Random Freezing: Monitor Looses Signal

So for the past little while my PC has been experiecing random freezing. Usually this is typical in XP, unavoidable, etc. The part that leads be to believe that this is exceptional (and caused by something other than the OS's natural flaws) is two pronged:

1) Freezing happens between half an hour intervals, at earliest. It froze, I rebooted, 30 minutes later, it had frozen again.

2) The monitor looses signal. Never before has my monitor cut out and searched for a signal when my computer has frozen. Usually I just stare in rage as my pointer refuses to move.

The freezing happens randomly. It has occured between things like listening to movies, browsing the web, and playing games. the screen will go completely black, if any audio is playing it will either hold where it was playing or play a very short loop. The audio does not cut out until I reboot. Several seconds later, my monitor goes into screensaver, flashing analog and then digital, as it searches for a signal.

The only new hardware I have installed is a Creative X-fi Xtreme Gamer soundcard. Not sure whether this has anything to do with it.

This is getting me very frustrated, so any help at all toward narrowing down what the problem could be would be appreciated.

I use AVG antivirus and the results have turned up null. I'm using a relatively fresh install of XP, it's only a few months old (3 to 4 at most i'd say).

Thanks again.

 

Hi,

"Losing the graphics signal" would make me want to check that the graphics were not getting overheated. Assuming the graphics is an add-in card, is the fan spinning freely?

Have you uninstalled the software for the previous audio system? If it was built-in to the motherboard, I would disable it in the BIOS/Startup settings.

An additional PCI card will increase the temperature inside the case.

As a temperature test you can run with the cover off the case and a desk fan directed into it.

I expect a good set of drivers were installed for the soundcard, but these will rely on a good set of motherboard/chipset drivers. Check for updated chipset drivers at the motherboard manufacturer's website (Intel call them INF updates).

Matt
Edit: Is the power supply "large" enough for the added load?

 

Hi, i'm running an addon ATi Hd2900XT card. I fully uninstalled the old drivers before installing the new ones, and it was an addon card, so my onboard sound was already disabled. My case is not even fully put together at the moment, so the side panels are off and airflow is quite free. My PSu is 600 watts.

I'll try checking intel for motherboard updates.

 

I'm bumping this thread because this problem is happening 4 to 5 times a day, and it's getting REALLY frustrating.

 

Hi, braddude.

Here are some links which might be helpful for mattman, you, and others regarding your issue.

• ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2900 Series "“ Overview
  • GPU Specifications
  • System Requirements

• ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2900 XT - Overview
  • Specifications

• AMD Certified Power Supplies

I had a similar issue with display freezing and my monitor losing signal several weeks ago albeit with a different graphics card (nVidia based 128 MB 256-bit AGP 8x card) and while I was simply browsing web pages. I was not using audio at the time either. However, my problem seemed to clear itself up on its own. I did purchase a replacement graphics card and installed it anyway. Can't say I determined the cause though.

 

So you think that my powersupply might not be large enough? I mean, the system requirements state that I need 550 watts, and mine is 600, would that do the trick with all of the other things (soundcard, fans, case lighting, a usb 2.0 pci adapter). Luckily PSU's aren't too expensive, so if that is the case I'll just buy a new one.

 

I do not know whether replacing the PSU would solve your issue or not.

PSU quality apparently varies widely. Even though yours is "600 watts ", we know nothing about the brand, model, +12V rail amperage rating, age, etc.

People seem to recommend good quality PSUs rated at least 18A on the +12V rail(s).

You might want to refer to the following links and compare to the brand, model, and specifications of the PSU you are currently using.

• 10stripe: The Big Power Supply Guide - Brands

• JonnyGURU.com: Power Supply Reviews and more! - Reviews

EDIT: FWIW, my current PSU is on 10stripe's list of "not recommended" brands (Aspire ATX-AS520W). Therefore, I suspect my PSU might have been acting a little "flaky" several weeks ago when I had my lost signal issue. If I run into that "lost signal" issue again, then a good quality PSU will be my next purchase.

 

Did you uninstall from Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs? That will remove any "Sound Manager" software.

Did you disable the onboard audio in the BIOS/Startup settings? It won't be automatically disabled when you put in a PCI card. Look in the motherboard manual for how to disable it.

Did you identify the motherboard's chipset and find any updated drivers?

The problem started after you put in the new soundcard? You can try removing the card and uninstalling any associated software (Add/Remove Programs) and see if the problems stop.

Are you using this? I take that it is an overclocking method. As you would know overclocking can lead to instability.

You will need to look at our suggestions and see how they apply to your system setup.

Matt

 

Alright, so my PC froze again, but this time I had reinserted my case-included temp probe into my vga (it sends data to a panel on my door).

The wierd thing is, the last time my PC froze, it was at 44 degrees celcius. I was browsing the web. Now i've been playing games and my video card has been at like 48 and it hasn't frozen...

Now to reply:

1) Yes I did uninstall using Add/Remove Programs.

2) My BIOS is very, very simple, so I don't think it has any options for things like that. Like there are 5 different selections you can make at the top, and none of them get into any real depth.

3) There's a BIOS update available. As well as an INF. None of the Drivers are relevant since they are all for RAID and the Onboard Audio and I use neither.

I don't use Overdrive at all.

 

Bump again. I installed the INF and updated my BIOS. I'm still having the problem, this time it froze at 41 celcius, so i'm starting to think that it is temperature unrelated...

Any other suggestions?

 

Hey Brad,

Just to make sure, did you remove the creative sound card? I had a conflict a couple weeks ago between a Asus P5B and the same type of creative card you have, we changed the mainboard and the sound card worked perfectly.

Only other thing unclear is the power supply, did you replace it with another, if so, what size?

Wil

 

I haven't removed the Soundcard or the PSU, should I?

 

When trouble shooting, it is a good idea to test one thing at a time.

Try pulling out the sound card and see if the computer still locks up.

Please post with the results.

Wil

 

Alright, I completely reformatted and I still get the same problem. The thing friggen locked up did the same thing, froze looped audio, monitor lost signal on a brand mew XP installation.

I'm terribly ****** off that I had to go through the trouble of reformatting for nothing, but I need to know what the hell is causing this.

Is it a PSU issue do you think? I have no idea.

 

hi did you try as Wilber69 suggested by removing the sound card and run the PC without to determine if the card is at fault. If your PC still freezes up without the card installed than you know it is not the card at fault, also try a different slot if you can. As Wilber69 suggests eliminate one by one.

 

Well, my soundcard has been out for at least 48 hours, but probably 72 (I checked yesterday morning and my computer was still on, but I was logged off, so I can't count that for sure).

So, this means one of two things:

1) the soundcard has a problem with my mobo (I think this is unlikely)

2) All of my PCI additions are drawing too much power and the freezing is a result of my PSU being overburdened.

So, where do I go from here? How can I find out whether it's the card or the PSU that's the problem?

 

My hunch is the PSU might be faulty (or underpowered). I have had issues more than once in the past (that were fixed by replacing the PSU) so I tend to suspect the PSU as a potential culprit. It's pretty easy to replace the PSU as long as you get one that fits your computer case and has the proper connectors for your motherboard, CPU, drives, and cards. [Some computer manufacturers (such as Dell?, HP?, etc.) use non-standard PSUs in some of their computers.]

• What are the brand name and model number of your current PSU?
• What are the specifications of your current 600W PSU [most importantly, the +12V rail(s) amperage specification(s)]?
• What are the physical dimensions of your current PSU?
• What are all the specific hardware components (CPU, motherboard, memory, drives, cards, fans, USB devices, lighting, etc.) you have installed in/attached to your computer case?

I would be inclined to replace the PSU with another PSU identified on the 10stripe recommended brand list I linked above that has ample wattage and +12V rail amperage specification(s). I would probably get one that is at least 100 watts greater than the minimum wattage requirement for all your hardware.

• Power Supply Calculator - Journey Systems. LLC. (handy for calculating total minimum wattage requirements of computer hardware)
  

You may have to spend well over $100 for a reputable PSU brand/model with specifications that meet/exceed your hardware requirements.

If the culprit turns out to be something other than your PSU, then you would at least have a beefy, reputable spare you can use in the future to help with troubleshooting issues that might be caused by a faulty PSU.

Newegg.com has several PSUs to choose from. Even if you plan to purchase a PSU elsewhere, you can use Newegg.com to investigate prices, specifications, customer reviews, and images of PSUs to help you decide what might be a good replacement. Shopping at Newegg is the next best thing (or better) compared to standing in a store and handling the PSU out of the box. The multiple images Newegg typically provides for each PSU usually include an image of the PSU's specifications label and close-up images of the connectors. Customer reviews at Newegg are details one cannot typically get in a retail store physical plant. At the top of the "Review Summary" under the "CUSTOMER REVIEWS" tab, click on the "read all ### Reviews" link to read 'em all if you wish.

• Newegg.com:
  • Today's Power Supplies Deals
  • See All Power Supplies

BTW, I have been very impressed with Newegg's prompt shipment every time I have ordered merchandise from Newegg. They usually have reasonable prices too. If you live in the USA, then I expect you would not be disappointed with Newegg if you decide to purchase from them.

 

Have you tested the Sound card in a different PCI slot?

I have had issues between sound cards and mainboards in the past.

Mailman is on to something too, a 500 or whatever watt power supply definately may not be up to it's rating.

Will

 

Brand name: Ultra Xfinity PSU
Model number: ULT-31848

In fact, a quick google search will get you here: http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-X-Finity-ULT31848-600-Watt-Supply/dp/B000BWDSYC

Just search the model number for all of the information you could need, as it is much easier. I have no idea where to find the dimensions.

STUFF:
1 X Intel BadAxe2 D975BX2 Motherboard
1 X Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHZ processor
4 X 1 GB Corsair DDR2 RAM
1 X Maxtor 160 GB IDE Harddrive
1 X Maxtor 80 GB SATA Harddrive
1 X Western Digital MyBook Premium 500 GB External Firewire 800 Harddrive.
1 X Western Digital MyBook Office 1 TB External USB 2.0 Harddrive
1 X LG DVD-RAM, etc, etc, combo drive (IDE)
1 X Standard Toshiba Floppy Drive (Floppy IDE)
1 X Silicon Image SIL680 IDE RAID Controller (PCI):
i) 40 Gb Maxtor
ii) LG DVD Rom Drive
1 X Creative Xfi XtremeGamer (PCI) (No longer connected)
1 X 2-Port USB Hub (PCI)
1 X ATi Radeon HD2600XT Video Adapter (PCI EXPRESS)
1 X Front-door LCD Panel, currently not lit up for whatever reason, loose connection, power shortage, or otherwise.
2 X Fanlights built into side panel, which I haven't had attached for many months now, the PC sits with both side panels removed.

That's about it. That makes 2 PCI devices and 1 PCI Express device, 43 if you count the sound card, presently removed.

Hope this helps.

Wilber, I'll try plugging it into another PCI port soon. First, though, I would like to try removing my RAID card, and putting m soundcard back in. This will be definitive proof that it is indeed a power issue and not the fault of the soundcard.

 

Update: I put the Sound Card back in and removed my RAID card in its place. A little over 15 hours later, my computer froze again.

So, is this a problem with the soundcard, or is the card just pulling too much power and my PSU can't cope with it?

Update 2: it should be noted that the first time the sound card froze since I put it back in (It has since frozen a second time), all of the settings on my creative cxontrol panel, and the settings in Windows Control Panel, had been reset to their defaults. I did not have sound for a bit after startup, and now, after the second freeze, many minutes after startup I am still without sound....

So freezing is definetly linked to sound, since problems seem to be caused with sound after freezing.