PC Crashing when Cold. Help!!

[giorgio_pin]

Any help, tips or advice much appreciated with this issue as I am at a complete loss now.
My PC is about 6 years old now but is still running fine and hasn’t given me any problems in all that time apart from the odd PSU, DVD drive and fan replacement. I have been very pleased with this computer as I built it myself and it has done me good.
My problem is that the PC keeps crashing, seemingly only when cold. After that it will run all day without a problem. It started a few weeks ago when it was crashing all the time. I figured it may be a software issue as I hadn’t reinstalled for about 2 years and as the PC was a little slow, thought I’d reinstall my operating system etc.
Well, I did that but it still kept crashing. Then one day, I felt the side panel on the case and it was frightingly hot. The PSU was overheating causing the CPU to overheat as well. So I replaced the PSU and everything was ok for a couple of weeks – no crashes.
The last week or so the crashes have started up again although only in the morning when I turn on the PC for the first time. Once it has warmed up everything is fine although it is crashing 3 or 4 times now before everything settles down.
The first thing I thought was that maybe I had damaged the CPU with the previous issue as it was quite a long time before I got round to replacing the PSU and figured that the processor may be damaged as a result.
So the first thing I did one morning was to let the computer sit in the BIOS monitoring the system and CPU temperatures. Everything was fine there – both at about 50C which is ok. I immediately started up the computer only for it to crash before it got to the 'Welcome' screen. So I figured the CPU was ok. The last couple of days I’ve been shifting my RAM sticks around using different slots but it’s still crashing so no problem there. I am now at a loss.
I did go to system properties to disable the, ‘Automatically Restart After System Failure’ button but I don’t get any screens when there’s a crash – the computer just shuts down. A couple of other things. After a crash, I can’t start the computer up again for 10-20 minutes even if I unplug the power lead for a few seconds. The other thing is that after a crash all my saved passwords on websites have to be re-entered. I find this most odd.
I am now wondering that I may have damaged the motherboard through the original overheating issue. I am still wondering whether there is a CPU problem but wouldn’t the PC still boot even if there was a problem there?
This is the first time I have ever really got stuck with a PC issue so any help would be much appreciated.
I have a Gigabyte GA-7VAXP Ultra MB with an Athlon 2200 XP processor. 3gb RAM. Windows XP SP3.
Thanks.

 

[dfnkt]

50c on idle processor seems high to me. I have a my computer I built in 2005 running an amd athlon 3800+ and it sits around 38c under load.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Mmmm. The last time I checked, it was at 45C which I think is ok. When it was overheating it was in the 60s at least. BIOS says CPU shutdown temp is 110c (I know this sounds really high but it's definitely centigrade) so I think 50c is ok. Maybe I should reseat the processor just in case the paste got fried.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Ok. I've reseated the CPU. There was a rather large amount of dust in the heatsink so maybe this was what the issue was. Now running at 43C. I've checked the net and 50C seems to be fine anyway for my processor. Intels seem to run a lot hotter in general.
Let's hope this works then. Won't know for sure until I boot up tomorrow morning. Thanks.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Oh dear. Well that didn't work. It was only half an hour after I reseated the CPU when it shut down when I wasn't even doing anything (first time this has happened when PC is warm - 40 odd degrees C). At least I've ruled that out. Running ok again now. Really stuck now.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

I'm betting it's not overheating. At least the CPU isn't the one overheating. If you have a lot of dust build up (it sounds like you do), then clean out the entire case. Pay close attention to all the fans.

The last week or so the crashes have started up again although only in the morning when I turn on the PC for the first time. Once it has warmed up everything is fine although it is crashing 3 or 4 times now before everything settles down.

This sounds like a solder issue. This can happen when electronic components aren't properly connected (soldered). I've seen these sorts of issues develop over time. They typically don't happen when you first get a device. The most likely culprit is your motherboard.

The last couple of days I’ve been shifting my RAM sticks around using different slots but it’s still crashing so no problem there.

You can try a RAM testing program like MemTest+ (http://www.memtest.org/)

Run it for about 12 hours. If you get errors then go to one stick and test each one for at least 4 hours.

Overall, I would say it's time to build a new computer. But if you want to troubleshoot it then the motherboard is the most likely culprit.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Thanks for that. Will do a Memory Test after the weekend as am away for a few days. I think I've ruled out the memory though. Mmmm. Would be nice to build a shiny new PC. Will consider it if things get worse. A couple of crashes in the morning is acceptable at the moment. Thanks again.

 

[Blunc]

if the mobo really is 5 or 6 years old, there may be failing caps especially if the system was running hot for a while.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Couple of things to report this morning. First of all, today I am going to strip the PC and give it a good clean. I don't think this has anything to do with dust build up but I guess it's best to rule that out and it will give me the chance to give the MB a thorough visual inspection.
When the PC shuts down, the power light remains on. Until this morning, I have always tried messing about immediately to try and get the computer running again though it always takes 10-20 minutes (as already stated) as there is no response initially - then it will shut down another 2 or 3 times and I will go through the same process again. Today, I left the PC alone after it shut down and it restarted itself after a few seconds. It shut down again during boot up and did the same thing about 10 times until it eventually got into Windows and everything was ok. This all took only about 10-15 mins whereas in the past, I'd be messing about for about an hour until everything was stable.
One other point I forgot to mention before: when I replaced the PSU a few weeks back, I noted that two of the pins on the main MB connector had browned off due to overheating although the corresponding pins on the MB were still clean and shiny.
Will post again later today after PC has been cleaned.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Ok - PC is nice and clean now. There was a lot of dust, even under the MB. Hasn't shut down since starting up again but I don't think it had enough time to cool down to trigger the issue.
The browned off pins I mentioned when I replaced the PSU have browned off on this PSU as well. Not only that, the corresponding pins on the MB have browned off as well so there probably is a MB fault. Fingers crossed though for tomorrow morning when PC goes on. Thanks for everyone's help.
I've checked my receipts and this PC is actually over seven years old so I guess it hasn't done too bad.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Well, well, well. Have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the PC has been on for over an hour this morning and it hasn't shut down. Very pleased about that. So I guess it did need a good clean. There is a spanner in the works, however.
Last night I couldn't install one of Window's updates so I checked the error code on Microsoft's website and did what they told me to do and eventually installed the update. But when the PC restarted, I got a blue screen and CHECKDISK ran deleting several files (don't know what they were as they only popped up for a few seconds). When the computer restarted I got a SYSTEM DISK error!!! I tried restarting a couple of times and it booted ok although I went through the same process this morning (without CHECKDISK running). I am sure that this has something to do with the deleted files from Windows update but am also wondering whether all this time I've had a faulty hard drive - it does seem a bit warm. Can someone tell me if a faulty HD will cause a PC to restart without warning. Otherwise, very pleased that computer hasn't shutdown so far this morning.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Oh dear. Got a BSOD just seconds after submitting my last post. Didn't say much (.....a process terminated unexpectedly......). Tried System Restore to a couple of days ago but when it booted up again it said no changes could be made. Am sure this has got something to do with Windows Update. Am going away now for a day or two but will probably reinstall my operating system when I get back.....AGAIN!! Very pleased with no shutdowns though this morning.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

If the hard drive is as old as the rest of your system then yes it could definitely be going out.

I replace most of my hard drives in the 2-5 year range.

 

[giorgio_pin]

I've been back a couple of days now and am pleased to report that the computer is absolutely fine now. Certainly no crashes or HDD errors. Don't know what the issue was with the HDD - maybe I didn't put one of the leads back properly after putting the system back together after cleaning, although I don't think it's that. Either way, everything is hunky dory now. Am just about to put the side panel back on and consider it case closed. Many thanks again for everyone's help. Will post again if anything else happens but I think it's going to be ok.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sometimes a wonky PC just needs a little TLC.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Ho hum. I find it necessary to resurrect this thread. This past week, the PC has been absolutely fine. Not the inciest thing to report. Last night however I think the inevitable end came.
Was running Microsoft Money when it crashed and I got a send error report box pop up. That has never happened with that software. Then the same thing happened with Internet Explorer and then with my screensaver. Can't remember now what happened after that but in the end had the recurring issue of not being able to get into Windows. Then left PC off for 20 mins and everything seemed fine again.
Started running a HDD checker and went to bed. This morning, all the fans were running in the PC but screen was blank. Rebooted and got into Windows for about five mins before shutting down and unable to get back in. On one of the boot ups I didn't even get the beep - just a blank screen. Left the PC off for about half an hour but now it's just not having it. Can't get into Windows for any length of time. Am now on the laptop. Can't even run MB and CPU checkers now which I was just about to try. Something's toast. Would be nice to know what it is because I would prefer to keep PC going than build a new one. I'm not paying someone to fix it so I guess that's that. Will try it again in a couple of hours but it now looks like it's finally come to the end of the road. Funny when everything seemed ok.

 

[giorgio_pin]

This is the latest. PC won't boot at all now. I get the initial beep when I turn on, but the screen stays blank. I can't even get into the BIOS so I assume this rules out the hard drive.
Have just ordered a replacement CPU (2200 XP) for less than £9 which would be an acceptable loss if it doesn't solve the issue. After that it's got to be the MB. Did manage to run Memtest a few days ago for 12 hours with 0 errors so my RAM is ok. Will post again when CPU arrives.

 

[giorgio_pin]

This is starting to get really bad. Turned out, the blank screen was a graphics issue. I had a spare graphics card lying round so I tried that but still no graphics. So I tried the analogue connection and got my graphics back although there were a few pixelations and the system then froze. I guess this must surely be my motherboard. Am going to keep at it though. I think I will try to get hold of a cheap MB as a new build does not come at a good time.

 

[giorgio_pin]

Just thought I'd add the final chapter......I purchased a cheap, used replacement motherboard and everything is absolutely fine now although my monitor still doesn't provide a DVI display. Didn't know a MB could ah heck up your monitor. Anyway, am running off the VGA connection and, as stated, PC is absolutely fine now. At least I've got away with having to build a new PC for the moment.