Random Crashing

Hey guys,

I really can't figure this problem out of why my computer is crashing. It was fine for a few weeks. Everything was working normal. All of the sudden, bam! The computer crashed, screens go black, the power light is blinking and the system is still on but no functionality.

The power button wont turn the computer off at all, so I have to unplug the power supply. I wait and turn it back on....it posts and then I get to the log in screen. 5 mins after the log in it happens again.

It never crashes doing the same thing. I can't even get /sfc scannow to complete before it crashes. I thought it may have been overheating, but that's not the case because I got a new heatsink (bigger and better) and the system temp stays at 87°F under normal conditions.

• Win 7 x64
• Home Built
• 8 Months Old

EDIT: These are the only errors I could get to before the crash.
Attachment 168445
Attachment 168446

Can anyone help me here?

Let's start with these free diagnostics (they're bootable, so you won't have to use Windows):

I suggest starting all troubleshooting with the following diagnostic tests. They'll save you a lot of time and heartache if there is a hardware failure, and you'll have the disks on hand in case you need them in the future:

H/W Diagnostics:
Please start by running these bootable hardware diagnostics:
Memory Diagnostics (read the details at the link)
HD Diagnostic (read the details at the link) - Test ALL of the hard drives.

Also, please run one of these free, independent online malware scans to ensure that your current protection hasn't been compromised: Free Online AntiMalware Resources (read the details at the link)
There are also free, bootable antivirus disks at this link: Free Online AntiMalware Resources

Post back with the results and we'll move on from there.

SInce you're using bootable test disks, this isn't a Windows problem.
That means that it's most likely hardware.

Which test did you get to 87% in? If it's the memtest, you're going to have to try testing the sticks individually in the different slots.

Hard drives can also do this - and the "test" is to remove the hard drive from the system to see if you can run MemTest then. Be very careful doing this:

- Unplug the system from the wall
- ground yourself by holding onto the metal of the case
- unplug both cables that go into the hard drive
- plug the system back in and try MemTest

The video card is a possibility, but so are a lot of other things.
If the hard drive and the malware tests pass, then try these free stress tests:

Then, if the above tests pass, I'd try these free stress tests:

FurMark download site: FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net
FurMark Setup:
- If you have more than one GPU, select Multi-GPU during setup
- In the Run mode box, select "Stability Test" and "Log GPU Temperature"
Click "Go" to start the test
- Run the test until the GPU temperature maxes out - or until you start having problems (whichever comes first).
NOTE: Set the alarm to go off at 90ºC. Then watch the system from that point on. If the system doesn't display a temperature, watch it constantly and turn it off at the first sign of video problems. DO NOT leave it it unmonitored, it can DAMAGE your video card!!!
If the temperature gets above 105ºC, quit the test - the video card is overheating.
- Click "Quit" to exit

Prime95 download site: Free Software - GIMPS
Prime95 Setup:
- extract the contents of the zip file to a location of your choice
- double click on the executable file
- select "Just stress testing"
- select the "Blend" test. If you've already run MemTest overnight please run the "Small FFTs" test instead. (run all 3 if you find a problem and note how long it takes to error out with each)
- "Number of torture test threads to run" should equal the number of CPU's times 2 (if you're using hyperthreading).
The easiest way to figure this out is to go to Task Manager...Performance tab - and see the number of boxes under CPU Usage History
Then run the test for 6 to 24 hours - or until you get errors (whichever comes first).
This won't necessarily crash the system - but check the output in the test window for errors.
The Test selection box and the stress.txt file describes what components that the program stresses.
More details on the use of this test: Torture test your CPU with Prime95

More Video Stress Tests:
1. Thanks to VirGnarus for finding this test: https://simtk.org/home/memtest
2. Two other video stress tests (may be more stressful than FurMark):
NOTE: I have had reports that some ISP's will block this website
Video Memory stress Test - МИРNVIDIA / Утилиты / VMT
Artifact Locator - МИРNVIDIA / Утилиты / Artifact Locator
Sorry, but I don't read the language that this website is made in.
3. Another interesting test that came to my attention: Download - OCCT Website english
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK - the program doesn't have a whole bunch of safety features to protect you from yourself!

CPU Stress Tests:
- http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...19182&lang=eng
- 7Byte : Hot CPU Tester Pro
- 7Byte : BurnIn64
- CPU Stress test - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
- Fossil Free Online CPU Load or Stress Test.
- CPU Stability Test description, System Resources Tune-Up. Downloads List By All Time Popularity | PCWorld | PCWorld
- CPU Stress test - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
- |MG| CPU Stability Test 6.0 Download
- LinX - A simple Linpack interface

Update:

Bitdefender anti-malware scan comes back clean.

Graphics Card test went ok. Ran for 25 mins and it only reach a temp of 77°C

Went to run the Hard drive test. Started to run a long test and about 9% through, it crashed again. It's been working all day until now.

EDIT:

I tried the hard drive test again today, the short and long test both passed without errors. CPU stress test is next on my list.

Well, we've ruled out software problems, and now have ruled out hardware problems. So it's obvious that there's nothing wrong with your system! (just kidding!) :)

There are still many components that can cause problems - but we don't have tests for them (mostly the mobo).
As such the next step would appear to be a clean install of Windows to see if we can get the system stable without any additional programs running. Here's how:

For testing purposes, it's best to install Windows "clean".
This is, basically, installing it the way that Microsoft intended (using drivers from Windows Update).
This procedure is for Windows 7, Vista is similar (but has 2 service packs)

You will need your installation/recovery DVD(s) before you start. Once you wipe the hard drive there's no going back!!!

1. Backup all your data.
This will wipe everything off of your hard drive, so anything that you want to keep will need to be saved elsewhere.

2, Connect the system to the internet
3. Use DBAN ( DBAN Download | Darik's Boot And Nuke ) or KillDisk ( Active@ Kill Disk. Hard Drives Eraser. Free Download. ) to wipe the entire drive (both are free).
4. Install Windows by booting from the installation/recovery DVD
5. Visit Windows Update and get all updates
6. Visit Windows Update and get Service Pack 1 (usually under Important Updates)
7. Visit Windows Update and get any other available updates
8. Check Device Manager for any unknown/disabled devices - if there are unknown/disabled devices, fix them with the latest drivers from the device manufacturer's website (not the PC Manufacturer)
9. Download, install, and update a free antivirus so you don't get infected while testing ( Free AntiVirus ).

If the problems persist, then the problem is most likely with your hardware.

CAVEAT: If you have an Asus motherboard, check the date on the C:\Windows\System32\driver\ASACPI.sys file. 2004/2005 is a problem, 2009,2010 is OK.

Also, I've having some severy eye problems, so please read this note:

NOTE: I have seevere eye problems which have gotten worse over the last week. I may not be able to respond further until after my surgery at the end of this month or the middle of September. Feel free to PM another staff member for assistance if I do not respond in a timely manner. Please accept my apoloeis in advance.

I'll continue on as well as I am able to, thanks for your patience. Feel free to PM another staff member if it's taking too long.