Hardware or software problem?

455olds

Gawd
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
791
I attached pictures of the problem.
I had to rma board for random shutdowns a couple years ago and I also upgraded power supply to a corsair 600 or 650 watt
This is the specs of computer having problem.
COOLER MASTER Elite 341 RC-341C-KKN1-GP Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119193

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

BIOSTAR TA890GXB HD AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138194

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103871

Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371029

ASUS PCE-N13 IEEE 802.11b/g/n PCI Express Wireless Adapter Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64-bit/128-bit WEP, TKIP, and AES WI-Fi alliance WPA, WPA2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320048

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 1.5MB Cache SATA 24X Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135221

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073



This is the build thread http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1589007

20150722_190410.jpg
20150722_190758.jpg
 
Have you done any diagnostics so far? Maybe start with something like Memtest86+.

That picture on the left looks similar to computers I've had when the GPU died. I doubt that is what it is, especially if you are using an onboard GPU, but it certainly looks similar.
 
I had similar issues and they were ram related. Run memtest or in my scenario I swapped my 4 sticks 1 by 1 until the problem one appeared.
 
Whenever I see something glitch out like that, my first suspect is the VRAM on the video card, and my second is the system RAM. As you're using onboard video, it uses system memory, but probably has some sort of on-package VRAM. If memtest passes and you still can't find what's wrong, perhaps try something like this- link
 
I've only ever had this issue with network drivers, so it's another thing to check. There could be an incompatibility between the onboard LAN chipset and your wireless card, or an issue with the LAN chipset drivers.

If you installed all the chipset drivers from the included CD I would first try going directly to the Realtek website and updating with the driver available from there.
http://www.realtek.com.tw/Downloads...d=5&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

The version available there for Windows 7 is 7.092 and is dated 27/05/2015, if you would like to compare to the version you have installed.
 
Ok memtest is running now. If it passes Ill try the other suggestions. I'll report back tomorrow night.
 
I cleaned it out in case it was overheating issue. It passed memtest after running 24 hrs. No errors in that video ram software Chris recommended either. I also disabled wireless card and used a USB adapter. It was very slow getting online so I think it may have been a driver issue like Armenius suggested.
I'll give it some time to see if its fixed and report back.
 
Problem is back worse. Lots or random shutdowns. It is not my computer but I was able to get a shot of another blue screen.
Any guess at what this problem is or another diagnostic I can try? Where should i go from here?
I am going to try that realtek driver but want a few more options and opinions for when I get a chance to get into it.
Seams like its a hardware problem that is going to be hard to pinpoint

20150731_204511.jpg
 
I'd format.

If the BSOD changes like that, it's typically software related....
 
I'd format.

If the BSOD changes like that, it's typically software related....

I've found general or random BSOD errors point to one of two things:

Bad ram

or

Failing power supply.

If Memtest completes then I'd point to the PSU sending out dirty power or being overloaded without latching.
 
If so that would be 2nd bad power supply in this rig. I bought a good corsair ps this time too.
I'll try a clean windows 10 install first then power supply.
 
It got to the point windows wouldn't boot so I did a fresh install of windows 7 and still having problems. I ran windows check disk and it gave a generic "hardware error detected error" This seams like a bad hard drive? I am not having any luck getting ultimate boot cd to work for hard drive diagnostic software.
This is the latest error message when I try to boot.
20150805_195402.jpg


*edit* I got boot disc to work. I was using a dvd instead of a cd,that was my problem. I will report back if hdd test works. Its taking forever to load. I am trying the latest western digital hdd test.
 
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It got to the point windows wouldn't boot so I did a fresh install of windows 7 and still having problems. I ran windows check disk and it gave a generic "hardware error detected error" This seams like a bad hard drive? I am not having any luck getting ultimate boot cd to work for hard drive diagnostic software.
This is the latest error message when I try to boot.

Bad power can cause data corruption. Swap the drive out, attempt to reinstall Win7. Same issues? Power supply is next.
 
It passed the long hdd scan. Not sure what to do for next step. It could have a bad motherboard,power supply or hdd. What should I try first?
 
Just out of curiosity have you actually cleaned out your machine of dust and the likes? You may be over heating causing weird errors like that. Possibly the northbridge or cpu or something. If you have some spare thermal paste it might be worth a shot to clean the old stuff off and add some new. If not that look for blown capacitors they look bubbled or have crusty fluid around them when they go bad.
 
I did clean it out good and I didn't notice any bad caps when I was in there.
 
I see three courses of action at this point.

1. Change RAM anyway.

2. Your build is not sound. Check if you haven't forgotten a screw loose somwhere, re-seat all cables, change your power cord, the electrical-wise works.

3. First case of a bad CPU I've encountered D:
 
I put in a new power supply and took a close look at everything,no bulging caps.

I booted it up into windows and let it run a while. When I came back there was no display and it was unresponsive. (no lights on keyboard either)
After rebooting it doesn't even show bios screen,no display and keyboard not powering up. The hard drive led is showing activity though.
What is the next step I should take?
Should I try a new motherboard? If so is this one ok? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128823
 
PC hound said this board should work and it looks like a better board that is not refurbished. My ram should work ok with it? ASUS Micro ATX DDR3 2000 AMD AM3+ Motherboard M5A78L-M/USB3 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQO9L1Q/?tag=pchound-20

Or if anyone could recommend a new cpu,ram motherboard combo upgrade I will go that route and that should eliminate any more problems. I have a ssd to put in it. Computer is just used for web browsing and Microsoft office. Something good on power would be nice.
 
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This is slightly higher price, and will give you much better performance in everyday use. It also lets you upgrade to more AND FASTER cores, should your needs change. You don't get that with AM1.

Celeron 2.7 + 4GB ram = $66

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.2448139

H81 motherboard = $45

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130731

Will use slightly more power, but not enough that you would notice.

You also don't sacrifice integrated graphics gaming performance versus the 5350 (compare with Pentium, which has same IGP):

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/cpu/68797-intel-pentium-g3220-22nm-haswell/?page=7
 
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This is slightly higher price, and will give you much better performance in everyday use. It also lets you upgrade to more AND FASTER cores, should your needs change. You don't get that with AM1.

Celeron 2.7 + 4GB ram = $66

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.2448139

H81 motherboard = $45

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130731

Will use slightly more power, but not enough that you would notice.

You also don't sacrifice integrated graphics gaming performance versus the 5350 (compare with Pentium, which has same IGP):

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/cpu/68797-intel-pentium-g3220-22nm-haswell/?page=7
Thank you. I ordered it
 
Yeah, that Celeron is original, not Haswell refresh, so every H81 board should support it, no matter how long it's been on the shelf :D
 
I have it all back together. Posting from it now. Thanks for help. The old wifi card that I thought was bad even works.
 
Very cool to hear, sometimes you just are forced to start fresh.

Thankfully, it's cheaper than ever to rebuild a basic system
 
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