Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Alert

New PC keeps freezing randomly and has blue screens

Aug 24, 2018 10:10AM PDT

Hello. I just bought a new pc, built it and after 1 day of usage or less, it suddenly started to freeze randomly when I was trying to install the drivers or some other programs. I did reset the windows, but it did it again. The blue screen that usually comes up is named CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT error. I have tried a couple youtube solution videos, have ran memtest for 4 hours, without a single error detected and have disconnected the hdd, leaving only the ssd, which does not seem to be the problem. The only thing that happened is my ssd just dropped off my hands to the floor at 1 meter, should I try installing windows on the hdd? Also pc is connected in a polypropylene, could that be a problem? Could you please help me out? Thanks in advance.
PC specs
Cpu: AMD Ryzen 5 1400
Ram: G. Skill Aegis 8gb 3000 mhz (was in bios 2144 and then put it to 2900+,but put it back down afterwards)
Gpu: Sapphire Radeon 580 8gb
Ssd:Kingston A400 240gb
Hdd:1Tb caviar blue WD
Psu: Corsair Cx450m
Mobo: Msi B350m PRO-VDH
(System temperatures are all low)

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
DO NOT USE DRIVEREASY.
Aug 24, 2018 10:26AM PDT
https://www.google.com/search?q=CLOCK+WATCHDOG+TIMEOUT finds this is almost always a BIOS and driver issue.

I didn't check if your motherboard supports your CPU so I leave that to you.

But for Ryzens we start with the current BIOS since we've lost time over that. The rule at the shop is for Ryzens, the BIOS SHALL BE CURENT. If the client disagrees we return the PC and move on. We don't want to lose time and run up a bill and end up with a warranty return.

After that you install the drivers per the maker's instructions.
- Collapse -
Updates
Aug 24, 2018 12:59PM PDT

Hello and thanks for the response. So I shall update the bios and install the drivers and it should be ok?

- Collapse -
Are you reporting you didn't start with this work?
Aug 24, 2018 1:13PM PDT

I can only share that for Ryzens we no longer consider it optional work.

- Collapse -
Updated bios
Aug 25, 2018 4:31AM PDT

Hi. After last nights refresh on windows I updated bios and installed drivers once more. I didnt get another bsod, but still got a freeze. Any other ideas?

- Collapse -
A freeze can have many sources.
Aug 25, 2018 8:02AM PDT

Poor choice of PSU, heatsink work wasn't done right, a bad app or driver.

You didn't reveal when the freeze happens so I can't comment.

- Collapse -
SSD
Aug 24, 2018 12:51PM PDT

Hi VonCroy,

can you test the SSD with the diagnostic program of the manufacturer?

If the SSD is in good conditions, we would like to suggest you to do a clean installation of the OS on the SSD.

- Collapse -
Updates
Aug 24, 2018 1:04PM PDT

Hi there and thanks for the response. I will firstly update bios and download drivers to see if it is fixed, but if not I will do that. Is there a big difference between resetting windows and performing a clean install?

- Collapse -
Are You Sure About the Power Supply?
Aug 25, 2018 9:31AM PDT

Last year I built my GF a new PC, and it included a Corsair CX430. We had blue screen and freezing problems. After troubleshooting several possibilities including all connections, RAM, heatsink/fan, Windows and other software, etc., I changed the power supply to a newer model, the CS450. This resolved the problem, although I still don't know why the CX430 model didn't work well. The PC uses onboard/integrated graphics so the 450-watt psu is enough.
In your case, I notice you're running a Radeon RX580 graphics card in addition to the other components. If you decide to replace your power supply, maybe something a little more powerful that's truly built to last would be worthwhile, such as a Seasonic GS-550?
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119