New computer randomly freezing and rebooting

[Smoove910]

Apparently the exact model of RAM I'm using isn't on the compatibility list, could that be causing the problem? There's a few very similar G.Skill sticks listed.

This could be the problem, however I have had ram run fine that wasn't on the mobo's compatibility list.

 

[Ketchup]

Just curious fflyash, have you tried different RAM slots? You should be able to run slot A1 or A2 using a single stick.

 

[fflyash]

Just curious fflyash, have you tried different RAM slots? You should be able to run slot A1 or A2 using a single stick.

Yep, I tried switching the slots before I reformatted it. It didn't have any effect on the reboots.

 

[Ketchup]

Yep, I tried switching the slots before I reformatted it. It didn't have any effect on the reboots.

But it sounds like the reboots are a bit different than they were (if they are not creating minidump files now) so it may be worth trying on the fresh install.

 

[feixuanling]

I have a similar problem. Thanks.

 

[fflyash]

But it sounds like the reboots are a bit different than they were (if they are not creating minidump files now) so it may be worth trying on the fresh install.

Ah, it only created minidump files a couple of times, most of the time it just did a hard reset. I'll definitely give it another go just to make sure though.

 

[fflyash]

Is it normal to see a spark inside the power supply when switching it on? I just noticed it then while I was testing something.

 

[knev]

Can you remove the display connection, keyboard and mouse, just run with CPU ON, This helps to know that powersupply is doing the reset or reboot.

 

[Ketchup]

Is it normal to see a spark inside the power supply when switching it on? I just noticed it then while I was testing something.

No this is not normal. Do you how another power supply you can test with?

 

[fabler]

I still suspect the PSU and I suggest you either borrow or buy one, sooner than later, to either prove or disprove the PSU is failing. If it is the PSU then it can go 'pop' at any time with the possibility of it taking the motherboard with it.

 

[rockmyroad]

I had a similar problem but i think it was cuz the hardware was outdated. Used it for 6 years and recently couldn't even get to the desktop page because it powered down or froze during startup. I replaced all my hardware since i couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.. but I keep reasoning with myself that it was about time i did.

i am still interested in what part of the computer causes these automatic shutoff/freeze options for future reference

 

[THRiLL KiLL]

sounds like the psu is underpowered and when the gpu ramps up it kills it *randomly*

 

[fflyash]

Sorry I hadn't replied in a while, I've been away from my computer for the last two weeks. Hopefully I can get my hands on another power supply in the next few days.

 

[Skryblz]

I had that same garbled screen show up on over a dozen laptops I fixed. Always was a bad RAM stick or improperly installed stick (very slight corner not pressed in). Error would show up within 30 seconds, to over 45 minutes at times. Same issues you said (IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL) and garbled screen/lockup. Run memtest86 to verify they are fine, and also pull the RAM sticks and make sure the connectors are clean and making good contact.

 

[fflyash]

So I finally gave up and decided to take it back to the store I bought the parts from so they could try and sort it out. I got a call a few days later saying they tested all the parts and couldn't reproduce the issue, but they had similar issues in the past that they'd fixed by replacing the ssd, which was the same model I have.

I went and picked it up and tried reinstalling windows and so far it's died 4 times during the installation. I guess I can probably rule out the hard drive...

 

[fflyash]

Alright, I think I might have solved it. I finally got a chance to borrow an old PC off a friend. I was hoping to swap out the power supply however when I opened it up I realised it didn't have all the connectors I needed for my computer.

I decided to swap out the RAM just to completely rule it out and I haven't had a restart in over a day now. It still might be a bit early to say for sure, but since I bought it home from the service centre it had been restarting every few minutes.

I'm still a bit wary, since memtest never showed a single error and the restarts continued no matter which stick of RAM I used. Is it more likely I got two bad sticks that are able to pass memtest or could the memory be incompatible with my system for some other reason?

 

[Smoove910]

have you verified your ram to be compatible? Also, they are in the correct slots?

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Memory&Model=Fatal1ty H87 Performance

 

[Ketchup]

Memtest is not perfect. I have seen/heard about plenty of RAM modules passing the test. At least almost all RAM has a lifetime warranty.

 

[fflyash]

Well it looks like it was the RAM after all. I returned mine to the store and got a replacement kit and I haven't had restart since. I guess I was just unlucky enough to get 2 bad sticks.

Thanks for the help everybody.