re-starting or just shut down...

This computer is using Windows XP. Whenever since we got it, it have been always re-started, freezed then shut down. I have RMA'ed the video card. Now it's much better, however, it still keeps re-booting, or suddenly freezed few seconds then keep re-starding by itself. I have to turn it off w/ the power button. Last night, I used Windows Ram Diagnosies checked the 2 RAM 1 by 1. Something very strange: When the ram checked by the standard method, everything was good; but when I changed to the Extended method, the cache of MATS+ and Stride6 are OFF. Does this mean something? Also I found the video card (Sappire Radeon HD 3470 was super hot, the heat even can burn skin, would it be the reason the computer turning off? Thanks in advance.

 

For shut-downs I investigate temperature.

Are you running any programs that would push the graphics very hard, like games? Does it have an ATI or Sapphire program installed that might give you a temperature readout? Read in the card's manual.

The graphics card has a heatsink, but no fan, correct? It needs a flow of air past the heatsink to remove the heat and that needs to be relatively cool air, not heated air from other chips like the CPU, RAM, etc. Look at adding a fan(s) to improve the air flow.

Drivers, you might have installed the drivers for the graphics, but they rely on the chipset drivers. The chipset drivers should be on the drivers disk that came with the computer (motherboard), otherwise look at the driver downloads at their website (please put your system specifications in your WindowsBBS user profile http://www.windowsbbs.com/adding_system_specifications.html ).

If you want to update the graphics drivers, look up your model at the Sapphire website, but if they just point you to ATI website, I prefer to stay with the drivers supplied with the card.

So...check for ways of improving the cooling for the graphics card and general cooling. Check that the chipset drivers are installed. Check the drivers for the graphics.

Matt

 

Hi Win,

The exact error message would go a long way to diagnose the exact problem. And, yes, as Mattman said, the video card may be the culprit. Also dust\dirt and old style ribbon cables can cause overheating, too.

To get an exact error message you need to turn off "Auto Restart ".

To do this: Right-click on My Computer | left-click Properties | left-click Advanced | left-click "Settings" in Startup and Recovery | uncheck "Automatically Restart ".

Then post back with the exact error message.

 

Thank you both. I will try out what you have taught me. I will let you guys know the result. BTW, I have tested my rams w. MemTest86+ again last night, they are fine. Then it should be the problem of the video card !? Thanks again.

 

Since you didn't fill in the "Location" part of your profile, I don't know where you are.

If you have a BigBox store or a discount computer store near you, you can try a really cheap video card (with a fan, of course) since you said the vid card gets hot enough to burn you.

 

Thanks PeteC. That was how I did with Windows Ram Diagonse earlier this week. I tested them 1 by 1 w/ two different ways, which are the stardard test and Extended test. And results were confused me. By the Standard Test said my Rams were fine; but by the Extended Test, said there were two caches (Mats+ and Stride6) were OFF. I tried to look for the meaning of it from the website, found no clue. Well, then I found Windows BBS.

 

Thanks, Chris. I will do that as well. I thought about it but since I have 2 computers, which they have the exact same hardwares, and they are having the similar problems. And I have spent quite a bit of money on them, so I hesitate to do more. but I guess at the end I don't really have choice. Also, I am thinking to upgrade the operating system to Windows 7, do you think it would help?

 

Hi Win,

Thanks for filling out the info. I was going to tell you to go to the mfg's site and check how many others had the same problem.

Have you done as suggested and turned off Auto Restart? The error codes will really help to pinpoint the problem(s). And, since you built the 'puters yourself, it's not rare that a batch of bad _______ (fill in the blank) will hit the shelves.

nonononononononononononono(did I mention "no "?)nononononononononono! You've gotta get this fixed first — else wise you're just going to be taking your problem to a new computer and you'll still be where you are now.

Plus, Win7 has a much steeper learning curve than XP. I'd wait until SP1 comes out and a lot more tweaking sites are up. Win7 is going to seem counter intuitive coming over from XP.

p.s. Find out what the return policy is first, but try the cheapest video card (with a fan) and see if it fixes the problem. If so, go for the better card if you can. Also, since it's a homebuilt, did you use the flat ribbon cables that came with the MoBo, or did you get the round cables?

 

No, I didn't turn it off. I was thinking to turn the 'auto restart' off, but after I read a bit the instruction, since I still don't know where the problem came from, I don't want my computer would over-whelm from the problem, like the over-heating etc. Since I was testing the Rams, the computer case has been opened in these few days, the computer didn't auto-restart or freeze. Probably it's the video card!? I will buy another video card to see how the system will go, any suggestion?

The computers were not built by me. It's friend of mine offered to buy all these hardwares and built them himself. Therefore, I don't know what Mobo or round cable are... is that something I can check out myself?

Thanks Chris.

 

Sorry about using "lingo ". I thought you built the computers yourself. Anyway, MoBo stand for Motherboard (where all your cards, memory, etc., are plugged in). As far as the cables go, yes, since you have the case open, are the connecting cables from the hard drive to the Motherboard and everywhere else flat or are they round (about the size of a big fat pencil)?

About how long ago did your friend build your systems? Is he a good friend where you can tell him the video cards may be bad and he'll replace them?

If not, the minimum I'd recommend is another 256MB PCI-E video card with a fan that's not the Sapphire model.

 

Yes, the 2 cables connecting to hard drive are red, wide and flat, are they called SATA...
I will get another video card with fan tmr. I will let you know how it gonna go... Thanks.

 

That suggests a high temperature inside the case. If you get a graphics card with a fan, it might not help all that much because the heat is not getting taken out and replaced with cool air. Check the air intake vents to the case that they are not blocked with dust, but it sounds like you need to add more case fans to move more air through it.

Looking at the heatsink on that Sapphire card, I think I might be able to attach a fan to it, using a Northbridge fan and a few self-tapping screws (I've done that a few times before).

I think moving more cool air through the case seems like the most important thing to do.

They made (and are still making) those "passive" cooled graphics cards, but they still need very good air flow past the heatsink to remove the heat.

Matt

 

Hmmm. Usually they're gray. But, no matter; the flat cables are interfering with the air flowing in and around the video card (as well as everything else).

Instead of going the more expensive route with a new VC, have your friend replace all the flat cables with round ones. It's very easy to do and cheaper. Then close up the case and see if you still have the overheating problem.