Built new machine. Crashes when all processor cores are enabled.

[jdhall54]

Hi everyone,

I recently build a machine and have been having some problems with it crashing. First the specs I deemed important:

Asus M4A78T-E motherboard
AMD Phenom II 1090T Black Edition Six Core CPU
Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9AG 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM (2x 2GB chips)
850W Power supply
Windows 7 home premium OS

I have been having problems with the machine ever since I built it with the system crashing. At first I couldn't figure out what was causing the crashes, and eventually I decided to turn off some of the processor's cores just to see what happened. To my surprise, when I went down to two cores my system never crashed and even now I am running with 3. However, when I go to 4+ it will crash on me. The more cores that are running the less time it will take to crash (the lowest being around 30 min). Anybody got any ideas for me?

[Shane]

Could be a number of things.

First thing is to check for a bios update. This can really help fix a lot of things. The bios updates add better support for more CPU's (I use Asus board myself)

Try the bios update first. It might fix it.
If it doesn't then it could be either power problem, cpu problem, or motherboard.

But in all honesty do the bios first and we can go from there

Shane

[Evan]

Have you checked to see if you have the most up to date chipset drivers and motherboard firmware installed?

Evan

[jdhall54]

I believe I am up to date on both BIOS version (most current is 3406 according to http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=cf8IZzbU4m6GHKnW)

Have updated all the drivers with the disk that came with the board when I got it. Is there any reason these wouldn't work?

[Shane]

Ok good you have the latest bios.

Honestly it can be a TON of different things.

So lets start going through them

First, enable all the cores, and then run this memory tester
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Burn an iso and boot off the cd. See how it goes. It is possible it is a memory problem as well. The cpu and memory do work together.

Also it is always possible it is a driver problem in windows as well. Another thing we can try, is to download the unbuntu cd. http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
This is a cd I keep in my tool kit. Why? Because you can run the Linux OS right off the cd! perfect when I need to get files or clean up a infected file on a windows system. Boot up on the cd and use it for a bit, see if any lock ups for it as well.

The reason for this test, is if it locks up in Linux as well then we know we have a hardware problem. If it doesn't then it could be more a windows problem.

And of course make sure you are not over clocking anything. And in the bios you have the cpu set to defaults.

It is also possible the problem might be the video card. But we will test that later depending how these tests go

Oh and with all the cores enabled go into the bios after the system has been on a bit, check the temp of the cpu. It could be over heating when all the cores are on. (Very possible)

Shane

[jdhall54]

I finally ran the memory diagnostic. Took forever because I had to get more parts for the machine. It ran for like 12 hours (this thing literally runs forever?) no issues were found. I'm going to run the unbuntu tonight.

[Shane]

OK good, then memory can be marked off the check list.

Don't forget to check the CPU temp.

Let me know how it goes

Shane

[jdhall54]

Mb temp stays between 30-35 degrees celsius
CPU stays between 33-40 degrees celcius
everything I've read has said this was well within the recommended temp ranges.

ubuntu didn't crash. I left it on while some friends and I left the house for a few hours (well more than enough time for it to crash in windows, even if the system wasn't doing anything.)

And of course make sure you are not over clocking anything. And in the bios you have the cpu set to defaults.

Funny thing, when I was turning on all the cores I noticed there was an option in the CPU CONFIGURATION menu if the BIOS called "Unleashing Mode". I was thinking, "I don't remember turning this on, and I'm not overclocking so I'll just turn it off" The comp has not crashed since :/

There's a pic attached. I like how it specifically says might make the machine unstable right in the description. Awkward.

[attachments over 25 days old deleted by admin]

[jdhall54]

Ah boo. It crashed on me again. I rebooted and made sure to go in the BIOS and set to defaults again.

[Shane]

Your doing great going down the check list

The temps look great. You tested memory and it passed. And thanks to running ubuntu for a while showed that there doesn't seem to be a hardware problem.

So now we are down to 2 things. Either a problem with windows, or a problem with drivers.

If you don't have a ton of stuff installed you could just do a reinstall and be done. If you want to avoid a reinstall try this.
Run Windows in safe mode for a while. Safe mode loads the bare min of drivers. Does it crash in safe mode? if so reinstall windows. Doesn't crash in safe mode, then we have a driver problem

Lets go from there.

Shane

[Evan]

Have updated all the drivers with the disk that came with the board when I got it. Is there any reason these wouldn't work?

These are very often out of date. They are, ideally, the most current as of the time the board was manufactured. Problem is, bugs can often be found after shipment. If this is the case then you have to update. 

Evan

[jdhall54]

Run Windows in safe mode for a while. Safe mode loads the bare min of drivers. Does it crash in safe mode? if so reinstall windows. Doesn't crash in safe mode, then we have a driver problem

I had a problem when I already tried this. Usually I can crash the system when I start putting a lot of strain on it. For instance, if I open several YouTube video simultaneously while doing something else I can get it to crash pretty quick. The problem is, in safe mode it is nearly impossible to put that amount of strain on the system, any suggestions?

Have updated all the drivers with the disk that came with the board when I got it. Is there any reason these wouldn't work?

These are very often out of date. They are, ideally, the most current as of the time the board was manufactured. Problem is, bugs can often be found after shipment. If this is the case then you have to update.

What drivers do I need to update, and where can I find them?

[Shane]

You could always load ubuntu back up and put it under a load as well and see how it does

Last time you said you just left it running, but I don't know if you had it under a load while you where gone.

Shane

[jdhall54]

That's true, but if you leave it on long enough it will always crash eventually. I figured I was gone for about 5 hours, that would be about 5 times longer than it has ever gone without crashing when the cores are enabled, even if you aren't doing anything. I'll try to crash it in ubuntu

[Shane]

Let me know how it goes

Shane