Hardware or software problem?

[mutame]

Hello,

 

I have a pc to repair, but don't know what to do anymore...

- motherboard: P5Q Pro (Asus)

- processor: intel Core 2 Duo E 8400 3Ghz

- memory: 4x 2048MB

- grafics: nVidea GeForce 8800 GTS 512

 

This was the problem:

- by starting up, several windows were appearing: : AVGTray.exe, QTTask.exe not found......so exe-files don't work

- you can't access internet or programs like word

 

 

because the pc is 2,5 years old, I decided to format the C disk, and tried to install a clean windows

Installing windows 7- 64 bits, didn't work because of an error: 0x80070570

I've read that a bad memory could cause the problem

I checked the memory with mem86 - no errors found...

I removed the memory modules and changed them - the error came back, but later on in the installation process.

I’ve removed one of the memory modules (nr 3) and the installation worked

Windows + other programs installed, but by shutting down, the pc rebooted from his own.

While using the pc, it sometimes freezes ( at different times: sometimes after 2 minutes, sometimes after an hour) and then the pc must be restarted to do anything.

This I already tried:

- Remove dust

- Updated drivers – motherboard , graphic card

- In the register: I disabled “restart by problems”

- RAM changed by RAM from other pc

- Graphic card changed

- Hard disk checked – no problems – formatted with use of other pc

- Hard disk changed

 

A clean installation of windows only works when I remove one memory module (no matter which) BUT afterwards several programs don’t work as they should (like internet explorer)

 

- I changed the battery of the motherboard and cleared CMOS, then the pc didn’t start up by itself anymore, not even when I putted the original battery back

But the other problems are still there…

Does anyone know what may be the solution to solve this problems?

I think there is an hardware problem, but I’m not an expert…

Please help.

[BenchZowner]

You had 4 DIMMs ( RAM sticks ) installed in all your tests ?

If yes, it might be it.

You may need to increase the Vfsb ( FSB Termination Voltage ) and the Vnb ( NorthBridge Voltage ) a bit to stabilize the memory controller with 4 DIMMs installed.

 

By the way, which memtest86 test you checked them with ?

A full loop of memtest86+ suite ? 20-40 loops of test #5 ?

[mutame]

Yes I had the 4 DIMM's installed during the test.

 

At the moment, I've tried other things as well (because my suspicion is that there's something wrong with the memory)

I've reinstalled windows by using only 2 DIMM's from an other pc.

no problems so far -

I've replaced them with the original DIMMs , first only 2 in different slots, then all 4 - so far the pc runs without problems.

But only windows and antivirus is installed.

No updates (not from windows, neither from graphics card, motherboard...) or any other program.

Can this cause the problems? (these updates)

 

When I have to increase the Vfsb ( FSB Termination Voltage ) and the Vnb ( NorthBridge Voltage ), I have to do the it in the BIOS?

And only during the test, or for ever?

 

The memtest86 I've used is: ** Memtest86+ V4.20 (25/01/2011) ** from: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

At this moment, this test is running 8,5 ours without errors.

Do I have to change anything on this test? I only started the pc with the cd of memtest86 en let it run.

 

grt.

[BenchZowner]

LIFA order ( Last In First Answered :p ):

 

Memtest86+ You should run several loops ( ideally 80 ) of test #5 ( you do that by pressing C then 1 then 3 then 5 then Enter then 0 ) with all the memory installed ( like the computer will be set up for 24/7 usage ) to see if they're operating smoothly or producing errors due to heat/bad BIOS settings/malfunctioning-dieing RAM DIMMs/etc.

 

If you get errors or windows instability again with 4 DIMMs installed, and memtest86+ shows no errors then you'll have to increase the Vfsb & Vnb in the BIOS ( permanently ) and see if the system becomes stable afterwards.

 

No updates from Windows Update ain't necessarily bad, but you should be updating your installation as these updates fix issues and common errors, also secure your computer from hackers & viruses ( mainly this ) & malware by correcting their coding mistakes from the release code.

 

You should also of course install the drivers for the chipset ( motherboard drivers ), sound card & graphics card, otherwise you won't be able to use them properly ( not all functions are supported by default or at all ).

[mutame]

ok. I've pressed the c -135 0.

it's running now.

I'll post the result this evening.

 

Thanks.

[mutame]

the test ran 22 hours without any problem found.

 

Then I started to update Windows again.

most of the updates didn't work.

after several tries (start-up again, update again) it didn't work like it should.

 

Then I tried to reinstall windows, using a different cd (maybe it was a version with problems), but I got stuck again with the error 0x80070750 (the 4 memory-modules were in the pc)

 

Could it be that the motherboard became bad?

because the memory test had no error found...

[BenchZowner]

Usually memtest86+ is all you need.

Sometimes however, in some cases ( rare ) there's something memtest86+ doesn't push to the limits, and while memtest86+ passes flawlessly in Windows you might get crashes/errors due to memory related issues ( RAM malfunctioning or the memory controller being unstable and unable to "train" with the memory properly )

 

In this however I think something else is up.

 

Download LinX ( http://www.youwatched.com/datajay/linx-setup.exe ), extract it to a temporary folder and run it.

In the program window click on the "All" button next to the Memory (MiB) text-field, set it to run 10 times and click "Start".

Let me know if it finishes all 10 loops without any errors, or if an error came up or you had a freeze/crash/program exit/program disappear/restart.

[mutame]

I ran LinX 0.6.4

 

This was the result:

Intel® LINPACK 64-bit data - LinX 0.6.4

Current date/time: Sun Apr 22 15:07:56 2012

CPU frequency: 3.000 GHz

Number of CPUs: 2

Number of threads: 2

Parameters are set to:

Number of tests : 1

Number of equations to solve (problem size) : 30592

Leading dimension of array : 30600

Number of trials to run : 10

Data alignment value (in Kbytes) : 4

Maximum memory requested that can be used = 3194570400, at the size = 30592

============= Timing linear equation system solver =================

Size LDA Align. Time(s) GFlops Residual Residual(norm)

30592 30600 4 886.553 21.5313 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 872.828 21.8699 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 874.415 21.8302 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 895.031 21.3274 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 876.697 21.7733 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 876.129 21.7875 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 877.460 21.7544 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 876.146 21.7870 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 877.937 21.7426 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

30592 30600 4 875.762 21.7966 8.875627e-010 3.372243e-002

Performance Summary (GFlops)

Size LDA Align. Average Maximal

30592 30600 4 21.7200 21.8699

End of tests

 

 

At first, I didn't changed anything on the power settings of the screen etc.

so, after a while, the screen turned black, but I couldn't turn it back on.

then the pc crashed.

With BlueScreenVieuw it gave these results:

 

 

==================================================

Dump File : 042212-15147-01.dmp

Crash Time : 22/04/2012 15:03:07

Bug Check String : INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR

Bug Check Code : 0x000000a0

Parameter 1 : 00000000`0000000b

Parameter 2 : 00000001`7ff4a000

Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000003

Parameter 4 : 00000000`07354000

Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe

Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+71f00

File Description : NT Kernel & System

Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System

Company : Microsoft Corporation

File Version : 6.1.7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255)

Processor : x64

Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+71f00

Stack Address 1 :

Stack Address 2 :

Stack Address 3 :

Computer Name :

Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\042212-15147-01.dmp

Processors Count : 2

Major Version : 15

Minor Version : 7600

Dump File Size : 284.192

==================================================

 

 

could this be helpfull?

 

For me it's to difficult to understand ;-)

[BenchZowner]

Not really helpful for me as well.

You'll have to re-run LinX with the power saving features turned off to keep the monitor constantly on.

[mutame]

after installing windows, I would update the chipsetdriver from the motherboard.

But on the supportcd, there was no driver for 64 bit and the driver from the Asus website didn't work because it would not unpack.

I don't know why.

 

Yes the first time I ran LinX it stopped at the 4t.loop cause of the crash.

Then I re-ran it with the power saving features off, and the result is posted above.

Edited April 22, 2012 by mutame

[BenchZowner]

Leave the power settings as is, and re-run it but for 20 loops ( times ).

If it fails again we'll have to dig into the BIOS and try a few things, if it we'll have to look elsewhere for your troubles.

No matter how it goes, successful completion of 20 loops or not, the next step is more troubleshooting, just less guesswork.

[mutame]

ok. done

 

Finished without errors.

Intel® LINPACK 64-bit data - LinX 0.6.4

Current date/time: Sun Apr 22 21:35:37 2012

CPU frequency: 3.000 GHz

Number of CPUs: 2

Number of threads: 2

Parameters are set to:

Number of tests : 1

Number of equations to solve (problem size) : 30730

Leading dimension of array : 30744

Number of trials to run : 20

Data alignment value (in Kbytes) : 4

Maximum memory requested that can be used = 3263756640, at the size = 30730

============= Timing linear equation system solver =================

Size LDA Align. Time(s) GFlops Residual Residual(norm)

30730 30744 4 894.155 21.6385 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 888.076 21.7866 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 916.797 21.1041 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 892.883 21.6693 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.064 21.8360 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.651 21.8216 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 887.112 21.8102 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 885.321 21.8544 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.249 21.8315 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.741 21.8194 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 885.654 21.8461 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 888.867 21.7672 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 887.296 21.8057 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 884.843 21.8662 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.274 21.8309 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.722 21.8198 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 885.077 21.8604 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 885.589 21.8477 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 886.444 21.8267 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

30730 30744 4 885.062 21.8608 8.679197e-010 3.262510e-002

Performance Summary (GFlops)

Size LDA Align. Average Maximal

30730 30744 4 21.7751 21.8662

End of tests

[BenchZowner]

Looks like you're good to go CPU & RAM-wise.

Can you install a relatively heavy ( demanding ) game, e.g. Crysis Warhead and try to play for a while ? ( like 30 minutes continuously ) and see if it works fine or you get a crash/freeze/skips/etc.

 

Set the game to run at 1280x1024 medium details ( gamer I think ).

[mutame]

I think this is impossible because at the moment I can not install anything.

I've tried to update the chipsetdriver without any success.

The audiodriver isn't installed esther and trying to install it, wont work

 

When I try to download a file, internet explorer crashes.

Sometimes I can briefly read: the program for the graphics card doesn't respond anymore, is switched off and repaired.

 

But most of the times it says:"does not support this Operating System WNT_6.1P_64_MCE"

Edited April 23, 2012 by mutame

[mutame]

I even thought the motherboard didn't support 64 bits, but there are drivers available on 'Asus' AND this computer worked for 2,5 years with Windows 7 prof. 64 bits.

[mutame]

We've discovered Sometimes else.

At the beginning, when I tried different things, I tried to install Windows, using only 2 of 3 memorymodules.

But one time, I removed all the original memory and relplaced it with the memory of my son's pc.

This installation went well and afterwards I changed these memorys back.

Now my son's computer crashed (for the first time), gave faults in the registry and wouldn't start up anymore.

On the internet they said to remove 1 memorymodule and this solved the problem, his pc starts up again.

 

Could it be that the memory of his computer got corrupt (?) by using it in my pc with all the problems?

 

Maybe there is something wrong with the motherboard??

Edited April 23, 2012 by mutame

[BenchZowner]

Nope.

The main memory ( RAM ) is a temporary storage solution.

After you cut the electricity supply to it it loses its contents.

The only thing you can do to the RAM is break it by feeding it with high voltages or by using it with a damaged equipment ( e.g. very badly malfunctioning motherboard, PSU that blew up or is pretty close to that ) and having it damaged by it.

[mutame]

I (again) re-installed windows, using 2 memory modules.

Now I can update windows and put programs on the pc.

 

I don't have that game you suggested, but played 'mirror edge' at 1280x1024.

no problems - no crashes. (when I use 2 or 4 memory moduels.)

Is that game heavy enough for the test ? - I have the old games of Tombraider, maybe they are better?

[BenchZowner]

Mirror Edge is fine ( not as stressful as the other games I mentioned, but good enough to put your hardware to the test ).

 

So, now you're using the computer with all 4 memory modules installed and have no issues/BSODs/freezes whatsoever ?

[mutame]

Till now, no problems...

[mutame]

today, I started the pc. Just opened internet explorer and the pc crashed.

this could be read in bluescreenvieuw:

 

=================================================

Dump File : 042812-23244-01.dmp

Crash Time : 28/04/2012 13:51:58

Bug Check String : KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

Bug Check Code : 0x0000001e

Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000000

Parameter 2 : 00000000`00000000

Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000

Parameter 4 : 00000000`00000000

Caused By Driver : ndis.sys

Caused By Address : ndis.sys+bf17b

File Description :

Product Name :

Company :

File Version :

Processor : x64

Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+7cc50

Stack Address 1 :

Stack Address 2 :

Stack Address 3 :

Computer Name :

Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\042812-23244-01.dmp

Processors Count : 2

Major Version : 15

Minor Version : 7601

Dump File Size : 284.024

==================================================

 

then I restarted, I was writing this reply, and there was a freeze, a black screen and then it worked again.

It gave the error:

" Display device program no longer reacts and has repaired "

 

Could it be that there is a problem with the graphics card ?

When I try to run 'Speecy' , this program crashes when it has to display the results of the graphics card.

[BenchZowner]

Could be a HDD problem ( HDD malfunctioning and providing the CPU with erroneous data ), could be a CPU or RAM problem, and could also be a VGA ( graphics card ) problem.

 

Try running Furmark in Xtreme Burning Mode "Burn in test" to see if the graphics card is behind this issue, if it gets very hot ( to the point it can cause problems ) or if it operates normally.

[mutame]

I ran Furmark 1.10.0. for about 40 minutes.

No problems. Temp: 83°C

[BenchZowner]

Graphics card is 99% out of the equation.

 

I'm starting to feel that your HDD is the source of your issues.

 

Can you download the manufacturer's HDD test tool and run the full test suite ( long version ) on the HDD to see if it reports any problems ?

[mutame]

I've scanned my HD with Seatools (from Samsung-Seagate) - long scan + with HDtunePro : no errors found...