PC keeps locking up, new build, Windows 7 x64 please help

[jbdred]

Hi All

I have a new build and the PC keeps locking up during mundane tasks like browsing the web. There is no response from mouse or keyboard and the screen is frozen and does not blue screen or create a dump file to submit. Only way to recover is to give it the 1 findger solute. I have tried a different video card in a different lot same and different slots. Memory modules have been tested and swapped out all looks good there. The hard disk has been scanned and swapped out. Operating system has been re-installed several time. This issue happens on a x86 and x64 installs. Runs just fine in safe mode...but will crash randomly when loaded to normal boot.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

I have attached 2 system spec files.

Thanks,
Dred

 

[TVeblen]

Hello jbdred. Welcome to the Forum.

Safe Mode loads the OS with minimal drivers. So a system that will run in Safe Mode but not in Normal Mode usually has hardware or driver issues. You could have incorrect, corrupted, or conflicting drivers, or defective components.

You should double check that the drivers you are using are current, especially the ones for the motherboard.

You can also test by disabling components one at a time to see if the issues go away when you do. That will tell you which component or it's driver is causing the issue.

 

[1Bowtie]

Hello jbdred. Welcome to the Forum.

Safe Mode loads the OS with minimal drivers. So a system that will run in Safe Mode but not in Normal Mode usually has hardware or driver issues. You could have incorrect, corrupted, or conflicting drivers, or defective components.

You should double check that the drivers you are using are current, especially the ones for the motherboard.

You can also test by disabling components one at a time to see if the issues go away when you do. That will tell you which component or it's driver is causing the issue.

+1 sounds correct to me, drivers or hardware conflict

 

[jbdred]

I hear ya...

I am leading toward defective hardware as I have reinstalled drivers and tried older ones and reloaded OS to rule out conflicts or corruption. At this point all drivers are up to date and correct. The only components that have not been swapped out are the cpu, motherboard, power supply.

I dont have a lot of option left but to try and swap out 1 of the 3 till problem goes away.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[1Bowtie]

Hi jbfred and Welcome to SevenForums

There's one more possibility since it does it random times, that's Heat, fans not working, not enough air flow, dust bunnies, Heat

 

[spyknee]

Does mobo have latest bios update installed?
In bios have you set the ram sticks to manufacturers voltage and timing specs?
Try removing all sticks but 1, the lead slot. Boot. See if you freeze.
Is cpu set manually in bios?
Uninstall the video card drivers and try using W7 stock ones. See if you crash.

Next boot go into msconfig and uncheck auto restart.

In bios, video card, if its a pci-e card, have you selected PEG? If pci card select pci.

 

[jbdred]

There is not dust bunnies and no air flow issues...it is a new build and all temps looks good...
The mobo has the latest bios flashed on it.
I have different RAM and in only 1 slot, I have manually set the ram timing in bios
I have already tried the default drivers that windows 7 installed for the video card.
The video card is set to run in PEG
I have not tried the MSCONFIG,,,Ill give that a whirl...

Thanks All for the ideas...ill keep you posted.

dred

 

[spyknee]

In bios disable green lan,
c1est, any power saver options.
Disable onboard sound just to remove it temporarily.

Vid card should be in the pci-e slot closest to cpu.
Put ram in standard mode.
Put vid card lowest boost.
Run dxdiag for display errors.

unchecking auto restart will preserve a BSOD so you can get intel, that is if it comes up.
Try pluging all case fans to PSU directly. Only plug CPU fan to mobo header.
These are things I did to my EP45 UD3R to get it stable.

You might be looking at a bad mobo.

 

[MDR]

my guess is heat also.....
something is heating up, hence the reason for freeze....
either your memory of one of the capacitors on your motherboard

 

[karlsnooks]

First, set your bios to the defaults and don't muck around with timings.

If we can get you to a stable system, then you can shoot yourself in the foot by messing around with timings.

Now I'm a little bit sleepy at the moment, so after I've gathered my wits I'll return and give you a procedure whereby we will be able to get a clue at your hang problem.

 

[karlsnooks]

Oh yes,
In the meantime, downlload, burn to CD and run following
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

so that we can rule out intermittent memory problems.

 

[jbdred]

reset bios to defaults...windows locked up
verified green lan is disabled...windows locked up
onboard audio disabled...windows locked up
dxdiag...passed test...windows locked up
unplugged 1 fan header that was in use on mobo...windows locked up
unchecked restart in hopes of getting bsod...no such luck..windows locked up
as far as things in startup there is only jm36 ide and realtek (this is still fresh install)

What i find even more frustrating is that I can hear the hard disk running and have network connectivity...which makes me think display driver or card...but keep in mine I have test a different video card from ati in same slot and another slot with same results...

oh my nerves....

 

[jbdred]

I have already ran memtest for hours with no error detected and have swapped out memory modules with known good from my rig...same result

 

[1Bowtie]

I'm going to ask a silly question, since this is a home built did you make sure the memory was compatible w/mother board and i5-750 before you bought it. Sometimes if it's the wrong front side bus it will not work, i5-750 may work w/1066 ram and not 1333, these are just possibilities of why it's locking up

 

[spyknee]

Optomized default bios settings will not always work.
Make sure that the cpu is at correct MHz and voltage. That would be manufactureres specs!
Make sure the ram is at right MHz, initial timings and voltage. Manufacturers specs!
Look at what the mobos bios auto settings say. If they are different than specs, manually set specs to manufacturers specs.
Manufacturers Specs, I can not say this enough.
The vid card pci-e slot, set to 100.

I used a Stryker Extreme once, they all exhibited these symptoms at one time or another. I RMA'ed 4 times. The 3rd time they sent me a new retail box. The mobos all failed. Dam hard to test a mobo at home.
I just installed a Gigabyte EP45 UD3R as its replacment. I had to get bios at latest version, F12, and manually set them to hardware specs. I swapped every piece of hardware to the Gigabyte. Did not like the hardware till all specs manually input, fyi.

Basically, leave no decisions for mobo to make, you tell it.

I would begin checking out if Gigabyte has advanced RMA available. Maybe have them send you another before this one makes you crazy.

 

[jbdred]

The bios is set to all of its defaults specs. (no overlocking)
The memory is not on the recommended list, but i have manaully made the changes in bios for clock speeds and timing that are...

I have an i7 rig that i suppose i could swap out the power supply and cpu on that way it it still acts up it has to be an issue with the mobo...

Does anyone else have any further input?

 

[spyknee]

The bios is set to all of its defaults specs. (no overlocking)
The memory is not on the recommended list, but i have manaully made the changes in bios for clock speeds and timing that are...

I have an i7 rig that i suppose i could swap out the power supply and cpu on that way it it still acts up it has to be an issue with the mobo...

Does anyone else have any further input?

Could you clarify what I inked in red?

Your choice of ram may not be on the mobo's QVL, but you must use the
MHZ, timings and voltage for the ram that you are using. You can not just set the bios to a QVL setting and then put in some ram sticks.
(QVL=quality vendors list)
The above intimates that, if I miss read sorry.
Is your CPU at spec'ed MHz and voltage. When I used the default settings with my EP45 it clocked the 2.13MHz cpu to 2.66MHZ. I failed to notice immediately, I assumed defaults were...................................

 

[jbdred]

sorry if that was unclear...The memory is not on the mobo vendors QVL list. The mother board did not detect the correct timing, voltage, or bus speed. I made the changes to match the memory specs.

This was not my build I am trying to help a buddy out that is at witts end with this build and I am getting close.

I have personally built over 50 PC's over the years and lets be honest...90% of us out there dont buy what's on the QVL list...and most mobo's are just fine with it...How ever maybe gigabyte is sensitive to this...this would not have been my first choice for mobo's...

The CPU is at is stock speeds and all over clocking is disabled and voltage is stock as well..

 

[TVeblen]

I think the RAM is the most likely cause of the issues. You can play with different combinations of voltages and timings and you might get it to be stable but it's going to take a lot of trial and error.

Systems have changed, and Core i Series computers no longer have a Northbridge. The memory controller is on the CPU and from what we see here every day, these new CPUs are very intolerant of any deviations from required parameters when it comes to RAM.

 

[spyknee]

I think the RAM is the most likely cause of the issues. You can play with different combinations of voltages and timings and you might get it to be stable but it's going to take a lot of trial and error.

Systems have changed, and Core i Series computers no longer have a Northbridge. The memory controller is on the CPU and from what we see here every day, these new CPUs are very intolerant of any deviations from required parameters when it comes to RAM.

No offense, but I believe he's using a P55 which still has a FSB. The new X58 chipsets have no FSB, they are QPI.

Please correct me if I jumped to a conclusion, tho.