Random crashing

Hi guys just wondering if anyone can help me out.

For a while now I've been having problems with my computer with randomly crashing with looping sound and no signal going to either of my monitors. The problem normaly occurres when playing Call Of Duty 4 but happens when not gaming to (the computer can be sitting doing nothing and it just crashes). Its been doing it for a good few months now and ive replaced the mobo and had the gpu RMAed but I still have the same problems. I had bfg tech check the voltages of the psu before I RMAed my gpu and they all checked out, then they sent me a brand new gpu but with no luck.

System:
Cpu: Intel q6600 @2.4ghz ~
Ram: 8GB 1066 coursair domiator ram
Gpu: BFG oc2 gtx 280
Psu: Ocz 900watt modxstream
mobo: asus p5q E
HDD: samsung spinpoint 1tb + hitachi 320bg (160gb free on the samsung and 200gb free on the hitachi)
OS: vista home premium x64
AV: nod32 (all updated and scanned)
Displays: 26" delium and a 24" hp

The computer has ample cooling the gpu idles @ ~ 40-45deg and gets to 70-75 on load cpu @ 35-40 idle and 50-55 on load


I really have no idea what could be causing the crash anyone got any ideas?

Any help would be greatly aprciated

Thanks
Matanaka

 

Best thing to do before you replace ANY components is to reduce your system back to basics, remove EVERYTHING INCLUDING front USB ports and Audio jacks, all cards including your Video Card (assuming you have an onboard card) and only leave in a SINGLE ram stick, your CPU and your main HDD ...even remove all fans except the CPU fan. Then test your system. If it doesn't do it then start plugging things back in one by one and re-testing. Eventually when it does it again, the last one you plugged in is the culprit.

If it still does it with everything unplugged then you have it narrowed down to either Software, CPU the PSU the RAM or the HDD.

 

I do agree that pulling all extra devices is a good idea but I would not pull the graphics card yet. Going to on-board will require loading up different drivers.

These are still classic heat symptoms. Open the case and make sure it is clean. Inspect for leaky or bulging capacitors, especially surrounding the CPU socket. Then blast a desk fan in there and start using the computer and see if it still happens.

Can you swap in a spare PSU?

 

Right sorry its taken so long to update Its taken a while to test the computer with various bits. I think I can almost certainly rule out it being a software issue now as I still have the same issue after a destructive format. If anything the problem is worse now crashed twice on windows and then failed to boot post or anything (the light on the GPU was red not to sure if that just means not enough power or is used for general errors to).

I tried swaping out parts of my computer apart from my PSU and CPU as i dont have another to hand (well not one with sufficent ompth to power a gtx 280 anyway). Although I did place a different card in the machine (a crappy old 8600gt) this card worked fine. I'm still not 100% its a GPU issue as this is the second 280 that ive tried both with the same/similar issues. Could this possibly be a PSU issue failing to give enough power to the more hungry GPU I tried the machine at the bare minium then swaped my gpu back in and got the same error although nowhere near as often and the computer was always on load when it occured.

Is there anyway of testing what power my PSU is sending to the card, so I can be sure its either the PSU or the GPU before I RMA this GPU again? Also If it was a CPU error would the computer not blue screen rather than simply black screening with looping sound? I've never had a cpu error that didn't blue screen before.

 

You can test the voltage, but not current. To properly test a power supply unit (PSU), a qualified technician puts the PSU under various realistic "loads" and analyzes the voltages for ripple and other anomalies using an oscilloscope or power analyzer.

I keep a FrozenCPU Ultimate PSU Tester in my tool bag when I am "in the field" and don't have a good spare power supply to swap in. While not a certain test, they are better than nothing. The advantage of this model is that it has an LCD readout of the voltage. With an actual voltage readout, you can better detect a "failing" PSU, or one barely within specified tolerances. Lesser models use LEDs to indicate the voltage is just within some "range". These are less informative, considerably cheaper, but still useful for detecting PSUs that have already "failed". Newegg has several testers to choose from. All these testers contain a "dummy load" to fool the PSU into thinking it is connected to a motherboard, and therefore allows the PSU to power on, if able, without being attached to a motherboard - great for testing fans, but again, not a true load.

As mentioned, a good alternative test method is to swap in a known good supply (with ample power).

I do not recommend using a multimeter to test power supplies. To do it properly, that is, under a realistic load, the voltages on all the pins must be measured while the PSU is attached to the motherboard and the computer powered on. This then requires poking (with some considerable force) two, hard and sharp, highly conductive, meter probes into the main power connector, deep in the heart of the computer. One tiny slip can destroy the motherboard, and everything plugged into it. It is not worth the risk considering the multimeter, like plug-in testers, do not measure, or reveal any unwanted AC component to the DC voltages.

 

Just finished working on a PC with very similar crashing problem. He has the same BFG 280GTX GPu, but he is using a $60.00, 750w 3 rail PSU
After a couple of hours, I realized that the 6 pin & 8 pin power connectors, were on the same 12v rail. After I rearranged them to each it's own 12v rail, his problem was fixed.
Not sure if this will work for you, but it's worth checking into

 

Thanks both of you. My GPU is powered by one rail so I'll try using two rails to power it and see if that works. If not then im going to get myself one of those PSU testers. Wish me luck lol.

 

Ahh thanks Trussman seems like its working, I've had no crashing so far after a good few hours of testing. Fingers crossed that means problem solved. Thank god for spare cables

Thanks to all you guys that tried to help much apreciated.
matanaka