CTD Issues

[Bodhi]

I built the machine with anothers help in January / Febuary. 

No new drivers installed.  Not sure how to check the other two.

[BaldEagl]

I built the machine with anothers help in January / Febuary. 

No new drivers installed.  Not sure how to check the other two.

When your machine starts to boot hit he pause button.  There should be a BIOS revision number on the screen.  Then hit enter to get it going again and enter the BIOS (usually the F12 or Delete key... check your mobo documentation).  Go to advanced chipset features and somewhere within there there will be an option to set RAM timings.  Just poke around... you'll find it.  Go in there and see what they are and re-set them manually if they are not in spec.  Then go to system voltages and check the RAM voltage.  Set it to system spec if it's not there. 

To get your RAM specs go to newegg or to your RAM manufacturer's web-site and do a search on your RAM part #.  You'll see a set of numbers like 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0 V.  Those are your timings and voltage.

[EDIT]  I just went to the Abit web-site and the newest BIOS is version 16 released in March.  It says "Fixed Quick Power On Self Test function abnormality" which may or may not be related to your problem.

[Bodhi]

BaldEagl,
No luck on that.  Running out of options.  Prolly end up taking it to someone to get the rest done.

[boxboy28]

Bohdi like Roy said its most likely a RAM issue.

pull all ram out accept 1 stick try em all see if any particular stick  went bad on ya.

[Skuzzy]

If the problem exists for all sticks of RAM, then I am going to lean towards the motherboard going toodles or the power supply.

[Bodhi]

Roy, we are going to try a reinstall tomorrow and see if that helps.  Testing of all RAM, and hopefully Motherboard.  Not sure what it will get us, but I am beyond my expertise.


Will advise as we figure it out.

Thanks to all for all your help.

[croduh]

Post your dump files here.

Left click my computer - system properties - advanced - startup and recovery - make sure you have "write an event..." enabled and under Write debugging information Small memory dump (64KB)

Then go to c:\Windows\minidump and locate the latest file and upload it and post link here, i'll take a look.

[Skuzzy]

By the way, during the re-install, avoid installing IE7, and SP3.

[wabbit]

Courious, why not install IE7 & SP3?


Wabbit

[Skuzzy]

I found a serious problem when IE7 was inadvertently installed on a system here.  Programs stopped flushing the video buffer.

SP3 caused a really odd series of problems with file ownerships in a new installation.  I am still chasing this one down.

Still looking at what system files IE7 is replacing/updating as well.  Seems some Vista system files found their way into the IE7 distribution which could be the issue.

It also may be a hardware and software combination problem.  Still too early to tell.  Just giving Bodhi a heads up so we have some common good ground to work from.

[IFF52nd]

I am getting crash to desk top issues when I try to run AH2, any windows media files, and a couple other programs.  The screen goes quickly to a blue screen and then it reboots. 

After reboot, it says windows has recovered from a serious issue.  Says to update Bios.  but it also mentions a memory issue.  Computer is a

Abit IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35
Intel core 2 E8400 3.0 Ghz
4 meg Corsair DDR2 RAM
768 MEg 8800GTX vid card
running XP

Bodhi,

I have just experienced the same problem as you have.  About a week ago my system started acting up exactly the same as yours.  I thought it may be software and restored my HD from an image from a month ago.  After a bit the blue screen and reboot happened again and several more times. 
I had built my system in March using Crucial Ballistix RAM.  A month or so ago, I wanted to add 2 more GB of the same type but when I went to Newegg, the reviews really slammed the Crucial RAM so I held off buying it. Many failures happening within a few months of installation.  Ah ha, a light comes on.  I replaced my RAM with some Corsair and so far no reboots, everything fine.  Try replacing your RAM, it worked for me.

Salute,
BeDee

[Skuzzy]

The problem witrh Crucial's Ballistix line of DDR2 RAM is the voltage requirements.  It is higher than almost all other suppliers.

I have been having really good luck with ASUS motherboards using G.Skill PC8500 RAM, where the FSB is higher than 800Mhz.

One of the key things to note when looking for DDR2 RAM is the voltage.  It seems to be all over the place and some motherboards will not support more than 1.8V. 

[Fulmar]

I'm using G.Skill in my Asus board.  Good timings and was a great price when I bought it.  $220 for 2gb back in Jan. '07, $80 for 2 more gb in May '07, and they probably run about $40 now.

[IFF52nd]

The problem witrh Crucial's Ballistix line of DDR2 RAM is the voltage requirements.  It is higher than almost all other suppliers.

I have been having really good luck with ASUS motherboards using G.Skill PC8500 RAM, where the FSB is higher than 800Mhz.

One of the key things to note when looking for DDR2 RAM is the voltage.  It seems to be all over the place and some motherboards will not support more than 1.8V. 

Skuzzy,

That is interesting about the voltage.  When I selected the RAM to use during my build, I referred to Asus' Users Guide which listed a "Qualified Vendors List" and purchased the RAM from the list.  Anyway, I believe my problem was with faulty RAM and am happy system is good to go, it's been running 2 days with out a hiccup.
Thanks for the tip to prevent the computer from automatically rebooting upon a system crash.

Salute,
BeDee

[Fulmar]

The recommended vendors list is a for sure 100% guarantee that the ram is going to work with the motherboard.  But I've never referred to it when buying ram/motherboard (gamble I guess?).  I've always taken it to as the recommendations for car parts in your car owners manual.  Sorry Motorcraft, I'm doing fine without some of your parts.