New built computer freezes during bios/memtest

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Just built a new computer for my wife. Have had some issues with bad parts - had to return PSU being DoA and such. However, initially we had the problem of the computer just restarting after so long. We were trying to install the OS and this obviously became an issue - kept restarting right before the windows load icon, right at the "Starting Windows" screen.

So, I started removing parts just to see what was causing the problem, as it turned out, very first part I removed - stick of RAM - worked perfectly and was able to install OS and get to desktop.

So, I figured I'd actually run Memtest to make sure that was really the issue. Started it up last night, and this morning there was no signal being sent to the monitor. Vid card was still running, computer wasn't off, so wasn't sure. Tried switching cords, and running off the mobo video itself. Didn't work until I pulled the GPU out. Now I'm getting the issue of whenever I have Memtest running, it will run for maybe 5 minutes before restarting. No idea why. Figured it might be the dvd drive, but all connections are secure - haven't had time to swap a new one in, but the fact it was able to do an install and have no issues suggests (to me anyways) that it isn't the problem.

In addition, it's been sitting in the BIOS for a good minute without problem. It is throwing me a A6 code via Dr.Debug, but I have no idea what that even means.

Edit: As I was typing this out, apparently it has "frozen". Screen still displays the UEFI Utility I was in, but screen is now "glittery". Mouse is frozen in place, computer is still running, but no response and such. I'm guessing this may have been the real cause of the video signal not being sent - Memtest was running at that time, and with something freezing would kill operation and stop pushing signal? Not sure.

If anyone could possibly help me out, would be great. =/


Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply


Have updated the Bios to the newest one, and still getting the same issue. By glittery I mean as follows.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2qip5ih&s=6


Posted on the MoBo forums hoping for an answer, but have yet to receive anything and I figure it's mostly due to it possibly being some other part of the computer. As far as I know, it doesn't freeze during actual OS operation. Haven't had the OS loaded long enough to tell, but yeah.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
5,911
0
32,960
Are you still running on the RAM stick that loaded the Operating System - or did you put the 2nd stick back in?

It might be building computers for our wives - LOL....I had a similar issue with new RAM purchased from a major electronics store...the RAM posted fine, Ubuntu would load fine, but Windows failed every time. RAM #2 taken out - still same issue. RAM #1 put back in, everything was fine. I ran Memtest, the Microsoft utility for memory testing, no errors were ever found. I did have a few issues with it locking up in the BIOS, but I upgraded the BIOS just before doing that...thought that was the cause...

Returned the RAM, bought new RAM, and system has been fine since.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Well, like I said, I removed the one RAM just to see if that was the issue. When it worked fine I figured I'd test it later to make sure.

Ended up running memtest on the stick that did work - or at least the one I was able to install win 7 with. Haven't put back the one who's removal allowed installation of the OS. I can get windows to load everytime. The issue so far is that if I want to run memtest or play with the UTEFI system, after so long it'll mess up and do the glittery thing as posted above. Memtest, I dont get a glittery "hello, i've stopped working properly," it was more of a straight up blackscreen due to the mobo no longer pushing signal to the monitor.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Doesn't freeze during the load of the OS. I can get to the desktop just fine. Went to run hotcpu to see if it would pull anything up, but it froze about 2 minutes or so after having the desktop been loaded.

Went through a bit of a checklist, and removed a small amount of thermal compound from the cpu to see if it would do any good. Currently waiting to see if it freezes up in the UTEFI screen. Removed harddrive as well.

Dr.Debug is throwing an A6 code, not very helpful as apparently that could mean anything from what I've heard.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
5,911
0
32,960
I would look at the most current drivers being installed. If you have an incorrect driver, or an older driver, there may be issues.

First - make sure all the motherboard drivers are up to date (get them from the manufacturer's website).
Second - make sure your GPU drivers are up to date (get it from the manufacturer's website).
Then check all other drivers to make sure they are current.

Make sure all patches and updates are installed, then install anti-virus/malware software (www.filehippo.com is a great source for freeware).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Brand new build. Everything is clean out the box. I did flash the newest BIOS onto the MOBO just to make sure that wasn't the issue, but there was no change. Will install drivers for mobo once I load the OS next. Currently just letting it sit in the bios/utefi screen to see if it freezes. Been good for 15 mins so far which is longest it's gone without freezing.

I will go grab the drivers for mobo though and see if that helps. Will update with any changes
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
New stuff - Got drivers installed via the disc that came with the mobo. Got through that all fine. However, still froze up. No longer the glittery effect, so that's cool? Still, the freezing isn't good. Eventually shut itself down and rebooted.

The computer still was "running" though while it was frozen. Time was stopped and everything, but I was able to eject the disc from the drive, but when it shut it sounded like it was about to try to read it, but then just went kaput. Not sure what the deal is. =/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
5,911
0
32,960
I have had issues with drivers - one case, I have an older AMD build that has a GeForce 210 Silent from ASUS. Windows insists on installing their drivers, but when booting, 50% of the time, I get a BSOD, and was getting quite a few lock-ups. I downloaded the latest mobo drivers, and installed the new drivers from ASUS....no more BSOD or lock ups.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
5,911
0
32,960
Try this first - remove the GPU, and configure the system with the GPU out of the computer. Put all the latest drivers on the system, and test if for a while. If all goes good, try installing the GPU. Download the drivers prior to installing the card, and have them ready to install.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Okay. I've got no problem booting. Can get into the OS all good and fine, haven't had a BSOD.
Ran drivers from ASrock. No issues installing. GPU hasn't been installed since I had this issue initially come up.

It'll freeze after so long being on during OS operation, or it'll cut off after 15 seconds during Memtest.

Have tried both sticks of ram, and it occurs with both.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
5,911
0
32,960
It is going to be either mobo, GPU or RAM. I would attempt to run the tests with the GPU removed, and with one stick of RAM at a time to see if you can get successful tests. If it still locks up with no GPU and both RAM sticks switched (1 test with 1 stick, 1 test with 2nd stick swapped for first), it would eliminate the possibility of the GPU.

Then you are down to RAM vs. mobo. If you can get a failure...that would be the best thing. Check your event viewer (go to control panel, then in the search box type "event viewer"). Browse through the logs for these errors to see if you can find. The Summary of Administrative Events has a section for "Error" and Warning - and there is an "actions" panel to the right where you can "view all instances of this event". It should indicate what errors have been happening to cause the lockup/reboot.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Got 3 cases of "Kernel-Power" EventID 41. All BugcheckParameters are 0x0 and BugcheckCode is 0.

My guess is mobo then?

Edit: Sorry, didn't see your post about the temps.
And from what it says in the UEFI screen, I'm looking at the CPU is about 35C and M/B is 32C.

Just had a nice deal occur when I went to boot the computer to get the temps btw. Heard it kick on, took about 2-3 seconds and just cut off. Didn't even get a signal to monitor to be delivered.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TenPc

TenPc

Honorable
Jul 11, 2012
2,471
1
11,960
It's your monitor or the video card that's at fault,

Try the onboard video out and see if the same thing occurs, you will need to change the video out option in bios.

If the same pattern occurs then the fault is in the monitor.

If at any time you have manually changed the resolution on the monitor the set it back to default.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Haven't used the video card at all. I don't believe it's the video at all considering it will just reboot regardless if it's connected to a video outlet or not, specifically the case where it shut down before it was sending video signal to the monitor.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TenPc

TenPc

Honorable
Jul 11, 2012
2,471
1
11,960
I'm referring to the glittery screen and not any other issue. You had stated that you had "Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card" so I assumed it was installed. Try a different monitor like your TV to ensure that it is not the monitor at fault.

If the glittery screen is no longer an issue, please ignore my replies.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TenPc

TenPc

Honorable
Jul 11, 2012
2,471
1
11,960
Okay, I'll try to solve those other issues.

Could you takea photo snap of the insides of the PC? Why? Well, if your case is chock full, there might not be adequate ventilation or air circulation, try not to have fans blowing hot air on to the ram or video card, or other components.

Sometimes it's the setting in the bios that can affect the behaviour.

"Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 1.3 / 1.2"
There is an option in your bios to set the XMP but am unsure whether your ram supports XMP and what setting to use. Hopefully someone else can enlighten us.

The memory support list does have g.skill listed but only in modules of 4gb and not with 8gb, not sure if that really is a good excuse but consier it a last ditch effort.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/?cat=Memory
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680
Pulled out the M/B completely out of the case. Figured might have been grounding out somewhere and still had same issues.
Ram had been swapped with other non-gskill ones 2 and 4GB ones that are known to work. No improvements.

Decided to just return M/B and CPU for new ones. Figure if sending one back, may as well return both since slightly time constrained and will cause less headache for troubleshooting.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Corey Jones

Honorable
Sep 16, 2013
3
0
10,510


What was your conclusion to this? Im having this same problem now. Wondering if swapping out the mobo fixed it?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

alexoldshane

Distinguished
Mar 13, 2009
107
0
18,680


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom