|
|
| Author |
Message |
SquireStrat
Joined: 08 Jan 2012
Posts: 3
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:42 am Post subject: Varying and Intermittent Problem Symptoms with PC |
 |
|
Hi. New to this site. I'm also quite the noob when it comes to PCs so bear with me please.
My specs are as follows (2-week old rig running all stock):
- Asus P9X79 Pro motherboard
-Intel Core i7 3930K CPU with Corsair H80 cooler
- 2 x GTX 470s in SLI (Nvidia Driver 290.53 Beta)
-8GB GSkill Ripjaws RAM (CL9) rated for 1.5v
-80 GB GSkill Phoenix Pro SSD
- 2 X WD HDDs
-Windows 7 64-bit OS
-1050W Cougar GX 80+ Gold PSU
Newly assembled system. I had some problems when I first installed Windows onto my SSD two weeks ago. A subsequent reinstall seemed to clear these, but then I noticed a bunch of Event ID 41 Kernel Power errors in the Windows Event Viewer log.
The error description said that my "system had rebooted without cleanly shutting down first." These events were logged every time I started my PC: a new log of the same error each time I started my PC. I reinstalled windows again and the critical errors disappeared.
All seemed fine until I hit esc in the middle of a game to quit. My PC lost power. The screen went black and then proceeded to reboot into Windows. My first instinct was that my PSU was unable to supply the needed power. But I wasn't sure. So I just went on gaming. My PC then ran fine for about two days. But then I started getting occasional "New CPU installed! Press F1 to enter setup" messages at post when I cold booted.
A friend suggested that we clear the CMOS. We did that and a BIOS flash. The new cpu installed error went away for about three days. I went on gaming, increasing my game times gradually as I went. I was able to game for about three hours straight last night without a hiccup. But when I started my PC this morning I got the "Press F1 to recover BIOS settings" prompt at post. I went into the BIOS and found my BIOS fan settings were gone but the time and date were correct.
I loaded default settings, saved these and then booted into Windows. I still get the "Press F1 ro tecover BIOS" message sometimes. But then there are occasions when I boot normally.
I tested my RAM for about an hour with Memtest86. No errors. Should I have tested longer? I checked voltages in the BIOS. I noted that my PSU appeared to supply enough juice to run my system for 12V,3.3v and 5v -- if not slightly above necessary: 12.192v,3.39v and 5.160v, according to the BIOS monitor, respectively. Is this proof enough that my PSU is supplying sufficient voltages on all rails? Is overvoltage a consideration?
I used Asus Probe to monitor voltages while gaming, and found that while voltages never fell below 12v,5v and 3.3v during two hours of gaming, the voltages fluctuated up sometimes -- I got a few upticks now and then when voltages jumped just a tad above necessary. But mostly that voltage meter fell to a flat 12v,5v and 3.3v when gaming.
I should mention that I use a fairly aggressive fan profile for my GTX 470s when I'm gaming-- above 80% fanspeed. (I use a headset so the noise doesn't bother me). I've got a lot of fans running in my case -- more than six including those on the H80.
When it does happen, the problem seems to occur on cold boot after a few previous hours of gaming. I get a "New CPU installed" message or "Press F1 to recover BIOS settings" at clod boot after.
Is this problem PSU-related? Could it be that somehow some of my PC components aren't getting enough power? I checked the power calculator on the Asus website and it said I should have at least a 1000W PSU MINIMUM! If this is correct, then my 1050W PSU is running too close to the minimum. Should I buy a beefier PSU?
The problem is intermittent, and the symptoms seem to vary. So I'm getting a bit confused as to what I should do. Is the problem linked to my RAM somehow? Or do I have a defective motherboard?
Help, please! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
JonS
Joined: 31 May 2010
Posts: 591
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've no specific experience with a system like yours, but the general trend of the faults would suggest a motherboard issue.
My approach to this one would be
1) replace the CMOS battery (yes, seriously - it could be bad)
2) look for a BIOS flash update
3) strip everything out and see if it boots with just a bare m/b and nothing else |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SquireStrat
Joined: 08 Jan 2012
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| JonS wrote: | I've no specific experience with a system like yours, but the general trend of the faults would suggest a motherboard issue.
My approach to this one would be
1) replace the CMOS battery (yes, seriously - it could be bad)
2) look for a BIOS flash update
3) strip everything out and see if it boots with just a bare m/b and nothing else |
Thanks for the quick reply. I'm going to the shop where I purchased the board and see if I can get a CMOS battery from them.
I should say my system does boot normally once I've entered setup, made a few changes. Once that is done it works fine sometimes for an afternoon, sometimes for a day or two. Then something odd happens at cold boot and I have to go into the BIOS again.
A friend of mine is coming over in a day or two to strip everything down and reassemble my PC. He says it just may be that something isn't properly seated on the board. So that when I game and the fans kick in, the vibration jiggles whatever loose component there is, thereby confusing the BIOS. Is this possible? Will a mobo "forget" its settings when one part or another is "jiggled" about by vibrations?
I should say that my second GPU is seated very close to the CMOS battery. Also, Asus boards seem to have a history of like problems as there are a number of threads on these odd messages and issues at cold boot. None of them have one definite solution!
So you don't think it's a PSU issue, either. That makes it almost unanimous. I really hope I don't have to RMA the mobo. That would be an incredible letdown and a terrible inconvenience, to boot.
Anyways, thanks very much for helping out. Your efforts are much appreciated! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JonS
Joined: 31 May 2010
Posts: 591
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| you friend may be right, but I'd be more inclined toward a faulty, or badly connected capacitor on the motherboard |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
SquireStrat
Joined: 08 Jan 2012
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| JonS wrote: | | you friend may be right, but I'd be more inclined toward a faulty, or badly connected capacitor on the motherboard |
I returned the motherboard and got an outright replacement as per the stipulations of the warranty.
Have yet to find out whether the problem still persists. It's just too early tell, given the fact that the symptoms on the previous board came and went intermittently.
Will keep you posted. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
RSS Feed 
FAQ 
Search 
Memberlist 
Usergroups
Register
Profile 
Log in to check your private messages 
Log in
