Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: touchstone57 on July 20, 2007, 03:11:45 AM
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Hi there, I'm not entirely sure of the source of my problem but hope to get to the bottom of it. Recently I have been the culprit of multiple freezes where the computer ceases to work, at least all the fans are running and everything, it's just it's completely frozen and I can do nothing.
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AMD Athlon 3700+
ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe
1.5GB Ram
Maxtor 80GB Hardrive
Nvidia Geforce 7900 GT
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Recently I just replaced my motherboard from an ASUS A8N SLI - SE to an ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe. I managed to install it correctly and get it running and I didn't even have to reformat Windows (Windows just asked me to put in a confirmation code).
My computer was working fine for an hour, then it kept freezing for no apparent reason if I chose to do multiple tasks such as run MSN Messenger and Windows Media Player. I was unable to do anything around the screen.
So I installed my mouse software (Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse 3000), installed drivers for my motherboard and upgraded the BIOS.
(Note: I also did a Virus scan in safe mode which yielded no results)
After this it appeared I had fixed it, it was working fine for an hour or so. Then I went to remove some programs and it froze again!
One thing I have noticed whenever it freezes is the computer stop supplying power to the mouse and the lights (in the mouse) go out, yet my keyboard and speakers are still supplied with power.
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I'm just wandering what the problem could be and how to fix it. I have been checking temperatures for my computer and everything appears to be normal, My CPU stays from around 35°C - 40°C and doesn't go over that, while the system is usually marked at 35°C, these are ok right?
Although when I turned my motherboard on this morning it gave to beeps and in the BIOS I got a message saying "CPU Fan fail or speed too low", I restarted the computer and it seems fine with a steady temp.
That is all, hope you can help ;)
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good morning,
When the computer freezes up, if you wait any period of time, will it "unfreeze" itself and go back to normal?
If so, can you hear the graphics card fan start racing after it unfreezes itself?
Have you made sure you have the updated drivers for the 7900GT ?
You did apply thermal grease to the cpu on the new motherboard and the heatsink assembly and all that installed problem free and snug ?
All the standoffs on your side panel from the old motherboard are still being utilized with the new one and all are still intact ?
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So far it hasn't frozen up today so I'm hopeful ;)
I updated the drivers for my graphics card.
My heatsink came with pre applied thermal grease on the heatsink so I didn't need to put any one and it did fit in quite snugly.
And yes I managed to fit the motherboard onto all of the standoffs (5) as before. I also have these small plastic stoppers you fit through the remaining holes of your motherboard to prevent it from touching the metal.
I'll report back with any new information.
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Did you re-use the old PSU or replace it ? ?
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I re used my old PSU. (600w)
I still get the odd freeze up, say if I go away and leave my computer on I want get any screen output. Once somehow my computer reset it self and got stuck on the Microsoft loading screen.
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Run a memory test and make sure all your memory modules are good. My desktop had the same problem and one of my memory modules was bad.
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And borrow a known working PSU and swap it in there for a day or so to see if this is the culprit...
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Run your memtest here = http://www.memtest.org/ :)
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How exactly do I boot from the CD?
I burned the files onto a disc but I cant find any way to boot from my motherboard....
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?
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Instructions on building a bootable memtest CD are below...http://www.memtest86.com/
(http://www.memtest86.com/)
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That doesn't really help.
I burn the relevant files onto a disc, but how do I boot from the disk itself? My motherboard manufacturer (ASUS) have never been to clear how to do it, and it is not mentioned in the manual.
Edit: PS. Motherboard = ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe
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well have you restarted with the disc in your machine.....or you can choose to boot from your CD in bios upon boot....and patios information should be more than enough to help you .......
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Well I have restarted with the disk in many times.
I also went into the BIOS, there is no option to boot direct from the CD itself, just a boot menu asking which devices I want to use.
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The options for creating a bootable CD will be in your burning software...
What do you use ? ?
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MagicISO.
But I still cant find a "boot option" on my motherboard so....
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Boot priority, or similar - put the CD drive at the top.
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So, I managed to boot from the Memtest CD.
I did the test (took longer than I expected) and it concluded that there where no errors.
So now we get back to the original problem, why it was freezing up.
What you mentioned about RAM was interesting. When I was first putting my computer together, I had 3 memory modules inserted, 1 x 1GB, 1 x 512MB, 1 X 256MB. But for some reason my motherboard was only registering 256MB inserted. I swapped the memory modules into different places, and now it only registered 512MB inserted. I kept switching around and eventually it registered 1.5GB inserted, but no matter what I did it wouldn't register the 256MB so I took it out.
Also when I was playing around with the setting using the AI booster (tuning software) I increased the voltage to the RAM and the CPU and the computer crashed straight the way!
Another note. Usually if I leave my computer on for an hour while leaving it (to download or something) when I get back to if after a while, I open up a program and then it freezes.
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Remove all non-essential usb connected devices and try again .
Largest memory module should always be in memory bank 0 , always .
Download avgfree , install , then update .
Run full system scan , and report back .
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I didn't know the memory banks where numbered. Where is the first memory bank, first left or far right?
Anyway, this does not explain why it keeps freezing up??
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After a motherboard change I'd format the drive and do a clean install of Windows without hesitation.
I get the feeling you will be plagued with problems if you dont.
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After a motherboard change I'd format the drive and do a clean install of Windows without hesitation.
I get the feeling you will be plagued with problems if you dont.
Cheers for that information fed that actually helped me figure something out as well.... i don't think i actually re-formated mine.... ;) thanks Tony :)
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Well, I thought I might have to do a fresh install when I first got it, but Windows was working fine (unlike the last time built a computer).
I would like to, but theres tons of stuff that cant be replaced. I have a lot of college work on here. Also I have a lot of software for work that I got free from the college, but you are only allowed one download per package.
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However, I did find a weird sort of solution to my problem. I noticed a pattern, my computer only ever froze up if I left it for a length of time, it never froze up while I was using it. So I downloaded a program called autoclicker, I then left it to click every 10 seconds, and left it on my desktop, so that it would keep clicking.
I left it for a few hours and came back to it (still clicking) and it never froze up! So as long as it's active it doesn't freeze up....