Power Kite Forum

My PC hates me

Kamikuza - 5-9-2010 at 06:38 PM

A long story as short as I can ...

A while back, I thought I'd treat my PC to some high-spec Corsair DIMMs ... a while after that, started having hard-core BSODs that seemed to point to the network adapter so I replaced the mobo - no joy. In the process of eliminating the problems, I put the old 2x1Gb DIMMs back in and viola! problems gone. Then the HTPC started doing the same thing :mad: so I bought the old memory in the HTPC and bought 4Gb of 2x2Gb DIMMs of the same brand - UMAX.

All worked good for a while, then I had the non-genuine windows issue and now, I'm getting almost the same problems as before - lock-ups, major slowdowns and crashes. Can't boot unless I do startup recovery first and if I try to boot straight into Windows, I get "Unmountable Boot Volume" BSOD ...

I'm going to try to fix the BSOD with chkdsk and I'll probably just bite the bullet and buy a new GENUINE windows disc ... $500 for an OS ffs!

Question is, why is my PC rooting memory? Bad PSU? I thought the mobo regulated the voltage? Too hot in my office - faces the sun all day (40'C outside) with no ventilation? Lightning strikes?

mdntdncr - 5-9-2010 at 06:58 PM

ummmm . . .

because your PC hates you? :dunno:

indigo_wolf - 5-9-2010 at 07:09 PM

Rule out the simple stuff first.... check for bum memory.

How to Run the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 7

or a 3rd Party like MemTest86+ (open source).

ATB,
Sam

shaggs2riches - 5-9-2010 at 09:06 PM

At least I'm not the only one with puter issues..........I've had non-stop issues with my pc since I built it. Thought that by rebuilding it in a way better case and cooler that if I upgraded from vista to windows 7, that I'd finally have a worry free system. I just spent a week fighting to get my sound card to install properly, one of my disc drives is frozen shut and to top it off I got a message today to activate my windows upgrade that I thought was accepted during install. When I inputted the license key, I got a message saying that my code was invalid. Upon searching for a solution all I come up with is responses telling me to spend more money on another copy....sorry for the rant:embarrased:

One thing that maybe you might have done is to try and copy some of the stop codes you are getting from the BSOD and google search them to see what the issues could be. Otherwise agree with running the memory tests!!! Good luck to ya, I'm not really great with the more technical side of computers so forgive me if this didn't help.

Shaggs

Kamikuza - 5-9-2010 at 09:36 PM

Had the same problem shaggs - got ripped off on eBay cos the #@%$#!TARDS in retail and at MS offices here don't know their jobs :mad:

Had to video the monitor to get the "Unmountable ..." stop code :ticking: it came and went too fast.
Problem is getting into windows ... when I can, it runs real slow and lags a lot. I've been playing around with putting different DIMMs in different slots. Oh now I see there's a boot disc version :D have trouble getting to that too though!

Sigh. I'm pretty convinced it's a hardware problem ... I got a pile of DIMMs sitting next to my desk that are annoying me by their very presence!

Hey I've got a SoundBlaster Audigy 2 if you want it ... and I'm thinking about pulling out my X-Fi Fatality and just using on-board sound too ... and a spare Asus P5K mobo ... crikey I could build another PC with all the left-over crap I got!

kingsofa - 5-9-2010 at 11:58 PM

If you got a video card it might be having memory issues. My advice would be to pull all non essentials addon cards, etc. and boot up with only mobo, processor, memory, network card(if you have to), and HD. If possible find a spare PSU to rule it out.

arkay - 6-9-2010 at 08:58 AM

sounds like a power problem. What cpu do you have? and are you able to try a new mobo? If you've got a newer processor then the memory controllers have moved on die :/ but at least the main vr is on the mobo.

Kamikuza - 6-9-2010 at 05:09 PM

CPU is a Core2Duo E6850 and the mobo is an Asus P5Q IIRC - that's the mobo I got to replace the P5K but still had the same problems until I swapped out the memory ... PSU is the same. I could understand intermittent faults with the PSU but constant not being able to boot into windows feels more like memory again to me ...

Haven't got a spare video card :-/ but do have a spare PSU ... but what a PITA to swap out!

If it is memory, the question remains - why would my PC be eating memory?

PS. Memtest failed a set of Corsair memory last night ... testing the replacement stuff today. Long-ass test that!

arkay - 6-9-2010 at 05:33 PM

I assume you haven't overclocked. The if the mch voltage goes above 1.65 you'll have big problems.

joedy - 6-9-2010 at 05:42 PM

I started programming on Tandy TRS-80's back when state of the art data storage was done on analog music tapes. (Around the early 80's)

Kept up with most of the DOS/Windows iterations until I was about 30.

Bought a Mac when they went Intel and never looked back.

Since then... no defragmenting, no virus programs to update, no quirky hardware issues, no impossible-to-find driver frustrations, no all-night hard drive re-formats, no Genuine Licensing voodoo....

Buying a Mac is a lot like buying a Flysurfer and never becoming nostalgic for your LEI hand pumps. Of course, Flysurfers costs more and so do Macs, but the convenience is worth saving my sanity for.

-joedy

Hardrock - 6-9-2010 at 06:10 PM

Guess if I was in your situation Kami, I would install one compatible stick of ram. Put it in the slot closest to the cpu.

Boot into the bios, usually tap on the delete key after the mobo beep. One beep is what you want, more = code for problems.

Select,, Load Fail safe Defaults save and exit and then see how it goes. I know its a new board but had to do this with a new build recently. Seems stupid but sometimes it helps.

I'd guess windows being corrupt or a failing hard drive.
Seen one hard drive cause crazy things and just keep going, where 9 out of 10 usually just crap out all at once.

Kamikuza - 6-9-2010 at 06:38 PM

joedy - I game a lot in winter so don't want a Mac ... also, I can't cope with just one button on the mouse :D

Hard - Set BIOS to defaults and have tried all the slots that'll take just one DIMM - A1 & B1. Testing the memory to see if it's bad at the moment.

Not overclocked and I even underclocked the system to see if that helped ... didn't.

Hmm, hard-drive ... is less than a year old. The drive with XP on it is identical and much older. If I could just get to a DOS prompt so I could run CHKDSK ...!!!

Have downloaded Win7 recovery disc ISO - will try that out.

Midgaar - 6-9-2010 at 09:46 PM

My money is on the Hard Drive or RAM. I would beg, borrow, or steal another hard drive and fresh install windows with RAM you're certain that works. I work in IT and I've seen more BSOD due to hard disk read/write errors than anything else. Also, bad ram will sometimes cause bad hard drive writes which can result in a BSOD even after the bad RAM has been removed. Format the hard drive.

Remove hard disks and run memtest

Format hard disk and fresh install with good ram

Kamikuza - 6-9-2010 at 11:32 PM

Got some data on that drive I'd like to get my hands on ... Could I just drop in another primary master and re-install Windows on that?

rocfighter - 7-9-2010 at 03:11 AM

WOW you guys have my head spinning. I think I understood about 5 words in that whole thread.
I know who to contact if my pudder craps. Oh yeah I wouldn't be able to!!!

Midgaar - 7-9-2010 at 05:13 AM

"Got some data on that drive I'd like to get my hands on ... Could I just drop in another primary master and re-install Windows on that? "

That would work too, just make sure to format it and scan disk if you can.

Maven454 - 7-9-2010 at 06:11 AM

And make sure that you don't accidentally wipe the wrong drive!

BeamerBob - 7-9-2010 at 07:07 AM

I hope it's not the Corsair memory. My brother in law is the VP of Sales and Marketing. We live close to them now and had dinner and a movie with them last night.

@Roc, I've built a computer, swapped out mother boards, installed hard drives and memory and done HD formats and reinstalls. I was lost immediately with all the acronyms.

Midgaar - 7-9-2010 at 11:18 AM

"I hope it's not the Corsair memory. My brother in law is the VP of Sales and Marketing. We live close to them now and had dinner and a movie with them last night. "

I hope it IS the Corsair RAM, they have a lifetime warranty! Corsair is a great product, I use their RAM and Power Supplies when my budget allows.

indigo_wolf - 7-9-2010 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by by Kamikuza
Haven't got a spare video card :-/ but do have a spare PSU ... but what a PITA to swap out!

If it is memory, the question remains - why would my PC be eating memory?

PS. Memtest failed a set of Corsair memory last night ... testing the replacement stuff today. Long-ass test that!


Physically swapping out a PSU shouldn't be that bad.... if you have a gazillion peripherals and such, disconnecting, connecting and nesting all the connections can be a bit of a pain.

Only reason I can think for a PC to be eating/trashing memory is if there is actually a short in the motherboard memory sockets.... that would be a one in blue moon type problem.

MemTest is probably taking a long time because it's stress testing the memory but literally beating the ever living cr@p out of it. :o

ATB,
Sam

Kamikuza - 7-9-2010 at 05:07 PM

Oh really, life-time warranty on Corsair? I tested 2 DIMMs last night and both failed with errors ... of course, getting replacements in Japan will suck ass. And anyway, they are 1Gb DIMMs and I got 2x 2Gb now ... I'd rather have another couple of 2Gb DIMMs ... think I should mail Corsair? :D

Have 1.5Tb on 3 drives in the PC and I think Win 7 is on the newest one. Was thinking about getting another as I'm starting to run outa space on my Documents drive ...

Re-routing all the wiring is a massive PITA and I'd rather not :D used to build PCs for a living too, and would come home with cuts all over my arms and hands. Hmm maybe I could take the time to build a clear acrylic case ...?



Update ... the Umax Pulsar memory I got to replace the Corsair passed Memtest fine. I booted to XP disc and ran chkdsk and it fixed a few errors. Then did fixboot and had to boot to Win 7 disc and repaired the installation.

So now I can get into windows, but it's still doing the hanging/waiting thing with the case I/O light stuck on. I'm uninstalling my AV software as it seems to be a bit borked and then I'll reinstall the OS ...

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 05:46 PM

clear acrylic case ...? you got me started now. We have 2.

Buy one. Just saw them somewhere online at 44 bucks with out power. They look pretty cool with the blue light fans and stuff.

The problem I have with these is that the mobo attaches to the right side. So when you change a drive you have to take out the board also or at least far enough to get at the drive screws. Solution, just put the screws on one side of the drives.
Other problem, you see the dust after a few months. Thinking about adding a 120mm fan to the side of mine.

I'm building an aluminum plate stand. Like you Kam,, I have enough crap left over to put one together so might as well.
Have drilled and tapped it for the mobo. m3 screws. freaking small but managed. No fans, just open air cooled. If it works out might put my new Gigabyte board on it.

Maybe I can get some pics. The Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition I put in hers is bad arse. The heat sink has copper tubes running thru it.
Made to OverClock, but she won't let me. Although I did install AMD Overdrive software on it so I could play around while she's gone.


http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CLRCAS-3LED-N&ca...

Clear Case Pics

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 06:15 PM

I like the CPU on hers

P9070038.JPG - 66kB

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 06:17 PM

Mine with basic fan and heat sink

P9070043.JPG - 67kB

Pics

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 06:30 PM



P9070040.JPG - 58kB

pics

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 06:31 PM



P9070041.JPG - 63kB

pics

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 06:33 PM

mine,,, ours look the same but her's has a little more kick.

we both need to upgrade video cards

P9070045.JPG - 69kB

Kamikuza - 7-9-2010 at 06:33 PM

Like :thumbup:
Dunno about seeing all the dust though ... that'd mean I'd have to clean it :ticking:

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 06:51 PM

Just noticed, I haven't got my mirrow under it. Cut one to fit under the base,,, was better than trashing a good piece of mirrow anyway.

Yea the dust will come and looks nasty if it gets built up. Gona try and keep em blowed out this go around.

The lights have to go at night, mine is in the bedroom. Hers,,, windows 7,, shuts down everything when idle for a spell,, XP never woke up right so I turn it off.

Some good vids on the tube with Linux. so sick

Ubuntu is an ongoing project,,, seperate drive.. Check out this desk top with Linux and Compiz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4wB3GUemVw&feature=relat...

Hardrock - 7-9-2010 at 07:01 PM

Sorry but 1 more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8gWP_CGTpA&feature=relat...

Kamikuza - 8-9-2010 at 05:44 PM

I've often thought I'd like a modular PC - drives on the desk, mobo wa-aaay out of the way ... hmm ...

Uninstalled the AV software and it worked better, reinstalled it and it still worked ok. Seems to be a software issue eh ... fouled up windows files or some such ... when I get a true Windows 7 I'll reinstall ...

Midgaar - 9-9-2010 at 10:28 PM

I may have a key for you Kamikuza. I'll have to VPN into my work machine tomorrow so I'll send you a U2U then. My work PC came with a win7 and winXP key but we only use XP. It may or may not work but your welcome to try.

Maven454 - 10-9-2010 at 03:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Midgaar
I may have a key for you Kamikuza. I'll have to VPN into my work machine tomorrow so I'll send you a U2U then. My work PC came with a win7 and winXP key but we only use XP. It may or may not work but your welcome to try.


Probably won't work. They're usually tied to the brand of the hardware.

Midgaar - 10-9-2010 at 04:54 AM

I had a suspicion but I've never tried using the key on another PC before. Another option Kamikuza, my wife goes to school for nursing, but she can get a copy of win7 for like $40. I'd be more than happy picking it up for you and then just giving you the key.

Midgaar - 10-9-2010 at 05:27 AM

$29.99 for the Win7 Pro UPGRADE. You'll need a valid copy of Win XP. I'll look into the standalone version if you are interested.

Kamikuza - 12-9-2010 at 06:32 PM

Never figured out how the upgrades work ... if it just installs over XP - dunno if I like the sound of that! Being paranoid and all ... I usually buy the OEM version for the homebuilt PC - if that's the standalone, that'll be the ticket!
Cheers dude :D

Maven454 - 13-9-2010 at 02:20 AM

Midgaar, the upgrade path for Windows 7 goes through Vista. You have to have Vista to upgrade to 7.

Kami, upgrades install over the previous version while attempting to keep your programs and settings. They are generally a lousy idea.

Kamikuza - 13-9-2010 at 05:33 PM

Figured as much :(

Got another 500Gb HDD on Sunday, got it in the machine and installed Win7 on it ... system runs fine so long as I don't try to access the only folder on the old Win7 install HDD that I NEED to access :( crap.

So it seems a borked HDD or file system is the culprit. If I could just get a peak at the contents of that directory (my Downloads folder) I could just get on with format ...

Y3,890 or about US$40 for 500Gb SATA drive ...! I remember way back when, I was selling 100Mb HDDs for $100 and people were psyched at the great deal! Then I paid nearly $1,000 for an 850Mb HDD :lol: All my HDDs are the same brand, 4x 500Gb and I think the first three cost about Y9,000 ... but now, I almost buy 1.5Tb for that :ticking:

Oh the times they are a changing. I shudder to think how crap my CPU and video card is!

WIllardTheGrey - 14-9-2010 at 02:28 AM

Burn an Ubuntu disk, boot to it, then burn the stuff you need.:dunno:

Midgaar - 14-9-2010 at 10:10 AM

Quote:

Y3,890 or about US$40 for 500Gb SATA drive ...!


I think it's time for a RAID array, then you won't have this problem.


Quote:

Midgaar, the upgrade path for Windows 7 goes through Vista. You have to have Vista to upgrade to 7.


The requirements for the upgrade specifically say Windows XP. I agree that upgrade aren't always the best, but on a clean install of XP/Vista then upgrade I don't see any problems. Also upgrade have the option to keep your old settings or install like new and delete your old files. Current upgrades do anyway.

Maven454 - 14-9-2010 at 10:32 AM

That's not what Microsoft had said about Win 7 upgrades when they released it...

erratic winds - 14-9-2010 at 11:01 AM

You ABSOLUTELY DO NOT NEED VISTA to install Windows 7. I have no idea how such a falsehood gets spread.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-f...

Maven454 - 14-9-2010 at 11:46 AM

Never mind. I was thinking of the fact that there was no upgrade path from Vista Home Basic to Win 7, without having to upgrade to Vista Home Premium in the middle.

Kamikuza - 14-9-2010 at 05:22 PM

Problem is I can't look at the drive without it hanging in windows, and now I've a new install of Win7 I can't even get a directory listing in DOS shell cos "access is denied" :lol: I'm going to have to boot to DOS somehow and just write down all the files I want to re-download :(

I've thought about RAID arrays but ... dunno if I can be bothered. First HDD issue in Y-E-A-R-S ... last one was an IBM drive that ticked loudly and that was 7 years ago :lol:

Qside - 14-9-2010 at 07:58 PM

Quote:

I've thought about RAID arrays but ... dunno if I can be bothered. First HDD issue in Y-E-A-R-S ... last one was an IBM drive that ticked loudly and that was 7 years ago


Look into it, it's cheap, easy and you WILL thank yourself someday. With drives becoming cheaper and cheaper the are going to fail more and more. At work a get at lease of couple drives fail a day, but we have over 100 on our SUN. For your everyday user, RAID 1 or RAID 0. Have a mirror image of your file system or have a faster file system. I'm my experiences alone I've seen more bad drives then I can count, the thing about them is they don't always cause critical problems and can often mask their problems as others hardware issue.

With as much information I have on my PC I would NEVER run without a backup system of any sort. I have a dedicated server that takes care of all my saved files, docs, pics, movies, games, and anything else. The only way I'm losing my data is a fire!

Even when someone visits me with a wifi laptop, my server takes all his common folders, encrypts them, and saves them. Now if he crashes within the next few months I can be like...Hey, I have all your files!!! My server holds 2TB half of which is mirrored. No point in mirroring videos and music.

Qside - 14-9-2010 at 08:00 PM

Sorry, Midgaar and Qside are abouts the same persons. Just depends what PC I use to post.

Kamikuza - 14-9-2010 at 08:09 PM

Music and photos are the things I want protected the most :lol:

Qside - 14-9-2010 at 08:29 PM

All my photos are mirrored, but I don't have many songs. Only like 500, all replaceable IMO. Besides all the songs I like are backed up in my iPhone...

Kamikuza - 14-9-2010 at 10:34 PM

All my GoPro etc stuff too ... my .mp3s are rips off my CDs that are back in NZ. And a lot of them are NZ bands that you either a. can't get anymore or b. can't buy outside of NZ.

Wouldn't mirroring slow the PC down? Having to write or delete every file twice?

WIllardTheGrey - 14-9-2010 at 11:46 PM

Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer Worked like a charm for me. + Convinced me to convert.:saint:

Kamikuza - 14-9-2010 at 11:53 PM

Will have a look see ... have to print that article though!

Midgaar - 15-9-2010 at 06:20 AM

Quote:

Wouldn't mirroring slow the PC down? Having to write or delete every file twice?


No, it writes both files at the same time, to two different hard disks. RAID0 works similarly writing one file to two different hard disks at the same time, effectively increasing read/write speeds x2. With mirroring, RAID 1, your operating system doesn't even know your writing the files twice, your raid controller (hardware) takes care of all that. The only down side of mirroring is your 4 hard disks become 2, but your whole system is backed up completely.