Computer is alive again!
So, I built my computer about two years ago after the motherboard on my old one died, and did it on the cheap in the sense that I bought older components, but still high quality. I ended up with as much hardware as I'd needed (even today) for less than $700.
Then this morning when I went to boot up, it managed to load my desktop wallpaper before stalling (as in I could move the mouse but nothing was happening). I waited a few minutes, then turned it off and turned it back on. That time, it stalled as soon as I'd clicked my name to log in.
I'd fixed similar problems with a dirty reinstall of the OS in the past so I threw in the XP disc and started on that. Then when it needed to reboot, the startup routine froze while verifying memory. That's the second thing it displays after identifying the CPU, so way too early for me to even enter BIOS setup, or really do anything software side at all.
I have two 2GB DIMMs across four slots so I tried using just one, then the other, then the slots I hadn't been using just in case the RAM had gone bad. No dice.
So basically, unless anyone can come up with something else to try, my Gigabyte motherboard seems to have crapped out on me after only about two years, which makes me feel pretty bad because I've recommended it to people since this is the first time it's caused me any problems.
Dammit, I really didn't want to have to build another machine so soon. This is such a huge pain in the ass. Anyone have any brilliant ideas?
UPDATE: I finally got a replacement PSU from Corsair. Installed it and everything works just fine now. 
Does it freeze at the memory test every time? How much airflow do you have in the case? Could you potentially have cooked the RAM? I did that once.
Elewis17 wrote:
First check that all the fans are running- anything that doesn't spin need to be disconnected.
If they all the fans work, try the "Pull everything out" method. Everything that isn't essential must be disconnected. In general the first step would be CPU,RAM and video card( onboard one if available). Then you add stuff till it stops working which would be the faulty piece of hardware.
You should also try a different power supply if you got one available . A bad PSU can cause a whole lot of trouble and they are known trouble makers.
an inspiring quote to fill this spot:
"Our words are free now it's a feeling you can't explain"...." Born as we are out of the revolution to be free. " Barak Obama in Noy Alooshe's remix
I don't think I cooked it since I'd been gaming with it the night before, no problems, yet it died just booting up.
I'll try ripping everything out but honestly I'm not that hopeful. The RAM might have died, I guess. It's Corsair with heat spreaders and both would have had to have died at the same time so a little unlikely. I probably won't be buying any new RAM just to test that.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
Well, the key question wasn't, "did you cook the RAM", but rather, "where in the bootup process is it failing, and is it consistent?"
Elewis17 wrote:
Ah, right, I didn't specify.
It does this every time now.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
Well, RAM would be the obvious culprit, but then it could also just be the memory controller on the motherboard. I would buy some RAM from a local electronics store just to test it, and return the RAM if it does not work.
Don't feel bad about having recommended it. Motherboards are finicky. I'm surprised when they don't die after a few years of use.
Smidgen PC - Big News About Tiny PCs
I threw the thing up on my work table last night to try a few last-ditch things, and started off by loading it up to see if it had magically fixed itself while I had it in time out.
Aaaand... it did. I finished the XP installation and it loaded up my account with no problems at all. The memory checked out OK during boot but assuming it still works I'll run some more tests tonight. I don't consider this a permanent fix as we all know computers don't fix themselves, they just temporarily start to barely work again. Hopefully I can figure out what the problem is before it craps out on me again.
Anyone have any tests to recommend, other than the usual Scandisk, memtest, etc.?
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
Sounds like heat to me. If I'm hearing correctly it lasts longer the first time, shorter every subsequent time, and when you pull it out and put it up on the table it runs fine?
Checked the CPU heatsinks?
Hypatian wrote:
Along the lines of what LilCodger said, the one time I had similar issues, it turned out the cpu heatsinks were clogged with dust that had collected over time. Undoing the fan, cleaning em out and putting it all back together had it running like a charm again. Might be something to check if you havent already.
No, it lasted longer the first time, then the same length every consecutive time till I pulled it out. Last time it worked fine.
I did check the fans and they all looked fine. Not a whole lot of dust on any of them so maybe I will check the filters.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
If you have some compressed air shoot it through the heatsinks. I had a guy last week who's machine acted like that. Fans looked fine, but air through the heatsink cleaned out a lot of dust. Machine ran fine after that.
Hypatian wrote:
Cleaned out the RAM, loaded it up on the work table one more time, then shut it down, closed it up, and put it back at my desk.
Didn't work. Stuck on Memory Test again.
In an attempt to better recreate the worktable conditions I pulled out everything that wasn't essential, including both USB hubs, the secondary monitor, the speakers, etc. After that it started up just fine. I put the speaker cables back in (though I'm still working on getting the sound working again), and the second monitor, and it still works.
So seems to me like it might be the PSU. If it's starting to go it might not be putting out as much power as it ought to. The extra drain from the USB devices might be enough to kill it.
Can anyone recommend a good PSU? This one's a 650W Corsair.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
Huh, another bad Corsair 650? That's interesting. I replaced my bad 650 with an 850 from Best Buy for $130, but you might want to try another brand. Seasonic is claimed to be very good.
Elewis17 wrote:
I believe Corsair is a rebranded Seasonic.
PC Power and Cooling is great. I've also had great luck with ... Corsair.
Good luck Lobster. Get a good return policy, just in case.
Hypatian wrote:
I will if it's not too pricey.
Anyone know how to install Microsoft's UAA HD audio driver? It asked for it during the installation and I didn't have a copy of the disc so I canceled out of that portion. That killed all of my audio. After installing the UAA drivers separately I got back some ATI audio, which is strange since I've got a Sound Blaster Live Audigy and some RealTek audio on the motherboard.
I'm thinking I might download the drivers it wants and reinstall again. I've never seen Windows XP act this way, where it has hardware installed that it's just totally ignoring.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
This and Malor's other thread are not giving me any confidence that the Corsair 650 I just put in my new rig was a wise choice.
"Accuracy by Volume!!!"
| XBL: TigerBill | Steam: Tigerbill13 | Twitter: TigerBill_13 |
This man speaks the truth. If it is a dead PSU, shouldn't it be under warranty? I think Corsairs have 3 years on them.
Smidgen PC - Big News About Tiny PCs
But how many people here have Corsairs without any problems?
I personally have 2 first-gen Corsairs, I know others who do, so far so good. A quick search of HardForum's PSU section only has one or two threads on issues with Corsair. Also of note is that they were very happy with Corsair's RMA service and if you are missing/need more modular cables, Corsair will send them to you for free.
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Quote:
I get this and I to have owned Corsairs that are still around, but the fact that everyone seems to be having problems with the 650 concerns me a little. Maybe I should have bumped up to the 750 or even went with the Seasonic which I wanted to try in the first place.
"Accuracy by Volume!!!"
| XBL: TigerBill | Steam: Tigerbill13 | Twitter: TigerBill_13 |
Everyone?
Such a small world...
The Unofficial IRC Channel for Goodjers
Quote:
Corsair issued me an RMA but I'm having a hell of a time getting an actual human to read my e-mails. They have a procedure where they'll send me the replacement before I need to send them the bad one. Damned if I can figure out how to get in on that when the only thing answering my e-mails is a machine.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer
Stuff breaks. If it's any consolation, I've been running the same Corsair 650 in my rig for more than a year and I never turn the thing off.
TempestBlayze wrote:
XBox Live
Steam
Maybe that's the key.
Actually, that could be true.
MilkmanDanimal wrote:
NSMike wrote:
http://steamcommunity.com/id/garion333
Cycling the power is the most stressful thing you can do to a power supply. It creates a power surge.
That Tom's Hardware list is showing the Radeon 4850 as the best card for ~$100 and I think NewEgg has a Sapphire brand version for around $80 right now. I've been running that card for a year and a half now and it's never let me down. Great piece of hardware.
NOTE: Not a doodle bug.
Steam-XBox-PSN: Lobstermancer