New computer build and nothing but trouble so far....please help :)

[adam533]

No they are not difficult to deal with but the restocking fee they will try and hit you with is!

As for the CPU/heatsink... I would remove them too. Just dont mess up what little thermal grease is there.

Okay, so as long as I take the heatsink off carefully and put it right back on again straight down the thermal grease should be okay?

 

[Darryl Licht]

Yes, the stock thermal pad on cooler will be fine!

I'd also highly recommend getting an aftermarket CPU cooler, the stock cooler and fan is garbage... especially if you plan to overclock in future!

One other note... many have suggested installing latest BIOS revision, I agree except that since your system is not stable... I WOULDNT DO ANY BIOS UPGRADE, AS IT COULD RENDER YOUR MOBO INOPERATIVE IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE DURING THE UPGRADE. See if you can get system running stable first!

One other thing to test after you dissassemble and reassemble... if you are still having issues then try a Linux CD or Live CD (I prefer Ubuntu) and see if system is stable under Linux. If stable under Linux, you will rule out hardware issues and it may point the blame at a Windows driver.

 

[adam533]

***** UPDATE *****

I tested the three sticks (not including the one that did show errors when tested by itself, then later did not show errors when tested by itself). The three sticks tested fine with no errors. I then booted into Windows and installed some programs from DVD's and they all installed fine - no CRC errors which had been happening before.

I then decided to test the other three sticks to see if errors came back. First it would not boot into memtest at all. I then removed and placed them again and it did boot into memtest but returned no errors in 5 passes.

I am now confused, because sticks that seem to show errors then come back with no errors at all if run again. Does this sound more like a problem with the motherboard at this point? Maybe the slots are not working correct which is why sometimes errors are being shown in memtest and other times they are coming back fine?

Thinking I may just RMA the RAM and the MoBo and start over at this point - more headaches so far than I ever imagined....

 

[Darryl Licht]

Sounds like one of those sticks is bad to me! Leave the bad 3 out and keep installing and testing your system. You may have identified the issue!

I'd also suggest a good "burn in" app, like OCCT to fully stress test the whole system!

If you can continue to install and use system with the known "good" sticks, then Id just rma the other 3! Give it a few days and fully test the system!

 

[adam533]

Sounds like one of those sticks is bad to me! Leave the bad 3 out and keep installing and testing your system. You may have identified the issue!

I'd also suggest a good "burn in" app, like OCCT to fully stress test the whole system!

If you can continue to install and use system with the known "good" sticks, then Id just rma the other 3! Give it a few days and fully test the system!

I am not familiar with OCCT, is this it? Download - OCCT Website english

Is there anything I should know about it before running it that could harm my system? I am not overclocking but would love to figure out what this problem is and putting a good stress test on the system sounds like a great way.

 

[soho1]

You have a lot of challenges here, but I agree with Golden. Please tell us about your Power Supply Unit, so that we can help determine if your devices are underpowered.

 

[Darryl Licht]

Yes thats the app!

NO, nothing special to know, just download, install, and run it. Try a 30-45 minute test first, watch your temps, then keep ramping up the test times to fully test your system! Keep an eye on temps every now and again!

 

[adam533]

You have a lot of challenges here, but I agree with Golden. Please tell us about your Power Supply Unit, so that we can help determine if your devices are underpowered.

My Power Supply is Antec Earthwatts 750
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

 

[Darryl Licht]

You have a lot of challenges here, but I agree with Golden. Please tell us about your Power Supply Unit, so that we can help determine if your devices are underpowered.

PSU was mentioned earlier in this thread... its a solid PSU @ 75o watts!

 

[Golden]

PSU was mentioned earlier in this thread... its a solid PSU @ 75o watts!

And more than enough juice in there....thats not the issue.

 

[Darryl Licht]

You have a lot of challenges here, but I agree with Golden. Please tell us about your Power Supply Unit, so that we can help determine if your devices are underpowered.

My Power Supply is Antec Earthwatts 750
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

Adam533:

An additional note... if you can get the 3 "good" sticks to run stable... i'd also shut down and move those 3 "good" ones to the 3 slots to rule out a bad slot(s) and mobo. The you should know what to rma!