random system crashes (time-related?)

[truekoxok]

I just build a new computer (cost me a bit...) and so far I have had no luck in getting it running. Everything seems to work, but it randomly crashes within a few minutes (sometimes a few seconds!) of power-on.
It seems to be time-related: i.e., the longer I leave my computer off, the longer it goes without crashing. The longest it has gone is a few minutes and it crashed in the middle of my Mandrake installation.
It freezes anytime from when I power-up to the memory check to the BIOS. Sometimes it starts to boot.

Specs:

-Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8IRXP
-RAM: 512MB DDR2100 non-parity
-CPU: Pentium 4 Northwood 1.6A GHz

It doesn't look like a cooling problem: my Lian-Li aluminum case has four fans. The processor has Artic Silver II plus a Thermaltake Volcano 478 heatsink/fan, and the BIOS (when I can get there) reports CPU temps ranging from 30-35 degrees celcius. The components on the motherboard feel cool after it crashes (yes, I do use an anti-static wrist strap)

I've tried disabling different controllers, removing my PCI cards, swapping video cards, etc. but it does not make any difference.

I am not overclocking the CPU.

Does anyone know what the problem is? The memory, processor, and motherboard were all bought new. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Any help would be *greatly* appreciated.
Thanks.

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Kyle

[andyswork@beci.net]

Go here and read the documatatios http://www.laser.com.hk/laserwww.nsf/products/ga-8irxp
This should help alot http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/products/8irxp.htm
Post back.

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One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[truekoxok]

Actually, I have read the manual and downloaded the "complete" (98 pgs.) pdf version from Gigabyte's website: no help at all.

Any chance it could be the power supply? Also, I checked the processor to see if there was any thermal paste "spill" - nope, it's clean.

One other thing I noticed is that sometimes it will not boot unless I pull the power cord out of the p/s. Hmmm...

Troubleshooting, fun, fun... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif

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Kyle

[Paleo Pete]

I think it's related to either heat or power supply. If you're sure it's not heat, go for power supply. If you remove all cards except video and run it with only the hard drive, mouse, keyboard and floppy will it run longer? If so, the power supply could be overworked and getting weak or hot...or both...

This Topic (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000947.html) has a good link related to application of Artic Silver heat sink compound. That could affect it, too much can seriously reduce heat transfer.

If you have access to a different power supply you could also try it and see. I would disconnect a few things to lessen the load on it and see how it runs. Lots easier than swapping out the whole thing...

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[truekoxok]

As far as I can tell, heat on the processor is not a problem. I applied Artic Silver in a thin layer, and the processor averages around 32 degrees. The memory has heat spreaders and the video card has heatsinks over the memory plus a heatsink/fan for the chip.

I have tried running the computer "barebones" - with only a floppy/hd (or not even those), and it still freezes sporadically.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

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Kyle

[BigBlue66]

Well those are excellent temps for the CPU. My guess is power supply issues. Have you made sure that the extra P4 12volt lead is connected properly?

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

"After the wedding, we all went up to the conception room and had a big time up there"
-------- Tommy Smothers

[truekoxok]

Yes, I suspect there might be something wrong with the power supply. Odd as it may sound, I tried running the computer without the 12V P4 lead - it acts the same with or without the lead (which makes me suspect that it isn't working). I'm going to try a voltameter and see if I should try another power supply. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

The processor is brand new straight from Intel, so it should be fine. The memory passes the quick-test... too bad I don't have another way to test it more thoroughly.

Any more suggestions would be welcome! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks!

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Kyle

[truekoxok]

Looks like the power supply works fine (tested with a multimeter). Now what? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

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Kyle

[truekoxok]

Problem solved!
Looks like it was a problem with the memory - Double-sided x16 DDR memory does not work with the Intel 845 chip. When I bought a single-sided 128MB module, it worked fine. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Thanks for your help! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Kyle