Hi,

I've just built a new system using the following spec:

Athlon 64 3800+ Venice processor
ASUS A8R-MVP Crossfire mobo
Sapphire ATI X1800 XL 256MB
2GB Mushkin Blue 2-3-2 HP3200 DDR400
Seagate Barracuda 120GB 7400rpm IDE
LG DVD+/- RW
550W Antec TruePower II PSU
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream case

However, I've been having some problems with it. It seemed, at first, to be occuring just when playing games. I'd be able to play for some time, then it'd unexpectedly crash with the sound looping over.

I know that this 3D card runs hot, so thought this might've been the reason, but it's just crashed whilst simply using the internet and an instant messaging program.

I really can't understand how or why this is happening. Does anybody have any suggestions? As far as I know, all drivers are up to date. Temperatures whilst not in a game:

Mobo: 32 degrees C
CPU: 37 degrees C
X1800: 57 degrees C (hot, i know, but it seems usual for this card and nobody else has had problems..)

As for voltages:

VCore: 1.46V
+3.3: 3.28V
+5: 4.98V
+12: 12.11V

I'd really appreciate some help, as I'm completely lost as to why this is happening..

Thanks in advance,
J

Edit: Running Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2

What sound card are you using?

Just the one built into the motherboard. It uses the ULi M1575 southbridge, supports HD audio, etc..

Hmm, what kind of symptoms did you encounter when crashing while using the internet? My first built had crashing problems and it turned out to be a bad Mobo-RAM combination.

I just had the internet running in the background. I was typing a message to someone on MSN messenger, and it just locked up. Never had it do that to me before!

The crashes have seemed quite erratic. I was fine playing Quake 4 for quite some time without any crashes, but then played Half Life 2 for about half an hour and it crashed.. But after a reset, was fine for over an hour. Next time it crashed I'd paused Half Life 2, came back after about 15 mins, and it'd crashed again.

No idea what's going on.. How can I test for bad RAM / Mobo configuration? It recognises it all and doesn't seem to have any problem in Dual Channel mode / running at full speed.

What I did to my very first rig was run Memtest, and lots of errors showed up and I got a new mobo and RAM and it all worked. So I suggest that you run Memtest, here's a link for Memtest:

http://www.memtest86.com/

Gah.. So I made need a new mobo as well as RAM? I'd rather not replace the mobo if it's possible.. too much hassle more than anything . Thanks for the link, I figured I'd have to run it. Time to find a floppy disc!

If anyone else has any suggestions, or you have any other ideas, please let me know.. In case this doesn't solve the problem.

Thanks
J

Just been running memtest. Let it run through a good three times, and considering the PC's been on for sometime already, I saw no point in continuing.

No errors at all, not one. Seems to suggest the memory's fine, so that's not causing it. Any other ideas?

Thanks for the suggestion
J

Did you overclock any part of your computer?

Nope, not at all. Everything's running at stock settings.

Sorry to be troublesome - But does nobody else have any idea about this? It's really bothering me now. I've looked on the internet and can't find anybody else with a similar configuration who's having this problem.

I know a fair bit about computers, but I can't work this out. Never had a system do this to me before :\

Any help'd be really appreciated. Don't think I'll be able to work this one out on my own!

You +12V is severely low, it could be the Power Supply, I would suggest you to get better Power Supply, look for that SilverStone Zeus 650W Power Supply.

Also, have you flashed your Motherboard BIOS to the latest one?, try these Omega Drivers from the following website:
http://www.driverheaven.net

Also, run MemTest86 for 6 hours atleast
http://www.memtest86.com

His 12+ rail is 12.11 how is that low? Mine run run.12.09 and im stable.But it still could be a psu problem my frist PSU with this system was causing me all kinds of trouble even though the rails read right in the bios ( i dont have a MM) but i did notice with mbm5 that the rails moved alot so i replace it and now everything is fine.

In your bios what do you have the shut down temp set at.It might be hitting that temp and just shutting down.Is your H/S up to the task? is there sufficent air flow in your case.Because it sounds like your system is overheating to me. but it could be a few other thing's to .Do you have the mobo set for the automatic OC if so disable it .Loosen the ram's timings a little. try 2-3-3-6 -T2.Your mobo might not like T1.Set the ram signal strenght to weak..Im not fimilar with your your mobo so i dont know what's called what in it.But Im betting you have a setting or 2 in the bios set wrong.

Aww, you're right, I took it as 11.12, Jeez ..my fault.

Try other things though.

LOL No problem Supreet i thought maybe you read it wrong..lol

all im going to say is this, Asus Motherboards are very Iffy when it comes to manufacturing process- upgrade your Motherboard Firmware to latest edition, I WOULD SUGGEST BUYING A ASUS VID CARD FOR THAT ASUS MOTHERBOARD, if all else fails that is.

Right, that's everything even remotely to do with overclocking, etc.. turned off. It had some kind of "AI Overclock" turned onto Auto, as well as Auto Southbridge over-volt.

As for air flow into the system, this case comes with a 120mm intake fan at the front, a 120mm extract fan at the back and a 90mm intake side-fan that blows straight onto the motherboard / processor. As for the heatsink, it's the stock Athlon one, and considering my lack of overclocking, I can't see a problem with it. The PSU also comes with two powerful fans.

I'll let you know how it goes.

J

Yeah id say your air flow is fine.I had the same case and it did have a lot of air flowing through it.

Have you flashed your Motherboard BIOS to the latest one yet (available, if any)? Also, try that Memtest86 tool, it checks the Memory for errors, its worth it. And if problems persists in the gaming, don't forget to download those Omega Drivers.

Try runing your system with 1GB (Try with all sticks)

ya auto ovc should be turned off on any motherboard. Also isnt there a clock generator chip on motherboard, i remember seeing one on a test project for AS 5 Thermal Epoxy, they place a heatsink on the clock Gen Chip cause it got very hot when overclocking.
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/114/1
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/114/2

Back off on the RAM timings and/or increase the DRAM voltage a very slight amout. Try 2.5/3/3/6 1T timings and leave the voltages at stock to start. The effect on performance will be very very minimal but may give you stability. If it does then you'll know the cause of the weirdness and can start tweaking the RAM.