posted for a while - I've been away with work.

Anyway this is now solved. The problem got a lot worse to the point that sometimes the machine would POST sometimes it wouldn't. I ran memtest86 again and it found a LOT of errors. - Returned the RAM and got some new modules and system is working fine now.

Thanks a lot to everyone who for the help and advice.

[el burro]

ahhhh good choice. I always run memtest as opposed to the windows memory test. anyways thanks for the info