Windows 7 64bit Install freezing and rebooting randomly, please help

[nitehawk]

Hi all,

First post, so here goes!

First off with F3 bios I could not get PCix16 GPU to display anything although I could hear a post beep. On board VGA worked but crashed when attempting to install windows from Disk with distorted screen image when 'Starting Windows' appears.

Q-flash'd bios to F9 and now GPU is displaying. All Good.

Attempting to install windows is a nightmare. Constant crashing (freezing or just powering off and on again). Finally after a fair number of attempts got it installed but have not been able to get back in. Safe mode crashes as does startup recovery. Occasionally get the login screen but it just freezes.

I read somewhere that disabling USB-3 controller and trying an install with only one stick of ram might help but I have not managed to get back into windows and am now trying to install again. I cleared CMOS and then tried F8 bios, still randomly freezing, rebooting.

Things ive noticed:

Windows install freezes always at same place with on board VGA output, as mentioned above.
When i did get windows installed I had to open and close the dvd drive during which I'd read stops windows install freezing. This may have helped although I have not managed to recreate this.

Are these symptoms of a memory compatibility issue? Or a faulty motherboard?

I am at my wits end, I have built2 pcs before and never was it this much of nightmare.

Please any help and advice would be much appreciated, I've never seen such a flakey computer!

Thanks!

spec below:

Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 (rev. 1.0) Motherboard

Intel i5-2500K CPU

EVGA 560Ti 2GB Graphics Card

Corsair H60 CPU Cooler

Corsair DDR3 CM3X2048-1600C7DHX (2x2GB)

ThermalTake TPX-775MPCUK (775W) Power Supply

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000524AS)

Samsung WriteMaster SH-S222AB/BEBE

Logitech G15 keyboard

Logitech G500 gaming mouse

[teknology9]

Hello nitehawk and welcome to the forum,

Have you tested the memory  with Memtest?

http://www.memtest.org/memory

If you scroll down until you see Auto installer for USB key.....then put this on a 2GB pendrive  which has been formatted to FAT 32.

You will then need to put 1 stick of RAM in slot 1

Plug the pendrive into a USB header at the rear of the MB

Boot up and keep pressing F12 until you see the USB pendrive  on the menu.

Allow for 10 passes / cycles

Take care when connecting everything as you cannot take chances with electricity......safety first.



Hope this helps

Teknology9

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

teknology's suggestion is a good one apart from the time it takes to complete it. At least once completed you are sure that the memory is OK.

I would advise swapping out your Logitech keyboard and mouse as they can cause that type of problem. Just get yourself a cheap PS2 keyboard and try that instead. It is always usefull for this type of thing and updating the BIOS etc.

Next make sure that you are running the latest BIOS version the  load Optimised BIOS Defaults before saving (F10).

[nitehawk]

Hi,

First off, thanks for the advice. Ran memtest for 8 passes and no errors. Got a ps2 keyboard and system behaving the same as before.
If memory is incompatible with MB then would memtest fail  even though memory was fine??

If the MB is shorting against the case would that cause random freezing and rebooting?

Not sure what to do now, reluctant to build pc outside of case unless shorting is a possibility.

Anyone got some more advice? Tempted to just buy some new memory as this was stuff I got
About 3 yrs ago, anyone recommend some tried and tested 2x4gb for my board?

Thanks in advance

[Dark Mantis]

That was my next idea....rebuilding outside of the case but you might want to check your memory for compatibility first against Corsairs QVL here:

Corsair: http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/

If there is any problem, I would suggest replacing it woith some of the Corsair Vengeance sticks.

[teknology9]

Hi,

Yes Memtest does take a while but if it passes you can rule the memory out of the equation and then focus on another aspect of the troubleshooting process.

Have you had your PSU / MB tested by a PC store...or if you have some known good parts swap them over.

But as Mantis the Moderator has suggested see which RAM is compatible with your MB.

How ya didlin DM?!!!!

But as always safety first.

Teknology9

[Dark Mantis]

Fine thanks teknology! and you?

[teknology9]

Hi DM.....yes fine ta!!!

Just looking for a good Z68 board and in the middle of writing a letter to Santa!!!


Teknology9