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Computer is failing! Help!

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  • CPUs
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May 2, 2010 4:26:14 AM

My computers "health" has slowly been diminishing over the past few months. I built it myself. Within the last couple of weeks TF2 as consistently been freezing up, and I would have to hit ctrl+alt+del, bring up the task manager, then CLOSE the task manager and bring up TF2 and it would be just fine. But recently it has been freezing every 5 minutes or so. Only TF2 has cause this, but its the only demanding process I run so there's no telling whether it's a software or hardware issue. For normal internet use and document composition the comp is just fine. Also, happening just recently (like yesterday) while playing TF2, I went through that cycle, got back into the game play, but when ever my first person view was at a certain angle everything would get several shades bluer. ANd it was on a couple of degrees that would cause this. ANd then later I go through the cycle and all of a sudden I'm getting hundreds of dots that blot out and blur objects on screen. I see them right now as a I type this. Earlier yesterday I got a BSOD for absolutely no apparent reason while playing TF2. I have checked my reliability monitor and there are several fatal video "video hardware errors". My graphics card is an EVGA nvidia 9600GT. THe drivers are up to date, but this card has slowly been corrupting itself I suppose. Within the last two months it stopped responding to EVGA's Precision OC'ing utility, nothing is displayed except for temps, I can no longer OC it (I was able to before). My CPU is an AMD Phenom X4 9950 that has a crippled C'n'Q that no longer functions correctly because it never throttles the frequencies correctly, so I just turned it off. I've been incredibly unhappy with my computer, it's clearly slowly degrading due to abuse on my part (which is nothing more than normal day-to-day wear and tear), or due to sheer lemon components. ALso, for some reason, I have all of then shaded out "desktop" icons in everything of mine, their icons with a grey cog in front a of sheet of paper, and they're EVERYWHERE, they never were before, and then one day while snooping through windows files they appeared. and everytime I delete them they come back! Help me please! Maybe I just just wipe everything and replace my GPU and CPU...

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May 2, 2010 9:25:03 AM

I would say first port of call should be power supply and cleaning out all the heatsinks and fans - given that you could previously overclock and now can't....


The other possibilities that all the overclocking has damaged some components either the graphics card or motherboard - most likely VRM's or some capacitors.....

Have a look at the componenets, un-dust them, look for any bulging capacitors.

Post a complete list of your components and your overclock settings and we can maybe help a little bit more....
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May 2, 2010 9:51:48 AM

Agree with the above post. A full list of your system specs would help, particularly your PSU.

In general, a system 'MOT' would be to remove the side and front panels of your case and clean any dust out that you can find. Clean all your system fans to ensure they are free from dust build-up etc. Also, remove your HSF unit from your CPU and ensure the fan is clean. Remove any thermal paste from the previous application, and apply a new layer. Re-seat the CPU ensuring that everything is correctly in place. As will said above, check for any bulging capacitors or anything obvious that could indicate your motherboard components are on the way out.

It's always good practise to clean your system every few months at the least just to ensure everything stays healthy. How are your temps looking? CPUID's HWMonitor is a handy utility for this purpose.

It's also quite likely that it could be a software issue. Viruses or other forms of malware can often cause your system health to deteriorate over time as you have described. When was the last time you did a complete clean re-install of Windows? The nature of the Windows OS is that over time its performance deteroriates naturally. There are always remnants of uninstalled software, registry keys etc that remain behind when they are no longer needed and you think they have been removed. Unfortunately, there's a not an awful lot that can be done about this - it's just the nature of the beast. However it usually means that to keep a clean, healthy and fast system (from a software point of view at least) that a complete, clean re-install of Windows is necessary from time to time. I tend to do a complete re-install every year to a year and a half. Software such as Acronis TrueImage or Norton Ghost can make this process a million times easier, since you can make an image of a clean install and re-apply this image anytime you want to 'start from scratch.' It just saves time going through the whole installation process. Admittedly, it is a pain in the neck doing this, but its like a spring clean...it's never enjoyable doing it, but you know it needs doing and it always feels great to sit back and admire afterwards ;)  Best of luck!
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May 2, 2010 3:07:52 PM

Well I undervolted the CPU and then manually turned up my fans and had no trouble at all. So it's a good chance heat is the culprit here. I'll do a good cleaning of the computer and see where that goes.
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May 2, 2010 3:12:54 PM

AMDnoob said:
Well I undervolted the CPU and then manually turned up my fans and had no trouble at all. So it's a good chance heat is the culprit here. I'll do a good cleaning of the computer and see where that goes.


Glad you seem to have found the problem! Good luck and happy cleaning!
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May 3, 2010 12:21:08 AM

Yeah so I took compressed air to everything and made it all clean and spiffy. THen I reloaded Windows 7 and got all my software, settings, and files back on and it's running perfectly well :D  So problem solved.. for now
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May 3, 2010 12:55:13 AM

Quote:
............. My CPU is an AMD Phenom X4 9950 that has a crippled C'n'Q that no longer functions correctly because it never throttles the frequencies correctly, so I just turned it off......................


This was a problem with the Agena Phenoms in general. AMD tried to do dynamic throttling of cpu cores that was a good idea in theory, but didn't work in practice because of the way windows handled cpu load.

Best to just keep cool and quiet off on the Agena, Tollimon, and Kuma cores. However this problem was corrected on all 45nm Phenom II chips.
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