Rig Stability

[Thehubb]

I just finished getting windows installed and was wondering how i test it to make sure everything is running ok. Every once and a while ill get a random blue screen error. Memory, display etc. But every time i restart i never see that error again. It's totally just random things out of nowhere that get fixed with a reboot. Kind of makes me worry about my configuration. What programs do you guys suggest to test everything out?

Another thing: I cant activate windows whenever it comes up. It always says there was an error and it has to close itself. And it only reminds me to activate once every boot up. I can't dl sp2 or any other updates until i do. Where else can i go to activate it?

 

[stevty2889]

Well I would run memtest to test the memory. I'd run 2 instances of prime95 torture test to check for stability, and run 3dmark01-05 as well. Did you install the most recent chipset and video drivers(I actualy recomend the 81.26 beta drivers since you have an X2)? I would also download the AMD X2 driver if you haven't.

Keep track of what your blue screens are, they can actualy be helpful for trying to figure out the root of the problem. If you haven't already done so, disable the automatic restart after getting a blue screen.

 

[Thehubb]

The 81.26 are chipset or video drivers? Ya ive been keeping track of my errors. They seem to only pertain to memory. But i ran memtest for like 15 hours with not one error. If i get prime95 and something happens, how do i fix it? Will it tell me what went wrong or just blue screen?

 

[stevty2889]

81.26 are video drivers, that can take advantage of dual cpu/dual core systems. Prime95 basicly stresses the CPU, it will just stop and say there was an error. If you get blue screens or crashes during 3dmark, then it could be graphics related. It could also be the lack of service pack 2, I know it's required for the X2 driver. I would try disabling cool and quiet if you have it enabled.

Not sure about your motherboard, but I had a lot of problems with the Nvidia gigabit ethernet on mine, I was getting IE crashes, and anything else that tried to access the net would crash as well, so that might be your problem with windows activation. My board also has a PNY ethernet connection, my problems went away when I used it instead of the Nvidia. If your board has another lan port, or if you have a PCI nic laying around, I suggest using that instead of the Nvidia lan.

 

[theMan]

prime95 doesnt bluescreen. it just says ERROR, and the test stops. then you know somethings wrong. also, run 3dmark05 to test video. for now you should use nvidia 78.01 drivers. when you are sure everything is stable, then get the BETA 81.26 drivers.

 

[Thehubb]

Ok i updated windows completely and installed sp2. I also took out one stick of my ram. I think there is something wrong with dual channel mode because when i have then set in it, i cant even get past the asus boot screen. When i have them both in, but single channel, the comp boots but is very unstable. Now i have only one in and it's running really good. I posted on ocz's forums about it, maybe they can help with drivers and stuff.

 

[DasFox]

Micro-Scope is pretty impressive for testing the system:

http://www.micro2000.co.uk/products/microscope/microscope.html