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Zebu Fellenz
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 2567
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 3:31 pm Post subject: HTPC problem diagnosis |
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Hey,
My HTPC seems to have a ghost in the machine, sometimes it will run fine for hours, or even days on end, but then all of a sudden it will lock up, programs stop responding and trying to do more than one task at a time will result in a BSOD.
First I thought this might be a hard disk problem so I reinstalled the OS (Windows & Professional) on a different disk but after a day or two the problem returned.
My next guess is a bad stick of RAM but wanted to get some input before I go out and spend more money on new components. Is there anything else I should be looking at (PSU maybe?)
Quick specs are:
Athlon II 630 X4 Quad core
4GB Crucial DDR3 RAM
Gigabyte motherboard
LG BD/HD-DVD drive
DVD drive (IDE)
2x WD Green 2TB drives
Samsung Spinpoint 2TB hard drive
Thanks,
Erik
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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Check and replace your heatsink paste for the processor and borrow a stick of ram to test with or download a ram testing program also check your fans ake sure they aren't gummed up
_________________
Tech support for nothing
CRT.
HD done right!
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sjr
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: HTPC problem diagnosis |
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| Zebu Fellenz wrote: |
My next guess is a bad stick of RAM but wanted to get some input before I go out and spend more money on new components. Is there anything else I should be looking at (PSU maybe?)
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It is easy to test memory without buying new. Go grab memtest put it on a cd, go into bios and set to boot from the optical drive first, then let it run. It is best to test the sticks individually (if you have both in and run it and one or both are bad it does not specify which stick is bad) so you can test if it is just one bad stick or if both are. Plus it is free so no extra money.
Also there is a memory test built into Windows 7. Type in MdSched.exe under the start button in the Search programs and files box at the bottom. It is not as good as memtest but it works.
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Zebu Fellenz
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 2567
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Ok,
Here's a quick update.
I haven't tried either of your suggestions as I'm just reading this now, but I did pull all of the Hard drives except the Windows drive out of the computer and it has been running perfectly so far. Maybe this is just a coincidence, but for now I'm leaving my large 2TB connected via USB to see if it makes a difference.
AR,
I put this computer together less than two weeks ago so there's no gummed up fans, and the thermal compound on the CPU/HSF is new.
sjr, AR,
I'll grab a copy of memtest and see what it comes up with.
Thanks!
Erik
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