Quick question about hardware vs. software

[fallenscale]

I have been dealing with my computer randomly freezing for the last year. I have checked and re-checked all of my hardware (except for the motherboard) but I am nowhere closer to solving the riddle... If my computer freezes while running outside of Windows like during memtest or just idling in the Bios, can I rule out software as the culprit behind the freezing? I am looking for a yes/no to begin with.

 

[zigzag3143]

I have been dealing with my computer randomly freezing for the last year. I have checked and re-checked all of my hardware (except for the motherboard) but I am nowhere closer to solving the riddle... If my computer freezes while running outside of Windows like during memtest or just idling in the Bios, can I rule out software as the culprit behind the freezing? I am looking for a yes/no to begin with.

Yes. you can also see if it freezes in safe mode vs normal. that will narrow the focus

 

[Mashed1316]

Hello there.

Yes, it may be a Hardware issue, what happens within Windows could be software (or even hardware too) but, you're saying that the freezing is present too when you're not running Windows.

So i'd say it's a hardware issue, have you checked RAMs with memtest86+? did they pass the test without errors?

 

[fallenscale]

That is part of the problem, I cannot get through one pass of the memtest without the computer freezing! I have succesfully run the Windows memory diagnostic which came back OK. But I have also swapped new ram with the same freezing issue.

 

[fallenscale]

And yes... it also freezes in safe mode as well.

 

[Mashed1316]

Then it could be the Motherboard RAM slots. have you tried different RAM configurations?

Let's say:

1 module into each slot and then try every module on every slot, run memtest86+ and analyze the results. could be either a bad RAM module or a bad RAM slot on the motherboard.

 

[fallenscale]

Yes. I have tried 1 stick in each slot and every stick in every configuration and I still cannot get through 2 successful passes in memtest.

 

[Mashed1316]

Have you tried ALL your 4 stick in ALL slots?

That'd be 16 different tests.

1) Module 1 - Slot 1
2) Module 1 - Slot 2
3) Module 1 - Slot 3
4) Module 1 - Slot 4

And so on with Modules 2, 3 and 4.

 

[fallenscale]

Yes... and the two new sticks that I bought... like I said, I have had this problem for a while... lots of time to play ram-swap. If it helps I have attached a mini-dump that I posted a couple of weeks back (I never got a response.)

 

[Mashed1316]

OK, that would need a member from the BSOD Squad because i'm not used to work with dump files

But i'm pretty sure that is a motherboard issue. since no matter what RAM module you throw in there it'll give you errors! :huh:

Still we need to do some tests. do you have a different PC where you could try your RAMs?

 

[fallenscale]

Unfortunately I do not...

 

[fallenscale]

The only other piece of info I can give you about the ram is that when I do place the sticks in different spots, memtest will last longer than others, but when I go back to the same stick and slot, I will not have the same result. For instance I can get a stick to go through one pass, but the next time I use the same stick in the same slot, it might only go 2 minutes before it freezes... like I said, it is very random!

 

[Mashed1316]

I see.. well that narrows our options!

Let me see if i can talk with some of the BSOD guys and tell them about this, for they to check your dump files and give you any directions to follow

I'm still leaning towards a Motherboard problem but i need a second opinion hehe

 

[Sardonicus]

Yes.
Your memory should meet the following requirements:
Intel® Desktop Board DP45SG — System memory for DP45SG

A last resort may be a BIOS update, if you don't have the latest BIOS already.

You may find it helpful to look at the the reviews to see the issues:
Newegg.com - Intel BOXDP45SG LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

 

[fallenscale]

Yeah... that was kind of what I was thinking. I have already updated the bios. I just wanted to be sure before I spent the money on a new motherboard. Thanks for the help!

 

[Mashed1316]

I'd suggest before spending any money, try to find a friend/neighbor or related ones that could borrow you a motherboard that they're not using. or ask them to let you try your RAM modules on their rigs to do some testing.

Nobody wants to see you spend 60$ in vain

 

[fallenscale]

Thanks for the help Punkster...

 

[Mashed1316]

You're welcome, fallen.

Keep us updated, please.

 

[fallenscale]

Update...

I installed a new motherboard (MSI P43-C51) and after 3 straight days of testing, pushing and re-testing there are no problems . It looks like the problem was indeed a bad motherboard.