Kids computer not working BSOD

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Inphinity

2780 posts

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#2856693 26-Jan-2022 15:17

Memtest is showing a CPU temp of 88*C - the i7 870's maximum design temp is 72*C. CPU overheating could result in most if not all the other symptoms you're seeing, or could be it's own symptom of a wider issue.

Morgenmuffel

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#2856720 26-Jan-2022 15:52

Clarification

there are 4 ram sticks not 2 as the original screenshot photo shows

upon opening the case I found there are 4 ram sticks

2 2gb which appear to be identical and work without error

2 4gb stick which are different brands and speeds 1 or both have an error I am currently figuring out which,

The ram closest to the cpu felt hot, all fans are working and there is virtually no dust

i an so over this gosh darned machine

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

Morgenmuffel

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#2856730 26-Jan-2022 16:10

Memtest -- if I put 4 sticks in I get errors fairly rapidly

Memtest -- if I put 3 sticks in I get errors fairly rapidly

Memtest -- if I put 2 (2gb) sticks in I get no errors (I only did 1 full pass)

Memtest -- if I put 2 (4gb) sticks in I get no errors (just finished 1 pass)

yes i know i need to do multiple passes, but surely it makes no sense both tests with two sticks pass the first pass, if the tests with three or four sticks fail

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

gzt

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#2856773 26-Jan-2022 18:30

That can make sense if each ram requires different timing and does not play well with automatic settings. It could be that a bios reset or power fail has occured and disrupted existing settings. Also could be anything ; ).

clinty

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#2856879 26-Jan-2022 19:37

Morgenmuffel:

Ok

Memtest -- if I put 4 sticks in I get errors fairly rapidly

Memtest -- if I put 3 sticks in I get errors fairly rapidly

Memtest -- if I put 2 (2gb) sticks in I get no errors (I only did 1 full pass)

Memtest -- if I put 2 (4gb) sticks in I get no errors (just finished 1 pass)

yes i know i need to do multiple passes, but surely it makes no sense both tests with two sticks pass the first pass, if the tests with three or four sticks fail

I had some PCs do this years ago - think i just gave up, found a configuration that worked and put the other RAM in another machine

I'd just leave the 2 x 4GB in and see if windows boots. You are only sacrificing 4Gb that wauy

Clint

Morgenmuffel

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#2857222 27-Jan-2022 16:17

seems to be running stable now (with just the two 4gb sticks), however it does seem to be a bit on the hot side, How likely would replacing the thermal paste make a difference it appears to have the stock cooler on it

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

tangerz

625 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2857620 28-Jan-2022 10:59

Morgenmuffel:

seems to be running stable now (with just the two 4gb sticks), however it does seem to be a bit on the hot side, How likely would replacing the thermal paste make a difference it appears to have the stock cooler on it

It's very possible that this, (overheating), is the cause of all your trouble. The memory controller is on the CPU and if that is overheating it could easily be causing the memory faults. As mentioned above, it shouldn't be reaching 88 degrees just running Memtest!

Remove the heatsink, clean both it and the CPU of the old paste, then re-apply some new paste and reassemble. See if the temps come down and memory issue goes...

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trig42

5816 posts

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#2857632 28-Jan-2022 11:56

And, make sure the hestsink isn't full of dust.

fe31nz

1233 posts

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#2858024 29-Jan-2022 00:07

trig42:

And, make sure the hestsink isn't full of dust.

This is all too common - the heatsink and fan need cleaning at least every 12 months in most systems. I usually do it every 6 months. My Windows 10 box will get very noisy when it needs cleaning, and once it does that if I leave it for another week or so I risk having it go into thermal shutdown.

Morgenmuffel

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#2862010 5-Feb-2022 10:18

I changed the thermal paste and its dropped the idling temp from 70ish to 50ish, which still seems way to high to me

No dust in the case/fan/heatsink, but does remind me do must do my own computer shortly

I am going to see about putting the old graphics card back in today as he can't play fortnite/Brawlhalla or whatever it is he plays

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2862090 5-Feb-2022 12:14

Guessing this has been running "okay" previously - albeit with the odd BSOD, only now it seems to BSOD on a dime?

Morgenmuffel

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#2862407 6-Feb-2022 09:29

Had been running ok for ages no BSODs for a long time as far as I am aware, before all this

Just tried out old graphics card (gtx 460) and it is toast

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2862526 6-Feb-2022 14:02

Morgenmuffel:

Had been running ok for ages no BSODs for a long time as far as I am aware, before all this

Just tried out old graphics card (gtx 460) and it is toast

Sounds like your system just went kaput in one foul swoop/event (instead of a gradual decline). Unfortunate.

For it to also take out the GTX 460 is also terrible timing (assuming the GTX 460 is indeed history - you've tested on another PC?).

It appears your motherboard may be the issue? (the memory may also be fine)

Heat, moisture/humidity, or a combination of the two are common contributors to component failure. I guess dirty/badly-regulated power also contributes to a lesser degree.

I think you're best bet is to look at one of the many cheap tower offerings on TradeMe.
If it's for gaming, just make sure the thermals and power are appropriate - which sometimes means additional $$ for cooling and a better (non-stock) PSU.

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