All programs crash and wont start again

I've got this problem wihch started a few days ago. It seems to occur randomly,though it have happend when i've played games or watched youtube( thats basically what i do all the time). So, while in a game for example, and in Skype with my friends, the screen suddenly start to flash, in some kind of greyish color. My friends on Skype have told me that they hear loud electronics sparks, and then Skype crashes. Most of my program crashes when this occurs, only small programs like speedfan and avira remains. I cant open any new programs, all i get is an error telling me the computer was unable to launch X. I've tried to restore the computer back to a point a month ago ( the problem started just a few days ago as mentioned), but this wont help. I have also scanned for viruses, updated the drivers and also checked if the computer was overheating. If i restart the computer the problem is gone, but usually comes back in a few hours. Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2 OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate, Service Pack 1, 64 bit Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor, AMD64 Family 16 Model 4 Stepping 3 Processor Count: 4 RAM: 4095 Mb Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 7900 Series, -1024 Mb Hard Drives: C: Total - 114470 MB, Free - 46905 MB; E: Total - 99 MB, Free - 61 MB; F: Total - 476837 MB, Free - 73231 MB; Motherboard: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD, 760GM-E51(MS-7596) Antivirus: Avira Desktop, Updated and Enabled

 

Are you always actively doing something graphics intensive when this occurs? It seems to be graphics related, but that is hard to tell.

Whenever I encounter odd hardware behavior, I ALWAYS want to ensure I am feeding my hardware good, clean, stable power - since EVERYTHING inside the computer relies on it.

So if me, I would swap in a known good power supply and see what happens. I might also consider uninstalling your graphics drivers and rebooting, forcing Windows to reinstall the drivers.

How? What are your temps? Is the system interior free of heat trapping dust?

 

I have cheked the temps with speedfan, coretemp and GPU teak, som program taht came along with the GPU. I have also cleaned the computer from dust on a regular basis
Another forum suggested it had something to do with the RAM, which is highly possible since i recently change my cpu cooler and had to move my RAMs to the second par of sockets.

Since most everything i do on my computer is gaming or youtube, it always occur during doing somewhat intensive graphic, but it occurs randomly, i.e, i play LoL, and for the two first games it went all fine, but 10 min into the third it crashed.

 

I ask again, what are your temps?

All the more reason for us to know your temps. Why did you change your cooler? Because it is the case's responsibility to provide an adequate supply of cool air through the case, you should never need to change the OEM cooler as the ones provided by AMD and Intel are excellent coolers, more than capable of keeping a CPU cool even with mild to moderate overclocking - if the case is doing its job and you are not overtaxing the system with extreme overclocking.

If you had to move your RAM sticks because the aftermarket cooler was in the way, then you need a different cooler - I recommend the OEM cooler - and a proper layer of TIM (thermal interface material). Then move the RAM back where it belongs and see what happens.

Since GPUs are often the most power hungry devices in our systems, good, clean power is still a concern.

 

well, i havent stress-tested but when running games like cs go i never go over 50 for the cpu, and the gpu never exceed 65~

I changed the cooler since the fan sounded like a jetplan at 100%, and since i got a mATX Motherboard, there are few fans who wont block the first socket

 

Your temps are certainly good. Thanks for that.

Most µATX boards are definitely shorter (fewer expansion slots) than mid or full length ATX, but the width is normally about the same due to the ATX Form Factor dictating where motherboard mounting holes (and consequently, corresponding case mounting points) will be. So there are lots of aftermarket coolers that are not monsters that will fit better so you can put the RAM where it belongs. It just takes some shopping around.

If the old fan was making noises because the fan bearings were shot, you might be able to just replace the fan and use the same heatsink. Otherwise, you may just need to shop by dimensions.

If the fan was just too loud for your liking, you should probably put it back - for now, until this problem is resolved.

 

i think i fixed the problem. The RAM sockets on my mobo is 2 blakc and 2 blue together, not the usual black-blu-blck-blue. So i thought i could just use the blue ones instead, but after reading the manual i think that was the problem. The heatsink wasnt itself to big, but the clips that you fasten the fan with where in the way, but I managed to put on the clips backwards, dont know if its meant to be like that, but the fans are tight and the clips sits good.

Thanks for the help though, and have a good day

 

Yeah, there is no industry standard. Some boards use 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 for channel one and two, and some boards use 1 & 3 and 2 & 4. Some use blue and black, some use orange and black. Some use all black. And triple channel boards may be different yet. In other words, there is no "usual" configuration.

Funny how effectively "RTFM" often works!

I am glad you got it sorted out and thanks for posting your follow up.