Please help, computer can't run for more than 5 minutes.

MetricZero · Feb 5, 2015

EDIT: New information added.

EDIT 2: Instead of editing this main post I'll be just replying to this thread for progress purposes. It's too difficult to keep the information organized in this main post.

Hello. First let me start by saying I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong area.. I'm really desperate right now.. Please help me T_T

(Note: I have a more detailed description of the problem at the bottom of the thread)

The Problem: Computer (I built) ran fine for a month then started gradually crashing to either a black or gray screen, or a screen with lines (different colors). Started with once a day, then twice, four.. 10 times daily.. Now it can't stay on for more than 5 minutes before locking up (sound stops as well) and then shuts off after 1 minute. I've included a list of things I've tried. This is my fourth build and I've never had any problems like this.

Specs:
i7 4790k CPU
Hyper 212 (CPU Tower cooler)
SAPPHIRE 100363-4L Radeon R9 280X 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 GFX
Asus Z97-Pro (WiFi) Motherboard
G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 SDRAM
Rosewill Photon 750w PSU
Samsung Evo 240gb SSD
WD 1 TB HDD

What I've done so far:
Updated Drivers. No fix.
Monitored temperatures and they were all normal. Issue happens just while idling.
Installed Win7 instead of using Win10 Technical Preview. Didn't work.
Removed GFX and used Mobo's integrated GFX. Nope.
Tried different RAM and tried them in different slots. Nadda.
Removed the HDD and SSD. Still happened even in the BIOS.
Changed Mobo settings from high performance to factory defaults.
RMA'd the Motherboard (And it came back with a bent pin that I had to fix) Result: Failure.
Ordered Hyper 212 despite all temperatures being normal, I thought it might help. It didn't.
Ordered a new cheap CPU to test if the CPU was the problem. It wasn't (fortunately).
[strike]I've JUST NOW ordered a new PSU to rule that out as an issue. I don't feel confident, hence why I'm here.[/strike]
Installed new PSU (850w instead of 750, EVGA SuperNova) the problem still occurred after 5 minutes of use.

I'm here right now.

The thing that freaks me out the most is that even with all peripherals removed and only having the basics (1 stick of ram, CPU, Mobo), it still goes to either a black screen or a screen with random lines in the BIOS. But again, maybe it's the PSU. But it should be highly unlikely..

Detailed Description: The computer turns on just fine. You can log in, use stuff, shut it down if you want (Albeit in a 5 minute time span). Everything works flawlessly, until it doesn't. Randomly, everything will just stop.
1.The screen goes to a black, or gray, or colored lines (There's also artefacting sometimes if you restart it too fast when this happens, like the screen becomes glitched with random pixels and such).
2. The sound stops.
3. The caps lock light on my keyboard doesn't change.
4. The computer shuts down after about 1 minute of this occurring.

Here's some additional info. Sorry about not using imgur for this one. Too depressed right now to upload (for obvious reasons).

If you want me to run diagnostics or something, or If I've left out some crucial information, just let me know and I'll try to fill in the blanks as soon as I can.

I'm just.. I don't even.. Please help.[strike] I'll try a new PSU, but if it still happens I'm gonna be so confused[/strike]. I've replaced everything..

Tradesman1 · Feb 5, 2015

Do you have a different PSU you can try with?

bignastyid · Feb 5, 2015

Try assembling the system outside of the case. I've usually do it on the motherboards box, and don't set it on anti-static wrap.

TheFluffyDog · Feb 5, 2015

Although 750w is more than enough, Rosewill isn't know for excellent QUALITY, yes you get a decent performance product, and it can handle most situations, and I even see people recommending them for budget builds as they are decent, however they lack the quality control and standards of better brands. If you have posted before trying all the other components i would have tried the PSU first.

computertech82 · Feb 5, 2015

the problem very well could be the power supply.

MetricZero · Feb 5, 2015

I won't be able to test the PSU until it arrives. So it may be Saturday/Monday before I know. But if anyone else has any ideas let me know.

Tradesman1 · Feb 5, 2015

Have a friend/co-worker you could borrow from?

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

New PSU arrived. Installed it. Used different outlet as well to rule that out as a problem. The issue still occurred after a few minutes. Screen went black and shut down after a minute. Anyone? Help..

Tradesman1 · Feb 8, 2015

Might want to bench it, have a guide that may help here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1753671/bench-troubleshooting.html

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

Okay so another bit of an update. I managed to get the computer to run flawlessly for about 50 minutes. Then I started up a game (Dota 2) and it crashed 5 minutes later.

Here's a screenshot with some info.

I haven't benched it yet, but I'm confused by this result because it still crashed even with the graphics card removed.

Another odd thing. It crashed fairly quickly (with a blue screen of death for the first time) after I had removed the SSD. When I plugged the SSD back in it ran for that 50 some odd minutes. The game I have (Dota 2) that caused the crash is located on the SSD. Hmm..

Also I ran a benchmark on the RAM/GFX/CPU and nothing happened.

Tradesman1 · Feb 8, 2015

What's the new PSU?

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

Tradesman1 :

EVGA supernova 850w modular. It's pretty decent from the reviews I read. Anyhow, I found out that I got it stable enough that it can run basic operations (ran fine for 50 minutes) but after I launched a game it crashed after 5 minutes. Removing or changing the graphics card again didn't change anything. Removing the SSD and reinstalling the game on the HDD didn't fix it.

I think it might have something to do with the motherboard BIOS, even though I RMA'd the motherboard it might just be some sort of setting that's affecting it.

Or maybe the voltage settings. I read some stuff here that I'm gonna try as well: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/526476/pc-shuts-off-crashes-during-gaming/

Most of the stability came when I overclocked everything, and underclocking didn't fix anything.

Also I ran some benchmarks on the CPU and RAM using ASUS's PC Diagnostic tool, everything passed all tests.. I'll try a different program and maybe try that Whocrashed? program mentioned in that link.

Tradesman1 · Feb 8, 2015

Make sure you have the latest BIOS, chances are it's slightly out of date (same with the mobo drivers), try everything at default - set the DRAM via XMP and see how it goes, if OK then can start to try OCing

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

Tradesman1 :

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z97PRO/HelpDesk_Download/

Umm.. CAP file?.. Under Windows 7 x64 > BIOS there's an update dated 2014/11/28. On dxdiag it says my BIOS date is 7/11/2014. So I guess it is out of date, but what's a CAP file and how do I install it?

Off to google! I'll report back soon. Also if you want I have a Steam account if you think that'd be easier to communicate on.

Edit: Err yeah, I'm having some difficulty figuring out how to update the Mobo drivers.

ko888 · Feb 8, 2015

MetricZero :

Tradesman1 :

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z97PRO/HelpDesk_Download/

Umm.. CAP file?.. Under Windows 7 x64 > BIOS there's an update dated 2014/11/28. On dxdiag it says my BIOS date is 7/11/2014. So I guess it is out of date, but what's a CAP file and how do I install it?

Off to google! I'll report back soon. Also if you want I have a Steam account if you think that'd be easier to communicate on.

Edit: Err yeah, I'm having some difficulty figuring out how to update the Mobo drivers.

.CAP file is a UEFI BIOS image file with a file header.

Use EZ Update or ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility to update the motherboard's BIOS.

Tradesman1 · Feb 8, 2015

Beeat me to it

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

ko888 :

Thanks. I came across a realization though, and I want to try this before I go updating the BIOS.

The computer became stable when I overclocked it. When I underclocked it, it worsened and happened faster.

I'm to the point where I can browse and do stuff, but I can't play games yet. I think it has to do with power draw and causes a hangup. I'm not sure how to test this hypothesis though.

As a friend put it, the BIOS update probably wouldn't cause Dota 2 to crash/hang up the computer.

Any ideas on how to test if voltages are the issue?

ko888 · Feb 8, 2015

Z97-PRO BIOS 2012
Improve system stability.

ASUS must know that there are stability problems with that motherboard based on user feedback. Otherwise a BIOS update would not have been released to fix it.

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

ko888 :

You have a valid point. I just wonder why they didn't update the BIOS when I RMA'd it a week ago.

As soon as I'm finished updating some things I'll give this a try. It'll be a couple hours before I post another update. Thank you everyone for your help so far, I really appreciate it.

Tradesman1 · Feb 8, 2015

Any time you get a new mobo, it's a good idea to update the BIOS. On a typical BIOS update the manufacturer will list one or two items that are updated, but most BIOS updates consist of numerous updates and fixes (the majority of which are often DRAM updates, but they are also updating compatibility to various other components as well

MetricZero · Feb 8, 2015

Tradesman1 :

I just have a fear that I'll brick the system when attempting stuff like that, which is partly why I was hesitant.

Tradesman1 · Feb 8, 2015

Updating a BIOS isn't near the horror story it was years back. Yes it can happen, but I probably do 6+ mobos a month or so and haven't had one die in a few years now, think the last was like 2010 or so

11sphere92 · Feb 8, 2015

Have you test your computer other than at your home? (I mean on tech or shop)

ko888 · Feb 8, 2015

MetricZero :

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file.

MetricZero · Feb 9, 2015

ko888 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVvHwq3syqI

I'm following the video below. The only thing I don't understand is how I'm suppose to rename the file.

Also trying to figure out what it means in this manual: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/Z97-PRO/E9062_Z97-PRO.pdf

EDIT: It's on page 79. Z97P.CAP

Edit2: yeah so first attempt didn't go so well. I used the BIOS menu's flashback tool. It turns on and won't show the starting logo. The LED that shows numbers is stuck on 36 which is "CPU post-memory initialization."

Gonna try the flashback button next with the system off.

Please help, computer can't run for more than 5 minutes.

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