System Crashing with minimal use

I found the HP system diagnostics, PC Doctor:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...1&x=6&product=461182&dlc=en&docname=c00041380
Run all the tests, even something that seems unrelated may be significant (and unfortunately, something that may seem significant may be unrelated).

Maybe you have tried PC Doctor before, see if any of the new information changes your conclusions.

Matt

 

Hi Mattman, thanks again for info.
Just to say that I haven't upgraded or added any other hardware - it's a fairly new machine with reasonable spec and i've no need for any "boosters" at the present time.
I have the HP diagnostic toolkit on my machine (it came with it), PC Doctor, and I have ran every single test - ALL passed!

 

Just got back home after 10+ hours of driving - Pete, Matt & Mr B - nice work gents - I'll try to do some digging myself but think you guys have covered well beyond what I would have found. That HP BIOS does look pretty well crippled re: manual settings. Noticed they have a May date on their latest revision and the screenshots on their website are showing a 2005 release so a BIOS Flash may be in order here - it certainly isn't going to hurt.

 

All tests are good except for those problems reported by Speedfan.

I checked the "Thermal Monitor" information at Intel again (at the beginning it says to go to another link to find thermal management info for the 775 processor. If you go to that link and click on Thermal Management it sends you back to the original webpage I contacted their support, twice now, the other day I was there and found another bad link. Gee, it makes their website look unprofessional ) Anyway, I have come to a conclusion. I think the thermal "management" of the processor is automatically adjusting the Core Voltage as a result of the high temperatures.

NOrmsby, I recommend that you have one more check of the way the heatsink is supposed to clamp down over the CPU. Here is the installation procedure for the Intel "box set ":
http://support.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-012539.htm
Sorry, over 10 Mb.
Check that you have not missed anything. I looked up another procedure from an independent source and it very similar and they used Arctic Silver.

Now, if you cannot get the heatsink on all the way I suggest you take it to a computer repairer and see if they can install it (ask if you can watch) or take/send it to a Hewlett-Packard service provider. You can find their addresses through the support page of their website. If you are worried about the warranty, it is void already.

I think the one thing that is stopping your system from running correctly is getting that heatsink installed properly.

Matt

 

I think you guys might have nailed this thing but I'm at a loss as to how one is going to go about reducing that core voltage, if it is indeed an accurate reading. Hopefully, a newer version BIOS may provide some relief but absent that, I'd now question the integrity of the motherboard circuitry itself. I did find a most informative article relating to heat, thermal monitoring and CPU performance and it appears that the P4 at 72C crosses a performance threshold. I thought this was a pretty good read, but am still looking for something related to bringing that core voltage back within spec - even an explanation pointing to why it might be so far out of spec would be welcome.

 

Curiousity Question:
Normsby:

Since this is a fairly new system and you said you had already replaced the original HSF with an identical HSF, I was wondering what prompted you to replace the first one?

 

Hi guys, sorry but system been at PC shop to get hs fitted the proper way! No changes to any results! ( obviously I got it right ). Updated the BIOS through the HP link and still no change - there is no further addition for access to the power controls within this. Finally, the reason I changed the HS and fan was that it was first thought that it could be faulty (going right back to the start of the problem in February) but again, obviously, this was not the case. So, I'm back at square one! Thanks for all help so far.

 

NOrmsby, no change in the temperatures?
Core voltage readings still the same?
If so, according to the "Thermal monitor" link I posted, your system is way out of "normal ". Normal is an idle temperature at less than 33*C and the the fan will be at full throttle at 45*C (figures for 423 and 478 socket as I have mentioned).

Rockster2u's suggestion about updating the BIOS would be my next step, but I would hold (very) little hope.

You could try contacting HP. Unless you could prove that your reason for "modifying" the system was a valid one, their warranty will disclude you (and I think it will include opening the case).

Whether the problem is in the motherboard or the CPU (motherboard, my guess, at least to start with), you now have the grounding to build a better computer yourself, anyway, I cannot see you making much further progress with this one.

I would like Rockster2U, Mr B and PeteC to make a comment, if not to flame me down (which I wouldn't mind), then what are your possible options?

Matt

 

No flaming from these quarters - I think you've summarized the situation quite well. My best guess at this point would also point to the motherboard as the most likely culprit and there is very little that can be done, short of replacing it. The problem with replacing it is that HP charges an arm, a leg and first born child for a $50 motherboard - their price is usually upwards of $300 plus a return of the old one. You may have better luck looking on ebay but will be taking a chance there.

You may also want to consider purchasing a new case and a new motherboard which is compatable with your processor and memory. You should be able to do this for under $200 but your XP license is no longer going to work so thats an additional cost. With a new copy of XP, one can do a repair installation thereby keeping all programs and data intact.

Maybe HP has an answer to this voltage situation or has experienced similar failures and will give you a sympathetic resolution thats not so costly but the problem is not going to go away and I'm at a loss on how to fix it.

 

Thanks again Mattman and Rockster (and of course all others). I will be contacting HP and their service people over the course of the next week or so. I will let you know the results (hopefully conclusive) as and when. Regards, Neil.

 

Good Luck to you. And, as a credit where credit is due note - It was Pete and Mr B who nailed the core voltage anomoly and Matt and Mr B who did the exhaustive research. All this from a bunch of AMD aficionados.

 

Thanks all... the pleasure is mine. I hope Neil gets more satisfaction from HP than I did last year. Be persistent, don't let them blow you off. Problems like this are such a PITA.
My experience with HP last year was finally enough to get me to build my own PC.
Neil, definitely let's us know how you make out with HP.

B

 

Good stuff, maybe none of the comments are correct. There are some "thoughts" that may lead to a positive solution.

Thanks all.
Matt