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Random hardware problems


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#1
RichP

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Hi folks.

I hope someone can suggest something here.

One of my computers has started behaving a bit erratically recently. Sometimes the monitor doesn't show anything when the system starts, sometimes it starts OK but then everything freezes and has to be reset.

I've tested the hard drive but it's OK.

I ran memtest and it found errors with both sticks of RAM in. I took one out but memtest keeps freezing.

I've also swapped the graphics card.

I'm guessing RAM may be the culprit, but is it normal for memtest to freeze?

Could this mean it's the processor or BIOS?

Thanks in advance.
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#2
Titan8990

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No, it's most likely the faulty RAM that causing the freeze. Luckily RAM is very cheap these days.
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#3
RichP

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OK. I'll get some more ad try it.

Thanks.
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#4
RichP

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I've just put in a stick from my other PC that I know is OK and the computer still keeps freezing. It boots up OK but within 5 minutes the mouse just freezes.

Any other ideas?

Edit: I've just tried to boot into Safe Mode to see if it runs OK and it froze when I was moving up the menus.

Edited by RichP, 17 June 2007 - 07:04 AM.

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#5
Titan8990

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Have a look at your CPU cooler and make sure that the fan on it (along with your other fans) are spinning properly.

Run Memtest on your "trial" stick to make sure it isn't faulty as well. Also I would get a hard drive diagnostics tool from your hard drive's manufactur's website.
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#6
RichP

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The spare memory is OK, I tested it.

I removed the hard drive to take that out of the equation.

Can a dodgy processor throw up this kind of erratic behaviour?
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#7
Titan8990

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I supposse so, but typically the only times that CPUs begin to fail is when they have been exposed to excessive heat (+70C). Is your CPU cooler dusty? Did you remeber to check and make sure the fan was spinning?

Let me make sure I am understanding everything correctly. You have two bad sticks of RAM and that was believed to cause your freezing. You added a known good stick of RAM and it is still freezing? Were you saying that you removed your HDD before running a memtest or just for a normal bootup (which you would have seen No drive volume or something simular)?
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#8
RichP

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Experiencing freezing, taking ages to boot up. Tried gthe following:

1. Ran test on hard drive - OK.

2. Ran memtest - showed errors but 2 sticks of RAM so not sure which one.

3. Took out 1 stick of RAM but memtest kept freezing.

4. Swapped for other stick of RAM - still freezing.

5. Disconnected hard drive and ram memtest with new RAM - still freezes.

6. Reconnect hard drive and boot up - mouse freezes within 5 minutes.

I think I'm giving up and putting it down to the processor. Time for an upgrade, unless you can think of something else?

Thanks for the suggestions.
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#9
Titan8990

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Lets have a look at you temperatures and voltages first. Download Everest Home: Everest. Report your Temperature readings and your PSU voltages.
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#10
RichP

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Sorry for the delay replying.

The CPU temp never goes about 50C, voltage shows at 1.4v.
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#11
Titan8990

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What about motherboard temp and the rest of the voltages?
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#12
RichP

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I don't get any other temps or voltages showing, apart from the hard drive at 31c.
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#13
Titan8990

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Have a look in your system BIOS. There should be some form of "hardware monitoring" that will also display your temperatures and your voltages. I have heard of Everest not showing temps but not showing voltages is a bit odd.
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#14
RichP

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I've given up. It's doing my head in. I've bought new components and upgraded.

Thanks for your input.
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