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Question

Black screen and loud buzzing in speakers

by Nov 12, 2018 7:55PM PST

My computer will frequently freeze where the screens go black, a loud buzzing sound happens in the speakers, and I have to hold the power button to turn it off. It usually only happens when doing something graphic intense like playing a video game. The computer is about 4 years only but was not in use for the last 6 months, and was experiencing this issue for a few months prior to that. When I first got the computer I did not have the cooling system on the parts list below and was running the stock cooler. During that time I did experience intermittent unexpected shut downs that I believe may have been related to overheating. I installed the listed cooling system and have not experienced that exact issue since.


Speccy Snapshot:
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/ykcs3vbwr5cbWQWbj0R0F57

Components:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/t7y9Bb

Things I have tried:
Reinstalled windows-same problem
ran checkdsk/f and repaired a few errors-same problem
swapped ram with a computer I know works-same problem
swapped graphics card from a computer I know works- interesting, see below.

I borrowed this graphics card(https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487025) from another computer. With it I experienced the same problem, but only once in two days of gaming instead of every 5-20 min. Additionally I noticed that with the borrowed graphics card my FPS would reach above 100 when the setting was unlocked in game, but with my graphics card it usually only gets to low 70s. The graphics card I borrowed does not require additional power but mine does.

It is likely unrelated by my computer stopped seeing my SSD so I am booting from my HDD now.

Any tips, advice, or input of any kind is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Answer
Lots of possible issues.
by Forum moderator Nov 13, 2018 8:43AM PST

Thanks for the Speccy.

1. The GPU may be at the heart of the issue. If this was in the shop we'd swap in one of the shop test bench GPUs, set that up and have the owner test it.

2. The HDD is in trouble. When you see those 01 and 07 values so high you often see complaints of speed, BSODs and more. This drive is not to be used in a machine that has to be stable.

3. The BIOS is not the latest. While there are other issues, these BIOS updates are often for stability.
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/ykcs3vbwr5cbWQWbj0R0F57

I'm going to stop here and suggest these areas are dealt with. Also, I take it this is not an issue that has been with the machine since new.

Note: Edited for grammar.

Post was last edited on November 13, 2018 6:46 PM PST

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Very Helpful
by Saxthom Nov 13, 2018 5:49PM PST

I don't have an extra graphics card or HDD around so I will have to hunt those down. However, I will work on the bios in the mean time and report back. Is there any chance you think that my power supply could be failing? Potentially causing a chain reaction of other parts under preforming? If so, how would I test for that? Just replace it outright?


You are correct, this machine has not always had this problem.

Thank you so much for your insight!

Post was last edited on November 13, 2018 5:57 PM PST

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The PSU spec wise looks fine.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 13, 2018 6:41PM PST

But the HDD values are not caused by that area from my experience. Also, it passes my usual first pass criteria of ample Watts plus a single rail design. Is there something not told that makes it suspect?

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Nope!
by Saxthom Nov 13, 2018 6:45PM PST

I honestly didn't know what I was looking for when it came to the psu in that regard. Thank you for helping to clarify!

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Hdd swap?
by Saxthom Nov 13, 2018 7:22PM PST

Could I swap the HDD out of a computer that I know works?

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Your hdd is junk so that has to come out.
by Bob__B Nov 14, 2018 2:10AM PST
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Other gpu
by Saxthom Nov 13, 2018 9:31PM PST

I did experience the issue once with the other graphics card. What do you think that means?

I could probably swap with that one again for more testing.

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Once is once.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 14, 2018 9:38AM PST

If a machine bleeps out once I don't hunt down why.

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