C'n'Q Problem

[AndreR]

Hello,
I have a problem with Cool'n'Quiet on Vista and 7. I'm not sure why but if i toggle this on my PC crashes a few seconds after the boot is finished. There are nor problems with XP. After i toggled it of the PC works perfect.

Some ideas?
André

PS: The problem had appeared someday. Previously I used Vista 64 Bit Ultimate without any problems.

 

[Orbital Shark]

You might want to try 1 of the latest builds of Windows 7 (7068 or 7077). As 7000 is the BETA then there will be issues with it. The newer builds are more stable when running other software.

Just a though

 

[AndreR]

The problem is also in Vista.

 

[Orbital Shark]

Sorry for the late reply. As Windows 7 is so much less of a resource hog, a higher build might do the trick. I take it you've got the latest version of the software?

Also, what software/updates have you recently installed as if it just suddenly started happening then it could be a recent installed program causing the issue.

 

[AndreR]

The problem is also in the setup routine. I could not install 7 or Vista without toggle CnQ off.

 

[Orbital Shark]

I take it then that you perfomed an upgrade and not a fresh install?

 

[Barman58]

I assume that Cool'N'Quiet is a fan control option in the Bios ?

if this is the case and it causes issues with both vista and seven but not with XP that would suggest that the facility is not compatible with the later OS's.

The best thing to do for this is to check on the manufacturers site for your motherboard and see if there is a vista compatible BIOS upgrade available. You may also want to check that the latest chipset drivers are installed

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Nigel,

Just to correct you on this. Cool'N'Quiet (CNQ) is the technology used by AMD which provides for automatic control of the CPU speed and power consumption according to the processing load placed on it. This needs to be enabled in the BIOS. Obviously, the lower the power requirement the cooler the CPU will be (= Cool) and therefore the slower the rotational speed of the heatsink fan required to maintain the CPU at a safe working temperature (less noise = Quiet). I have CNQ enabled on my system, and it works perfectly in all of my current installations (all of which were clean-installed). The relevant CPU driver is already included with the OS.

 

[darkassain]

yes you are right dwarf and unless you know what pc he is using this can be enabled or disabled in the bios (or if you have hp notebooks this almost usually is enabled for you without being able to change it...)

 

[AndreR]

It has worked with my first install of Vista. After a few months i get problems with my CPU and I'Ve changed it. After that it worked a few weeks but then I got this problems.

I've tried to install Vista again, formated the hard disc and put in the DVD. While expanding the files the setup crashes. So I installed XP without any problems. In january this year I tried the Windows 7 7000 Beta: Same problem as with Vista. The setup had crashed while expanding the files. So I toggled of CnQ and... No crashes and a running system.

Click on "My system specs" on the left hand side and you will see all my hardware components.

 

[Orbital Shark]

I've had errors while expanding files and i've normally had to re-burn the DVD at the slowest speed to reduce errors. This has helped in other cases too.

It's just a thought

 

[Barman58]

Hi Dwarf,

Yes I have CNQ on my system too , I don't use it but have not had any issues running with Vista or 7 with it enabled.

The fact that the issue started with the CPU upgrade would lead me to check for a Bios Upgrade to ensure latest compatibility.

Why the issue does not happen with XP is strange and appears to rule out a fault with the chip or MB

 

[AndreR]

I've also tried ´to install it from an external hard drive. The Vista DVD has the same problems. And it works if i toggle off the CnQ-function. So I dont think that this problem is a simple defect on the medium.

 

[Dwarf]

It has worked with my first install of Vista. After a few months i get problems with my CPU and I'Ve changed it. After that it worked a few weeks but then I got this problems.

Hi Andre,

What sort of problems did you get?

 

[AndreR]

It simply crashes. Frozen screen and the hard drive LED is on (never off) but you can hear that there are no data transfers.

 

[AndreR]

No more ideas?

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Andre,

Sorry for not replying sooner. You said that you had replaced your CPU - what was it originally?

 

[AndreR]

The same. Also an AMD 64 X2 5000+. But it's blown through a defect temperature sensor. After that I replaced most of the components (mainboard, CPU, RAM, graphic card) with the same products.

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Andre,

Unless there is some sort of inherent fault with the motherboard (which is unlikely, since you have replaced it), I think that we need to look elsewhere. We can virtually ignore the components that you have replaced, and instead look at those which you haven't. Of these, the chief suspect is the PSU. The fact that you experience problems when CNQ is enabled but not when it is disabled leads me to suspect that there is something wrong with the PSUs 12V circuitry/regulation. This supplies power to the CPU (via the on-board regulators), but it also supplies power to the motors in the system, amongst these being the HDDs. If you feel confident enough, and have access to a digital multimeter, then you can check the voltages yourself (I am assuming that the power connector to the HDD is the older Molex type rather than the newer SATA power connector). Switch the meter to DC voltage input, 20V range (if not automatic), and probe the yellow and one of the black wires in the connector. Make a note of the readings. Try this with CNQ enabled and disabled.