Please Help!! I'm Totally Stumped

[vti_786]

Hi guys.

Need some help here from you machine builders. my pc started playing up recently, it started turning itself off or would crash randomly.
so i began the process of elimination and started replacing parts (not the best way to diagnose a fault, i know, but i'm too impatient)

anyway, the reason i have come stuck now is that i have replaced every possible part on the pc (except dvd drive and a multi card reader usb thing)

iv changed the psu, cpu, mobo, ram, HDD, now using the inbuilt gpu on mobo, what else could cause an issue.

i have tried to install a new copy of xp but before it can complete an installation, it just turns off or gives a B.S.O.D

the whole unit is conected up through a surge protector multi plug, do you think this could be an issue?

i am totally lost as to what else i could try

[jim]

Have you tried mixing and matching parts from both sets of components to establish a working configuration?

[Legthigh]

Build the PC out of the case using only the motherboard, power supply, memory and cpu (fit the cooler ofc)

See if that works, if it does, check cpu temps are ok, run memtest on the memory.

[vti_786]

Have you tried mixing and matching parts from both sets of components to establish a working configuration?

have done this, i have replaced every item 1 by 1

funny thing is i get the same fault

Build the PC out of the case using only the motherboard, power supply, memory and cpu (fit the cooler ofc)

See if that works, if it does, check cpu temps are ok, run memtest on the memory.

the temps are fine, cpu is at 30 degrees, the gpu is inbuilt (also tried 2 different gpus)

have also tried 2 different sets of ram, this is very annoying, im ususally ok with this kind of stuff, just can't get my head around it

thanks both for the constructive reply by the way

[jim]

have done this, i have replaced every item 1 by 1

funny thing is i get the same fault

So you've got 2 PCs side by side (effectively) and they both exhibit exactly the same problem?

Also, if you're concerned about the surge protector why haven't you just plugged them straight into the wall?

[pipTheGeek]

My friend has a DVD drive that was built into the front of the case. If you connected it then it caused random BSODs. Leave the USB card reader thingy disconnected until you have found a working setup and try a different DVD drive. Or, assuming you have a working XP install still, run without it for a while.

If it still doesn't work then be pleased that you will no longer be troubled by home IT issues.

[vti_786]

So you've got 2 PCs side by side (effectively) and they both exhibit exactly the same problem?

Also, if you're concerned about the surge protector why haven't you just plugged them straight into the wall?

thats the thing, not sure what is causing this, think will have to try your technique and install a part in a working pc.

about the surge protector i am going to try without it, just not had the chance as it isn't with me just yet, i'm pretty sure it's not that, just couldn't think of anything else, lol

[vti_786]

My friend has a DVD drive that was built into the front of the case. If you connected it then it caused random BSODs. Leave the USB card reader thingy disconnected until you have found a working setup and try a different DVD drive. Or, assuming you have a working XP install still, run without it for a while.

If it still doesn't work then be pleased that you will no longer be troubled by home IT issues.

again will try with just the bare minimum and also replace the dvd drive, i'm just thinking it could still be either the cpu or ram

[Legthigh]

again will try with just the bare minimum and also replace the dvd drive, i'm just thinking it could still be either the cpu or ram

I'd look at the RAM before the CPU, RAM is the cause of the most niggling and annoying problems when it comes to PC's, CPU's on the other hand very rarely cause problems, I don't think I've had to replace a single CPU in the last 4yrs at work. (extended warranty PC repairs)

Memtest is your friend... http://www.memtest.org/

[jim]

Regrettably Legthigh, I have. Two faulty Intel CPUs in the last 2 years or so. One destroyed by a blown PSU, one DOA, although I didn't know about either of them for a good while as I didn't suspect the CPU to be at fault.

[vti_786]

I'd look at the RAM before the CPU, RAM is the cause of the most niggling and annoying problems when it comes to PC's, CPU's on the other hand very rarely cause problems, I don't think I've had to replace a single CPU in the last 4yrs at work. (extended warranty PC repairs)

Memtest is your friend... http://www.memtest.org/

will try memtest, will it run off a usb drive or even the an sd card?

[vti_786]

thankyou everyone, turns out it was the cpu, can you believe 2 intel cpu's died on me

[jim]

thankyou everyone, turns out it was the cpu, can you believe 2 intel cpu's died on me

Yes

(See my previous post)

Hopefully it's not something else that's damaging the CPU, like a bust PSU or mobo that's blowing them - with a bit of luck you'll be alright now.

[Legthigh]

I'm shocked, however glad you sorted your problem

Well done mate

[vti_786]

thanks once again for your time guys

i should have an issue not, the mobo has been changed, psu has also been replaced.

i had this issue and thought it was the mobo, hence the replacement, then tried another cpu (another duff one) so ruled the cpu out for being at fault (how wrong was i

anyway seems ok, not fully taken through it's paces but has gone through the whole installation which is defo progress

[Legthigh]

thanks once again for your time guys

i should have an issue not, the mobo has been changed, psu has also been replaced.

i had this issue and thought it was the mobo, hence the replacement, then tried another cpu (another duff one) so ruled the cpu out for being at fault (how wrong was i

anyway seems ok, not fully taken through it's paces but has gone through the whole installation which is defo progress

Goes to show mate never rule anything out with this kit.

I'd be interested to know though if something is causing the cpu's to go, let us know how you get on.

Once windows is on you could stress test the system with Prime95 to see if its stable - http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/

Good luck!