Strange problems with my PC lately

[branskyj]

Hi,
I started getting weird problems with my PC lately:
1. I start the PC, nothing gets displayed at the screen but I can hear Windows loading fine. After 20-30 seconds I can even shut down the PC through my keyboard (Windows key + right arrow + Enter) even though there is still nothing displayed on the screen. If I start the PC again everything runs normal and I get image on my screen. That happens 3-4 times a week.
2. Second problem is more frustrating- I am in Windows, minding my own business and the computer just freezes. It's strange because I sometimes watch movies and can still hear the audio fine. Sometimes it continues work after 20-30 seconds of freeze, sometimes I freezes completely and I have to turn it off from the button.

I replaced the memory with another one- no change.
I swapped my graphics card with another one- no change.
I re-installed my Windows 7 Ultimate (clean install), changed 3 different Nvidia drivers (2 of their latest and one older)- no change.
I have my suspicion that the culprit is my Samsung 830 SSD and will look now for some software tools to test it, but that doesn't really explain my first problem.

PC configuration- Intel 3930k (not clocked), GTX 460, Corsair 4GB RAM, Samsung 830 SSD, Corsair 850W PSU.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Slugbait]

Which mobo?

 

[piasabird]

Sounds like a video problem. Is this computer using a video card or integrated video on the motherboard or on the processor. Lots of things can cause this like overheating video, setting the resolution too high, or intermittent power from the power supply.

 

[Termie]

Hi,
I started getting weird problems with my PC lately:
1. I start the PC, nothing gets displayed at the screen but I can hear Windows loading fine. After 20-30 seconds I can even shut down the PC through my keyboard (Windows key + right arrow + Enter) even though there is still nothing displayed on the screen. If I start the PC again everything runs normal and I get image on my screen. That happens 3-4 times a week.
2. Second problem is more frustrating- I am in Windows, minding my own business and the computer just freezes. It's strange because I sometimes watch movies and can still hear the audio fine. Sometimes it continues work after 20-30 seconds of freeze, sometimes I freezes completely and I have to turn it off from the button.

I replaced the memory with another one- no change.
I swapped my graphics card with another one- no change.
I re-installed my Windows 7 Ultimate (clean install), changed 3 different Nvidia drivers (2 of their latest and one older)- no change.
I have my suspicion that the culprit is my Samsung 830 SSD and will look now for some software tools to test it, but that doesn't really explain my first problem.

PC configuration- Intel 3930k (not clocked), GTX 460, Corsair 4GB RAM, Samsung 830 SSD, Corsair 850W PSU.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

So, based on what you've said, this most definitely is NOT an SSD problem. It's obviously a video card problem, and not one that's driver-related, due to the failure at POST (prior to loading of Windows).

What alternate video card did you try? It's possible, although not likely, that's it's a motherboard problem. Have you tried running a video card in another PCIe slot?

Also, as an aside, you say you can hear windows loading but you have an SSD. What do you mean exactly?

 

[branskyj]

Hi all and thanks for the replies,

The motherboard is Asus Rampage IV Formula.
The graphics card is GTX 460- external.

I suspect the SSD because the other day (after many restarts) I was prompted to check the hard drive for inconsistencies at start up (but this could be due to many restarts now that I think of it)
The second video card I tried was also GTX 460 (I have two of them). What are the odds both of them are failing? And yes- the second graphics card I tried in a different PCI-E.

When I said I hear Windows loading I meant I hear the initial tune when Windows load- you know, the melody.

Thanks a lot.

 

[jolancer]

sorry nothing to ad that you dont already seem to know. I also think its highly unlikely 2 GFX cards would be defective unless they were subjected to equal punishment of sum sort?... anyway just wanted to point out, you and this guy use the same PSU?.. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2285739

and looks like its discontinued on newegg? i didnt check with corsair. I honestly dont know if a PSU could be the source of the issues(not the cause as in its causing other components to fail, i know that could happen, but the source) i personaly am just always skeptical of coincidences

 

[branskyj]

That is indeed the same PSU I have
But how can a PSU cause such problems, to my knowledge a PSU either can support thr components (in terms of Watts) or not. If it can't the PC won't even boot...

As to the graphics cards- yes, they have been calculating a lot ( GPU rendering) but that was at least 6-7 months ago.
Man, I hate that- now I need to buy new components just to see where the problem is

Oh well...
Thanks a bunch.

 

[Termie]

sorry nothing to ad that you dont already seem to know. I also think its highly unlikely 2 GFX cards would be defective unless they were subjected to equal punishment of sum sort?... anyway just wanted to point out, you and this guy use the same PSU?.. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2285739

and looks like its discontinued on newegg? i didnt check with corsair. I honestly dont know if a PSU could be the source of the issues(not the cause as in its causing other components to fail, i know that could happen, but the source) i personaly am just always skeptical of coincidences

Interesting thought. But it's not clear that the OP is actually getting any BSODs. He could check his error log if he is.

Either way, the fact that both video cards depend on functioning PCIe power cables is one thing that may point to the PSU as a culprit. Because he doesn't have on-board video, what I'd suggest is that the OP buy a very inexpensive video card, like a GeForce 210 or an HD5450, and try out his system with that. Neither card requires PCIe power cables, and either would serve not only to test whether the system can boot and run Windows properly, but also are great spares to have around for the long run. Obviously, they won't be any good to test games with, but it sounds like the problems are far from being isolated to a gaming load.

 

[branskyj]

I haven't had any BSOD but the idea to try an inexpensive graphics card is actually very good. I believe I have an ATI somewhere around which doesn't require power cables. Who knows- it could be a 6pin PSU cable problem.

I will definitely test tomorrow.

Cheers guys.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

No beep(s) during POST ? Should be getting a beep or two (depending on mobo/BIOS maker) if it's video.
Another vote for PSU/cable ...

 

[mfenn]

No beep(s) during POST ? Should be getting a beep or two (depending on mobo/BIOS maker) if it's video.
Another vote for PSU/cable ...

Lots of cases these days don't include a PC speaker and lots of boards don't include a built-in one. So lack of beeps doesn't really mean anything.

starts) I was prompted to check the hard drive for inconsistencies at start up (but this could be due to many restarts now that I think of it)

That is just the result of Windows checking the dirty flag on the file system. 99.999999% of the time, this isn't an issue with the drive but just indicative of the PC being hard reset (or otherwise uncleanly powered off).

Another vote for the "check with a low power GPU" idea.