Solved Random Computer Shutdowns? Tests ran, need ideas?

[Danzio]

Hi,

I'm assuming you can see my system specs so i'll go on from there.

I built this computer about a week ago and everything is fine with it bar that it likes to shut down at random intervals. Normally when playing games. It gives no warning of the shutdown, it just instantly turns off/cuts out, and restarts again.

Now, My CPU is overclocked, as is the ram (They are both designed to be) And i've ran both prime 95 (24 hours) Intel Burn Test (10 times different stress levels) AND MemTest (16 Hours) and all have came back fine with no errors. I've had my temps checked and monitored and they're fine (I'm cooling using 4 120mm fans + a corsair h100i in push/pull cofig) so no TJMAX shutdowns. I've checked the power supply, and tested it running on obviously all these stress tests AND computers running xeon chips with higher power consumption than this 3930k rig and its been fine. (Power supply = Corsair AX850)

SO, the conclusion i've finally came to is windows. May be corrupted files etc. I've ran "SFC /Scannow" in my cmd window at admin level and it showed corruption/errors which since updating with recommended updates and scanning again have been fixed.


I'm sorry to be so long winded i just appreciate people need information to remedy problems so i'm trying my best to bring you guys up to speed.

If anyone could offer any help it would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Danzio]

Just a bit more info,

The games the computer cut off during were World of Tanks and Skyrim. Both running at max settings. I was however (in some downtime) able to complete a play-through of Bioshock - Infinite (16hours) without a single hiccup, and this included tabbing out for chrome etc when needed. It also plays GTAIV without issues, and battlefield 3. All games are ran on maximum settings on a 1280x1024 screen.

 

[Kaktussoft]

computer does not shutdown as far as I understand what you wrote. It simply power off and power on immediately .... correct? Win7 doesn't do that!! It's some kind of temperature problem and bios powers off to prevent damage. But in that case it shouldn't power on itself.

Are you 100% sure win7 didn't crash?? Disable automatic restart on system failure How To Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure in Windows 7
Now at least you can see the BSOD crash message

 

[Danzio]

I'm pretty sure it's not a temperature problem. I've checked countless times with many programs and they all show temps being fine. My cpu peaks at 68/69 under maximum load and never goes over, and my GPU peaks at around the 65 degrees Celsius mark, which is also ok.

To be honest i've ran all these tests and the only thing i can think of doing now is playing skyrim/WoT till it crashes and going from there. I have done as you've suggested Kaktussoft and disabled automatic restart. Maybe this time if it does crash i'll be able to have something to report back with.

>> I've had a look in my bios and using ROG CPU-ID had another look at my voltages and my core was running at around 1.35, which ive determined a bit low for the 4.5ghz overclock. Would this ring true if my cpu didn't have the required voltage it might shut off?

EDIT: I've now set voltage to 1.38.

Just strange how its in game and not during extrem,e stress tests..

BTW, all my graphics card drivers are up to date, and it IS seated properly withing the PCI3 slot. It has the latest full release drivers from Nvidia, not beta or alpha ones.

The only thing i can think of now is either that, or my windows install is indeed corrupt. Sparking me to reinstall it again if all else fails.

I'll give it a go and let you know how i get on with it all.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Post last few crashdumps. Post dmp files from folder C:\Windows\minidump. Please zip them

 

[Danzio]

I have one file within the minidump file.

Its from the 29th of april, but i've had the problem as recently as yesterday night with no more dumps recorded. I did have some initial problems with windows which i believe i have now rectified using updates/repair from install disk and SFC /scannow.

I'll attach my 1 file.

 

[TVeblen]

If you have run all the tests and are certain that the usual suspects have been ruled out then you must face the inevitable next step: you must remove all overclocking on all components and test the rig at stock settings. If the shutdowns disappear then you can start overclocking again in small increments until it happens again, then back off a step or two.

How did you test the power supply?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Only 1 dump??? Try to make it crash again.
This is in dump you posted

Bug Check 0x101: CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT
The CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT bug check has a value of 0x00000101. This indicates that an expected clock interrupt on a secondary processor, in a multi-processor system, was not received within the allocated interval.
This can be a CPU issue or a chipset/BIOS issue. The problem is, that MSFT doesn't document those newly added Bugcheck codes inside the WinDbg documenation. So you are not able to see why this Bugcheck was raised.
Have you tried BIOS Update?

 

[TVeblen]

My i7-920 system has thrown up those Watchdog timeouts on occasion. After research I found that the 920's had a rash of semi-defective chips (random errata). I discovered this too late to get a warranty replacement.

I don't know if there are any reported problems with the 3930, but do yourself a favor and check while it is new. It is not an easy task.

 

[Danzio]

Ok,

So i've just played skyrim again and its just shut off, again. I had disabled automatic boot up but there was no bluescreen.

I'll be honest i haven't had a crash concerning the chip or its setting since that one crash, which if i remember correctly did produce a bluescreen.

@TVeblen i tested the power supply in 2 other rigs, one running a xeon and it seemed to work fine under stresses. It could actually be that the power supply is faulty, what i don't understand is that i can run intel burn and mem test for 10 hours but can't run skyrim for 15 mins?

The system was factory overclocked from the store i bought it from, and they test it for 24 hours to check for stability. It has been fine up until running those games. The computer doesn't suffer from this in any other program. it never does it surfing the internet, benchmarking/stress testing, on skype or anything else but certain games.

I guess as i have insurance that covers the build and faulty/defective componants for 28 days after the build i can use that to get fresh parts. Its just i use the computer everyday for work and play (in my downtime)

 

[TVeblen]

Don't forget that it could be just poorly written software. If only Skyrim is crashing then that is a possibility. Check their forums to see if others are having the same problem.

The best way for regular folks to test a power supply is with a multimeter. I connect it to a spare 12v connector from the PS and then watch the readings constantly as I use the PC. The voltage should be at least 12v and be rock steady, give or take a tenth of a volt. Anything more than that is a problem.

 

[Danzio]

TVeblen, I will bear that in mind. i did think about that tbh. It's happened twice in world of tanks as well. It never used to happen on my old rig however, it was a core 2 quad q9450. Never crashed/quit once.

I really don't understand this at all.... its got me baffled! I suppose i'll check the power supply or better still maybe send it back to the store and have them replace it.

I haven't updated the BIOS since opening the box with the overclocked build in and putting the thing togther. i don't know if its running stock bios settings, but with them overclocking it etc im going to assume they were of the right mind to update the bios suitably?

I suppose i can check that as well.

I'll have a read of forums and see if anyone else is getting this skyrim problem.

As i've mentioned before, it plays bioshock infinite and a wealth of other games for long periods on max settings. Really don't understand...

 

[Danzio]

Just as precaution ive just ran Intel burn test on maximum with Kombustor running on benchmark with everthing on high next to it and its had no issues, didnt even splutter.

hmm....

 

[Kaktussoft]

Ok,

So i've just played skyrim again and its just shut off, again. I had disabled automatic boot up but there was no bluescreen.

I'll be honest i haven't had a crash concerning the chip or its setting since that one crash, which if i remember correctly did produce a bluescreen.

@TVeblen i tested the power supply in 2 other rigs, one running a xeon and it seemed to work fine under stresses. It could actually be that the power supply is faulty, what i don't understand is that i can run intel burn and mem test for 10 hours but can't run skyrim for 15 mins?

The system was factory overclocked from the store i bought it from, and they test it for 24 hours to check for stability. It has been fine up until running those games. The computer doesn't suffer from this in any other program. it never does it surfing the internet, benchmarking/stress testing, on skype or anything else but certain games.

I guess as i have insurance that covers the build and faulty/defective componants for 28 days after the build i can use that to get fresh parts. Its just i use the computer everyday for work and play (in my downtime)

So it's not crashing at all! It just powers off... with unknown reason yet. Most likely temperature or power supply

 

[Danzio]

Ah, apologies for my use of wording there Kaktussoft.

It is indeed just powering off.

If that is the case then however, why would it be powering off during skyrim/world of tanks when my comp is barely breaking a sweat, and not during running 2 hardcore benchmarking/stability programs running side by side?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Ah, apologies for my use of wording there Kaktussoft.

It is indeed just powering off.

If that is the case then however, why would it be powering off during skyrim/world of tanks when my comp is barely breaking a sweat, and not during running 2 hardcore benchmarking/stability programs running side by side?

I wish I knew

 

[Danzio]

I'll run a few more tests and post anything if i deem it conclusive. Thanks for the help in the mean time guys. Any more suggestions are welcome!

 

[Danzio]

Found out the problem.


Just to let you all know, my PSU is top notch as are my temps. It was the overclock making problems for these 2 games. although other games were fin e, these 2 didn't agree with the overclock.

So, i have 2 profiles in my BIOS, 1 overclocked and 1 not. i guess i'll switch between the 2 based on what i'll be doing.

Thanks for the replies though guys, much appreciated.