BSODs - Hardware & Software

[QUOTE=Shadaez;31460145]explain how a psu is causing BSOD[/QUOTE] Let's see. Computer parts require three things from a PSU: 1) Properly rectified DC voltage of no more than +/- 5% on the positive voltage rails, and no more than +/- 10% on negative rails 2) A ripple current of no more than than 50 mV on +3.3v, +3.3VSB, 5v, -5v and +5VSB AND no more than 120 mV on +12v and -12v 3) The ability to draw the required amp load from all power rails. Failing PSUs can cause the first two requirements to be wildly out of spec, leading to dangerous situations that can permanently damage hardware. The third requirement can lead to any number of symptoms [B]including[/B] random BSODs. I've personally seen bad PSUs cause computers to BSOD, not boot properly or at all, and even cause massive hard drive corruption from improper power to the drives (In fact, I'm working on a RAID array that was killed by a bad PSU right now.) In fact, all three can cause BSODs due to improper voltages and excessive power noise and cause signal corruption and electronics to work improperly. Yeah guys, let's ignore advice from someone that's been repairing PCs for 15+ years, he totally doesn't know what he's doing :downs:

Speccy [img]http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/427/lombardi.png[/img] [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Shadaez;31458432]Has anyone said to try a CPU stability test? Run Prime95 for a few hours and see if it reports any problems. [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] Yea... 7 pages and not one person suspects the CPU? this saddens me try it with your old CPU if you can [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] Don't think anyone has said to reset BIOS to defaults, either, do that as well, since you said you had overclocked your CPU, you may not have set all the settings back to the default. [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] And you havn't even told us what your motherboard is, or even told us your full specs, why have 7 pages gone without this basic stuff?[/QUOTE] How do I reset BIOS?

[url]http://speccy.piriform.com/results/7xkxgR05whgjkmKReNLgCE5[/url] is a link to the whole thing fyi the only problem I see is the RAM is running at about 1066 speeds rather than 1333 mhz that it should be, which means you probably haven't set the speed, timings, and voltages to the ones the RAM is meant to run at - they should be on a sticker on the RAM or on the package, and your CPU voltage is above the default of 1.32, it's at 1.36, but that's probably just a normal fluctuation or something.

[QUOTE=Shadaez;31462391][url]http://speccy.piriform.com/results/7xkxgR05whgjkmKReNLgCE5[/url] is a link to the whole thing fyi the only problem I see is the RAM is running at about 1066 speeds rather than 1333 mhz that it should be, which means you probably haven't set the speed, timings, and voltages to the ones the RAM is meant to run at - they should be on a sticker on the RAM or on the package, and your CPU voltage is above the default of 1.32, it's at 1.36, but that's probably just a normal fluctuation or something.[/QUOTE] So what do you recommend I do? Reset BIOS? If so, how?

[QUOTE=Shadaez;31462391]and your CPU voltage is above the default of 1.32, it's at 1.36, but that's probably just a normal fluctuation or something.[/QUOTE] The CPU voltage is out of spec because +5v is out of spec by 7.5% (5.376v), which is 2.5% higher than the ATX spec allows (5.25v). This is more than enough to cause problems.

[QUOTE=bohb;31462796]The CPU voltage is out of spec because +5v is out of spec by 7.5% (5.376v), which is 2.5% higher than the ATX spec allows (5.25v). This is more than enough to cause problems.[/QUOTE] So it's getting the wrong amount of voltage or something? What do I do?

Use a non-broken PSU.

[QUOTE=bohb;31462825]Use a non-broken PSU.[/QUOTE] Really? That's it?

Basically.

So. I'll just get out my old one right now I guess. Any tips on reinstalling a PSU? Touch grounded metal object before, don't build on carpet, don't lose screws, etc.? [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] Oh and will my old Cooler Master 400 watt handle a 4670 and Phenom II X4 955? It was able to handle the 4670 with my old Athlon dual core.

The Phenom II 955 pulls 125W under nominal maximum load. The HD4670 pulls 59W under max load, and give about 10W for each drive in the system and 5W for the RAM, so you'd be floating around 210W under nominal maximum load, you'll be fine. You can build on the carpet if you want, though I prefer not to because it gets itchy, and the dust.

Ok. Anyways swapped PSU and booting up. Can I reinstall a game and play?

If you want, nothing is stopping you.

kk How do I post the full Speccy chart like what Shadaez did? [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] Woah wtf Speccy shows the 5 volt rail fluctuating between 5.349 and 5.403 like before the PSU swap [editline]31st July 2011[/editline] How would I reset the BIOS? Just to be sure everything is at stock.

CMOS switch. [editline]1st August 2011[/editline] My 5V rail does that too. Completely normal.

CMOS switch? All I did was go into BIOS and select "Load Setup Defaults". Is that alright?

Should be fine. [editline]1st August 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=bohb;31462796]The CPU voltage is out of spec because +5v is out of spec by 7.5% (5.376v), which is 2.5% higher than the ATX spec allows (5.25v). This is more than enough to cause problems.[/QUOTE] My 5V rail is at 5.7V. No problems at all.

Ok so swapped PSU, reset BIOS. Now what. Just install Battlefield or something and use it normally until it BSODs?

I don't think that is the problem anyways.

So many different opinions on the problem here. Motherboard, PSU, RAM, well that's good I suppose so we can test everything.

[QUOTE=bohb;31462796]The CPU voltage is out of spec because +5v is out of spec by 7.5% (5.376v), which is 2.5% higher than the ATX spec allows (5.25v). This is more than enough to cause problems.[/QUOTE] onboard voltage monitors don't read accurately

[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;31463895]Ok so swapped PSU, reset BIOS. Now what. Just install Battlefield or something and use it normally until it BSODs?[/QUOTE] ?

[QUOTE=Darkebrz;31463864]Should be fine. [editline]1st August 2011[/editline] My 5V rail is at 5.7V. No problems at all.[/QUOTE] Just because your particular setup works, doesn't mean every setup will. The ATX standard is a standard for a reason, it's not a guideline, it's required. Stop adding confusion to the mix.

Guys what do I do [editline]1st August 2011[/editline] Too much arguing it makes me feel bad

You can run Windows RE and use the memory diagnostic tool if nothing else works. [editline]1st August 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;31463997]?[/QUOTE] PSU wouldnt be an issue, if your PSU failed the computer wouldn't BSOD it would just turn off.

[QUOTE=P1X3L N1NJA;31466012]PSU wouldnt be an issue, if your PSU failed the computer wouldn't BSOD it would just turn off.[/QUOTE] Wrong.

Swapping PSU and "Load Setup Defaults" in BIOS didn't do anything.

Also do drivers for keyboards, mice, and sound need to be updated too? Although my keyboard / mice are generic ones from Dell, while I don't have a sound card because I think I'm using the onboard one or GPU I don't really know.

those aren't going to cause BSODs.

So what do I do now. I am gonna take it in now since I've tried everything. I can upload minidumps if you guys still want. I guess I'll open up the case to check for physical damage again too.