New build problem

[TimWing]

Hello to all,

I built a pc a couple of months ago with all parts (specs below) from Newegg.com. The problem that I am having is a hang up that renders the pc useless until manually rebooted.

It does not matter what I am doing at the time (Excel, AutoCAD, HL2 or just at the desktop moving files) and it could take two minuets or two hours for the symptoms to occur.


The symptoms:
1 – While moving a file or folder the folder hangs.
2 – The minimize, maximize & exit buttons do not respond, they will not even show as depressed.
3 – The keyboard stops responding (ctrl+alt+del, windows key) nothing works.
4 – The mouse stops responding.
5 – The pc stops responding completely.
6 – Single press of the power button on case that will normally soft shut down does not respond.
7 – Power button on case must be pressed for four seconds to do a hard shut down.

There is no recovering from this the pc must be hard shut down. Upon restarting I get no errors and the event viewer gives no indication of error.

Measures taken:
1 – Replaced USB mouse and keyboard with ps/2.
2 – Ran Memtest86 once for 12 hours and a second time for 26 hours with no errors.
3 – Checked PSU voltages with ASUS & Corsair tech support.
4 – Updated bios and reformatted/reinstalled XP.
5 – Have tried multiple device drivers/bios for MB & VGA
6 – RMA the video card reformatted/reinstalled XP installed new card with current drivers from NVIDIA.
7 – RMA the motherboard reformatted/reinstalled XP installed current drivers from NVIDIA.
8 – Replaced RAM with (Kingston) friends RAM.
9 – Beat my head against the wall!


Specs:
OS – Microsoft Windows XP sp2
MB - ASUS A8N-SLI NF4SLI 939 – Replaced 06-16-06
PSU - TT W0101RU 550W RT
CPU - AMD A64 X2 4400+ 2.2G 939 2x1MR
MEM - 1Gx2 CORSAIR TWINX2048-3200C2PRO – Replaced with Kingston Ram 06-17-06
VGA - EVGA GF 7900GT 256-P2-N569-SG – Replaced 06-04-2006
HDx2 - WD 10,000RPM 8MB WD740GD - SataRaid = 0
Audio - Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI OEM

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Tim W.

 

[BadBigBen]

My bet is on the CPU... as I noticed that is probably the only one that you did not switch...

But I would start with the latest BIOS update first, just to be on the safe side...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[wahnula]

Could be a bad thermal seal on CPU, defective PSU or defective CPU. Are all power connections correct and complete? I would start my troubleshooting by simplifying. Test w/ minimal hardware, single hard drive & onbard audio, single stick of RAM, see if it happens. If so swap PSUs w/ a cheapie. If it continues there's only the CPU/fan left. Best of luck.

Tony

 

[TimWing]

Just replaced the PSU and within ten minutes the same problem has occurred. The replacement PSU is a Thermaltake 550 watt.

So far I have replaced the following to try to remedy this problem:

Motherboard
Video Card
RAM
Power Supply

This really sucks....I am at a loss here. Does anyone have any suggestions

 

[Maugwa]

Check to make sure your CPU is seated correctly and that you have good contact with your CPU fan. This problem can happen because of the CPU over heating.

 

[TimWing]

Well I just got done using Western Digitals DOS disk utility to check the drives. Both check ok six times in a row.

I did away with the raid array and switched to SATA with a single drive at a time. I installed the OS on the first drive and did not install any updates or device drivers. The system failed within ten minutes and the same with the second drive.

I am going to try an old IDE drive to see if maybe it is something with the SATA.

 

[Aussie2]

Tim Wing
I can understand your frustration I to have had my share of problems with this particular mobo I know you have already changed your ram but it might be worth trying some different ram again if that is possible.
Built a pc for a M8 (A8N-SLI 3gig Venice core) first board wouldnt post had a fryed nforce chip next board ran without fault for 6 mnths M8 decided to try win 64 bit wouldnt instal constant errors during setup tried everything swapped ram with ram out of my P4 exactly same model corsair xms c2 instaled windows ran fine no faults swapped back to original ram wouldnt run for more than 15 mins without freezing purchased new ram again same model corsair xms c2 computer running without a fault now for 2 mnths

BEST OF LUCK Brian

 

[TimWing]

Thanks for the input Brian,

I can hear the accent (M8) from here...lol

I did try 2gb of Viking ram from a friend (or M8 that is) and I had the exact problem. I have not RMA the Corsair ram yet though, I just figured if it is doing it with another manufacturers ram then it must not be the ram.

Tim W.

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

it does sound exactly like a thermal problem with the CPU, what are your temps?

 

[TimWing]

Hey Johnthephoneguy,

Well my temps are pretty damn high right now that I think I could....Oh! You mean the CPU.

According to the ASUS utility, I have never seen the CPU temp get over 110 Fahrenheit under heavy load. It averages about 102 f. At the moment that the problem occurs the temp is always within normal range. I can reach in and touch the heat sink fins & tubes and it is war not hot so I think the utility is close to being accurate.

 

[kjv1611]

I'm thinking something else.

I had built a PC with a really nice Asus mobo a while back - probably a year or year and a half ago, I'm guessing. Anyway, it had the same problems. We were using a free wireless adapter by Asus that came with the motherboard to connect that computer to the user's home network. So, after I had looked at everything I could possibly look at, I then went to the PCI connected peripherals. Luckliy it was the only one at the time, if I remember right. So, I replaced it with another wireless adapter (different brand - I want to say was a Linksys).

Ever since then, no problems.

So, I say, if you have ANY additional hardware, whatsoever (USB, PCI, PCIX, whatever) connected that you can operate your machine without, even if that means no internet access at first, then try and see. You ONLY need to see via your Monitor, your keyboard and mouse to command it. Anything else is fair game to remove.

Speaking of PCI cards, I may have missed it, but have you tried removing your sound card? Sure, no sound from it, but it could be your problem - any part that connects could cause a freezing problem like that.

Anyway, try removing whatever peripheral devices/connections you have (ONE BY ONE) to see if that seems to correct the issue, and you'll have your culprit.

 

[TimWing]

Finally.............The problem exists no more!

RMA'd the cpu and all is working well. I was not sure how much more of this I was willing to take.

Thank you to all who contributed to this thread.

Tim W.