Full System hang when playing flash based game.

Those readings were taken from Speccy shortly after startup. When I tested the PSU with my multimeter it was always between 12.05 and 12.15 (if I am remembering correctly).

I switched back to my TX850 for now for troubleshooting purposes, and I removed all non-essential hardware components... Per Speccy my 12V rail is showing 11.781.

I ran Zynga Poker whilst I went out to dinner and came back... My PC wasn't frozen... But, I have to play for a while to see if it will freeze.

If it doesn't freeze I am going to begin reconnecting the disconnected components.
 
Update:

With my son helping, I performed a complete tear-down, inspection and rebuild of my PC. (I also showed him how to make a few minor modifications to a computer case to help with cable management and such).

Now I am definitely keeping the TX850 installed in this PC regardless of outcome!!!!

I am going to reinstall IE9 since it doesn't seem to be the issue here.

I will let you all know if I come up with anything else.
 
jcgriff2 said:
Can you get readings from BIOS?
Click to expand...

Somehow I missed this...

Yes, John... I can get the BIOS readings... For my SeaSonic they were all within spec, slightly above rated voltages.
According to my multimeter, they were all within spec, slightly above rated voltages with the exception of 5V rail (4.98V).

My Corsair is showing 12.14V in the BIOS and all other voltages are in spec as well.
 
Update...

I just happened to have another immediate shutdown... The first in days.

If it's not a software problem then it must be a hardware problem...

PSU... No chance that two high-quality PSUs would have the same issues.
Motherboard... Possible... But IMHO improbable.
That leaves the...
Video Card... The only component that I did not change that could cause such catastrophic issues... I guess I will be doing a serious downgrade tomorrow evening.
 
Wrench97 said:
+12V: 11.681 V in spec but on the low side same for both the 5v and 3.3v where did these readings come from?
Click to expand...

Speccy.

I noticed you have 2 NVIDIA video cards w/ 2 monitors that are different resolutions.

Read More:

Read More:

Given we are dealing with seemingly Flash related issue, do the different resolutions matter...?
 
I think its a single GPU with multiple outputs...

The different resolutions really shouldn't matter.

Interesting that the refresh rate is a bit off on the first display though...

Really I doubt its just the GPU as it doesn't crash under other types of loads...

Have you tried running furmark Bruce? (http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/)
Hmmm...

I am going to reinstall IE9 since it doesn't seem to be the issue here.
Click to expand...

Think this is related?
 
jcgriff2 said:
Wrench97 said:
+12V: 11.681 V in spec but on the low side same for both the 5v and 3.3v where did these readings come from?
Click to expand...

Speccy.

I noticed you have 2 NVIDIA video cards w/ 2 monitors that are different resolutions.

Read More:

Read More:

Given we are dealing with seemingly Flash related issue, do the different resolutions matter...?
Click to expand...

The different' resolutions are the native resolutions of the monitors. When I moved the PC to the basement I left the TV I was using as a secondary monitor in the bedroom for the kids and am using my 20" Acer in it's place.
As Geoff said... One GPU, 2 monitors. I doubt that the different resolutions are the issue.

Laxer said:
I think its a single GPU with multiple outputs...

The different resolutions really shouldn't matter.

Interesting that the refresh rate is a bit off on the first display though...

Really I doubt its just the GPU as it doesn't crash under other types of loads...

Have you tried running furmark Bruce? (http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/)
Hmmm...

I am going to reinstall IE9 since it doesn't seem to be the issue here.
Click to expand...

Think this is related?
Click to expand...

No, I haven't run any other program that even begins to utilize the GPU. I am not a PC gamer, never really was. As for IE9, I don't see why that would be the issue. Uninstalling IE9 and running IE8 didn't solve the issue.

My logic is telling me that the GPU is the most likely culprit after everything I have done to this point.

This computer was running flawlessly up until last week... Things that have changed between it running correctly and not...

Moved to basement
Swapped 500GB Seagate drive for 1TB WD drive (secondary)
Reinstalled Windows.

Since the issue begain I have...

Completely tested each bit of hardware EXCEPT the GPU.
Ran Windows health tests (Chkdisk, SFC, etc)
Swapped PSUs (even though PSU testing showed OK)
Complteley rebuilt computer.

What I plan on doing today (when I have time)

Run Driver Verifier (set up for reboot)
Swap GPU with Radeon 5xxxx that I have as a spare test card.

I can't find anything wrong with windows that would be causing this type of complete crash.
 
Furmark is running ATM... It has been going for the past 15 minutes with a load of 97% and a steady reported temp of 74/75. No crash.

So far, as far as I can tell the only commonalities are Flash apps and IE9...

Going to have to shut down for now.. Perhaps another fresh installation of Windows is called for...

I am beginning to be at wits end with this... It makes no sense.
 
Moved to basement
Click to expand...

Maybe it doesn't like being below sea level...................

What Motherboard are you running?(I'm curious as why the sensors are reporting the voltage lower then the meter).
 
Asus M5A97 Evo

The sensors report properly in the bios. The meter I was using was an inexpensive Radio Shack digital. It is accurate enough but not as accurate as my Blue Point.
 
Wrench97 said:
Oh the Bios and meter agree, but the sensor reading programs don't match, my Asus 790x EVO board is the same.
Click to expand...

Yep.

Update... I ran a full set of HDD diagnostics on both installed drives. Both came back clean. I zeroed the 500GB HDD and just finished reinstalling Windows. I am installing/updating drivers as I type this.
Will keep you all posted.
 
UPDATE:

Well... Fresh Windows installation and updated drivers... The whole kit and caboodle. I set a System Restore point and installed flash... Not 2 minutes was I on Zynga Poker than my computer shut down completely.

I swapped out my 9800GTX+ for my spare HD5450... We will see. The GPU is the only component that I can think of that will cause such catastrophic shut downs without warning. Even though the GTX+ made it through it's benchmark and under no other circumstance that it was subjected to, did it hiccup... I have no choice but to focus on it now... I really do hope that this is it, because I was planning a GPU upgrade in the somehwat near future anyhow... This will just light a fire under my but.

Fingers crossed... I will keep you updated.

UPDATE: 0139

I seem to have hit pay-dirt. I played Zynga Poker and took my turns in Words with Friends without a single hiccup... It is still too early to say, but I think that this was the problem all along. I have a working theory... There was an issue with the GPU to begin with and moving it to the basement (higher moisture levels) compounded the problem and caused the system instability.

I am planning on taking a real close look at the GPU tomorrow or Wednesday... I will keep you updated.

Thanks once again for your patience and input.
 
Last edited:
jcgriff2 said:
Nice find!!
Click to expand...

Should have seen it earlier... I don't know... Maybe this whole PSU thing has been drilled too far into my head that, even if the PSU tests fine with a physical inspection and multimeter under load, that I still find it suspect!

Of course, it was a SeaSonic PSU, so it was far beyond reproach!!! :hysterical:

So far, so good... I am just about ready to mark this thread solved... Looking into a new video card now... Something with a little more muscle than the 5450 (or whatever it is)... I am seriously considering this card...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814105003
 
Well. It was the video card. I am quite certain now. I haven't had an issue since swapping them out.

The first thing I noticed about the VC was some black sticky substance around some of the solder pads... At first it looked like burning, but upon closer inspection it seems to be a foreign substance. I won't know until I get the chance to clean it off.

Second thing I noticed was a horrible thermal compound application. Way too much was used and it was all gooped up around the GPU die. On the die itself, the compound looks to be about a mil thick... That is WAY too much! Now I understand why my GPU temps were always a bit on the high side, even during idle. The silicon pads used on the memory chips and other ICs wasn't right either. I have never seen silicon pads with a fibrous material in them... Looks like fiberglass strands... All I can say is it was definitely not a factory job.

I am going to clean up the PCB and inspect it under a magnifying glass and redo the thermal compound / pads and see what happens. Either way, this GPU is not going back in my computer... I don't need any odd issues cropping up... When my PC is down I am not happy!!

Thanks again to everyone who put in their 2ยข. It was definitely a learining experience and you guys (and gals) are awesome!

Never let it be said that I don't enjoy a troubleshooting challenge now and again!!!! Most of the time I know what the issue most likely is before I even see the computer! :lol:
 
Well... I am sorry to say that my Video card is not looking like it was to blame after all... So I am reopening this for discussion.

I was just wrapping up for the night and decided to take my turns in a Facebook game (slingo) and lo-and-behold... A full system hang. Worst part about it is my computer shut itself off the other day as well... I stepped away from the computer for a few minutes then returned and my PC was off... I figured I must have shut it down out of habit... But didn't remember doing it...

I have now removed 99% of my hardware from suspicion... The only things left are my 1TB WD HDD and my 1TB Seagate USB3 external HDD... for now, I have the external drive disconnected, although I fail to see the relation between the 2 drives, both non-OS storage drives. Perhaps the USB3 drivers are to blame, although I am not counting them out.

After the two HDDs, the only thing left is the motherboard itself....

Any ideas or suggestions are welcome at this point. I am about to put a .38 through the darned thing.
 
I will check when I get back on that PC. Just jumped on my laptop real quick before heading to work.

One thing to note... I disconnected the USB3 HDD and was able to play for a bit without any issues. A quick google search showed a few Asus and ASrock boards where people were reporting full system hangs with USB3 plugged in. It is worth looking into as soon as I have a chance to research it some more.

My HDD is usually connected, but is not recognized on system startup.. I have to remove and reconnect it to get it to work... I had done that to access some files I have backed up on the drive just before the system freeze. I still find it odd it only happens during Flash game playback.
 

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