Crashes and freezing, no BSOD, possible hardware issue?

[etothex]

Hello all. Found this site when trying to research my constant reboot issues for my W7 install. I will post some hardware and my software info and the situations regarding reboots and hopefully someone can point me in the right direction. I am concerned I have a hardware issue.

Hardware:

Asus p5q3
Core 2 Quad 8200
Corsair XMS3 DHX DDR3-1333 (QVL for this board); timings set manually
1x640 GB WD Caviar Black SATA (added with the rebuild)
1x250 GB Seagate SATA
2x250 GB WD SATA
1xeVGA 9800GT
PCP&C s61EPS 610W
Saitek Keyboard, Logitech Mouse

All added with a system rebuild:
1xSunbeam RHK-EX-BA Fan Controller
4x120mm Scythe fans
2x120mm DD fans for 2x120 Black Ice Rad
1xDD DDC-12V Pump


History:
I have been running this machine save for the 1x640 and water cooling since this time last year. I had frequent issues with the RAM and after discovering that the RAM I had purchased was removed from the QVL by Asus, I quickly found replacement RAM that I am still running. I had been running Windows XPx64 and XPx32 until the W7 Beta came out. From then on I ran the W7x64 Beta and later the W7x64 RC. I am still running the RC but have started having issues about 2 months ago. I would return home to find the computer had restarted at some point. I could not find if this was an update reboot or a fault reboot and this would not happen when I was using the machine. About 1 month ago I started getting random restarts, no BSOD when using the machine. It was infrequent.

I then started my planned rebuild, initially suspecting some issues with the OS. I incorporated the fan controller, water cooling, and the 6 fans. I replaced the 4 existing fans in the case and the 640 GB drive.

I initially tried installing RC off the DVD I had used previously, but it was scratched and wouldn't load all the way so I went back to XPx64. I got this installed and reburned the RC. I had a few crashes but as I had this problem when I initially built the system with XPx64 I wasn't concerned. I got the RC installed, had problems with the MBR and ended up wiping and reinstalling everything with only the 640 GB drive plugged in. I got everything installed and it seemed to be working well but then the computer started to randomly restart in W7x64 RC. It would reboot w/o warning, simply shutting off, restarting and then giving me the prompt to choose, safe mode, safe mode w/ networking and normal boot with the info that the computer did not shut down properly. Upon rebooting and inspecting the system logs I found only a Kernel-Power and another warning regarding the system shutting off improperly and rebooting after improperly shutting down due to a "power or hardware failure". I decided to test the memory using Memtest86+ and it ran through 2 full cycles w/o any errors.

I ran through the motions, disconnecting the non-essential hard drives and other hardware and still had the same issue. I then started getting system freezes where the USB mouse and keyboard would shut off and I would get some noise from the speakers. I suspected my front USB port might be an issue since the I couldn't get my USB key to work with it when I installed XPx64 and I disconnected that as well.

I continued to have some more freezes and random shut downs. With the continued failure of my USB keyboard and mouse I tried moving them to another pair of rear USB slots and all seemed well for about 2 days until last night I again started having random shutdowns and freezes with staticy/electrical sound from the speakers and no mouse/keyboard fucntionality. I eventually shut down the computer, turned off the PSU switch and let it sit for 30 minutes. I then turned everything back on, booted w/o the keyboard attached and had the same problems. An attempt to use W7's automatic repair feature turned up nothing as well. I finally rebooted and the system stayed running throughout the night and was still up and running when I left for work.

I will try to zip up the dump folder tonight when I get home for more info. Most reboots are happening when I am just browsing the web with firefox.

Does anyone have ideas? Anyone believe it may be hardware vs. software? I am venturing towards a motherboard issue at this point. Possibly PSU? Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[torrentg]

Hi.

When we see the crash dump(s), we will most definitely have suggestions or answers for you.

Install the latest Win7-x64 lan driver from here:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=5&PFid=5&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#RTL8111B/RTL8168B/RTL8111/RTL8168%3Cbr%3ERTL8111C/RTL8111CP/RTL8111D%28L%29%3Cbr%3ERTL8168C/RTL8111DP/RTL8111E%3Cbr%3ERTL8105E

If you're running AVG, completely uninstall that.

 

[etothex]

Hi.

When we see the crash dump(s), we will most definitely have suggestions or answers for you.

Install the latest Win7-x64 lan driver from here:

Realtek

If you're running AVG, completely uninstall that.

No antivirus of any kind installed as of yet. I will update the lan driver when I get home.

Should I zip my minidump folder up for you all?

 

[torrentg]

Should I zip my minidump folder up for you all?

Yes, and attach to a post using the paperclip.

 

[etothex]

I could not locate the dump folder. Would it not be present if the computer was restarted normally and not after a crash?

 

[Tews]

Go to C:/windows/minidump and zip up the .dmp file and attach it as an attatchment to your next post...

 

[etothex]

Go to C:/windows/minidump and zip up the .dmp file and attach it as an attatchment to your next post...

Same issue. Cannot find the minidump folder....unless it's supposed to be hidden and I need to show hidden files and folders which I can't seem to find an option for.

 

[zigzag3143]

Go to C:/windows/minidump and zip up the .dmp file and attach it as an attatchment to your next post...

Same issue. Cannot find the minidump folder....unless it's supposed to be hidden and I need to show hidden files and folders which I can't seem to find an option for.

Hi E

If you are running 64 bit the dmp file may be located in C\windows and be called *.DMP. Just do a search for *.dmp and you will find if you have had a true BSOD


Ken J+

 

[etothex]

Haven't been able to locate any *dmp file anywhere on the computer. Crash happened again last night, just about 2 days after the last successful reboot the same as last time. I was in Firefox and opened a new tab for a youtube video and the computer locked up. Same issues. Noise from the speakers, USB mouse and keyboard shut off, screen frozen. Rebooted and tried finding a dump file but could not. No minidump folder or .dmp files in C:/Windows

Help? I'm really starting to worry this is hardware.

 

[zigzag3143]

Haven't been able to locate any *dmp file anywhere on the computer. Crash happened again last night, just about 2 days after the last successful reboot the same as last time. I was in Firefox and opened a new tab for a youtube video and the computer locked up. Same issues. Noise from the speakers, USB mouse and keyboard shut off, screen frozen. Rebooted and tried finding a dump file but could not. No minidump folder or .dmp files in C:/Windows

Help? I'm really starting to worry this is hardware.

Can you check in your system control panel>advanced system settings>start up and recovery? Nake sure write system log is checked

 

[Legacy]

Please only use versions of Windows you got from Microsoft and not any version you've "found."

Using your "found" version is the cause of your issues.

 

[zigzag3143]

Please only use versions of Windows you got from Microsoft and not any version you've "found."

Using your "found" version is the cause of your issues.

Legacy

What makes you think he "found" his version?


Ken j+

 

[Legacy]

Hey Ken...

It's because Windows creates the dumps by default and hacked versions have that turned off at default...so you can assume it's also laced with malware.

 

[etothex]

Hey Ken...

It's because Windows creates the dumps by default and hacked versions have that turned off at default...so you can assume it's also laced with malware.

And if your reading skills were as good as your apparent inability to provide any help you might have noticed that I wrote that this is the Release Candidate. I haven't purchased a retail version yet since its potentially a christmas gift i might recieve.

 

[etothex]

Haven't been able to locate any *dmp file anywhere on the computer. Crash happened again last night, just about 2 days after the last successful reboot the same as last time. I was in Firefox and opened a new tab for a youtube video and the computer locked up. Same issues. Noise from the speakers, USB mouse and keyboard shut off, screen frozen. Rebooted and tried finding a dump file but could not. No minidump folder or .dmp files in C:/Windows

Help? I'm really starting to worry this is hardware.

Can you check in your system control panel>advanced system settings>start up and recovery? Nake sure write system log is checked

Will do so tonight and let you know. Thanks.

 

[Legacy]

Hey Ken...

It's because Windows creates the dumps by default and hacked versions have that turned off at default...so you can assume it's also laced with malware.

And if your reading skills were as good as your apparent inability to provide any help you might have noticed that I wrote that this is the Release Candidate. I haven't purchased a retail version yet since its potentially a christmas gift i might recieve.

Come on dude. I help more people here than you'd ever know. I don't want to argue but your RC could be hacked too since you didn't get it from official source. You should be thanking me because it's my only interest to help and not put down anyone.

Same as this very recent thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/46110-system-32-config-nt-file-missing-problem.html

 

[etothex]

Come on dude. I help more people here than you'd ever know. I don't want to argue but your RC could be hacked too since you didn't get it from official source. You should be thanking me because it's my only interest to help and not put down anyone.

Same as this very recent thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/46110-system-32-config-nt-file-missing-problem.html

Alright let me get this straight. Your 61 posts as of this reply qualify you as "helping more people than you'd ever know?"

So tell me Legacy, have you seen my install personally? Have you seen the DVD I burned to check the file contents? Did you see the release candidate iso I have on my hard drive that I downloaded legitimately from Microsoft when it was officially released? Do you have absolutely anything to help me with this problem aside from "you didn't get it from official source?" No?

You are now welcome to stop participating in my thread since you are obviously of no help to me.

Kthnxbai!

 

[Legacy]

Buddy...stop with attitude please. Don't go by my post count. There are facts you do not know.

I can tell you are using a version not from Microsoft by your issues. I am pointing this out to help you, not hurt. If I am incorrect, I sincerely apologize. But I do have to wonder why you didn't immediately post this when you saw my response as I posted it.

I have already helped you in so many ways. I am a really cool dude so please respect that and such.

Did you uninstall your antivirus yet?

 

[etothex]

I can tell you are using a version not from Microsoft. I am pointing this out to help you, not hurt.

And again I ask: how do you know I have a pirated version of the Release Candidate?

In case my last post was unclear I will restate it for you (with emphasis): I DOWNLOADED THE RELEASE CANDIDATE FROM MICROSOFT.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hey Ken...

It's because Windows creates the dumps by default and hacked versions have that turned off at default...so you can assume it's also laced with malware.

Or he had it turned off in sys cpanal.

Ken