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Question

Friends computer crashing intermittently

Jul 18, 2018 8:42AM PDT

Hi there! I am working on my friends gaming PC trying to figure out why its crashing during most games, no BSOD or any error codes to work with, just intermittent shut downs.

I have gone through and tested the GPU and CPU with stress testing programs, ran scans on the ram, tested the PSU with a PSU tester, ran it on a completely different electrical network, reinstalled windows after thinking it could be corrupted windows (usually produces BSOD but there was a chance), reinstalled all games and even ran it off another SSD...

Note that the crash mostly happens while playing 'Stonehearth' and sometimes on 'Fortnite', it tends to crash on start up too and has since reduced after removing the audio card that he had installed. However it still happens and I can't for the life of me find out whats wrong with it!

System specs:
ASOS Rampage IV extreme
Intel core i7 3930K 3.2GHz
Nvidea GTX Titan 6gb
16gb (4x4gb) Corsair dominator DDR3
512gb Samsung SSD Sata
2tb Barracuda HDD
Corsair Silent Pro Platinum 1000W PSU

Discussion is locked

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Answer
So many reports on Stone....
Jul 18, 2018 9:00AM PDT
https://www.google.com/search?q=stonehearth+crash+on+startup

Maybe the machine is fine?

As to Fortnite, I'd take a look at DDU. (google that!) To remove all GPU drivers and then install latest or known good versions.

-> I'm running into a lot of PCs with outdated BIOSes. We know why. Folk have been scared into not updating and I've run into too many that needed this update.

If no luck with the above, share the letters and numbers of your Web Speccy report.
Read how at https://www.piriform.com/docs/speccy/using-speccy/publishing-a-speccy-profile-to-the-web
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Installed drivers already
Jul 18, 2018 9:05AM PDT

Have reinstalled all drivers twice over, sadly its all games he plays except Warcraft 3. Flashed the bios with latest update etc. I don't have an issue with updating however it hasn't changed the situation.

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The clue isn't here yet.
Jul 18, 2018 9:22AM PDT

Let's see that Speccy report.

Remember that such troubles are very common but rarely is the cause the same thing. That's an expensive rig. I'm surprised he didn't take it back to the maker and demand it work correctly.

A Speccy report reveals a lot of detail that I can't ask for as that would take too much typing.

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Speccy snap, hope this is what you wanted.
Jul 18, 2018 7:44PM PDT
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Did you research DDU?
Jul 18, 2018 9:42AM PDT

Installing drivers TWICE? DDU is what I use when I suspect video driver woe. I'm not writing this is it but due to how video drivers work, it's something I keep handy.

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I have used it
Jul 18, 2018 7:45PM PDT

I did uninstall drivers using DDU the first time around, I have also completely reinstalled windows so it rules out being a driver issue

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Answer
Let me share a recent investigation.
Jul 18, 2018 9:59AM PDT
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Answer
A Speccy reading.
Jul 18, 2018 9:02PM PDT

Remember this is just what I see. I don't write I will find it but sometimes we get lucky. The fact it didn't get fixed with an OS reload often points to hardware. With that out of the way.

1. Java. Uninstall till stable.
2. Too many SVCHOST and System IP connections. Turn the following off:
https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

3. CPU CORE is under 1V at 0.864 V READ MY REPLY ABOUT A RECENT INVESTIGATION.
Push this over just over 1.0V.

4. The BIOS is current.

5. Unplug the ODD (optical disc drive) until stable.

Good hunting and READ my post at https://www.cnet.com/forums/post/e248f8be-305f-4ecc-8fe8-84c9315b0d2d/

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Still crashing
Jul 19, 2018 1:28AM PDT

Gone through and done each step, still crashes during gameplay :/

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Speccy
Jul 19, 2018 3:26AM PDT

The ssd seems to be plugged into a sata2 port.....why is that?

You have 1333 ram and your running it at 1866......why is that?

The gpu seems to be plugged into a x8 slot......why is that?

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...?
Jul 19, 2018 3:42AM PDT

ssd simple mistake with the motherboard I he is using. Ram is 2400mhz. and gpu is in x8 slot.

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Did you want to
Jul 19, 2018 4:15AM PDT

Fix this stuff or do you just want to say it's crashing?

If you decide to fix these things post another speccy.

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I don't catch everything.
Jul 19, 2018 8:38AM PDT

That's why we post in forums. These are also good reasons for crashing.

The low CPU voltage can lead to nearly impossible to figure out crashes. On top of that the owner may tell you it worked for years like that. Sorry but these computers are not solid state. Things age and change.