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General discussion

My new computer crashes every 2 minutes!!!

Jun 20, 2005 8:58PM PDT

I just bought a new PC with P4 630 (3GHz 64bit), Asus P5AD2-E Premium, 4x512MB DDR2 RAM, Maxtor 250GB SATA HDD, Sapphire Radeon X700 Pro PCIE.

My problem is that the PC crashes really often.
When I try to install a game like UT2004 it crashes during setup.

Also my PC came with some demos, most of them crash too when loading.
However this does not always happen. Other times it loads normally.

My O.S. was XP Pro, but I deleted it and tried to install XP Pro 64bit, but it crashes during setup of windows.

The CPU temperature is about 44C-50C (111F-122F), and so is the motherboard.

Please help
I gave a lot of $$$ for a PC that does not work!

Discussion is locked

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Beautiful warranty.
Jun 20, 2005 9:01PM PDT

Not your problem. It's new.

Bob

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Only components have warranty....
Jun 21, 2005 2:46AM PDT

Thanks to everyone that replied.
The computer is not brand-name, it was built in a local shop.

As a result, components have independant warranties.
All the computers I ever had were the same.
One time, the DVD stopped working and I send only the DVD drive to warranty and they sent me a new one.

I gave the PC to the shop who built it, and they said that everything works OK, they even managed to installed windows (for me windows crashes during installation!)

I really don't know what is wrong.
I used a program to check RAM and it is OK.
The CPU seems to be working.
The HDD seems to be working, too.

Can you help me find the wrong component?
Is there any chance that the hardware is not compatible (eg RAM not fully supported by CPU?)

Is there any diagnostic application (probably bootable) that can help?

Each time the computer crashes it happens like this:
1) I see a blue screen for 1sec
2) The computer reboots

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alright
Jun 21, 2005 3:13AM PDT

I gave the PC to the shop who built it, and they said that everything works OK, they even managed to installed windows (for me windows crashes during installation!)

if they got it working, why wont it work for you?
thats my only question really.

konny

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It was built in a local shop.
Jun 21, 2005 3:21AM PDT

That's where your warranty is.

Crash it for them to show the issue?

If they don't warrant their product or work, just ask for the full refund and walk.

-> In closing, this is one of the issues with PCs. No diagnostics. It's a shame we've made it this far and no system has great diagnostics. Also, your post is void of detail to make even a stab at the possible bad part or incorrect selection. As such, there is nothing to chat about except your warranty.


Bob

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Beware and check warrnty
Jun 20, 2005 10:18PM PDT

If you have so much problems have recently brought the system, use the warranty. Provided you didn't do anything other than s/w installs, and no h/w tweaks on your own, then its thier problem. Further, if something needs to be fixed, its thier nickel. Take too long in mentioning such problems to the vendor could get worse as they may not warranty it after x-days or find some wiggle room for them to get out of. If you have some warranty and you need to call to support, then proceed until they mention, open case, "don't" some vendors then tend to blame user upon opening case, allow thier techs to fuss it over, if applicable.

congrats '05 -----Willy Happy

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(NT) (NT) -> warranty
Jun 21, 2005 1:15AM PDT
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XP Pro
Jun 22, 2005 10:30AM PDT

Was everything working before you tried to install XP Pro 64? I may be in the dark here, but I can't see any reason to switch from Pro.

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32-bit
Jun 24, 2005 10:13PM PDT

Your processor and mobo are always going to be hot because the Prescott is like a mimi-toaster oven. But that doesn't seem to be the issue. However, check to make sure that heatsinks are secured and fans are working.

Try installing the 32-bit XP Pro. If it works, that could mean there is a compatability issue with X64. Go to websites for each of your parts and make sure they are supported.

If it doesn't work, I don't know the problem yet.

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i had that same problem
Jun 26, 2005 12:55PM PDT

i had that same problem then i replaced the power supply and my computer hasnt had a problem since

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I had the same problem with my older PC
Jul 3, 2005 7:42PM PDT

I had the same problem with my older PC: the power fan did not work so it rebooted frequently.
This time it is not the power supply, because it shows blue screen for some seconds before each reboot and it does not perform scandisk.

I found out that RAM was the problem (read next post)

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RE:
Jun 26, 2005 3:08PM PDT

RMA The mobo directly through Asus. I'm not sure if you know enough to take the machine apart. Thats what I would do. Sometimes there are common overheating problems with the processor but I don't think that is it. I built a machine for a custmer with that mobo, he had the same problem. So I called Asus and they told me it could be a faulty chipset. give it a try and RMA it.... that could solve your problem

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Do Some Hardware Testing
Jun 26, 2005 5:21PM PDT

Before you go replacing components, use a tool like Sandra. Use the burn in features and bench testing. This will help pinpoint the problem if it is hardware. I would also recommend another application that costs a little money, 30 bucks or so, but it has saved me a few times- V-Com Fix It Utilities 5 (version 6 was just released). Sandra is free and can be found at www.sisoftware.net

In troubleshooting is always best (for your sanity and wallet) to define the problem first. Plus, have fun- by the time you finish you will know your PC like the back of your hand.

Happy hacking!

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RAM was the problem
Jul 3, 2005 7:49PM PDT

RAM was the problem: the 4 RAMs were not compatible with each other. So I removed 3 of them and left 1 in and it is now working!!! I am writing this message from my new PC.

I would like to thank everybody for their help Happy

PS: I think I must say that I had checked the RAM using bootable utility from FDD and there was no problem!!!!