Random Reboots

F

Finsta

Gawd
Joined
Oct 9, 2003
Messages
707
Lately, I've had some random reboots. So, I decided that I should finally clean up the wires[that was fun, I did a good job too..] but when I went to turn on the PC, I got a RAM error.

So, after reseating the sticks, it worked no problem but still random reboots. Rock stable programs like foobar2000 and Firefox seem to crash on me. So I was advised to also test the HD, grabbed my trusty Ultimate Boot CD and ran Powermax(I have a 160GB Maxtor SATA Drive). Did the advanced test, came back clean. And as I type this, I'm running HD Tune. Is my problem lying in RAM or the HD?
 
Actually, I would look at the power supply if the RAM checks out. Your power supply might be putting out highly fluctuating power levels.
 
1) pics of wiring job ;)
2) CPU temp? Voltage? Overclocking?
3) Try loosening memory timings?
4) Memtest86+
5) Try Knoppix - play around on that for a while and see if it reboots
6) Try just one stick of memory
7) Can you try another HD? Unplug all optical drives? Remove all expansion cards you don't need?
8) Another PSU?
 
I don't think it's the PSU.

This is what I got in the box:
P4 - 2.8ghz Northwood C, with a 7000A-Alcu, 1GB of HyperX PC3500, True430, ASUS 9800XT, Gigabyte 8KNXP Rev 2, 160GB Maxtor SATA, and LiteOn DVD-ROM + LG DVD+-R

EDIT:
Here's a pic, but it's not meant to be for hidden wires, I just wanted to actually have airflow as opposed to having bunched wires in the front. :p

 
Well, random reboots, if not a RAM or mobo problem, are almost always a PSU problem. Do the standard fix ups (check the seating on cables and cards), and check the mobo for any signs of damage. Also, check to see if your CPU or anything else is overheating. Hrmm, you could check the voltages of your PSU voltages from the BIOS screen, since you shoudl check there anyway for any signs of trouble in the settings. Who knows, maybe something retarded happened like your RAM is clocked too fast. who knows. good luck.
 
Also when you're looking over you're wireing job again, try to make sure you don't have to many devices on one rail. This could strain the PSU.
 
FlatLine84 said:
Also when you're looking over you're wireing job again, try to make sure you don't have to many devices on one rail. This could strain the PSU.
Click to expand...
I ran Memtest with both sticks in, it's the RAM. I got errors in less than an hour. On the PSU, There aren't many drives hooked up to each rail. The HD is on the SATA connector, 2 Optical drives + fans on another, and the video card gets one to itself. I'll update when I figure out which stick died or if it's both.
 
Finsta said:
I ran Memtest with both sticks in, it's the RAM. I got errors in less than an hour. On the PSU, There aren't many drives hooked up to each rail. The HD is on the SATA connector, 2 Optical drives + fans on another, and the video card gets one to itself. I'll update when I figure out which stick died or if it's both.
Click to expand...

Sweet, it's just the RAM :)
 
Finsta said:
I ran Memtest with both sticks in, it's the RAM. I got errors in less than an hour. On the PSU, There aren't many drives hooked up to each rail. The HD is on the SATA connector, 2 Optical drives + fans on another, and the video card gets one to itself. I'll update when I figure out which stick died or if it's both.
Click to expand...
Failing memtest doesn't always indicate bad RAM, though it's very likely a module is bad. As you said, test individually.

Even then, to ensure it's bad, cross test it on another PC. You could simply be seing a bad socket on the mobo, or BIOS settings, or a compatibility issue between the sticks.
 
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