Major speed wobble this morning!

sticker

Hey all,

I nearly did my trousers in this morning (an hour ago!)

I started up my PC to hear a Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep and an unresponsive monitor. (3 seconds long repeating)

The first thing I tried was to change the monitor cable to the second port at the back of the PC. It seemed to work, but I got this BIOS screen:



I use this machine for my business and I'm very worried about a RAID controller failure or any major system failure - It's my families livelihood!

That said, it's loading fine now, but I want to get your advise - something BIG happened - I want to fix it before it happens again!!

Can anyone recommend me a course of action please (to check what the root problem is)

Many thanks in advance...

PC SPEC:
Intel QX6700@3.34ghz
Tuniq tower cooled
EVGA nForce 680i mobo
Corsair 2 gig DDR2 XMS2 Dominator
2x POV 8800gtx
4x500gig HD - Raid 5 array - Promise Supertrax EX4350 controller
Nec 5170 Dvdrw
XFI Fatality Fps
PC P+C 750 Silencer Quad
24" Dell 2407WFP
Creative 7900 7.1 system
CM Stacker

TerrorFirmer

Did you look up the beep code online and also, seeing as it's expressively telling you to reset your memory and cpu settings....might be an indication, something wrong with your overclock...

Also - cmos might be dying? And check contact between heatsink and cpu as well as cpu fan itself, could be as simple as overheating.

sticker

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Did you look up the beep code online and also, seeing as it's expressively telling you to reset your memory and cpu settings....might be an indication, something wrong with your overclock...

As far as I know, the system is not overclocked... It was a self build (not by me) and the guy insisted the rig was not overclocked at sale point. He was a member of the boards here, and I kinda believe him. He raised the subject so just this kind of thing wouldn't happen. The rig is well over a year and a half old now. That said, I'm not that literate to check - what do I do to see if the memory or cpu is overclocked...?

I'll check out the BIOS online now... and report back.

Are there any software packages that can run tests on hardware health?

TerrorFirmer

It's definitely overclocked the QX6700 runs at 2.66Ghz by default. Is it a Dell? Could have been overclocked pre-sale. Just go into bios and 'load optimized defaults' or whatever it's called.

Failing that, open up your case. Examine the heatsink - is it sturdy in place? Is the fan spinning? What temperatures is the bios giving you in 'PC Health status'.

sticker

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

It's definitely overclocked the QX6700 runs at 2.66Ghz by default. Is it a Dell? Could have been overclocked pre-sale. Just go into bios and 'load optimized defaults' or whatever it's called.

Failing that, open up your case. Examine the heatsink - is it sturdy in place? Is the fan spinning? What temperatures is the bios giving you in 'PC Health status'.

It's not a Dell - a self build of the components I listed...

Is there any possible harm that will come if I load "optomized defaults"

Where do I find this in the BIOS?

TerrorFirmer

Its one of the last options in the bios menu. No harm will come of it, basically it changes all values of cpu and memory to stock settings - in its current state your PC is overclocked, and memory timings/speeds/voltages are probably/possibly adjusted to accomodate that overclock. Returning to default values will drop the QX6700 to 2.66Ghz and all ram setting, timings and voltages back to the norm. You won't notice any difference in games or apps really anyway, apart from maybe encoding - if you do things like that.

sticker

Hey there,

I did it - screens appeared: (you were quite right with the 2.66MHz!



The temps in the BIOS as follows:

CPU - 47C
Board - 40C
Memory - 56C

Power:
CPU Core - 1.29V
CPU FSB - 1.19V
Memory - 1.85V

CPU Fan Speed - 2008 RPM
nFORCE Fan Speed - 3719 RPM

Do these settings seem ok now?

PS - Thanks so much for taking the time to help me this morning!!

IMPORTANT NOTE: I'm getting a slight "clicking" sound when the PC boots up..?!?!

Overheal

Uh Oh.

Where is the clicking coming from? The CD Drive? Hard Drive? PC Speaker?

sticker

Overheal wrote: »

Uh Oh.

Where is the clicking coming from? The CD Drive? Hard Drive? PC Speaker?

It's coming from the desktop tower itself - but just at boot - I've been using the machine / transfering files around, and it's gone after the few seconds of boot.

h2s

I am missing something here, if you look at the screen shown in the first post the CPU is running at 2.66, not overclocked, thus there was nothing to change back.(?)

Soundman

h2s wrote: »

I am missing something here, if you look at the screen shown in the first post the CPU is running at 2.66, not overclocked, thus there was nothing to change back.(?)

I was just about to say the same thing. Looks like someone was imagining things.

sticker

What do you guys think then...?

Are my temps / voltages within acceptable limits?

TerrorFirmer

Ha - well spotted - I just assumed it was at the stated value, didn't look at it in the bios screen. Still could have been a memory setting though unlikely if you don't go changing anything yourself in the bios.

Clicking sound.....would normally be the sound of a hard disk, and a clicking sound is not a good one. BUT - don't automatically assume it is. The easiest thing to do is open up the side of the case, have a look and listen - you'll discover far more then we can tell you to be honest. Could be hard drive, could be psu, could be the optical drive, could even be as simple as a bit of cable catching on a fan etc....all can make strange noises at times. But it's impossible to say from here.

sticker

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Ha - well spotted - I just assumed it was at the stated value, didn't look at it in the bios screen. Still could have been a memory setting though unlikely if you don't go changing anything yourself in the bios.

Clicking sound.....would normally be the sound of a hard disk, and a clicking sound is not a good one. BUT - don't automatically assume it is. The easiest thing to do is open up the side of the case, have a look and listen - you'll discover far more then we can tell you to be honest. Could be hard drive, could be psu, could be the optical drive, could even be as simple as a bit of cable catching on a fan etc....all can make strange noises at times. But it's impossible to say from here.

I understand - thanks for getting back - and no worries abut the CPU; honest mistake (I didn't see it also!)

I'm up to my eyes in work at the moment, so I'll take the case off and listen as you suggest later tonight...

As a matter of interest, what makes a clicking sound ONLY for a few seconds at boot? I've been working away all day and no sign of it at all?!!!

Thanks again for all the help guys.

bonnieprince

why has no one recommended doing a backup of all important data, the majority of clicks on startup are hard drive related imo.
backup backup backup!!!

sticker

bonnieprince wrote: »

why has no one recommended doing a backup of all important data, the majority of clicks on startup are hard drive related imo.
backup backup backup!!!

I've an automated backup run every night to an external HD using Genie Soft of all my critical data. You are quite right to point it out though - ta!

bonnieprince

once you have a good backup you can sleep easy!
best of luck.

sticker

OK this is where it gets a little wierd...

I just noticed this morning that I had a secondary keyboard (my primary is a Dell usb - and a short while ago didn't work at boot, so I pluged this seocnd keyboard into the main keyboard port)

Anyway... the keyboard had fallen onto its front at the side of the computer and was sending key signals into the system. I removed it and the clicking stopped at boot. I've tried it a few times now, and nothing...

Does this sound plausable as the rot problem or am I grasping at straws?!!!

bonnieprince

its quite possible that the keyboard was causing the beeping or clicking. if you keep keys held down on boot up it can overload the keyboard buffer and cause the beep code to activate.keep an eye on it.:)

sticker

bonnieprince wrote: »

its quite possible that the keyboard was causing the beeping or clicking. if you keep keys held down on boot up it can overload the keyboard buffer and cause the beep code to activate.keep an eye on it.:)

Best news I've heard all day... I will keep any eye on things and post back if it's something more sinister!

Apologies for the run-around guys...

I appreciate all your advice all the same!

sticker

Hi guys,

I'm back again...

The good news is the clicking sound went away with the keyboard removal. The VERY BAD news is I cannot boot now. The other morning I got a 7 second bios beep that repearted itself (I cannot find any mention of a BIOS beep this long anywhere (unless I'm reading wrong!)

Anyway, I opened the case and noticed that one of the cables into the Raid array was actually broken. I tried some tape on it (which perfectly held the plastic that was broken) and tried again.. she booted and worked fine for two days.

This morning my 7-second bios beeps are back and the connection to the "repaired" cable seems to be holding?!

I'm using the PC for home work so I'm buggeed without it. I probably need to get a pro to give it a once over...

Anyone recommend a PC doctor that KNOWS his stuff - most importantly Raid arrays with controllers etc. Lets face it there's a mountain of guys "claiming" to be PC experts and will tackle ANY issue wihout really knowing their trade.

So I'm looking for some advice for a good solid reputable repair service in Dublin - I'm in Clonee... If anyone HERE is confidentant they know what's what and might be able to help - I will happily pay for anyones time!

Thanks guys

Compushed

sticker wrote: »

I use this machine for my business and I'm very worried about a RAID controller failure or any major system failure - It's my families livelihood!


Can anyone recommend me a course of action please

Your family's livelihood depends on a metal/glass platter spinning at 7,200 rpm, guaranteed to fail and you don't have backup?

Backup NOW. Even if the machine is perfect. It will fail it's only a matter of luck that you haven't lost data so far.

sticker

Compushed wrote: »

Your family's livelihood depends on a metal/glass platter spinning at 7,200 rpm, guaranteed to fail and you don't have backup?

Backup NOW. Even if the machine is perfect. It will fail it's only a matter of luck that you haven't lost data so far.

My information is backed up - its now a question of not being able to work on existing projects...

sticker

Hey all,

I've done a little design work for a repair shop in Phibsboro - I've left it in with them. I'll post back the results...

sticker

Hi all,

It's been a fun weekend! I've some questions for you!!

I brought the PC to a repair centre. As I said before, I was slightly concerned about bring the PC to a "PC Repair" service considering it's Raid 5 array, SLI etc - (high end rig)

Anyway - they impressed me, the technician said all the right things, was totally familiar with the hardware (unlike Marks Computers last year who looked at it like a bull looking' in a ditch!) They told me that even if it's a faulty array, they have the kit to back up the entire array and rebuild it if it comes to that...

Moving on to the point (phew!) ...

I got a call a few hours after dropping it off, and the technician told me he re-wired the old cables into the array as one appeared a little loose at the connection (I noticed this too) He then told me he suspected the RAM - he removed the old RAM, replaced it with new and she booted fine! He then tried the old RAM again, and it worked again - he said he thought there was a seating issue with the RAM, but to take it back all the same

When I took it home, it wouldn't boot again... I tried removing the RAM sticks and replacing them but the long BIOS beep remained - no boot.

This morning I was about to pack it up again and she booted fine...!?!??!

My question is this:
Would RAM intermittently work and not work without any movement to the unit?

Is there any software out there that might be able to narrow down the list of suspects?

I think this is a cold-start issue!

Thanks

sticker

double post

Anti

Sounds to me like a loose connection. Im going to check for you now to see what this 7 beep code. If need's be i could (and for one time only) possibly have a look at this pc for you if we cant get it workign through here.

sticker

Anti wrote: »

Sounds to me like a loose connection. Im going to check for you now to see what this 7 beep code. If need's be i could (and for one time only) possibly have a look at this pc for you if we cant get it workign through here.

Great! - Many thanks Anti!
I'm totally happy to replace the RAM, But I obviosuly need to know if thats the problem!!

Anti

Right back again, just checked the beep codes for that bios and i can see nothign for 7 continous beeps. Can you confirm its 7 in a row or it is 2-3-3 or similar, with a pause in them.

http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/phoenixbeep.htm

sticker

Anti wrote: »

Right back again, just checked the beep codes for that bios and i can see nothign for 7 continous beeps. Can you confirm its 7 in a row or it is 2-3-3 or similar, with a pause in them.

http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/phoenixbeep.htm

Sorry Anti - My inarticulate nature!!

The BIOS was beeping for a continuous 7 seconds, then a 2-3 seconds pause and then the same again - a long 7 second beep. This pattern then just repeated itself over and over...

Apologies for any miscommunication!

Anti

Okay just checked with a mate in Evga, and he says if its looping like that it sounds like a memory issue. Any chance you can test the ram in another machine with memtest? OR even for now try booting the machine with 1 stick in at a time in varying slots.

calex71

Sounds like the memory again maybe, is your pc positioned somewhere that it's getting a knock or bump? How is the board mounted in the case? Horizontal or vertical. If you take out the memory do you get the same beep if you boot with no ram in the pc?

sticker

Anti wrote: »

Okay just checked with a mate in Evga, and he says if its looping like that it sounds like a memory issue. Any chance you can test the ram in another machine with memtest? OR even for now try booting the machine with 1 stick in at a time in varying slots.

I'm using the PC now - it's booting intermittantly... Can I try the "memtest" on it, or is it best advised to use on a second PC? - I don't have one as it happens!

Where do I get this memtest Anti - will it stress the memory?!

Thanks again...

sticker

calex71 wrote: »

Sounds like the memory again maybe, is your pc positioned somewhere that it's getting a knock or bump? How is the board mounted in the case? Horizontal or vertical. If you take out the memory do you get the same beep if you boot with no ram in the pc?

Hey calex...

The PC was moved by car to and from the house so that might explain the possible bumping, BUT this probalem raised it's head last week and the PC is well tucked in under a table with no possibility of knocking (that I'm aware of!!)

At least (as Anti has suggested) its a memory issue...

With the importance of having this machine in full working order, I'd be happy to just replace it! What do you think?

In the event of a memory change, I wouldn't know what memory to go for - any recommendations would be welcomed!!!

Anti

Hey,

You can grab memtest from http://www.memtest.org/ . Run it for a good hour to see if any errors come up. Its quite normal to get 1 or 2 errors, but when it goes into double or tripple figures it means yoru ram is banjaxed !

If your going for new ram id pick between the following, which are tested and guaranteed by Evga to work. Ive had a 680i and a 780i and they can be quick the cunt when it comes to memory:

SLI Ready Memory

Above 1066 MHz(Above PC2 8500)
Corsair TWIN2X2048-10000C5DF
Corsair TWIN2X2048-9136C5DF
Corsair TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF


1066 MHz(PC2 8500)
OCZ OCZ2N10662GK
OCZ OCZ2N10661G
Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Kingston KHX8500D2K2/1G
OCZ OCZ2N1066SR2GK
OCZ OCZ2N1066SR1G
PNY D22GX85GMR


900 MHz(PC2 7200)
OCZ OCZ2N900SR2GK
OCZ OCZ2N900SR1G
OCZ OCZ2N9002GK
OCZ OCZ2N9001G


800 MHz(PC2 6400)
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C3DF
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4D
Crucial BL2KIT12864AL804
Crucial BL12864AL804
Crucial BL2KIT12864AA804
Crucial BL2KIT6464AA804
Crucial BL12864AA804
Crucial BL6464AA804
Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN
Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/1GN
Patriot PDC22G6400LLK
PNY D22GX64GMR-4


Standard Memory

Above 800 MHz(Above PC2 6400)
Kingston KHX9600D2K2/2G
Kingston KHX9200D2/512
Kingston KHX8000D2K2/2G
Kingston KHX7200D2K2/2G
Patriot PDC21G8000+XBLK
Patriot PDC21G8500 ELK
Crucial BL2KIT12864AL1005
G.SKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
Mushkin XP2-1066


800 MHz(PC2 6400)
Mushkin XP-6400
Mushkin XP2-6400
OCZ OCZ2G8002GK
OCZ OCZ2P800R21G
OCZ OCZ2T8002GK
Corsair CGM2X1G800 G
Corsair CGM2X2G800 G
Corsair XMS6405v4.1
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400
G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBNR
G.SKILL F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
Team Xtreem PC2-6400 800MHz 3-3-3-8
Team Xtreem PC2-6400 800MHz 4-4-4-10
Patriot PDC22G6400ELK
Geil Ultra GX22GB6400UDC
Super Talent T800UX2GC4


667 MHz(PC2 5400)
Corsair VS512MB667D2
Buffalo D2V667C-1G/BJ
Patriot PDC21G5300LLK
PQI 5400 Turbo
Kingston KHX5400D2K2/1G
Geil GX21GB5300SX
Muskin xp2 5300 2x1gb
Mushkin HP2-5300


533 MHz(PC2 4200)
Kingston KVR533D2/512R
PQI MAB412UOE 512MB DDR2 533
OCZ DDR2 OCZ2533512V

GHOST MGG2

it sounds to me like a slight bios corruption to your memory timings as the mb your using as anti said is a bit anal about memory and timings especially corsair modules.I know you have reset your bios,but yuo should try manually entering your memory timings through the bios and see if this solves the problem.

sticker

GHOST MGG2 wrote: »

it sounds to me like a slight bios corruption to your memory timings as the mb your using as anti said is a bit anal about memory and timings especially corsair modules.I know you have reset your bios,but yuo should try manually entering your memory timings through the bios and see if this solves the problem.

I'm not that literate in the BIOS. Sorry... What must I do?

sticker

Anti wrote: »

Hey,

You can grab memtest from http://www.memtest.org/ . Run it for a good hour to see if any errors come up. Its quite normal to get 1 or 2 errors, but when it goes into double or tripple figures it means yoru ram is banjaxed !

If your going for new ram id pick between the following, which are tested and guaranteed by Evga to work. Ive had a 680i and a 780i and they can be quick the cunt when it comes to memory:

Thanks Anti - I appreciate you taking the time to source RAM options!

Which version of Memtext do I download? I see so many there. Is it Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)? It this applciation windows based (I'm using Vista Ultimate) or do I boot?

Anti

Thats upto you. If you want you cna download the Iso then burn it to cd/dvd and then boot from that. There is also a .exe version there you can use to make a bootable usb key. Personally i'd use the usb key method.

sticker

Anti wrote: »

Thats upto you. If you want you cna download the Iso then burn it to cd/dvd and then boot from that. There is also a .exe version there you can use to make a bootable usb key. Personally i'd use the usb key method.

Hey Anti...

Memtest is running now on the effeted system (using my laptop to post this)

Do I just let it do one sweep and then reboot? zero errors showing now at a one completed sweep... It took 26 minutes. It's now telling me "Pass complete, no errors, press ESC to exit"

Do you think the BIOS timing settings might be an issue? I've placed a thead on the Memory manufacturer's website to check what they should be and how to change them...

I've been told it may be a power supply problem also - I'm a little confused at this point!!!

I really appreciate you (and everyone else who posted) taking the time to help me today!

EDIT: 2 passes - no errors. rebooted. I'll let you know how I get on with the ram BIOS settings.

sticker

Hey all,

I reset my BIOS Memory settings with the help of a few guys here:

http://www.asktheramguy.com/forums/showthread.php?p=381450#post381450

My Dram Volatge, Tras and Memory Timings were off spec, so I amended them...

Given the time time of the year (everywhere shut), I've just left the system on... I'm anxious not to turn it off and find trouble after a cold start! I felt that seeing as my memory was incorrectly configured I might be OK.

In the past two days I'm finding a "freeze" occur on the system. Only a few times mind you, but it's obviously not a good development. Apps freeze, mouse pointer remains active but even CTRL/TAB to cycle through open apps and windows doesn't respond. I'm forced to reset...

Is there any diagnostic app that might point me in the direction of a specific answer to the system's problem? I don't see any serious problems in Vista event viewer, but I'm unfamiliar with reading it. Would a Hijackthis log help me (Anyone know how to interpret them?)

Thanks - and sorry for the ongoing saga!

sticker

Anyone?