Intermittent crashes with new build

[rakoth]

I put together my first build a couple of months ago (the components are listed at the bottom of this message) and have been experiencing intermittent crashes every since. The crashes occur a couple of times per day and appear to be memory related (e.g., error code MEMORY_MANAGEMENT) and are not always the same. I've been trying to locate the source but so far without success. This is what I've done to date:

- Checked cpu and gpu temperatures at idle and under load. All are good (e.g., cpu was in low 30s under load).
- Reseated my memory sticks and ran memtest86+ overnight. There were no errors.
- Installed the latest gpu driver yesterday. Had one crash since.

I would appreciate some suggestions on what I should do next to debug this. Although running memtest86+ overnight probably doesn't rule out the memory conclusively, my guess is that the problem is driver related. Should I try reinstalling all drivers? Should I update the bios?

Also, I have not made any bios changes other than the boot-up sequence.

The Build
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler, $36.99
Cooler Bracket: XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket, $6.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Video: GIGABYTE GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s, $74.99
Optical: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders
Misc: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

 

[IH8U]

Disable Superfetch, Prefetch, Readyboost, and any other services you don't need (ie UAC). The error is due to Superfetch, and Prefetch trying to store something at the same time, in the same part of the RAM.

 

[Onus]

If you didn't, reset your BIOS to defaults. This will rule out an innapropriate setting being in there, like trying to run the RAM at too fast a command rate or something.
(oh, then go back and change your boot sequence).

 

[rakoth]

@IU8U and jtt283: thanks, I'll try these things (I have UAC disabled already).

If the problem is due to a superfetch/prefetch conflict, does disabling them lower my system performance? Or maybe the better question is, what would cause the conflict in the first place.

 

[rakoth]

Resetting the bios didn't help - not surprising given that I hadn't changed anything other than the boot order. And I never had superfetch, prefetch, uac, etc. enabled.

Could Gigabyte's EnergySaver be the source of the problem? I've noticed that GSvr.exe always crashes. As a trial I've removed ES from the system. I've also removed AVG and gone back to Avast, which I've always liked.

 

[rakoth]

Removing EnergySaver had no impact. Also double-checked my RAM timing: 5-5-5-18. I'm not sure what I should look at next.

 

[phenom21]

i need help i have the same prob. and none of the solution seems to work!!! plz

 

[smalltime0]

did you recently update your vista OS (e.g. to SP2)?
if so did it begin crashing after a reboot?

What do you tend to be doing anything when the crash happens (i.e. browsing, gaming etc.?) or does it randomly happen, even if idling?

And I assume you have tried unplugging/pulling everything out and then putting it all back in, cause a loose power cable can always do this.

How old is the PSU?