20 replies to this topic

[ericjschroeder]

I hope someone can offer suggestions to help me figure out this issue.  I also randomly have Windows Explorer crash too (the File Explorer, not the main Windows process), and I'm not sure if it is related.  I have tried to run GPU testers but they say no GPU found.  System is:

 

Window 7 (x64) build 7601

 

3.00 gigahertz AMD Phenom II X4 945
512 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
6144 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)

 

Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A78T-E Rev 1.xx

Serial Number: 107848400001468
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 3406 08/20/2010

 

16 GB Ram

 

ASUS HD7790 Series [Display adapter], 2 GB RAM

Driver: 13.152.0.0, Date: Aug 30, 2013.

(I tried the latest drivers and the computer crashed all the time so I downgraded.)

 

Maybe it's getting kind of old, but I would like to know how to test what needs to be replaced.

 

Thanks.

[PhillPower2]

Can you post the brand and model name or number of the power supply (PSU).

 

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s. 

 

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

1. In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.
2. In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.
3. Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.

 

If you need to save the results as a txt file can you please edit out your Windows product key before uploading the information here.

[ericjschroeder]

The PS is a Corsair GS600.  Here is the Speccy link: http://speccy.pirifo...7JDLSK4r5NLHRkI.  Everything is getting a bit old so it may be time to start replacing bits.  Hope you can help me figure out what's wrong now, though.  I never have BSODs, just a sudden lock up, seems to be most often, but not always, when watching videos, and sometimes doing 3 or 4 other things too.

[PhillPower2]

The Corsair GS600 was a good PSU years back but has long been discontinued, we will take a closer look at the output of this after your next update.

 

Your GPU is clearly detected by Speccy and shown to be working.

 

Couple of questions and below that some pointers on what we can see in Speccy.

 

How old is the PSU.

 

Are you overclocking at all.

 

Do you know how to restore the MBs default/most stable settings in the BIOS.

 

Have you made sure that Windows is fully up to date.

 

From your Speccy report;

 

AMD Phenom II X4 945: 47 °C  Looks to be too hot for a computer that is not under any load.

 

Antivirus

Antivirus: Enabled

Display Name: Bitdefender Antivirus Free Antimalware I recommend that you get rid of this and use Microsoft Security Essentials as you are far less likely to get issues, as you will be aware Windows 7 is nearing its end of life support from Microsoft and more and more third party software vendors have already wound down there support for Windows 7.

 

Bitdefender removal tools here Please create a new system restore point first. 

 

Screen saver: Enabled They may look nice but there is no need for them with modern displays, not using one is more energy efficient + it avoids the potential for it kicking in should you be in the middle of something but called a way for a short while.

 

Physical Memory

Memory Usage: 29 % Using 29% of 16GB worth of RAM when not under any load like the CPU temps is excessive.

 

Voltage

CPU VCore: 1.326 V This is too high for a computer that is not under any load + it will increase when the computer is actually put under load, this would cause the CPU to overheat and lock up.

CPU IO: 3.422 V

+12V: 12.011 V

MEMORY CONTROLLER: 1.568 V This should not be over 1.5V and like the CPU it will increase when the computer is put under load gain causing issues.

VIN2: 1.136 V

+5V: 4.919 V

 

Partition 0

Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #0

Disk Letter: F:

File System: NTFS

Volume Serial Number: 50DB51FB

Size: 507 GB

Used Space: 462 GB (91%)

Free Space: 45 GB (9%) You need to free up some space on this partition, see explanation below;

 

 

For Windows to be able to run efficiently and to be able to update you need to have between 20 and 25% of the partition or drive available as free storage space at all times, if you don`t you risk Windows becoming corrupt or not being able to update which puts you at risk of malware attack.

 

Data only storage devices should not be allowed to get any lower than 10% of free storage space of the full capacity of the drive/partition on the drive.

 

 

 

Edit to delete duplicated input.

Edited by PhillPower2, 27 July 2019 - 03:09 AM.

[ericjschroeder]

Thank you for the reply.  I don't really know precisely how old anything is because I'm not sure when I purchased each part.  This unit also sat in storage for a few years.  I used to do software support but am somewhat clueless on hardware except to replace it.  I have never overclocked anything so not sure why it's running hot, but I haven't opened it up to clean in a while so I'll do that this weekend.  I also read somewhere that you should replace the thermal paste on the CPU after some time, but I've never had a PC this long that I didn't upgrade, so I don't know about that.

 

Windows is up to date except one or two recent updates.  I will remove Bitdefender at your suggestion.  Screensaver is just set to Blank, but I'll turn it off for now.  I also have Power set to turn off monitors after 10 minutes of non-use but that shouldn't kick in while doing something or watching video.

 

I have a dozen tabs open at any time in Chrome and I'll check Memory usage after shutting it down.  Really don't understand why the voltage is too high because I don't do anything to cause that.  

 

I certainly understand that I need sufficient free space on my C drive for Windows but I don't understand your statement about the storage drives.  Windows doesn't do anything there.

 

Update:  just installed latest updates and rebooted.  Here is the new Speccy before starting Chrome: http://speccy.pirifo...Su2iLYoKrDUxsQd.

 

After starting Chrome, memory up to 32%.

Edited by ericjschroeder, 27 July 2019 - 10:08 AM.

[PhillPower2]

 I also read somewhere that you should replace the thermal paste on the CPU after some time,

 

 

Not sure where you read this but it is inaccurate, thermal compound when correctly applied will most often last the lifetime of the computer and should only need to be reapplied should the heatsink need to be removed from atop of the processor for some reason.

 

Really don't understand why the voltage is too high because I don't do anything to cause that.  

 

 

You do not need to do anything, a failing PSU or bad BIOS setting can cause such a thing, you mention that you do not knowingly overclock but unfortunately a lot of modern motherboards have accompanying software that auto OCs the CPU and RAM.

 

I certainly understand that I need sufficient free space on my C drive for Windows but I don't understand your statement about the storage drives.  Windows doesn't do anything there.

 

 

If you store data to a drive that is low on free storage space you risk data already on the drive being overwritten, programs/games etc on the drive may become corrupted and not be able to load and worse case scenario the drive will become unreadable.

 

Will have to check your latest Speccy url tomorrow as I have an early start in the morning so going offline now.

 

Edit to add:

 

Update:  just installed latest updates and rebooted.  Here is the new Speccy before starting Chrome: http://speccy.pirifo...Su2iLYoKrDUxsQd.

 

 

Bitdefender is still installed on the computer + your updated speccy report shows that the space on drive/partition F: has now dropped to 8% of free storage space and the same high voltage readings are present.

Edited by PhillPower2, 28 July 2019 - 03:45 AM.

[ericjschroeder]

Here's a new Speccy after blowing the dust out.  It's about 10 degrees cooler but the voltage is the same.  http://speccy.pirifo...LN3XO3Yg6vvPVxi.

 

This morning, before that, it locked up without playing any video.

Edited by ericjschroeder, 28 July 2019 - 12:58 PM.

[PhillPower2]

A drop in temperature is good but the voltages need to be checked, you can check the voltages in the BIOS when you restore the MBs factory default/failsafe, the voltages to look for and make a note of are for the DRAM, the +3.3, +5 and +12V rails, see attachment below for info from your MB manual.

 

Is the data on the WD HDD of no importance as you do not seem to be taking onboard how close you are to losing it.

 

Partition 0

Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #0

Disk Letter: F:

File System: NTFS

Volume Serial Number: 50DB51FB

Size: 507 GB

Used Space: 462 GB (91%)

Free Space: 45 GB (9%)

Partition 1

Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #1

Disk Letter: G:

File System: NTFS

Volume Serial Number: BC0A42E8

Size: 423 GB

Used Space: 394 GB (93%)

Free Space: 29.5 GB (7%

Attached Thumbnails

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[ericjschroeder]

Everything in the OC section of the BIOS was set to Auto.  The 3.3, 5 and 12V were all within 0.1 variance.  Haven't had any lockups yet since cleaning it out but I don't know what causes it.  What kind of tests can I run to try to find the culprit?

 

I noticed when I play a video, the temp goes back up to around 49/50 for CPU/MoBo/Graphics, and Graphics temp never comes down again even after I close the video.

 

I grabbed another Speccy while watching Youtube videos in Chrome.  Lower temps than when running Zoom Player for video.

http://speccy.pirifo...VU3jxUMCw0aP5zv

Edited by ericjschroeder, 28 July 2019 - 08:43 PM.

[PhillPower2]

when you restore the MBs factory default/failsafe, the voltages to look for and make a note of are for the DRAM, the +3.3, +5 and +12V rails, see attachment below for info from your MB manual.

 

 

Have you restored the MBs default factory settings as was requested.

[ericjschroeder]

Yes.

[ericjschroeder]

I appreciate that you replied to my initial post, but I am still wondering what programs you might suggest that I can run to test for hardware (most likely, I think) or software problems that have caused my PC to lock up.  I don't mind troubleshooting my own problems as far as I am able, but I just don't have the necessary tools.  thanks.

[PhillPower2]

Please note that stress testing any hardware comes with risk of a weak components failure, if you choose to use the software at the links you do so of your own accord and for our part the risk has been brought to your attention.

 

CPU

 

GPU

 

The only way of stress testing the PSU is by putting the computer under load and without specialist equipment you cannot monitor the PSUs performance.

[ericjschroeder]

Ok, I'll think about that since I don't want to lose my only working PC.  It's also started doing something strange.  Yesterday when I turned it on, only some of the icons on the Desktop were visible, and the Start Bar shortcuts were all white.  I opened Explorer and could see everything in the Desktop folder so I rebooted and it all came back.  Today when I turned it on, 8 of the shortcuts on the desktop show the generic icon even though if I go to properties and change icon, and 1 shortcut on the Start bar.  Weird.

[ericjschroeder]

Say, Phil.  You have looked at the stats and such but have not offered any suggestions about what I can do to try to diagnose and isolate what may be causing the lockups.  You did give me a warning about the stress tests and I have not run them yet.  I think overheating certainly may be a factor because it finally locked up again today and Speccy showed the CPU/Mobo/graphics at 48/49/54.  It has also been 90-100 here and the AC in this room probably could be replaced.  After I rebooted, I opened the side panel on the case so it's still basically closed at the back so the fans will still draw air across the components but the front edge is about 2-3 inches open.  The Speccy temp now is 38/41/45 but when I watch a video using Zoom Player, it is can get to 47/48/49-50.  I just downloaded VLC and playing the same video there it started at 45/45/45 but at one point got to 48-50/47/45.  I paused for a few minutes and now it's back down to 45/45/45. Hmmm.  Interesting how the CPU gets hammered more with VLC and the graphics with ZP.  Edit:  I've played through the whole video on VLC and it stayed around 45/45/45.  Not sure what that earlier spike was.  One more Edit:  Another video on VLC only heated up to 40/41/45 but the inside room temp is coming down too.

Edited by ericjschroeder, 05 August 2019 - 09:10 PM.