PC Crashes, even during XP Install

[vti_786]

i am having a crashing problem, i just put together a pc and it would crash even during installation of xp.

i finally got to install xp after the 4th time and the PC crashes randomly from 15 to 25 minutes.

my temps are good (CPU e4500 @ 22 degrees and case temp @ about 30)

my gpu is zotac 9800 1gb

power supply is tagan 580 watts

would the voltage on the RAM cause the crashing, it says 2.1v on the sticks but the motherboard is running on auto ( i think its 1.8v), the only other options for the voltage change is 2v or 2.2v, which one should i select.

i want to use the rig for gaming (not hard core) but it will be stressed a bit, but i am struggling before iv even overclocked or stressed it, lol.

[MadduckUK]

looks like you kind of already know what to do, get the mem up to 2v, and i presume the timings are still on automatic so check that they are as they should be, if you need a hand put what the sticks are here and someone will be along who can sort you out

[vti_786]

i have upped it to 2.0v, but i haven't had time to test it, will have to be tomorrow as not with me.

i was just pondering if low voltage(compared to 2.1 standard) would make it unstable, and 2.0 is still under voltage, should i do 2.2v although i won't be overclocking the ram

my ram:

CM2X1024 - 6400C4
XMS2 - 6400
v2.1
4-4-4-12
800MHz
1024MB x 2

the timing if on auto is at 6-6-6-18 (or close to that)

looks like you kind of already know what to do, get the mem up to 2v, and i presume the timings are still on automatic so check that they are as they should be, if you need a hand put what the sticks are here and someone will be along who can sort you out

[chuckskull]

For now just try 2.1v like it says on the sticks. That's what they're designed to run with and yup, if the sticks aren't getting enough power it could certainly cause this kind of problem.

EDIT: sorry just saw that you only have the choice of 2.0 or 2.2, try 2.0 first if it's still unstable then go for 2.2. The extra 0.1v over stock wont do any damage.

[an4rew]

Have you been able to run Memtest, have you tried hooking up a different hard drive?

[vti_786]

For now just try 2.1v like it says on the sticks. That's what they're designed to run with and yup, if the sticks aren't getting enough power it could certainly cause this kind of problem.

EDIT: sorry just saw that you only have the choice of 2.0 or 2.2, try 2.0 first if it's still unstable then go for 2.2. The extra 0.1v over stock wont do any damage.

yeah i will try 2.0 and if unstable then 2.2v

any free software to stress test the ram?

Have you been able to run Memtest, have you tried hooking up a different hard drive?

i haven't done any tests on the ram as i am without internet access over at where the build was done and have no software on hand. could you suggest any software which i should download to to stress test cpu, ram and GPU.

i haven't got a spare hdd on hand just yet to try a different one out, although i did run check disk on windows with no errors

[this_is_gav]

any free software to stress test the ram?

Have you been able to run Memtest

Memtest

Agreed with others that it's most likely the RAM. Crashes during install generally refer to RAM (be it unstable or faulty) or hard drive, and with the info you've given, it seems too random to likely be the hard drive. Far from rules it out though.

[vti_786]

thankyou for the memtest link but what stress testing software could i use for cpu, and gpu

Memtest

Agreed with others that it's most likely the RAM. Crashes during install generally refer to RAM (be it unstable or faulty) or hard drive, and with the info you've given, it seems too random to likely be the hard drive. Far from rules it out though.

[vti_786]

UPDATE:

right, the crashing, as was thought, was due to the ram voltage.

i tried 2.0v and then ran prime95, the pc crashed and restarted after about 3 minutes, so i went with the only other option on my board which was 2.25v, again ran prime 95 and ran fine no errors or crashing, stopped it myself after 1 1/2 hours.

just wanted to ask, as i am running it on higher volts, shall i increase the timing on it, seen as though im wasting volts?

or will making the timing tighter strain it more?

[arthurleung]

running at 2.25v is probably not that safe and will void your warranty.

Perhaps try manually setting your ram at 5-5-5-18.

I have a couple pairs of DDR2-800 rated at CL4 but in reality I haven't managed to get them to run at CL4 without a lot of voltage, when I can get better performance going for say DDR2-1000 at CL5 at less voltage

[chuckskull]

If it works at 2.25v and that's the only option you have then run them at that tbh. 2.25 is only a slight overvolt IMO, I've run DDR2 higher than that with no issues. Judgement call on your part though really. Some will say it's too high others will say not, everyone has a different comfort level.

The only other option you'd have if you don't want to run with the slight voltage bump, would be buying some new ram that runs at the lower voltage. Right now it's working, so personally I'd stick with the old adage; "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

[vti_786]

running at 2.25v is probably not that safe and will void your warranty.

Perhaps try manually setting your ram at 5-5-5-18.

I have a couple pairs of DDR2-800 rated at CL4 but in reality I haven't managed to get them to run at CL4 without a lot of voltage, when I can get better performance going for say DDR2-1000 at CL5 at less voltage

If it works at 2.25v and that's the only option you have then run them at that tbh. 2.25 is only a slight overvolt IMO, I've run DDR2 higher than that with no issues. Judgement call on your part though really. Some will say it's too high others will say not, everyone has a different comfort level.

The only other option you'd have if you don't want to run with the slight voltage bump, would be buying some new ram that runs at the lower voltage. Right now it's working, so personally I'd stick with the old adage; "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

you guys got me in a dilemma now, lol.

i might be getting a new mobo i think, i can't even change the cpu voltage to overclock past 2.75ghz (2.2 original)

thanks a lot to everyone with any input given

[Agent]

You need to take into account that you might have a voltage drop from what you select in the BIOS, to what reaches the RAM. In a some cases this can be enough to cause issues.
What mobo is it? It's giving you a really small selection in options for the voltage.

[chuckskull]

you guys got me in a dilemma now, lol.

i might be getting a new mobo i think, i can't even change the cpu voltage to overclock past 2.75ghz (2.2 original)

thanks a lot to everyone with any input given

Sorry, like i said it's a judgement call, for something so technical; you'd be amazed how much, intuition, prayer and vain hope is involved

New motherboard might be a good idea, yours doesn't sound particularly good, not being able to use the most common ram voltage about isn't much use. What is it btw?

Been a few nice 775 boards in the classifieds section recently with people moving up to i7. Not to expensive new anymore either.

[vti_786]

You need to take into account that you might have a voltage drop from what you select in the BIOS, to what reaches the RAM. In a some cases this can be enough to cause issues.
What mobo is it? It's giving you a really small selection in options for the voltage.

Sorry, like i said it's a judgement call, for something so technical; you'd be amazed how much, intuition, prayer and vain hope is involved

New motherboard might be a good idea, yours doesn't sound particularly good, not being able to use the most common ram voltage about isn't much use. What is it btw?

Been a few nice 775 boards in the classifieds section recently with people moving up to i7. Not to expensive new anymore either.

well it is a cheap mobo, bought it on here off one of the guys, its the Asus P5KPL-AM SE

i was on a tight budget (well i still am).

i might be getting a gigabyte p35, im sure that has a lot more overclocking options with the p35 chipset.

going off topic a bit now, was wondering what a decent speed on my cpu would be for gaming, im not a major gamer but would like to try out some new games.

my gpu is 9800 gt 1gb
tagan 580watt psu
and as stated 2gb of ram

[Agent]

That's a G31 chipset - budget at best. The chipset was never designed for high performance, tight timing RAM, so the motherboard components will have been designed with this in mind.
It's highly likely your problem is there and not with the RAM I'm afraid.