[Hardware problem] Random reboots and freezes

younggotti · 06 Aug 2014

Hi guys,

yes, the voltages shown by HWInfo look crazy. But, the ones shown by the MSI Windows tool and the ones shown in the BIOS are within the ATX range. Multimeters are really cheap, but I think that the quickest, easiest and most reliable way to verify if the cause of my troubles is the PSU is using another PSU I have and see what happens. I'll do it this weekend and let you know.

and yes, the windows setup is really a mess

Months ago, thinking that it could be a software related problem, I tried installing different OSs and each time I didn't pay much attention to get a clean setup. I know that the problems I have now don't depend on that (freezes happen also in the BIOS menu or while performing a memtest), but as soon as the hardware problem is fixed I know I'll have to make a clean install.

ICIT2LOL · 06 Aug 2014

Well I guess the finger is pointed at the PSU for me or maybe the hard drive but in any case that is a start.

I am going to look into that HW Info program as I have been using it and linking folks to it for some time and it seems to me that there are a few errors starting to pop up. Shame really because I do like how you can dig right down into components details for example the RAM sticks and GPU.

younggotti · 10 Aug 2014

Little update:

yesterday the pc seemed to work fine for a couple of hours, but I didn't put much hope in that since, as I said the freezes seem to have a random behaviour.

Today I was able to connect a different PSU to the system. I let the pc run for some time both in idle and under stress and it seemed to work fine. So I was starting to hope I had found defective hw component.

As a double check, I connected the defective (?) PSU to a different PC (similar in terms of watt consumption), "hoping" to get a freeze or a re-boot. But, again, also that PC seemed to work just fine.

I've then reinstalled the "original" defective PC and let memtest 86+ run for 10 hours. The PC didn't freeze and no errors came up. Just now I'm having Prime95 and Furmark run at the same time and the PC is working fine.
The only things I notice are:
- CPU temp (as measured by the mobo producer windows tool) is quite high (75 C / 167 F) but I don't think that's an extreme value, considering I'm stressing the CPU and the integrated GPU at the same time
- PSU voltages (as measured by the mobo producer windows tool): the 12V is quite high (around 12.3V with peaks of 12.55) and the 5V is quite low (around 4.96 with dips at 4.88). Anyway they are within the ±5% range and seem consistent with the results of this review:
XFX Core Edition 450W Review

To sum things up, the PC now seems to work fine but I have no idea why.

essenbe · 10 Aug 2014

Whatever was causing it, I hope it continues to run well. Let me know how it does. But, those temps ar pretty high for your CPU.

ICIT2LOL · 10 Aug 2014

As essenbe has said the temp is way too high and exceeds the makers specs in fact see this
AMD A8-Series A8-5600K - AD560KWOA44HJ / AD560KWOHJBOX max temp according to this site 74C!!

I would be taking a very close look at the cooling system and renewing the themal compounds ASAP.

younggotti · 11 Aug 2014

You're both right, 75 C is out of spec.

I got 75C in a really extreme situation (CPU and GPU stress software running at the same time). In idle the cpu temp stays at around 40C. If I stress test just the CPU the temp doesn't rise above 65C. Anyway, as you said, just to be sure I'll have to renew the thermal compund.

Thanks both, mates :)

ICIT2LOL · 11 Aug 2014

Just out of interest what cooler have you on the CPU I am not really a fan of the stock ones these days and for a little outlay even one of the liquid coolers is a good option. That is depending on ones budget of course.

younggotti · 11 Aug 2014

I have the stock cooler and I'm not a big fan either (it's very noisy)

essenbe · 11 Aug 2014

Consider a third party cooler. You can buy a new one for little money. I have a box of stock ones. I never use them. I have no idea how I managed to miss this.

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ICIT2LOL · 11 Aug 2014

Yes youngotti as essenbe says mate because the specs at present open out to the machine running 8.1 (down in the left hand side of your post screen in small grey letters)