Freeze & reboot, but no BSOD

[ClickRight]

I have a client with a fairly high end computer. They recently moved to a new house and since the move, their computer randomly freezes and reboots. The computer is running XP Pro.

Hardware:

• Asus Maximus MB
• 4GB Crucuial DDR2 RAM
• 500GB Hitachi hard drive
• 750W Enermax PSU

There seems to be to rhyme or reason when it'll freeze and reboot. There are no blue screens (automatic restart disabled) The machine passes memtest, and my favourite stress test, Linx without issue. Sometimes the computer will go a few days without rebooting. I have updated all the drivers, reseated the components and tested the PSU voltages.

The only thing that comes to mind right now is the power supply. We had a big storm back in July and I did a tremendous amount of power supply replacements since then. Before I go and swap it out, do you have any other suggestions?

[hondablaster]

What about graphics and northbridge temps? Any Graphics stress testing.

ATItool is a decent one.

[DohIForgot]

First thing I think of when I hear something like this is heat.

Other than that, possibly dirty power at the new location (see if they'll allow you to hold it for a day or so to test). My server hates my home power situation and I am required to keep it on a UPS for it to even function like a normal server. I'm thinking about moving it into a COLO. If my AC kicks on or the wife vacumes, the server will restart due to the voltage drop unless it's on the UPS, and even then, the UPS will complain as well.

Those are my first two thoughts. More later after I run errands.

[ClickRight]

Originally Posted by hondablaster

What about graphics and northbridge temps? Any Graphics stress testing.

ATItool is a decent one.

Didn't think of that at the time because the machine had been off and it froze and rebooted like 10 mins later while I was in the device manager, but I'll give it a try.

Originally Posted by DohIForgot

First thing I think of when I hear something like this is heat.

Other than that, possibly dirty power at the new location (see if they'll allow you to hold it for a day or so to test). My server hates my home power situation and I am required to keep it on a UPS for it to even function like a normal server. I'm thinking about moving it into a COLO. If my AC kicks on or the wife vacumes, the server will restart due to the voltage drop unless it's on the UPS, and even then, the UPS will complain as well.

Those are my first two thoughts. More later after I run errands.

Ohh, that could be it. This new house has some terrible wiring and a lot of equipment is on the same circuit breaker.

[angry_geek]

I would say wiring or power delivery problem. Try putting them on a good ups with avr. They should have this anyway considering the machine. If that cures the problem, then they should get an electrician in to check out the house. Otherwise, they're going to be replacing a lot of electronics on a regular basis.

[nj_computer_repair]

You can (or have the client) check the voltage in that outlet every couple hours with a multi-meter. If the readings are all over the place and not at or around 120, that would be a good indicator that the power is the root cause of the issues.

A UPS is a must for any high end equipment regardless of power issues. I would also consider using a power conditioner - some have a digital display with the output voltage.

[Doctor Micro]

If the system hasn't already been damaged (and there's a good chance it isn't), once you put this system on a UPS with AVR, I can guarantee the random freezes and spontaneous reboots will cease. The symptoms you describe are classic.

Some similar scenarios from my case histories:

1. Office PC random reboots. Connected to the same circuit: PC, Monitor, desk lamp (flourescent), small fan, clock radio, calculator and small ceramic under-desk heater, thermostatically controlled, with fan. PC auto-reboots when the heater kicks in and everything else is on. Turn off or unplug any one peripheral device = no reboot. Solution: UPS. Recommendation to remove the heater was ignored. (don't screw with the secretaries comfort).

2. Office PC random reboot or BSOD. Nothing obvious connected beyond the ordinary. Just a low-wattage flourescent light that is usually on. No radio, no fans, no heaters, no calculators.... nada. There's a large office copier in the next cubicle with a document sorter/collator. Turns out the PC reboots or BSODs only when the copier is in operation with the sorter/collator option selected. Solution: UPS on the PC and move the copier to another cubicle on a different circuit. End of problem.

3. Home PC random reboots, freeze or BSOD. Home circuit wiring checks okay. No appliances on the same circuit. Customer reports fans occasionally slow down and periodic lights dimming, TV picture occasionally shrinks. Only happens during the day, never at night. Final cause? Small manufacturing facility nearby. When heavy machinery is started up, household voltage drops momentarily to approximately 85VAC. PC and TV placed on UPS. End of reboots, BSODs and TV picture shrink. Subsequent follow up call to disable the audio alarm on the UPS units as they were alarming several times throughout the day, driving the wife crazy. Calls to electric utility company eventually results in replacement of several transformers in the neighborhood.

[ClickRight]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I set the client up with a Cyberpower 1000VA UPS. The problem continued, so I took it to the next level and temporarily replaced his power supply and graphics card (his graphics card was not compatible with my power supply, it needed and extra 4-pin connector.) The problem is still happening!

I had the client run Memtest86+ overnight and report back with the results - everything passed. Now I'm totally out of ideas, any suggestions?

[Tweak]

Originally Posted by ClickRight

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I set the client up with a Cyberpower 1000VA UPS. The problem continued, so I took it to the next level and temporarily replaced his power supply and graphics card (his graphics card was not compatible with my power supply, it needed and extra 4-pin connector.) The problem is still happening!

I had the client run Memtest86+ overnight and report back with the results - everything passed. Now I'm totally out of ideas, any suggestions?

Ran it outside of Windows or in Safe Mode perhaps enough to have the problem occur...grasping at straws perhaps but would suggest then that it is hardware and not software, as of now it seems you've very well addressed the hardware. Checked the Event Viewer to see if the same event occurs each time the issue occurs?

[ClickRight]

Originally Posted by Tweak

Ran it outside of Windows or in Safe Mode perhaps enough to have the problem occur...grasping at straws perhaps but would suggest then that it is hardware and not software, as of now it seems you've very well addressed the hardware. Checked the Event Viewer to see if the same event occurs each time the issue occurs?

Event log shows no errors at any of the times it happend. I would really like to think this is an OS problem, but it doesn't seem like it at all. I'm beginning to think it may be a hard drive issue so I'm going to clone his hard drive over to a new one.