My new builds been a nightmare ; (

[xplicid001]

SYSTEM: Built for gaming
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775
MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply - Retail

Something just is not working here properly and im starting to think i might have assemebled a lemon.

Problem i have had and resolved:
1) Was sent a busted PSU
2) CPU fan pin poped out had my comp running at 78C for a good hour before i realized

Problems i HAVE:
1) the Heat sync fan does not start up for ~30 seconds into boot and when it does start the RPM is under 1k. (CPU according to gigbytes hardware monitor is 33C). the fan will start, stop (beep), start, stop (beep). once it does catch the beeping stops.

2) I am having programs crash like crazy. Ive tried a complete reformat of the hard drive and installed a retail copy of xp pro. Ive updated the OS along with all drivers for the hardware from their websites.

Some examples of unexpected crashes:
1) Firefox will crash. Ive never ever had firefox crash on me ever. It wasnt just a one time crash either.. its crashed about five times
2) When loading a map for counterstrike, i get a message saying that my map differs from the server map.
3) when playing world of warcraft i get a fetal crash saying it failed to read data.
4) When reinstalling wow, it fails at the half way point saying something to the point of the program quit, probably due to hard drive capacity being full. (20gb/500gb being used)

Now i dont kno what could be causing the programs to crash. I would think the hard drive would be the problem. The thing is ive tried instaling wow to an external hard drive and i still get some sort of error. I also was thinking maybe the cd drive (but counter strike was downloaded from internet) was extracting things incorrectly. But it could also be mobo/ram/cpu.

So i come to you guys in desperation. The computer runs multimedia type shit fine, but i bought the comp for gaming and i cant even use it for the games i like to play.

ANY suggestions? at this point all help is welcome. any idea? any suggestions? any advice? any similar stories?

basically, if you guys were in my shoes, what would you be doing to fix the problem?

thanks so much

 

[DSF]

What are your RAM settings currently? Is the CPU fan connector securely plugged in? Does your RAM pass Memtest? Have you run the manufacturer's hard drive diagnostic?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: xplicid001
ANY suggestions? at this point all help is welcome. any idea? any suggestions? any advice?

basically, if you guys were in my shoes, what would you be doing to fix the problem?

thanks so much

I would turn the PC over into the hands of a friend that knew more about them.
Let him/her work with it over time, and give them plenty of breathing room.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: DSF
What are your RAM settings currently? Is the CPU fan connector securely plugged in? Does your RAM pass Memtest? Have you run the manufacturer's hard drive diagnostic?

So i burned memtest to a cd as an iso and put into cd drive. On boot up my computer would prematurely crash and restart before it got a chance to run the program. Is this alone indicative of nething? or am i just being retarted?

while i went into easy tune pro (gigabyte hardware monitor) to check my ram settings, i notice the cpu was running at 1600 mhz instead of the 2400 mhz its stock clocked at. The strange thing is, the mobo says its orginally supposed to be at 1600

ram running at 800 frequency with 1.9 volts
CPU: 266 FSB, ratio 6, voltage 1.325

 

[DSF]

What timings at that frequency? I believe Ballistix want more than 1.9V for their advertised timings.

 

[xplicid001]

That would mean i would need a friend that would kno what they are doing. Ive done plenty of builds before, but i must admit ive never run into ne problems. I think im capable enough to at least follow instruction and how can we learn without the help of others? we all have to start somewhere and im really not that uniformed.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: DSF
What timings at that frequency? I believe Ballistix want more than 1.9V for their advertised timings.

hey thanks so much for the help and effort DSF. Heres a ss i took using cpuid

http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=infoyn5.jpg

 

[chinaman1472]

The fan speed on the CPU is normal.
My old stock HSF on E2160 OCed ran about 800RPM on idle. Along with that, it wouldn't start up for about a minute on a cold start. If the computer is in a pretty cold room, that's normal. If it's doing that when it's not on a cold start, check the connections again.

In the BIOS, put the MCH and RAM voltages at +0.1v if you haven't yet. If it is, try putting the RAM to +0.2v.

It could potentially be bad memory, but bad memory should be giving you errors anywhere. Does running Prime95 give you errors as well? That could point to a bad CPU chip.

 

[boomerang]

I'll just throw this out there not knowing if it's relevant or not as I don't know if you've investigated this.

There are two versions of your motherboard. I would make sure that your processor is supported with the BIOS version the board is at.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
The fan speed on the CPU is normal.
My old stock HSF on E2160 OCed ran about 800RPM on idle. Along with that, it wouldn't start up for about a minute on a cold start. If the computer is in a pretty cold room, that's normal. If it's doing that when it's not on a cold start, check the connections again.

In the BIOS, put the MCH and RAM voltages at +0.1v if you haven't yet. If it is, try putting the RAM to +0.2v.

It could potentially be bad memory, but bad memory should be giving you errors anywhere. Does running Prime95 give you errors as well? That could point to a bad CPU chip.

wells somethings deff. wrong. Thanks so much for the suggestion. The problem is i just dont kno what do to or where to go with this information. I am so thankful u guys have taken the time to help me out, cause without u guys im really stuck.

http://img100.imageshack.us/im...94/stresstestttyi7.jpg

says to consult stress.txt and there is no such file on my computer. searched *.txt

Local.txt was in director along with 2 others
OldCpuSpeed=2400
ComputerGUID=20f0cb2290db9b9798a4280efae9fcbd

Prime.txt
V24OptionsConverted=1
SendAllFactorData=1
StressTester=1
UsePrimenet=0
MinTortureFFT=8
MaxTortureFFT=4096
TortureMem=437
TortureTime=15

[PrimeNet]
Debug=1

Results
[Sun May 25 18:09:57 2008]
FATAL ERROR: Resulting sum was 8072217146511360, expected: 7687626270657029
Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file.
FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4
Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file.
FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4
Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file.
FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.4921875, expected less than 0.4
Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I'll just throw this out there not knowing if it's relevant or not as I don't know if you've investigated this.

There are two versions of your motherboard. I would make sure that your processor is supported with the BIOS version the board is at.

Are you saying the old version of the board comes with bios that are not compatable with the chip and must be updated in order to work? Cause it specifically says on my box socket 775. Ive updated all drivers, but i have not updated the bios as of yet, i will do so.


thanks for the suggestions, im open to ALL information.

 

[chinaman1472]

Well, Prime95 is giving you errors right away, so your system is definitely unstable. Probably something wrong with the CPU or the RAM.

I'm assuming you're not overclocking anything. So in your BIOS, change the DRAM:FSB ratio to 2.0. The multiplier and FSB speed should be on Auto or grayed out. I'm at work right now so I can't remember the BIOS settings/names exactly. Do this, start it up, and try to run MemTest and Prime95 again. Also, test using a single stick of memory and test in each possible memory slot.

If you bought your computer recently (within the past few months), you probably have the Revision 2.0 for the motherboard, so the Q6600 should work out of the box, so I doubt it's the motherboard.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Which prime test did you run, blend? Blend is mainly ram, sounds like bad ram.

Try each stick individually, maybe one bad stick.

Also make sure that the 4pin Aux power connector is connected well to the motherboard

 

[gigahertz20]

Your memory in that CPU-Z screen shows up as single channel, it should be dual channel, that's one problem right there. Make sure your memory is in the same color DIMM slots on your motherboard, and make sure the memory timings, voltage, and speed match what their specs are in the BIOS. Run memtest after you verify everything and see if you get errors. Also make sure you have the latest BIOS for your mobo.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

have you memtested your ram prior to installing windows? if even one ram stick has a problem, it has already corrupted your OS and it will always fail OCCT and P95. you should take out all but one DIMM and test it for 24 hours or 50 passes. if each stick of ram passes then you should continue to format and reinstall windows with basic drivers

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Which prime test did you run, blend? Blend is mainly ram, sounds like bad ram.

Try each stick individually, maybe one bad stick.

Also make sure that the 4pin Aux power connector is connected well to the motherboard

ya i first i ran a blend then i ran a small FFTs and it ran fine for 45 minutes then one test failed. 45 minutes later the next test failed. every 45 minutes the test failed and i figured at the point they were running a ram test.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: gigahertz20
Your memory in that CPU-Z screen shows up as single channel, it should be dual channel, that's one problem right there. Make sure your memory is in the same color DIMM slots on your motherboard

nice catch man. thats information in itself cause both sticks are in the slot 1/3. so thats gotta mean its the ram correct?

 

[xplicid001]

newegg has a 90day return/replacement policy on ram. Imma just say fuck it and send the two sticks in. you think this is a good route to go?

you guys dont even understand how greatful i am for your guys' help. youve been awesome

here are the specs of the ram
Model
Brand Crucial
Series Ballistix Tracer
Model BL2KIT12864AL804
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 4
Timing 4-4-4-12
Voltage 2.2V
Heat Spreader Yes
Features SLI Ready
with LEDs
Recommend Use High Performance or Gaming Memory

mines running at 1.9v and to be honest if the rams not running at what it suppose to be running at id rather just get a new pair. I mean what would cause the ram to shortchange and declock itself?

 

[Arcanedeath]

Your ram is spec'd to run @ 2.2V and you have it at 1.9V that can cause the issues you are seeing, try setting your ram to at least 2.0-2.1V and see if that helps your basicly overclocking your ram atm and it looks like its not stable w/ 1.9V

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: xplicid001
newegg has a 90day return/replacement policy on ram. Imma just say fuck it and send the two sticks in. you think this is a good route to go?

you guys dont even understand how greatful i am for your guys' help. youve been awesome

here are the specs of the ram
Model
Brand Crucial
Series Ballistix Tracer
Model BL2KIT12864AL804
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 4
Timing 4-4-4-12
Voltage 2.2V
Heat Spreader Yes
Features SLI Ready
with LEDs
Recommend Use High Performance or Gaming Memory

mines running at 1.9v and to be honest if the rams not running at what it suppose to be running at id rather just get a new pair. I mean what would cause the ram to shortchange and declock itself?

Dude, you have started off this build half-cocked. You should have done more reading & thinking before taking the plunge.
Just take the rig to someone that knows how to set them up.
Otherwise you'll be swapping out good parts for more good parts and still won't have a running PC. :roll:

Sorry to be so blunt. But the bottom line is, after spending all that money, you want a functioning system.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea, cpu fan pins don't pop out unless you install them incorrectly.

sometimes you shouldn't build your own pc.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
Your ram is spec'd to run @ 2.2V and you have it at 1.9V that can cause the issues you are seeing, try setting your ram to at least 2.0-2.1V and see if that helps your basicly overclocking your ram atm and it looks like its not stable w/ 1.9V

thanks man. but am i reading this right? 1.9v is over clocked compared to 2.2v? Now if i increase the ram to 2.2v, will i have to reinstall windows to test the ram? as someone said earlier if you install the os with bad ram the os is going to be corrupted.

 

[xplicid001]

Originally posted by: Blain

Dude, you have started off this build half-cocked. You should have done more reading & thinking before taking the plunge.
Just take the rig to someone that knows how to set them up.
Otherwise you'll be swapping out good parts for more good parts and still won't have a running PC. :roll:

Sorry to be so blunt. But the bottom line is, after spending all that money, you want a functioning system.

What i dont think you understand is people learn best in a real time situation. I can spend three years reading and not learn as much as i would from this. why give up now, when there are more then enough people willing to help? How would u kno if my ram is working properly or not? to be honest i did not kno the less voltage a part was receiving that was considered over clocking it; in fact i thought the ladder.

you look to be a pretty reputable guy, but i really dont like the discouragement. If you could please tell me why you think my ram is working and some things that i might be doing wrong i think i could be much more productive.

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
yea, cpu fan pins don't pop out unless you install them incorrectly.

sometimes you shouldn't build your own pc.

you off your high horse yet? that has absolutely nothing to do with what im asking and your post is waste of space not to mention ive done ten+ builds successfully and have been on these forums for like 6 years. Lost my old account info however

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: xplicid001

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
Your ram is spec'd to run @ 2.2V and you have it at 1.9V that can cause the issues you are seeing, try setting your ram to at least 2.0-2.1V and see if that helps your basicly overclocking your ram atm and it looks like its not stable w/ 1.9V

thanks man. but am i reading this right? 1.9v is over clocked compared to 2.2v? Now if i increase the ram to 2.2v, will i have to reinstall windows to test the ram? as someone said earlier if you install the os with bad ram the os is going to be corrupted.

Raise it to 2.2v then retest with prime blend or memtest, if you have sporatic problems reformat and reinstall OS

 

[chinaman1472]

In the BIOS, put the RAM voltage to +0.3 or +0.4 to make it run at 2.2v. Then reinstall windows.