After few hours of stress computer freezes.

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safian

safian

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Dec 28, 2013
14
0
10,510
Hello!
Guys, I have a serious problem with my PC that I've built almost a year ago. I suspect PSU, RAM or MB, but since I don't have another computer or friend with a PC nearby I have problems with finding the source of the problem. I bought every part separately in a different shops so I need to know what is broken before I send anything to service to avoid shipping and service fees for good sending good parts.
The freezing startet few weeks ago, but it was so random and didn't occur too often and I was experimenting with pre-alpha games so I suspected them to be a reason for freezes. But it escalated quickly, and now after 3 to 4 hours of gaming my computer freezes, and then won't turn on if I don't unplug it from power for few or even more than 10 minutes. It just turns on, fans start spinning and after few seconds it resets again and again. It won't stop until I wont turn off the PSU. When it freezes for the first time in a day, later it freezes much faster, sometimes even seconds after turning on the PC, sometimes few minutes after turning on Windows and when I'm browsing the internet. So I don't think it's temperature, since the PC isn't under stress then.

PC specs:
CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K
GPU - Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 OC 3GB
RAM - Kingston Na`Vi HyperX 16GB (2x8GB) 1600MHz
MOBO - Asus Z87-A
PSU - Seasonic X-Series X-750 KM3 SS-750KM F3 80Plus Gold
Cooler CPU - Thermalright HR-02 Macho
OS SSD - OCZ Vertex 4
HDD - Seagate Barracuda ST200DM001 - 2TB
Case - Thermaltake Chaser MK-1

The freezes occur irrespectively of overclocking of the CPU or turning on XMP profile on or off.
Last time it froze I turned off the PSU for few seconds, then turned it on and the PC didn't want to turn on at all. I had to turn PSU off and wait for the led on the motherboard to go out. Then it finally turned on.
I did run memtest few times when the problem occurred for the first time. Had some problems with the test restarting but I finally got it to work, and after more than 6 hours it didn't show any errors.

Today I run OCCT power supply test for almost 3 hours, but since I had problems with it leaking memory and crashing after 50+ minutes I had to run it 3 times. Finally it crashed but unfortunately OCCT didn't manage to save results before crash.
I did take pictures and recorded some videos to help you understand whats going on since I have trouble with explaining everything in english the way I want.
If there is any sound playing when the PC crashes it loops list few bits of it. I played music during the test to record that sound too (I have no idea if it is a significant symptom).

Pictures I took after the crash (temperatures, voltage and stuff):
Gallery here --> http://imgur.com/a/89qXk


[flash=320,180]https://www.youtube.com/v/w5hP6wWyN4U[/flash]
[flash=320,180]https://www.youtube.com/v/9fODM6pPZQU[/flash]

My friend suspected HDD also, but since it crashed in BIOS also it doesn't seem likely.
Could please someone tell me what test should I run to find out whats broken? I really hope you guys can help me.
 
Solution
P
I experience that particular peculiar problem (sorry, had to do it..), whenever my memory sticks' or video cards' seating is misaligned. I nudge them sometimes whenever I make hard drive changes and sometimes even experience the system powering up without me touching anything (that's with the power on switch leads/wires to the motherboard disconnected as well).

Hmm 70~60oC loaded is still a healthy temperature range.
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DanDustEmOff

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Jan 2, 2014
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I would suspect that this issue is one of three things the CPU, Motherboard or the OS/Drivers (OS is a long shot but it would be the easiest to eliminate). Try (if you havent already) removing the drive that the OS is installed on and doing a fresh install on an old mechanical drive, then test to see if the issue still persists. If this doesn't solve the problem then you will have to start looking at the hardware. I would suspect that if the OS/Drivers are not the cause of the problem then the motherboard may be the cause. Asus boards are usually fitted with a two digit display that will display fault codes, armed with the codes you can attempt to self diagnose the fault using the manual for the board.
 
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safian

safian

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Dec 28, 2013
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10,510


OK, I will reinstall the OS completely later today and install new drivers just to be sure. You said to do it on mechanical drive, but I can't really do that since it's only one partition. Is there any reason not to reinstall it on the SSD? You think that it could be faulty?

Also I'm wondering if OS or driver issue wouldn't be more random? Since the problem occurs only after "warm up" of the PC. In idle and soft usage it can run for days without problem.
 
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pecul1ar

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Dec 20, 2011
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Since you said it froze inside the BIOS, then we can rule out software/driver problems altogether.

What I would do is to remove parts of the hardware (ssd, hd, vidcard, some of the memory) and try to give it a whirl at that almost-bare setup. If at that state your rig runs okay(after leaving it on for some set time), then you add in another component to determine if that is the part with the problem. What we're doing here is elimination/isolation of the good parts from the suspected bad part(s).

When was the last time you've applied thermal paste on the cpu btw?
 
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safian

safian

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Dec 28, 2013
14
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10,510


OK I will definitely do that starting tomorrow morning.
Last time I applied thermal paste was when I got got the parts, so its about 11 months old now. But the CPU doesn't go higher than 70 degrees, mostly staying below 60.

What about turning on after freeze problem? Doesn't it indicate anything particular?
 
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pecul1ar

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Dec 20, 2011
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I experience that particular peculiar problem (sorry, had to do it..), whenever my memory sticks' or video cards' seating is misaligned. I nudge them sometimes whenever I make hard drive changes and sometimes even experience the system powering up without me touching anything (that's with the power on switch leads/wires to the motherboard disconnected as well).

Hmm 70~60oC loaded is still a healthy temperature range.
 
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Solution
safian

safian

Honorable
Dec 28, 2013
14
0
10,510


Thanks for that info. I have been traveling with the PC in car trunk alot few weeks before the problem showed up for the first time. I bettered the GPU and RAM, but it might be something else. I'll try that again on every part.

p.s. You'r forgiven.
 
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safian

safian

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Dec 28, 2013
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10,510
I took everything apart, assembled PC again, repasted CPU, made fresh Windows installation and installed all up to date drivers. Computer worked for 2 hours longer before freezing than before that.
I also changed PSU mode from hybrid to normal, what made it's fan spin all the time. I think it could be what made PC work longer before freezing. I'll do tests on hybrid and normal mode to be sure if it affects anything.
If it does could that be a sign of some failure in PSU?
 
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safian

safian

Honorable
Dec 28, 2013
14
0
10,510
Update:
I removed one RAM stick and after few hours computer froze again. Then I changed RAM stick to the second one and computer turned on without a problem. Now it's 3rd day without a freeze. I'm going to send my RAM to Kingston and hope that it is the source of the problem.
I'll keep you updated when (if) new RAM arrives. I don't think it will happen this year tho.
Happy Xmas guys.
 
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pecul1ar

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Dec 20, 2011
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Apologies for the lack of responses, but it looks like you have a handle on the matter now. Perhaps the problem is the stick, perhaps its the slot..

Microcracks appear due to thermal expansion, moisture from the air starts to corrode stuff, etc etc.. these give individual computers 'character' eg. you have to bang the case twice so that the dvdrom drive ejects properly, the hd you have only works on sata line 3, etc. Personally I call these problems 'diseases or sickness', like the machine gained life or something.. heh.

edit:
Power supplies.. now that a thing I've been left behind at. I've just read some parts about this hybrid and normal mode.. but it seems its just a control for the PSU fans, so that at lower psu loads the fan turns off so it doesnt add any background noise. The switching on/off _should_ have been well considered by the manufacturer to never affect your system, but.. i unno.
 
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