- Jul 8, 2014
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- 4,510
Hello all,
About 2 years ago, I put together a computer, whose specs will follow in a second. It worked fine, until recently. Here are the specs I built it with:
OS: Windows 7 64-Bit
CPU: i5-3470 3.2Ghz,
GPU: Evga GTX 650
RAM: Centon 2x4 GB 1333Mhz
Motherboard: MSI-Z77A-G41
PSU: Kingston 750 Watt
HDD: 1TB 7200 RPM
It worked perfectly fine, and worked as expected. Now, a few months ago, I purchased an MSI GTX 770 OC edition, and two more 4GB sticks of RAM, same type, brand, and serial number as the original two. I installed all of this, and was very happy with my rig. However, I started getting Bluescreens. At first it was maybe weekly, which I could deal with. It usually said something along the lines of Not_more_or_less for the reason. However, they started becoming more and more frequent. A few weeks ago, it reached the point to which my computer would crash within one minute of logging into Windows. I knew the Not_more_or_less usually had something to do with RAM, so I tested each individual stick, figuring one of my new sticks was faulty. System booted fine with each stick, no Bluescreen or anything of the sorts.
I did some research, and it said it probably had something to do with the Bios and having all four RAM slots used, so I used just two of the sticks for a few days. System worked just fine, regardless of which two sticks I used. The same forum that said it probably had to do with the Bios and using all four slots said to Reflash the Bios. So, I did just that, and it updated just fine. I reboot the system, turn it off, pop the case open, and throw in the other two sticks, hoping my troubles would be fixed. No such luck. The same problem as before occurred, computer Bluescreening within a minute of logging into Windows.
I then determined that the issue is more than likely a faulty slot on my actual motherboard. I remove the two sticks in the Blue slots on my motherboard, the two slots I have been using since I first built the computer. The computer then crashes within seconds, every time I turn it on. I feel very happy now, thinking I have identified the problem. I then proceed to move the two sticks back into the Blue slots, and put the extras back into their packaging, so they are kept safe until I can RMA the Board. I boot my computer again with the RAM in the working slots, and it boots fine. However, within a few days, a new problem arises.
I turn my computer on like normal, and something odd happens. The LEDs on my keyboard do not light up. I thought it was just a glitch, so I reboot a few more times. Nothing. After unplugging and replugging all the USBs, I continue to try, but to no avail. Just my luck, I think to myself, now my keyboard is having issues. So, I go to the other computer in my house, and plug the keyboard into it. It lights up immediately. So now I am thinking that I probably just bumped a power cable or something after constantly fiddling with the RAM. I open the case up yet again, and replug all of the power cables that I can find. I close it back up and turn the computer back on. The keyboard lights up! So I proceed to use it for a while, then turn it off. The next time I turn it on, the keyboard's LEDs do not power on yet again. I find that if I keep rebooting and replugging the PSU and USB cables, it works eventually.
After trial and error over about a week, I have now figured out that I get about an 80% success rate with the USB devices being powered on boot if I turn the power supply off and back on, and then very quickly press the power button and cease physical contact with the computer until the USB devices turn on. When the USB devices are powered, the computer works perfectly normally, even for extended periods of time. Although, it shuts down completely if I put the computer into sleep mode, which is bizarre.
Now, onto the actual question. What in the world is causing all of these issues? I'm somewhat sure it's the motherboard, but the complete stability when it correctly boots is giving me doubts. I have searched all kinds of stuff on Google, but nothing I am finding has anything similar to what I am experiencing. Any ideas or suggestions as to how I can identify or alleviate these issues would be incredibly appreciated.
Also, sorry for the giant wall of text.
About 2 years ago, I put together a computer, whose specs will follow in a second. It worked fine, until recently. Here are the specs I built it with:
OS: Windows 7 64-Bit
CPU: i5-3470 3.2Ghz,
GPU: Evga GTX 650
RAM: Centon 2x4 GB 1333Mhz
Motherboard: MSI-Z77A-G41
PSU: Kingston 750 Watt
HDD: 1TB 7200 RPM
It worked perfectly fine, and worked as expected. Now, a few months ago, I purchased an MSI GTX 770 OC edition, and two more 4GB sticks of RAM, same type, brand, and serial number as the original two. I installed all of this, and was very happy with my rig. However, I started getting Bluescreens. At first it was maybe weekly, which I could deal with. It usually said something along the lines of Not_more_or_less for the reason. However, they started becoming more and more frequent. A few weeks ago, it reached the point to which my computer would crash within one minute of logging into Windows. I knew the Not_more_or_less usually had something to do with RAM, so I tested each individual stick, figuring one of my new sticks was faulty. System booted fine with each stick, no Bluescreen or anything of the sorts.
I did some research, and it said it probably had something to do with the Bios and having all four RAM slots used, so I used just two of the sticks for a few days. System worked just fine, regardless of which two sticks I used. The same forum that said it probably had to do with the Bios and using all four slots said to Reflash the Bios. So, I did just that, and it updated just fine. I reboot the system, turn it off, pop the case open, and throw in the other two sticks, hoping my troubles would be fixed. No such luck. The same problem as before occurred, computer Bluescreening within a minute of logging into Windows.
I then determined that the issue is more than likely a faulty slot on my actual motherboard. I remove the two sticks in the Blue slots on my motherboard, the two slots I have been using since I first built the computer. The computer then crashes within seconds, every time I turn it on. I feel very happy now, thinking I have identified the problem. I then proceed to move the two sticks back into the Blue slots, and put the extras back into their packaging, so they are kept safe until I can RMA the Board. I boot my computer again with the RAM in the working slots, and it boots fine. However, within a few days, a new problem arises.
I turn my computer on like normal, and something odd happens. The LEDs on my keyboard do not light up. I thought it was just a glitch, so I reboot a few more times. Nothing. After unplugging and replugging all the USBs, I continue to try, but to no avail. Just my luck, I think to myself, now my keyboard is having issues. So, I go to the other computer in my house, and plug the keyboard into it. It lights up immediately. So now I am thinking that I probably just bumped a power cable or something after constantly fiddling with the RAM. I open the case up yet again, and replug all of the power cables that I can find. I close it back up and turn the computer back on. The keyboard lights up! So I proceed to use it for a while, then turn it off. The next time I turn it on, the keyboard's LEDs do not power on yet again. I find that if I keep rebooting and replugging the PSU and USB cables, it works eventually.
After trial and error over about a week, I have now figured out that I get about an 80% success rate with the USB devices being powered on boot if I turn the power supply off and back on, and then very quickly press the power button and cease physical contact with the computer until the USB devices turn on. When the USB devices are powered, the computer works perfectly normally, even for extended periods of time. Although, it shuts down completely if I put the computer into sleep mode, which is bizarre.
Now, onto the actual question. What in the world is causing all of these issues? I'm somewhat sure it's the motherboard, but the complete stability when it correctly boots is giving me doubts. I have searched all kinds of stuff on Google, but nothing I am finding has anything similar to what I am experiencing. Any ideas or suggestions as to how I can identify or alleviate these issues would be incredibly appreciated.
Also, sorry for the giant wall of text.
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