20 replies to this topic

[dervishx5]

System:
Core™ i5-2500K Quad-Core 3.3GHz Processor
MSI - N680GTX Twin Frozr 4GD5/OC
Ultra - Lifetime Series Pro 750W ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply
G.SKILL - Sniper 8GB DDR3
Asus - P8B WS Workstation Motherboard - Intel C206 Chipset - Socket H2 LGA-1155

So my computer has been randomly hard restarting (ie completely turns off and then back on a few seconds later). This happened after a Microsoft Update (I use Windows 7) and during a rather hot day. Upon first opening my case I did smell ozone (ie something got too hot), but I want to get your take on it anyway:

1. Computer randomly restarts (even before loading Windows 7, such as in bios).

2. I've run memtest on it several times and got no errors. Also removed cards and swapped them around, still hard restarted. So not likely a memory issue.

3. At first it would automatically restart once the computer got to the Windows loading screen. If trying to load Windows 7 from a disc it also hard restarted. It did boot up into safe mode and stay on, but if I try to use the search feature to find a program, or open add/remove programs, it automatically restarts. I've scanned for viruses pretty deep, and used CCleaner to clean up my registry errors and so forth. Now it does boot up into normal windows but it loads a lot slower than what I'm used to and still hard restarts if I search for programs, or just randomly after a bit.

4. So I believe I've narrowed it down to my CPU. I managed to get it to hard restart every time I run certain CPU tests from a UBCD boot. Any time the CPU has to work a bit harder it seems to cause the restart.

But if my CPU is the issue, shouldn't the computer not be even to get into Windows at all?

5. And if it's a power supply issue, I've tried starting it with most of my peripherals (HDDs, Videocard, fans) removed, and it still hard reset just the same as before.

So in summary: Memory OK, HDDs OK. Problem seems to be with the CPU, but the PSU and MBU are also a possibility, though unlikely.

Thoughts or suggestions before I have to go out and buy another i5?

Edited by dervishx5, 18 June 2013 - 03:50 PM.

[Dragoon20005]

before confirming if its the CPU

was there any strange beeping sound during the initial bootup? try to get those tiny speakers to connect to the board's speaker output at the LED/buttons pins

any way you could get a spare CPU & mobo to truly confirm if the CPU or mobo is the root cause?

you dont want to spend on an extra CPU and mobo when its just a simple problem that can be troubleshoot by yourself

[Wulffman94]

This problem can be a number of different hardware or software issues. First thing I would check would be if everything is OK on the motherboard itself (no swelled capacitors or burned areas for example). Then I would check the RAM by testing other sticks that I know work. This problem can also come from a corrupted Operating System (Caused by either improper install or a deeply embedded virus/hacker that cannot be removed by any antivirus software). If the Operating System is corrupted, then the only fix is a complete reinstall of the OS.
(or a number of days scanning the registry and maybe having a half chance of getting everything working right, or messing everything up forever,BUT PLEASE DO NOT RISK IT UNLESS YOUR SKILLED IN THIS AREA).

Some issues I had when something like this happened to me usually had some software issues, most of the time it was due to a virus corrupted Operating System. Sometimes it was a certain software that started as soon as Windows booted. One fix for this is to turn off everything that starts on boot. (Type system configuration in the windows search menu, and select the startup tab).

[SkkyHigh]

Sounds more like the MOBO to me.
I OC my 2500k to 4.6ghz and it'll boot with an improper setup but will crash under load.
If you're thinking RAM try MaxxMem to test it.

Any BSOD?

A system restarting during POST would point me to think mb, maybe ram.

[Dr B00t]

this may sound obvious and you prolly already checked but you should make sure all the fans are running...psu cpu and video card fans...mine would do this when it overheated, didnt notice i had a stopped psu fan....

you can also get a gadget for win7 to watch your temps...im pretty sure your motherboard would support it

Edited by Dr B00t, 18 June 2013 - 05:35 PM.

[dervishx5]

Wulffman94, on 18 June 2013 - 05:00 PM, said:

This problem can be a number of different hardware or software issues. First thing I would check would be if everything is OK on the motherboard itself (no swelled capacitors or burned areas for example). Then I would check the RAM by testing other sticks that I know work. This problem can also come from a corrupted Operating System (Caused by either improper install or a deeply embedded virus/hacker that cannot be removed by any antivirus software). If the Operating System is corrupted, then the only fix is a complete reinstall of the OS.
(or a number of days scanning the registry and maybe having a half chance of getting everything working right, or messing everything up forever,BUT PLEASE DO NOT RISK IT UNLESS YOUR SKILLED IN THIS AREA).

Some issues I had when something like this happened to me usually had some software issues, most of the time it was due to a virus corrupted Operating System. Sometimes it was a certain software that started as soon as Windows booted. One fix for this is to turn off everything that starts on boot. (Type system configuration in the windows search menu, and select the startup tab).

It can't be the OS if the problem occurs outside of the OS such as in Bios or UBCD.

[Catamount]

This just seems to be the CPU overheating and causing a restart. It's simple to test for, and simply to fix. Just download and open up something like Realtemp, run Prime95 or some other CPU stress tester of your choice, and see how hot the CPU gets before shutting down. It's also possible, as another user suggested, that it's a mobo issue, specifically on the CPU power side of things. You said something overheated; if you damaged a VRM or mosfet on the board, it could be giving bad power to the CPU, causing it to destabilize and crash when stressed. That's not so easy to fix, unfortunately, but I also find it somewhat unlikely (it's just something to keep in mind; you might well have damaged the board). It could also be a board component not related to the CPU (overheating chipset?).

See if the CPU gets hot before crashing and that will at least get you started.

Quote

But if my CPU is the issue, shouldn't the computer not be even to get into Windows at all?

No, not necessarily. Loading the OS requires a lot of the HDD, but not really of the CPU. When overclocking, I can almost always get it to at least boot to the desktop with a bad OC; I only find out that it's bad when I actually stress the CPU with Prime95 or something similar.

Edited by Catamount, 18 June 2013 - 06:35 PM.

[dervishx5]

SkkyHigh, on 18 June 2013 - 05:09 PM, said:

Sounds more like the MOBO to me.
I OC my 2500k to 4.6ghz and it'll boot with an improper setup but will crash under load.
If you're thinking RAM try MaxxMem to test it.

Any BSOD?

A system restarting during POST would point me to think mb, maybe ram.

Memory has already tested out to be okay. No BSOD, just a flat shut down (Running -> power off) and then restart a few seconds later.

[dervishx5]

The thermal compound connecting the CPU to the cooling fan looked really crispy. Going to replace that and hope for the best.

Also it crashes right away with Prime95, so I'm pretty sure it's CPU related at least.

[dervishx5]

Replaced the thermal, didn't fix it.

Ran Prime95. The computer instantly crashes and then restarts.

I checked the motherboard and didn't see anything peculiar physically.

So here's a list of things that instantly trigger a crash:
-Run Prime95
-Search for something in the start menu
-Access Add/Remove Programs from the control panel
-Run Prime95 in DOS

Otherwise the crashes are random, but frequent (within 5 minutes).

[dervishx5]

I disabled all but 1 core, and now I can run Prime95. Looks like this narrows it down to a CPU or PSU problem.

Works with 2 cores running, but when I enable the 3rd or 3rd/4th it crashes. Does this mean CPU?

Edit: Ah, nope, crashed with 2 even. Just took longer this time. Actually let me run Prime 95.

Edited by dervishx5, 18 June 2013 - 10:19 PM.

[Dragoon20005]

could you go to the bios and load the fail safe settings and run Prime95 again?

what was the temp readings when its was on load with 2 cores?


PS:

i check with other forums

some do pointed out it could be the PSU


we need to narrow down all the possible reasons

you got any spare PSU?

Edited by Dragoon20005, 18 June 2013 - 10:25 PM.

[dervishx5]

the CPUs temps run around 30C, perfectly fine. I've run Prime95 with the bios reset to default and it instantly crashed. With just 1 CPU core enabled it runs without crashing.

So this would seem to narrow it down to the PSU (I'm going to test it tomorrow at a friend's workshop), or the motherboard.

[Fooooo]

Yeah sounds like PSU to me.


Basically I can reproduce what you are experiencing if I throw in a 500W PSU into one of my rigs.

It will boot up, hit the OS loading screen then shutdown and restart.


Replace it with a 750W and there is no problems.



Its weird tho as you have a 750w, it should be fine.....unless that 680 pulls a lot more amps/watts than I think it does.

(I know my old 275GTX pulls around 270W on full load)

Edited by Fooooo, 19 June 2013 - 02:38 AM.

[MeatForBrains]

THE NSA IS SPYING ON YOU@# HIDE YO WIFE HIDE YO KIDS@!#$

[Barbaric Soul]

I believe it's a PSU myself. Ultra power supplies are POS power supplies. That 750 watt PSU only has 45 amps on the 12 volt rail. That is more inline with a 550 watt PSU. My XFX Pro750 has 62 amps on it's 12 volt rail, while the XFX Core edition 550 has 44 amps. Checking Corsair and SeasSonic power supplies amperage ratings(known to be some of the best PSUs you can get), you'll see the same ratings as the XFX power supplies. Ultra power supplies are substandard pieces of poop that I would not trust in my computers.

[ArmageddonKnight]

Sounds like a PSU issue but to be sure, turn of ur CPU overclocks, then test, if it fails, try underclocking and undervolting ur cpu and test. if that fails its ether a fked cpu or a fked psu.

[Dragoon20005]

his computer crashed even at stock fail safe bios settings

and only on 1 core did it able to remain stable, bump to 2 cores and pop it goes

he will be checking with his friend to confirm if its the PSU issue first.

[Catamount]

Barbaric Soul, on 19 June 2013 - 05:21 AM, said:

I believe it's a PSU myself. Ultra power supplies are POS power supplies. That 750 watt PSU only has 45 amps on the 12 volt rail. That is more inline with a 550 watt PSU. My XFX Pro750 has 62 amps on it's 12 volt rail, while the XFX Core edition 550 has 44 amps. Checking Corsair and SeasSonic power supplies amperage ratings(known to be some of the best PSUs you can get), you'll see the same ratings as the XFX power supplies. Ultra power supplies are substandard pieces of poop that I would not trust in my computers.

I didn't even notice the bad PSU. This is definitely something that makes the PSU a more likely culprit. Honestly, I'd replace that unit even if it wasn't malfunctioning :/

[dervishx5]

It was the motherboard. Got a replacement and things seem to be fine now.

Cheaper than replacing the CPU I guess. Now I can get around to playing the closest thing I'll ever get to playing my namesake in this game (the Quickdraw).

I appreciate everyone's input and assistance.

Edited by dervishx5, 19 June 2013 - 08:47 PM.