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General discussion

Computer Freezing Problems

Feb 18, 2015 8:38AM PST

This post is going to be long and detailed as I have now had this problem for over 2 months.

Let me first define what I mean by "freezing".
Freezing, in this case, means my monitors get stuck (freeze) on whatever is on the screen at the time. Not a pixel will change. Audio cuts out as well. Everything else works fine though, my mouse and keyboard stay turned on and all components/lights inside the case remain working normally. Even the light on my headset.

That being said, it leads me to believe its a graphical issue. However, I've tried multiple monitors, different coords, etc. Everything just short of replacing my gpu.

The first freeze occured about 5 minutes in to my inital boot when I was installing windows. It took 3 tries before it went fully through the install without freezing.

Additionally, I can get it to freeze about 90% of the time I plug my phone in to the usb 3.0 slot and about 70% of the time in the 2.0s. Sometimes it takes a few minutes after I plug it in but you can't hide from the innevitable.

Pre RMA'ing motherboard:
-Froze about 3-4 times per day.(Almost unusable)

Post RMA:
-Did not freeze after I got the new one for 2 weeks!!
-Froze after I bumped the case. (not even very hard either)
- Froze numerous times after that until it slowed down to the current 1-2 freezes per day. (excluding the few where I had my phone plugged in)

Other Things I've tried:
-Reseated both sticks of RAM and cpu multiple times.
-Made sure everything is plugged in. 99% sure its plugged in RIGHT as this is my first build.
-Made sure the motherboard was in the case correctly (standoffs, tabs on the i/o shield, etc)
-Built the full thing outside of the case. (Eliminates the mobo shorting out on the case)

Full build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Tempers/saved/NpFxFT
My ram is not listed on pcpartpicker so here that is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Any help is greatly appreciated. Every time it freezes, my stomach just drops with defeat as I am completely lost on this problem..

-Thanks

Discussion is locked

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PSU is adequate
Feb 18, 2015 10:00PM PST

so doubt a power issue. I see a system builder Windows 7 installation. Did you make sure to install all the proper drivers for that motherboard? You may be running on windows generic drivers if you didn't.

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Re: PSU is adequate
Feb 19, 2015 4:04AM PST

I believe I did install the drivers correctly. I installed what was on the disc that came with the motherboard and then I updated them off of asus' website. So I believe that isn't the issue.

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For now, workarounds.
Feb 19, 2015 4:08AM PST
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Re: For now, workarounds
Feb 19, 2015 6:05AM PST

I've tried with a single stick. That for sure did not fix anything. Nothing is overheating. I have not tried to limit the cores to 2. What exactly would that troubleshoot though?

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It can lead to what's broke.
Feb 19, 2015 6:24AM PST

And anytime your client tells you it's not heat, then you know to double down on heat issues.

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Tried reducing cores
Feb 19, 2015 7:21AM PST

I put it at 2 and restarted my computer. Froze immediately. when I tried to plug it in in usb 3.0, it freezes right away, don't even have to plug the coord in all the way nor do I have to have my phone plugged in to the other end. It seems as though my 8gb usb drive works fine though. Even if it's a bad coord, that still doesn't explain the few freezes that occur at complete random.

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AHA. That's a fine clue.
Feb 19, 2015 7:26AM PST

There are some really bad USB 3.0 controllers out there. You just found a good lead.

Now disable all USB 3.0 controllers in the bios for another test run.
Bob

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maybe also the USB
Feb 19, 2015 8:14AM PST

sockets themselves? Were these on the back on motherboard, or in the from with cables from the motherboard?

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Cables
Feb 19, 2015 8:28AM PST

They are cables connected to the motherboard that go to the front panel usb ports.

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Even worse.
Feb 19, 2015 8:53AM PST
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Usb 3.0 drivers
Feb 21, 2015 7:52AM PST
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(NT) So you have a working machine and want to change that.
Feb 21, 2015 7:57AM PST
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Point Taken
Feb 21, 2015 8:43AM PST

I was using my computer as normal about 5 minutes ago when I was adjusting my legs and bumped the bottom of the table I have my monitors/keyboard/mouse on and it froze again.. My phone was plugged in to the 3.0 header and charging for 15 minutes+ prior to this. My tower is on the ground underneath the table but it was not touched at all by me bumping the table. This has caused freezes in the past even when nothing was plugged in to the 3.0s. Another clue? or just a reoccuring coincindence?

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(NT) The bump freeze points to mechanical, not driver issues.
Feb 21, 2015 9:06AM PST
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Which part
Feb 21, 2015 9:27AM PST

So would that point to the power supply like previously suggested? or maybe the motherboard? I have no clue. I dont know how it would cause a freeze when the case itself doesnt even move. It complete boggles my mind.

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heaviest cable
Feb 21, 2015 9:31AM PST

Probably from the monitor to the box. One side is maybe loose.

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Not graphical
Feb 21, 2015 9:35AM PST

The issue isnt a graphical one. If the cord was loose, then it wouldnt come back on after a restart, correct? Besides, all audio cuts out as well. AND I have 2 monitors hooked up. Both of which freeze. Dont blame it on the 2nd monitor either, as the freezes started long before the addition of the other one. Ive tried each individual one seperately too. I'm pretty sure it isnt a graphical issue. I was told it was my gpu though by some friends I met online who tried helping.

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Additonally
Feb 21, 2015 9:37AM PST

I cannot replicate the freeze that happened when I bumped the table. I still have my phone cord plugged in too.

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Update
Feb 21, 2015 9:44AM PST

As soon as I posted that thread, the freeze happened again. Phone was still plugged in to the 3.0 header. I think you were right. I may just have to deal with not being able to use the 3.0s. Oh well. Currently have my phone plugged in to the 2.0 on the front panel. Ill update the post as needed if something else happens.

Thanks all

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maybe you have a loose screw
Feb 21, 2015 9:52AM PST

rolling around under your motherboard shorting it out at times.

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(NT) I can assure, there is no screw
Feb 21, 2015 10:50AM PST
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that's when I use the dummy method
Feb 21, 2015 12:19PM PST

I take a plastic straw or anything thin and non conducting and tap on different suspect areas of the motherboard, the ports, till something changes and I can duplicate it. The "tap method" is a time proven way to find a lot of ills.

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pinout may be wrong
Feb 19, 2015 9:08AM PST

check the pinout chart for your motherboard to the cables you are using. There used to be more, but latest motherboards have only 2 possible pinout schemes I think that are in use.

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Question
Feb 19, 2015 8:30AM PST

I'm not at all familiar with bios settings. I can look for it but I might not do it correctly. Also, let me test it in my 2.0 slots real fast. If it does the same thing, I wouldnt have to disable the 3.0 controllers and test that, correct?

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Edit
Feb 19, 2015 8:44AM PST

I plugged both usbs into the 2.0 ports and everything is working fine. No freeze. So I guess it could JUST be the 3.0s. Can you give me a general idea of how to disable the 3.0 controllers in my bios?

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Sorry no.
Feb 19, 2015 8:56AM PST

The manual I read didn't document the BIOS screens so I can't tell what you can do.

Sorry, sometimes it's best to just take snaps of the screens so folk can see what you have.
Bob

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you had the front ports
Feb 19, 2015 9:31AM PST

in the USB3 headers? That doesn't work, as you discovered. The connections on USB3 header are different, require a different cable and port plugs. This is for USB3.

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The thing is, with USB 3.0 chipset issue.
Feb 19, 2015 9:36AM PST
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I'm Lost
Feb 19, 2015 10:09AM PST

Hold on guys. You are both way smarter than I when it comes to this and you lost me. Why do I need to buy something extra? I have my 1 USB3 in the front panel conntected to the motherboard and 1 in the back that is built on the motherboard. Both of them cause the freezes.

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Scratch That
Feb 19, 2015 10:12AM PST

Still lost on what you guys are saying but I just tested my 2* usb 3.0s built on the motherboard and they both worked fine. Its only the front panel one connected with a cord that freezes. With that cord, I noticed when I built it that it seemed a little loose but not sure if a semi-loose connection would cause a freeze?