Build Advice Random restarts, is my mobo/processor dying?

Hi

I have a fairly decent computer with these specs;
AMD athlon x2 64 3800+ 2.0ghz
Asus m2n-e Sli
4gb kinstoon 677hz RAM
nvida 8 8800
DVD-/+RW Drive
300gb Westernn Digital HDD (had since it since I bought the computer)
500gb Hitachi HDD (bought last year)
350w psu

however it's been randomly restarting while doing tasks which aren't too taxing. I've had this computer since January 2007 and i've noticed this problem occuring for the past couple of months. It used to happen when I had a 580w psu but that broke so I know it's not a power problem and the OS has been changed a few times so it can't be a software problem. Anyone have any ideas?

Leadtek DTV100 TV tuner
TV tuner
PCI Express x-fi Xtreme audio

 

probably memory related.. you prime it yet

 

sorry whats "prime"? is it a memtest like app? I've got a copy of ubuntu so i could try running that for a couple hours i guess

 

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/

put it on blend and see if it fails or restarts

 

One could argue that your system is under-powered. Download SpeedFan and monitor voltages. Put system in moderate stress and tell us the +12, 5, and 3v readings. Download Memtest86+ and check each stick of memory separately.

 

I'd tend to agree with this. You can't underestimate how important a good power supply is. An insufficient power supply can often be mis-diagnosed as a failure of crucial hardware. I've seen it happen quite often and been guilty of it myself.

 

As I said, this problem occurred when I had my hiper 580w type R psu. It happend again with my generic 350w psu. I might get a new one for future upgrades which will require more power


I've been running the scan for 12 hours now and it hasn't shown any errors in the log and and it hasn't restarted yet, how long should I run it for?

 

Whoops - missed that bit!

If it's been running Prime95 for 12 hours, I'd say that's a pretty solid test. Try running Memtest86 on all RAM sticks also, possibly from a Linux live CD/USB - it can't hurt.

EDIT: Although you say that you've re-installed a few times, don't rule out a driver problem. If you're using the same driver version for hardware on each install that could also be a failure point. Some hardware devices may not always need driver refreshes all the time, such as sound cards/chips.

 

I'll try running memtest as i ordered the latest kernal of Ubuntu on CD recently and I'm thinking that it might not be a driver problem as the majority of my drivers were updated because I upgraded to 64bit. Windows 7 found quite a few of the drivers though so I'm not entirely sure if there all new drivers.

 

Ok I've been running the Test for 4 hours now and it's passed twice with no errors I can take a pic if you want more info. No errors have been detected so far. Btw I forgot to add it froze a bit before it restarted and then started working but it then froze and restarted last time.

Edit here's a pic http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/85108052@N00/4279476646/sizes/l/

 

when it finish it looked like this

i dont think its a memory error. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do you think its a issue with the CPU?

 

The usual suspects are PSU and heat. As I said in a previous post: Download SpeedFan and monitor voltages and temps. Put system in moderate stress and tell us the +12, 5, and 3v readings and CPU temp. Look at CPU HSF, see any dust? How long has it been since you vaccumed out the case?

 

+1

Since the RAM appears to be fully functional, I'd next look closely at the PSU or mobo power componentry is at cause.

 

i think it may be a heat issue, thanks OS-wiz! I need to install some bigger and quieter fans into my comp as my computer is in quite a small room and it gets quite warm sometimes. Can you recommend any silent fans?

edit
ok ive looked round a bit and i was thinking of getting these;
2x these
and since im going to upgrade my motherboard and processor in the summer, I thought i might as well get a new case and psu now to spread the costs so would this be ok?

 

Fans look OK. But until you know your new component power requirements I'd pick a case with good airflow and without a PSU. Here's a mid-tower case with good airflow: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel. Also, for replacing your current case fans consider the Antec 3-speed fans, quiet, move a lot of air, and when set on high setting great when OCing.

 

thanks, i'll wait untill then for buying the new psu. Also do you think that any coolmaster case will do? I quite like the coolmaster 335 as it looks quite good but it seems to have good airflow unlike my current case. I had some fans in my computer before but I found that they were too loud so i think that these fans will be a nice compromise for my needs. If there ineffective then I'll just buy the antec ones.

 

coolmaster 335 = good choice!

Don't sacrifice burnt up components to the Gods of Quiet or Silent systems

That's why I recommended the Antec 3-speed fans, on low they are quiet, but can be cranked up during those hot summers.

 

cant you do that through the BIOS? I'll try out these xilent fans on my current rig but if there ineffective, I'll buy the antec 3 speed fans when I upgrade the mobo/cpu/psu

 

ok it just randomly restarted now and when it restarted i went into the bios to check the temperature and it seemed quite regular as in 36 C for the mobo and 39 C for the cpu and my was quite cold at the time so it cant be a heat issue :S I was just generally browsing on chrome and I had my phone connected to the front usb port and it had been connected for about an hour so I'm not too sure if it was that. It cant take up as much power as playing fallout 3 for a few hours so it cant be because of the strain on the system. The front usb ports haven't been getting enough power recently but the last time this happened, I didn't have anything connected. I think we're back to square one again...

 

And we're back to this: Download SpeedFan and monitor voltages and temps. Put system in moderate stress and tell us the +12, 5, and 3v readings