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Question

New computer, strange behavior

Mar 24, 2017 8:23PM PDT

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share my recent experience and maybe get some advice or answer to my problem.
I received my new computer (custom built) 4 days ago. It worked fine for a day and a half. Already had copied all the data from my previous computer, and also installed some basic programs. It didn't show any sign of problem until it suddenly shut down/restarted. No warning, blue screen, nothing. It suddenly restarted. Then, few seconds after loading Windows 10, restarted again, and again, and countless other times.

At one moment, instead of restarting, it actually showed a blue screen (Whea Uncorrectable Error). At other times, instead of restarting or showing a blue screen, the computer would not be responsive at all, demanding a hard reboot. That was enough to make me think that it was probably hardware related.

I've checked some information on the BIOS screen: CPU temperature was around 36C; Voltages seemed normal; nothing odd. Interesting enough, the computer never shuts down when on the BIOS screen.

I tried to load Windows on Safe Mode, it lasted longer, but eventually it restarted again. I tried to recover Windows (clean all files, except personal ones), it restarted in the middle of the process.

I then formatted the main disk, installed a fresh version of Windows. It didn't shut down in any part of the formatting process neither installation of Windows. But as soon as Windows started, it shut down again. So it's not driver/software related.

I ran the "Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool". It crashed the first time (but didn't show any errors) but on the second time, it completed the test and still showed no errors.

I don't want to be messing too much with the computer components not to void the warranty. So my question is: are there additional software tests that I can do to narrow down to which specific component is causing the problem? Maybe some bootable tool to diagnose the system? I'm clueless at the moment. I'm thinking of returning the computer and ask for a refund.

My guess is that maybe some component got damaged by electrostatic discharge. The computer, when it arrived, had a very odd "protection" (see the picture below). I removed the plastic very carefully but still, this plastic doesn't seem antistatic. Could this bubble wrap protection around the cooler have damaged any component that it touched?

TL;DR: New computer worked fine for a day and a half, now it's randomly restarting/shutting down;
Formatted, installed fresh Windows, didn't resolve. Temperatures seem fine, ram memory test didn't show any errors. Could it be esd damage? How can I diagnose which is the faulty component?

Specs:
Asus Maximus IX Formula
Intel i7 7700k
Geforce GTX 1080
16GB DDR4 Viper 2400 MHz (2 x 8GB)
SSD 256GB
HDD 1 TB
EVGA PSU 700W 80+ Bronze
3 x 120mm air cooler
DeepCool Frostwin V2.0

http://i.imgur.com/776naga.jpg

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
That picture, is the bubble wrap still installed?
Mar 24, 2017 8:58PM PDT

That's something I've never seen in a PC to date. What's up with that?

Be sure to google Whea Uncorrectable Error as that's well done with many causes from incorrect RAM, out of date BIOS, bad CPU seating, driver issues, trojan and the list goes on.

But that picture, who leaves that bubble wrap in a PC?

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Response
Mar 24, 2017 9:19PM PDT

Thank you for your input.

I actually had googled the Whea Uncorrectable Error, but I couldn't find anything conclusive for my case specifically.

As for the bubble wrap, I have no idea why they sent me with this thing around the cooler. My best guess is that they wanted to protect the components against mechanical impact since it was delivered by mail service.

I did my best to remove the plastic wrap carefully, but I'm still worried that the presence of that plastic around the components could have damaged (esd) them. It doesn't seem to be antistatic. Luckily I noticed the existence of the plastic before turning the computer on.

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Bubble wrap
Mar 24, 2017 10:48PM PDT

That wrap is meant as a brace for the cpu cooler during shipment.

The cooler you have is quite heavy and with it extending off the mobo it would not take much of a jolt to get it to move.

Not sure I agree with using plain bubble wrap alone because of the esd but if you use bubble wrap in anti-static bags that should work.

It would have been nice if the builder had included a big warning about removing the brace before power up.