System Keeps Hanging

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

So my dad's computer started acting up about a week ago. The system kept messing up and eventually my dad booted up the computer and it wouldnt recognize the SSD any longer to boot Windows. I went into the system, unplugged and replugged in the power and data cables leading to the SSD. Booted into Windows. The system didnt want to load anything in the system tray and would just hang. I swapped out the SSD for another newer one and reinstalled Windows from scratch. Now it loads things in the system tray, but after a few minutes, the system hangs again.

I swapped out the data cable for a new one and swapped the power connector with a different one. Same issue. I blew out what little dust there was from the system. No difference.

I plugged the sata cable into a different sata port. Same difference.

I tested the PSU. Comes back fine.

Tested the RAM. Came back fine.

I ran a CPU test on it this morning. Awaiting to see the results.

Outside the system board and/or the CPU, im out of ideas. Can anyone else think of anything that could be causing an issue?

His system specs are:

I5 2500
4GB DDR3 G.Skill
Asus P56 motherboard (i think)
Corsair power supply. (pretty sure its the same one in my system specs)

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Bump

 

[Bill_Bright]

I tested the PSU. Comes back fine.

How? Note there is no way for normal users to "conclusively" verify a PSU is good except by swapping in a different, known good PSU. To conclusively test a PSU, it must be done under a full variety of expected loads using an oscilloscope, or by using a dedicated power supply analyzer - expensive and sophisticated test equipment that take a properly trained technician to use and interpret the results.

This is the same with RAM. Programs like MemTest86 are good, but not conclusive. If MemTest86 reports an error, the RAM is bad. But these programs don't always find bad RAM - that is they find no errors but the RAM still fails when installed, or when paired with other RAM.

To conclusively test your RAM, you need to use sophisticated and very expensive test equipment, like this $4,400 RAMCheck LX Memory Tester.

I would start by swapping in a known good PSU since everything else in the computer depends on good, clean, reliable power.

 

[eidairaman1]

Psu, mobo, ram, gpu, other drives, fans. Have the rig run at bare minimum, no odds or other hdds, just the cpu fan running, if it locks up then it goes down to psu, gpu, mobo, ram. Only thing I could say is grab some ram and a PSU, try the ram first.

I honestly think if a bios flash were attempted at this moment it could lock up.

 

[Kursah]

Bump

Have you ran AVAM (anti virus anti malware) scans?

Have you checked the System Event Logs to see if issues are being reported there that could lead to finding issues?

What utilities and stress tests have you tried? i.e. Memtest x86, Prime95, OCCT, IBT, 3dmark, Intel XTU, etc. etc.

Have you cleared the MB CMOS and re-applied configuration to verify it wasn't a glitch there? My kid's PC (in sig) an i3 2100/P61 combo needed that recently, after it had corrupted the C drive OS install that I had to repair through command line.

With that, have you checked the SSD health report using Crystal or another utility?

Can you provide any more details to what you've done thus far? The more the better here as always. Verify what you did to test these things, kind of as Bill said, how do we know your tests are able to form the opinion that they're good? Especially if there's no clarity as to what you did. Not saying you're doing anything wrong, and no I don't agree you need to do the absolute conclusiveness testing...but providing more details on your end goes a long ways to us helping on this end.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

How? Note there is no way for normal users to "conclusively" verify a PSU is good except by swapping in a different, known good PSU. To conclusively test a PSU, it must be done under a full variety of expected loads using an oscilloscope, or by using a dedicated power supply analyzer - expensive and sophisticated test equipment that take a properly trained technician to use and interpret the results.

This is the same with RAM. Programs like MemTest86 are good, but not conclusive. If MemTest86 reports an error, the RAM is bad. But these programs don't always find bad RAM - they is they find no errors but the RAM still fails when installed, or when paired with other RAM.

To conclusively test your RAM, you need to use sophisticated and very expensive test equipment, like this $4,400 RAMCheck LX Memory Tester.

I would start by swapping in a known good PSU since everything else in the computer depends on good, clean, reliable power.

Youre joking me right? You come in here posting that? Who the hell says that memtest86 is good but not conclusive then suggests that someting as simple as a power supply tester isnt good enough to use then suggests something that is $4400 and no one in their right mind would do?

Have you ran AVAM (anti virus anti malware) scans?

Have you checked the System Event Logs to see if issues are being reported there that could lead to finding issues?

What utilities and stress tests have you tried? i.e. Memtest x86, Prime95, OCCT, IBT, 3dmark, Intel XTU, etc. etc.

Have you cleared the MB CMOS and re-applied configuration to verify it wasn't a glitch there? My kid's PC (in sig) an i3 2100/P61 combo needed that recently, after it had corrupted the C drive OS install that I had to repair through command line.

With that, have you checked the SSD health report using Crystal or another utility?

Can you provide any more details to what you've done thus far? The more the better here as always. Verify what you did to test these things, kind of as Bill said, how do we know your tests are able to form the opinion that they're good? Especially if there's no clarity as to what you did. Not saying you're doing anything wrong, and no I don't agree you need to do the absolute conclusiveness testing...but providing more details on your end goes a long ways to us helping on this end.

The issue persists through a fresh install of Windows 10 and a new solid state drive. It's not virus/malware related.

Ive run memtest and AIDA64 stress test and when I went to check on the stress test the computer was off. Ill reset CMOS and have it reset everything to factory defaults and see what happens.

The SSD is new and known working fine. Even the old one that I swapped out checked back fine. Ill also check event logs when I get home but something tells me I wont find what im looking for. Hope Im wrong.

Have you ran AVAM (anti virus anti malware) scans?

Have you checked the System Event Logs to see if issues are being reported there that could lead to finding issues?

What utilities and stress tests have you tried? i.e. Memtest x86, Prime95, OCCT, IBT, 3dmark, Intel XTU, etc. etc.

Have you cleared the MB CMOS and re-applied configuration to verify it wasn't a glitch there? My kid's PC (in sig) an i3 2100/P61 combo needed that recently, after it had corrupted the C drive OS install that I had to repair through command line.

With that, have you checked the SSD health report using Crystal or another utility?

Can you provide any more details to what you've done thus far? The more the better here as always. Verify what you did to test these things, kind of as Bill said, how do we know your tests are able to form the opinion that they're good? Especially if there's no clarity as to what you did. Not saying you're doing anything wrong, and no I don't agree you need to do the absolute conclusiveness testing...but providing more details on your end goes a long ways to us helping on this end.

The issue persists through a fresh install of Windows 10 and a new solid state drive. It's not virus/malware related.

Ive run memtest and AIDA64 stress test and when I went to check on the stress test the computer was off. Ill reset CMOS and have it reset everything to factory defaults and see what happens.

The SSD is new and known working fine. Even the old one that I swapped out checked back fine. Ill also check event logs when I get home but something tells me I wont find what im looking for. Hope Im wrong.

 

[Jetster]

Problems like this are very hard to resolve. Its a matter of swapping parts to you fine the one. It could be bad power, cable, sound card or other peripheral part. Bill means well and he just saying you can't say a part is just FINE. Everything is suspect. One of the key trouble shooting skills is not saying "it can't be that"

Just the other day I started up my gaming PC. It hung and refused to boot. Tried about 10 times. So shut it off, figured I would fix it later. Came home that night. Problem is gone, work fine now. Still dont know what happen

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Anything new plugged into USB ports?

 

[Kursah]

Youre joking me right? You come in here posting that? Who the hell says that memtest86 is good but not conclusive then suggests that someting as simple as a power supply tester isnt good enough to use then suggests something that is $4400 and no one in their right mind would do?

You know the old saying, beggars can't be choosers.

Bill has a tendency to get technical, and he's absolutely correct in what he says...that doesn't mean what he suggests here is absolutely is necessary, just only so if you want to announce that the items you state as conclusively good and stable are in-fact truly that. I believe @Jetster put it best on how to take what was said.

The issue persists through a fresh install of Windows 10 and a new solid state drive. It's not virus/malware related.

In an era where both can be buried in EFI/firmware (looking at you Lenovo!), you can never be too safe here. Fresh install or not, I'd make damn sure it's all clean... MBAM, Defender, Avast, whatever. Pick 2, use them. Maybe you have...but again, your comments are vague and without detail...I'd rather get that info, and press you to post it, than assume.

Ive run memtest and AIDA64 stress test and when I went to check on the stress test the computer was off. Ill reset CMOS and have it reset everything to factory defaults and see what happens.

Definitely do that, and hopefully it helps and resolves the issue...I have seem bugged BIOS/EFI/UEFI cause some crazy problems over the years so it never hurts to do.

This issue overall sounds like a possible PSU issue, I recommend downloading OCCT and start with the CPU Linpack test for 1 hour, with RAM usage at 0%/12MB or whatever it will let you do minimally.

If pass, re-run OCCT CPU Linpack test with 90% memory used.

If pass, run OCCT GPU test for 1 hour.

If pass, run OCCT PSU test for 1-3 hours (usually enough to bring out PSU issues).

If fails at any step, report back, check for BSOD's in event logs. Usually if the system just shut down/rebooted with no record of the event then I have found it to be a PSU issue, if there's a BSOD, it is usually a component issue (probably mainboard in this case).

The SSD is new and known working fine. Even the old one that I swapped out checked back fine. Ill also check event logs when I get home but something tells me I wont find what im looking for. Hope Im wrong.

Well if the chipset on the mainboard is failing, that could be causing issues as well...do you have a secondary SATA controller onboard you can test with to bypass the Intel one?

Definitely check event logs...so much happens in these logs that people look past or don't know what they're looking at when the issue is right there, which ultimately can help find the answer. Not always the case...but too many folks skip or half-ass this step and could've saved time in the end by looking here. Hopefully we can verify an issue in your system logs...if not...it's still a good practice for future diagnostics.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Youre joking me right? You come in here posting that? Who the hell says that memtest86 is good but not conclusive then suggests that someting as simple as a power supply tester isnt good enough to use then suggests something that is $4400 and no one in their right mind would do?

And why do you have come in all huffy and puffy to personally criticize another? Can't you just debate the technical facts?

Who the hell says that memtest86 is good but not conclusive

Someone who knows that is true. As I noted, if MemTest86 reports the RAM is bad, it is bad. But no software based tester is conclusive and often does not find errors. And since most normal users cannot afford a hardware based tester, their only recourse is to swap RAM and hopefully through trial and error, figure out what is good.

then suggests that someting as simple as a power supply tester isnt good enough

And you have to make stuff up in an effort to make a point? That's pretty sad. Where above did I say anything about a power supply "tester"? I didn't!

But to that, if you are referring to one these PSU Testers, they aren't good enough either because (1) they don't provide a full range of expected loads and (2) they don't test for ripple and other anomalies that affect computer stability. This is done by a qualified technician using an oscilloscope or power supply "analyzer". Even most multimeters are not good enough for the same reasons.

My advice stands - I would start by swapping in a known good PSU because everything else in the computer depends on clean, stable power.

 

[SomeOne99h]

CrAsHnBuRnXp
I bought a new wireless USB keyboard. Believe me or not, it cause my system to hang and stops responding with a static picture. I have tried many times to verify that and I found it is true. look at thebluebumblebee post as a hint.

 

[Jetster]

My advice stands - I would start by swapping in a known good PSU because everything else in the computer depends on clean, stable power.

And a good PSU requires clean power grid so I don't know where he lives but its worth looking at

 

[Bill_Bright]

And a good PSU requires clean power grid so I don't know where he lives but its worth looking at

Good point - illustrating why every computer should be on a "good" UPS with AVR (even if the grid is stable since disruptive anomalies can be generated from within the home too).

As long as you don't know what is going on why talk about it. It is time to replace everything.

Ummm, not hardly.

 

[neatfeatguy]

(tl;dr version at bottom)

Bad power (from PSU or wall outlet) can be a fickle beast. I've seen bad power do a lot of strange things to computers. I've had customers that called in looking for assistance on their in-store system, where one register they keep replacing is causing constant issues: cash drawer won't pop, touchscreen failing, card reader failing, flash cards failing, SSD failing and so on.

A half dozen entry level techs did basic troubleshooting with the customer and in the end, would base their troubleshooting off of the fact that the register failed at something and it needed to be replaced or they'd simply send out a new flash card if the current one wasn't working. The customer would call back within 12-24 hours after receiving the replacement flash card or register and complain about something not working again.

Having the customer call back so many times in a given period about the same register location having issues, I was assigned the case. I went through their ticket history and saw the issue - I scolded the entry level techs since they never went through the ticket history at the store like they're supposed to and bring up repeat issues to senior techs or management. I showed them constant issues with the same register the customer has been sent multiple times over the past couple weeks. We test all the hardware before it leaves and it leaves in working condition. Constant issues with new equipment at the same location isn't the fault of the equipment we sent out, it was a fault at the store.

I insisted with the customer that the problem was the location they were plugging the register into. The register was the only device plugged into the surge protector - all other powered equipment plugged into other locations and functioned without problems. I told them they needed an electrician to fix the issue or at the very least, a line conditioner. They argued with me and told me I had no idea what I was talking about and they were already using a surge protector. I brought the issue to my manager and he informed the customer's sales rep why we were sending a line conditioner out with the register and the sales rep was told to inform the customer that if they did not utilize the line conditioner, they would be charged the full cost of a new register (they run $2-3K, depending on the model). The customer complied, used the line conditioner and never had a problem at that location again.

tl;dr - power can be a bitch and cause all sorts of odd issues with computers.

I'd start by swapping power supplies and plug the computer into a different outlet if you're not already using a decent UPS.

 

[eidairaman1]

Id suggest other ram and a psu. Perhaps try W7 or 8.1 on it. To continue what I said earlier. Make sure a clear cmos has been done too. Reseat that cpu too

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

So a little update. Money has been tight for everyone and getting a new PSU has been a bit of a challenge due to Christmas and birthday's.

Finally scrapped together some cash to get a new power supply. Got a Corsair 750w from best buy and installed it into the system. plugged in everything booted the computer up. The computer will go on for longer durations but sometimes not by much. I put the power supply in, everything seemed to be working fine. I ran a game and it instantly froze the machine.

Things that have been tried with no success:
Swapping CPU
Swapping Motherboard
Swapping RAM
Swapping PSU
Swapping data cables
Swapping SSD for new
Reinstalling Windows 10
Unplugging all HDDs but primary drive.
Running memtest
Running AIDA64

Nothing seems to be working at this point and im getting a little fed up with it.

 

[eidairaman1]

It there a gpu in there or is it relying on igpu?

Any other pci/e boards plugged in?

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

There is a GPU and no other PCI/e stuff plugged in.

 

[eidairaman1]

What updates do you have installed? I read recently in past 2 months MS had a few that make a system lock up...

otherwise thats the last component besides a hdd or odd. I mean you are at point of exhausting hardware.

I will provide a list once I am home from work of my rig. W7 that is

 

[yogurt_21]

So a little update. Money has been tight for everyone and getting a new PSU has been a bit of a challenge due to Christmas and birthday's.

Finally scrapped together some cash to get a new power supply. Got a Corsair 750w from best buy and installed it into the system. plugged in everything booted the computer up. The computer will go on for longer durations but sometimes not by much. I put the power supply in, everything seemed to be working fine. I ran a game and it instantly froze the machine.

Things that have been tried with no success:
Swapping CPU
Swapping Motherboard
Swapping RAM
Swapping PSU
Swapping data cables
Swapping SSD for new
Reinstalling Windows 10
Unplugging all HDDs but primary drive.
Running memtest
Running AIDA64

Nothing seems to be working at this point and im getting a little fed up with it.

forgive me if I'm wrong, but the only things left that could possibly be it are the gpu and the case? from the original post I thought mobo, but if you've already tried that you've either got a grounding issue in the case or a faulty gpu. (unless of course you forgot to mention trying that as well).

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

havent tried the GPU yet. Ill have to look around to see if I have a spare. if not ill take mine out for an hour and see if it'll work.

I dont think it is a grounding issue since I have literally taken everything out of the case and put it back in again.

Lets go on the assumption that the GPU isnt the issue just for arguments sake atm as Im at work; is there anything else that could be causing the issue?

I personally ruled out the GPU for the sole fact that if there was an issue with it, i would assume that there would be no picture on the monitor and/or artifacts. Could a faulty GPU cause what this computer is currently experiencing?

 

[yogurt_21]

havent tried the GPU yet. Ill have to look around to see if I have a spare. if not ill take mine out for an hour and see if it'll work.

I dont think it is a grounding issue since I have literally taken everything out of the case and put it back in again.

Lets go on the assumption that the GPU isnt the issue just for arguments sake atm as Im at work; is there anything else that could be causing the issue?

I personally ruled out the GPU for the sole fact that if there was an issue with it, i would assume that there would be no picture on the monitor and/or artifacts. Could a faulty GPU cause what this computer is currently experiencing?

had a GTX 480 do similar. A GTX 275 FTW as well. Something on it is fried in such a way that it will boot into windows and then hang. Usually not the type of issue an oven bake will fix in my experience.

Outside of the gpu and a grounding issue, haven't you literally tried everything else?

 

[eidairaman1]

had a GTX 480 do similar. A GTX 275 FTW as well. Something on it is fried in such a way that it will boot into windows and then hang. Usually not the type of issue an oven bake will fix in my experience.

Outside of the gpu and a grounding issue, haven't you literally tried everything else?

Yeah he has. Only other deal is the software as I mentioned earlier

 

[Halo3Addict]

Anytime my PC has locked up (with no BSOD) is because of an overaggressive GPU overclock.

 

[eidairaman1]

Anytime my PC has locked up (with no BSOD) is because of an overaggressive GPU overclock.

I don't think his dad is the overclocking kind.