Can you help me diagnose this hardware problem?

P

pause

New Member
Hey guys... for those who might remember me, I went by dmnyc before... you guys helped me build my computer and I owe you a lot for it.

Anyway, this is the same computer, now 3 years later, and i'm having some problems with it:

Everything was running smooth until lately I noticed that when I was playing Counterstrike: Source, pretty much the only video game or graphics intensive program that I play, It started to crash after about 10 minutes. This was not a "not responding" error where the program crashes, but an error where the whole system froze up, and I had to restart. The last time that this happened, When I tried to reboot back up, the system wouldnt start and I got a error beep.

So for some reason I figured that it was my CPU running too hot. I had moved down to Miami, and my roommate has 2 cats, so my computer was pretty clogged with dust and cat hair. I knew that the heatsink had tons of dust in it and I figured it was a ticking time bomb. I ran speedfan and my CPU was running at around 55C.

Anyway, so I took the heatsink out (ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro), I cleaned it, took the thermal grease off the cpu and the heatsink, put new thermal grease on, and reseated it (which was a massive bitch). Now I'm getting like 50C idle temps... whatever.

Later that day, I boot back up and decide to try counterstrike again. The game once again crashes, I try to boot back up and I get the error beeps again. I waited about 10 minutes and was able to boot back up into windows though.

I ran a diagnostic on my system and noticed something funny... It said that I only had 1GB of RAM when I should have 2. So I turned the machine off, looked inside, and one of the used Memory slots (Slot #2), the fastener was off. I fastened it up and my pc wouldnt start at all. No Beeps. No Screen, nothing. So I took out that one memory stick completely, and I got a REAL strange message. At Bootup, I got an error saying that there was a problem overclocking, and I could either enter setup or set back to default. I never tried to overclock my machine so I had no idea why it said that. I set it to default and windows loaded fine.

So I took the other memory stick out and put it in the same slot (Slot #2) to see if it was a problem with the stick or the slot. My computer wouldnt even start up and I got a different set of error beeps.

So now I'm wondering what it is. Is the Memory Slot #2 thats hosed? Is it the stick? Can I put both sticks in slots 2 and 4 instead of 1 and 3? Why is my computer telling me that I was trying to overclock?

If you got this far I appreciate you reading, and if anyone could help me I would greatly appreciate it

-Dave
 
Some computers won't boot unless you have memory inserted into slots 1 and 3. You can always try changing slots. Anytime you have a memory problem like that its possible the motherboard will tell you that there is an overclock problem. If the board won't boot with the memory in the other slots then you will have to get a new motherboard.
 
johnb35 said:
Some computers won't boot unless you have memory inserted into slots 1 and 3. You can always try changing slots. Anytime you have a memory problem like that its possible the motherboard will tell you that there is an overclock problem. If the board won't boot with the memory in the other slots then you will have to get a new motherboard.
Click to expand...

ok, I just tried the memory stick in all 4 slots. It only works in slot 1.

Also I tried the other memory stick in all 4 slots and didnt work AT ALL.

This means both the mobo and the mem stick are messed up???
 
You can try the memory in a different computer, like a friends. But you know at least the motherboard needs to be replaced.
 
The Stick you said that had the fastener was off. Was the stick in the slot all the way with just the clamp not pushed down. If the stick was not in the slot right it could have cross shorted and fried something. If the stick was in the slot all the way, the clamp would not have made any difference.

Its cheap, you said the board was 3 years old. Might try a new battery. 99% of boards will run with a dead battery and reset the bios from a cold boot. But there are some boards that will just freak out with a dead battery.
 
StrangleHold said:
The Stick you said that had the fastener was off. Was the stick in the slot all the way with just the clamp not pushed down. If the stick was not in the slot right it could have cross shorted and fried something. If the stick was in the slot all the way, the clamp would not have made any difference.

Its cheap, you said the board was 3 years old. Might try a new battery. 99% of boards will run with a dead battery and reset the bios from a cold boot. But there are some boards that will just freak out with a dead battery.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I think it was in all the way, but I dont remember 100%

I might have damaged the board today, trying to get the heatsink in, is that possible?

The stupid clamps wouldnt lock in and I definitely bent the board a little bit more than a few times.

Also something strange I noticed was that I had to really get the cable from the PSU into the motherboard real tight for it to draw power, which I never had a problem with. It kind of went off a few times till i plugged it in strong.

And now I notice that my CPU is running at 57C, which means that re-seating the heatsink probably did nothing. And all i'm doing is watching streaming mlb.tv

I just hate to replace the MoBo... it's kind of a hassle.
 
Yes, you may have damaged the motherboard.

What happens if you have only the one memory stick in? If it works with one memory stick, then the other memory stick is bad. If it still doesn't work with only the one memory stick, it is probably (not definately) your motherboard. But, I would make sure your CPU is in correctly. I've had a problem where my computer wouldn't boot because my CPU wasn't all the way in the socket (but that's because the lever arm is a little iffy).

Note: Even if your motherboard uses dual-inline memory, your computer should still work with one memory stick - it just won't be using dual-inline memory.

The dead battery I guess could be a possibility. But, I don't think your battery would be dead after only 3 years. I have a 6+ year-old computer and it's battery still works. But don't rule it out.
 
jslick said:
Yes, you may have damaged the motherboard.

What happens if you have only the one memory stick in? If it works with one memory stick, then the other memory stick is bad. If it still doesn't work with only the one memory stick, it is probably (not definately) your motherboard. But, I would make sure your CPU is in correctly. I've had a problem where my computer wouldn't boot because my CPU wasn't all the way in the socket (but that's because the lever arm is a little iffy).

Note: Even if your motherboard uses dual-inline memory, your computer should still work with one memory stick - it just won't be using dual-inline memory.

The dead battery I guess could be a possibility. But, I don't think your battery would be dead after only 3 years. I have a 6+ year-old computer and it's battery still works. But don't rule it out.
Click to expand...

It's working with one stick. That's how i'm still posting here now... The the thing is the stick only works in one slot. And the other stick doesnt work in that same slot
 
pause said:
It's working with one stick. That's how i'm still posting here now... The the thing is the stick only works in one slot. And the other stick doesnt work in that same slot
Click to expand...

Then, I think it's your memory stick. It's a non-lose situation if you go out to your local Best Buy or whatever and buy a memory stick - if it doesn't work you can just return it. If you do buy memory, just make sure it's the right kind of memory.

A lesser possibility is that the proper slot is broken. The slots are in pairs (for dual-inline motherboards). On my old desktop, my memory are in slots 1 and 3 (actually called 1A and 1B while the others are 2A and 2B or something like that).

If you put the memory in the wrong slot I would imagine your motherboard would become confused - but I've never done that before so I don't know for sure.
 
jslick said:
Then, I think it's your memory stick. It's a non-lose situation if you go out to your local Best Buy or whatever and buy a memory stick - if it doesn't work you can just return it. If you do buy memory, just make sure it's the right kind of memory.

A lesser possibility is that the proper slot is broken. The slots are in pairs (for dual-inline motherboards). On my old desktop, my memory are in slots 1 and 3 (actually called 1A and 1B while the others are 2A and 2B or something like that).

If you put the memory in the wrong slot I would imagine your motherboard would become confused - but I've never done that before so I don't know for sure.
Click to expand...

I hope your right J

looking at my MoBo manual, I had them in slot B2 and slot A2.

Actually when I look at my diagnostic tool it says I have it in "Bank 3" for what its worth. It was the closest one to the end of the MoBo so I just called it the first slot. The slots are colored yellow/black/yellow/black.

If I grab new memory, It has to be the same speed (for me 667) and size right? I'm guessing I can't just buy a 2GB stick and pair that with the 1 GB stick I have right now... and same for speeds right?

maybe if i'm going to buy new memory I might as well upgrade to 2x2GB sticks.

It's so cheap these days anyhow:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134192
 
Also I just gotta ask one more question, sorry...
My CPU temp is back up to around 58, I'm wondering... when I reseated my heatsink it took me like an hour and I had to keep taking it off and putting it back on. IS that bad for the conductivity of the thermal grease? I didnt touch it but I wasnt sure if it was still soft or if it had hardened somewhat. Like is it worth taking it off again and trying to reseat it quickly with fresh grease?
 
pause said:
I hope your right J

looking at my MoBo manual, I had them in slot B2 and slot A2.

Actually when I look at my diagnostic tool it says I have it in "Bank 3" for what its worth. It was the closest one to the end of the MoBo so I just called it the first slot. The slots are colored yellow/black/yellow/black.

If I grab new memory, It has to be the same speed (for me 667) and size right? I'm guessing I can't just buy a 2GB stick and pair that with the 1 GB stick I have right now... and same for speeds right?

maybe if i'm going to buy new memory I might as well upgrade to 2x2GB sticks.

It's so cheap these days anyhow:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134192
Click to expand...

Yes, you need to make sure they're the same speed.
And yes, it will need to be the same size. You could buy a 1 GB stick to pair with your working one and if you wanted more memory you get matching pairs for the other two slots. So, you could have:
1 GB (old stick)
1 GB (new stick)
1 GB (optional additional new memory)
1 GB (optional additional new memory).
Or, you could replace the one you have with 2 GB sticks like you said. But you'll be wasting your old 1 GB stick.
Because of the dual-inline technology, they should come in both singles and pairs. If you're going replace your 1 GB stick, buy a pair, not 2 singles.
So, if you're going to just replace your bad one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134045
If you're going to replace replace your bad one and buy additional memory: last link + http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046
If you're going to replace the two sticks you have with 2x2GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134193&Tpk=KVR667D2N5K2/4G
I just searched for Kingston, you can search for others. This is a helpful memory search: http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/type.asp?root=us

This is all assuming your memory is the problem though
 
pause said:
Also I just gotta ask one more question, sorry...
My CPU temp is back up to around 58, I'm wondering... when I reseated my heatsink it took me like an hour and I had to keep taking it off and putting it back on. IS that bad for the conductivity of the thermal grease? I didnt touch it but I wasnt sure if it was still soft or if it had hardened somewhat. Like is it worth taking it off again and trying to reseat it quickly with fresh grease?
Click to expand...

Once you put the heatsink on with new heatsink paste you're not supposed to mess with it very much. I would go ahead and put new heatsink paste (grease, whatever) on it.
 
My problem just got worse... I'm posting from my roommates comp :cool:

Shortly after I made my last post here last night I decided to try and see if I couldnt run Counter-Strike. So I open it, and after about 2 minutes the system freezes.

I try to reboot but now i'm getting no post and a strange beep code (beeeeeeeeep beep beep beep). So I waited about 15 minutes like I did the last time this happened, and tried again... nothing. Now, today, it's still not working. What could this mean? The MoBo is shot? The CPU is shot? The memory is shot? I'm getting nothing out of either memory stick so I'd assume its not the memory right?

IS it possible I damaged the Memory sticks by taking them out/putting them in multiple times in multiple positions with the PSU still connected to the MoBo? The MoBo manual said to never do this.

Is it possible I damaged the CPU last night spending like an hour trying to get the heatsink back mounted?

Is it possible I damaged the MoBo trying to get the heatsink on by bending it a little?

This is like impossible to figure out now :(
 
WTF!!!

Now I was about to run out to bestbuy to grab a memory stick... and I decide to try to boot up my system one more time before I leave... and it boots up!

wtf?
 
It might be best to take your computer into a shop and let them diagnose the problem so that way you aren't wasting the money. DO NOT take it to best buy, you'll get raped.
 
Uh-oh.

I can't give an definite answers here - I'm just not knowledgeable enough to diagnose this over the internet. Hopefully someone can chime in here.

But, if your memory is partially dislodged or you broke the slots, your computer will not run.
Your CPU and motherboard are both good candidates for being the problem.
I don't suppose you can stick a compatible CPU in your motherboard or stick your CPU in a compatible motherboard?

Edit: I still think your second memory stick was the initial problem and you damaged something since.
 
Last edited:
pause said:
WTF!!!

Now I was about to run out to bestbuy to grab a memory stick... and I decide to try to boot up my system one more time before I leave... and it boots up!

wtf?
Click to expand...

I've had a similar problem. Either (I think) something isn't in quite right, your CPU isn't engaged all the way (I've had this problem before), or your CPU is failing.
Make sure your memory is in all of the way and re-insert your CPU.
 
jslick said:
Uh-oh.

I can't give an definite answers here - I'm just not knowledgeable enough to diagnose this over the internet. Hopefully someone can chime in here.

But, if your memory is partially dislodged or you broke the slots, your computer will not run.
Your CPU and motherboard are both good candidates for being the problem.
I don't suppose you can stick a compatible CPU in your motherboard or stick your CPU in a compatible motherboard?

Edit: I still think your second memory stick was the initial problem and you damaged something since.
Click to expand...

I can't do that... I dont think I know anyone who would have a compatible CPU or even a desktop to be honest.

Can I rule out that the memory is partially dislodged? Because I put it back in nicely and gently and it DIDNT boot up. Then without touching the inside of the case I tried again 20 minutes later and it DID boot up.

I have a bad feeling that it's the mobo? because last night when I was trying to put the heatsink back on I got real frustrated at one point and really was trying to jam the pins into the mobo... there was bending involved. Then every time I tried to put the memory into the sockets I had to bend the Mobo a little because it wouldnt lock in without effort.

I dont really know.

I'm hesitant to take it to a shop because I just feel like they're gonna charge me 100 bucks and I wont have access to my computer for a few days.
 
pause said:
I can't do that... I dont think I know anyone who would have a compatible CPU or even a desktop to be honest.

Can I rule out that the memory is partially dislodged? Because I put it back in nicely and gently and it DIDNT boot up. Then without touching the inside of the case I tried again 20 minutes later and it DID boot up.

I have a bad feeling that it's the mobo? because last night when I was trying to put the heatsink back on I got real frustrated at one point and really was trying to jam the pins into the mobo... there was bending involved. Then every time I tried to put the memory into the sockets I had to bend the Mobo a little because it wouldnt lock in without effort.

I dont really know.

I'm hesitant to take it to a shop because I just feel like they're gonna charge me 100 bucks and I wont have access to my computer for a few days.
Click to expand...

I posted again since you quoted me, see above.

I think it's more likely that your boot-up problem is your CPU rather than your memory. But, I still think memory was initial problem.

You may have damaged your mobo though
 
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