GTX260 freezing system on boot

I've just upgraded my mobo/CPU/ram, and performed a clean install, but my GTX260 is causing me problems. It freezes the system either just before Windows login on the 'Windows Starting' screen, or a few seconds after I reach the desktop. The only way I can boot in to Windows is booting in safe mode, uninstalling the NVIDIA drivers and using the Windows Standard VGA driver, or by removing the GTX260 and using the on board graphics.

The card worked fine on my old system with the same PSU (Corsair HX520), so I don't think power is a problem. I've also tried my flatmates graphics card (same model) and it's the same problem so I don't think there is a problem with the card. Just a driver/compatibility issue.

New components:
Mobo: ASUS P8H67-M (B3 revision)
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge)
RAM: OCZ 4gb DDR3

Software:
Windows 7 x64 SP1
All drivers/mobo/bios up to date.

No hardware conflicts or issues apparent under Device Manager.

Any ideas/help much appreciated.

Run a burn in test like Furmark or something similar for an hour or 2. It might be the GPU itself or it might be heat.

cmd187 said:

Run a burn in test like Furmark or something similar for an hour or 2. It might be the GPU itself or it might be heat.

I don't think it's the GPU as i've tried 2 cards, which both work fine on other systems.

I don't think it's heat either as the problem remains after cold boots.

Try a different driver? Older one or the latest beta?

cmd187 said:

Try a different driver? Older one or the latest beta?

Ah sorry I forgot to say, I've tried a 6 month old driver, the current release driver, and the latest beta driver. All the same problem.

Have you tested a different type of video card? Sounds like a bad motherboard.....

I'm going to tonight when I borrow one from a friend. If it doesn't work either then I know it much be the motherboard.

I'm sure you have, but I didn't see you mention it. Did you try other PCI-Slots?

You're correct in saying the PSU isn't the issue. The wattage and amp-age required on the GTX 260 does not exceed your model of PSU. I'd say that can be ruled out for now. Give the different slots a try, standard stuff, but sometimes it's the easiest solutions that work!

Edit: The more I think about, the more I do think it's driver related though. Only because it works up until Windows, which is when the drivers would kick in. Give the slots a try though.

John Stamos said:

I'm sure you have, but I didn't see you mention it. Did you try other PCI-Slots?

You're correct in saying the PSU isn't the issue. The wattage and amp-age required on the GTX 260 does not exceed your model of PSU. I'd say that can be ruled out for now. Give the different slots a try, standard stuff, but sometimes it's the easiest solutions that work!

I would have tried that but unfortunately my graphics card is too big to fix in the other slot without obstructing other necessary connections.

Edit: The more I think about, the more I do think it's driver related though. Only because it works up until Windows, which is when the drivers would kick in. Give the slots a try though.

Agreed. Last night I tried an ATI card that I had borrowed for 30mins, and despite freezing at the same spot on first try after driver install, the system restarted and then booted up fine. I ran a quick stress test on it and it held up so fingers crossed when I now buy an ATI card to replace the GTX260 it will work.