System troubleshooting

[Maki]

Okay,

I've a system that has been giving me grief. It, suddenly, decided to start to lock up about 10 minutes into games. Deciding it was likely a video problem I swap out my ATI 8500 for a GF 4 ti 4200. Same issue.

I did extensive memtests on the memory and it appears to be fine.

I've run maxtors little test program on the hard disks and they seem fine.

I swapped out the motherboard (soyo dragon+) for a nforce abit. Still locks up. (Even with a new Xp installation.) This whole time it is taking less and less to cause this thing to bite it.

The system doesn't have to be running a game now.

I'm about to swap out the power supply. What I'm wondering is whether or not I should be replacing the CPU.

It is a complete system lockup which feels like something dieing on the mobo or pci bus.

Thots?

 

[KillerCow]

This whole time it is taking less and less to cause this thing to bite it.

This suggests a power supply problem. I saw a Duron 800 with A7V that used to have the same problem... it went away after changing the power supply.

I'm about to swap out the power supply. What I'm wondering is whether or not I should be replacing the CPU.

The problem could also be do to overheating CPU, so thats not such a bad idea. Make sure that you are running the current chip in spec before changing it. Swapping it with a "known good" CPU is your best bet for diagnosis.

It is a complete system lockup which feels like something dieing on the mobo or pci bus.

You have, of course, pulled all cards from the system for testing purposes?

 

[Maki]

I have nothing in the PCI slots in the current machine. I'm using all the built in nForce stuff. Course there are a couple of built in things on the PCI bus that I can't pull. The soyo had even more.

If it is my Antec Tru Power 330 I'll be annoyed. I just bought that thing. (And as I can't find the receipt it'll be tough bringing it back.) I'll be borrowing a new power supply from a friend tonite. I'm real tempted to just order a replacement AMD 1600. I think they are running all of $75 now.

Are those antec power supply testers worth anything?

I just want to play wolfenstein again. (And do my resume.)

Thanks for the help!

 

[KillerCow]

it is my Antec Tru Power 330 I'll be annoyed. I just bought that thing.

Just bought it? Then it is probably the problem. The last thing to change is usually the problem.

Are those antec power supply testers worth anything?

I don't know. Some people swear by testers. I find it easier to just swap the unit and see if anything changes.

I'm real tempted to just order a replacement AMD 1600

There isn't any point in ordering a replacement part unless you know that it is the problem. You should "borrow" someone else's CPU to test with.

 

[Maki]

"Just bought" is probably the wrong term. I picked it up a couple of months ago. (Right about when they came out.) Still, it is looking like it is the issue.

 

[Maki]

And it is not the power supply.

I'll be replacing the CPU and memory this evening. If the machine still freaking locks up I'll order a @#$@#$! dell.

 

[jblondi]

it sounds like a heat issue with the processor. I would check to see that there is a proper fan on the processor, and that there is sufficient thermal paste. I think you might have checked everything but that. When you reboot after it freezes go into the bios quickly and check the processor temp. Try different games, or tests and see if it tends to lock up at that same temp.

 

[Maki]

The HSF has been replaced at least once. The temperatures have been consistent with their historical norms and there has been no change in the behavior of the system.

In fact I had the airconditioning blowing right by the case one day which lowered the system temp some 5C or so. No change in behavior.

 

[Maki]

It appears to be my 3rd hard disk that is the problem. After swapping out everything but the disk drives I started to pull them out, too.

My 40G Western Digital drive that I only use for backups causes the system to lockup if it is hooked up. With it disconnected I ran 3d mark 2001 Se for 6 hours straight with no lockups. With it in place I lockup after 10-20 minutes.

I note that the while the bulk of the WD is case temp the circuit board on it is VERY warm. Last thing I would have looked for. Last thing I did look for.

Time to put my Antec Tru Power PSU back in. Way quieter than the one I borrowed.

The only upshot to all this is that some of my friends are going to be able to buy some parts for cheap.

Thanks for all the help.