GA-G41M-Combo--auto restart

[Nil253259]

Hi,
This is mu first time with Gigabyte. But after getting it yesterday morning I am having really frustrating issue.
Mu system restarts randomly. It is independent of load and running time. The event viewer giving me Event-41,Kernel-Power Error.
My Specs:
Mobo: GA-G41M-Combo (rev-1.4)
CPU: Intel Core 2 duo E7500
RAM: 2 sticks (DDR2)
        a)ZION-667-1GB PC2-5300(333MHz)
        b)ZION-800-2GB PC2-6400(400MHz)
Gfx Card: ATI Radeon HD 5770
PSU: Corsair VX450W
HDD: Seagate ST380211AS-80GB

Brief History: Before Gigabyte I was using some ZOTAC nForce610i Value mobo which died after serving more than 3 yrs. Since last 1 month it stopped recognizing my Gfx card, overheating and causing random SHUTDOWN (not restarting like present scenario) just few minutes after switch-on.

Please help!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

The first thing that springs out on me is the two different types of mermory modules that you are mixing on the motherboard. Thios is very likely to cause problems. I would suggest checking to see what actually should be installed and if either of them fit the bill then use just that one module kin the first slot. If neither are compatible replace thewm both with some correct RAM.

How old is the power supply unit  ?

Have you made sure that you have the extra 12v power cable plugged in near the CPU ?

[Nil253259]

Hi Dark Mantis,
thanks for your reply,

My PSU is less than 1 year old.
Yes, 12V power cable is well connected. Without it the system should not start at all, right?

I will try both RAM sticks on by one to see system stability. By the way, my manual says it supports both 667 and 800 MHz modules.
One more thing, today morning in one those 'restarts' system behaved differently. My moniter did not have display. green power button toggling on an off. Gfx card fan speed too high,very noisy. When I connected to on-board chipset,same output, but CPU fan was ultra silent (only 1 fan since I did not connect Gfx Card). After 4 hours, now when I try again, it started.and within 10 mints 2 restarts.   .Does it imply something? 

[Dark Mantis]

Maybe you missed my point about the memory being compoatible. Just supporting 667 and 800 speeds isn't enough. It is quite possible to support those speeds and still not work on your motherboard. You really need to go onto the memory manufacturer's website and find their QVL and see if your motherboard is matched to their memory modules that you have. I really doubt it will work with both of them together.

[Nil253259]

Thanks for your suggestion!

Yes, I have seen the list of supported memory. My modules are not there. But hey I am surrently using only the 2GB stck and it's working fine for the last 5 hours without restarting.    Seems like both will not work together.
Is it because of Dual Channel Memory architecture of this mobo, becuase on my previous mobos they were doing well?

[Dark Mantis]

The thing is your previous motherboards were different and so what is compatible to one will not necessarilly be compatible to the other. You are lucky that even one of them seems to work.

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi, 
...
RAM: 2 sticks (DDR2)
        a)ZION-667-1GB PC2-5300(333MHz)
        b)ZION-800-2GB PC2-6400(400MHz)
...
Please help!

I Nil253259,

I see you have different module of ram (Models and Mhz Speed...)

Maybe in bios... set a Ram timing to up...

check with CPU-Z when you use only 6667 Mhz  a result in SPD Tabs... not all result ( paper or picture).
check with CPU-Z when you use only 800 Mhz  a result in SPD Tabs... not all result ( paper or picture).

Find a common JDEC between your ram 667 and 800....
And try wiht this common JEDEC in Bios with a common timing ...(see in SPD Tab)
Otherwise, set a Ram timing for both (667-800 MHz) to Up...
by exemple try 3-3-9-12 to 5-5-18-23 (this is not a good exemple for your RAM... is just a timing exemple.

Have you check a battery in your motherboard... just infor you : if the battery is not powerfull, the BIOS settings are not saved properly.

Maybe check your PSU... is not very powerfull..... So if you have a possibility to try with anoter more powerfull... by a friend , why not...?

Gloup_Gloup

[Dark Mantis]

If I were you I would just purchase some new matching sticks of memory and check first to make sure that it is compatible before you buy it. Try something like Corsair or Crucial etc.

[Gloup_Gloup]

If I were you I would just purchase some new matching sticks of memory and check first to make sure that it is compatible before you buy it. Try something like Corsair or Crucial etc.

I Dark Mantis, 

your solution is the best in this situation... of course...

Gloup_Gloup.

[Nil253259]

Hi All, Thanks

My situation has grown a bit more complex. After successfully running my machine for more than 5 hours with 1 RAM stick, it suddenly shut down.And this time it is not starting at all. I mean system is getting power from PSU. fans are running but very noisy. Monitor is not getting any signal. Monitor green light is toggling on and off. Finding it a really hectic job to identify the real culprit component.    

[Dark Mantis]

Well you need to fix the faults as you find them. It is no good trying to just ignore them as they don't suit you.  Sortm out the memory and then we can check further for any other faults that there may be.

[Nil253259]

Thanks Dark,
I have changed my RAM to a Corsair one and it is working without restart. great!
But I have another situation now-
System is working unless I try to start any game. Yesterday i got the RAM. After that when I started any GPU intensive work (playing games or making GPU load 100% via some software) within 1 min my display went off,monitor power button toggling on and off. After few seconds display came but only a moving box having "Hz?" sign. Then it went off again,came again with white screen and some vertical and horizontal lines. At last comp got restarted.
  This thing happened everytime while GPU was on load. I was monitoring my GPU temp- not more than 52C, GPU fan was very noisy.
  Does it indicate mu GPU is dying? It in only 10 months old. any other thoughts?   

[Dark Mantis]

GGood news about the memory!

Your new problem would seem to point to a heat issue wouldn't it ? How about the CPU. What temperatures is that running at when stressed ? I would suggest checking all of the temperatures including the northbridge.
The display you are getting when you have the problem sounds like some sort of screensaver.

[Nil253259]

No, first thing..it is not any kind of screen saver...It cannot be normal screen..I can smell the GPU is trying too much to run off, but fails...there is a scorching sound behind..
To tell you about temp,well, I tested with 100% CPU load to check restarting issue..CPU temp got saturated at ~75C..But for 30 odd mnts it survived and did not shutdown..so not a CPU temp related issue I guess!
Before starting the game GPU temp was 51C..and it got crashed after mere 40-45 secs..dont think it can rise very high in that amount of time!
What more should I look for before asking for replacement (still very much within warranty!)?

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi Nil253259,  

I add this infos :

Extract :
The best way to take advantage of the VX450W's quiet qualities has already been mentioned: Ensure that the PSU intake air does not exceed 30°C often, nor demand more than ~300W DC output. With a decent case and well selected components, these are easy requirements to meet these days. Following these guidelines will reward you with a PSU that's always very quiet, making the basis for a very quiet computer.

Source: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article751-page5.html

Extract
450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (600 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)

Source : http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5770/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5770-overview.aspx#3

 I feel that this is not a Power supply made ​​to play. But more for HTPC - Home Theater Personal Computer.

Gloup_Gloup