New Home Built PC unexpected shut downs

I have just completed building a super powerful PC comprising of:

Intel QX9770 quad core Processor 3.2ghz
Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard
8gb RAM (4x 2gb DDR3)
Sapphire Radeon HD3870 graphics card
2x WD 300gb SATA HDD's as RAID0
LG Blu-ray/HD/DVD/CD drive
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit [full retail]

All the latest downloads and up-dates are installed.

I can be working away, the PC could have been on for a few minutes or an
hour or more and it just shuts down and re-starts for no apparent reason. If
I look in the Problems, Reports & Solutions section it simply states that
windows shut down and is awaiting a solution - it doens't say why!

I know the usual culprits include over heating - can't be, apart from three
huge great fans, it sometimes occurs just minutes after starting. RAM being
another problem, I've tried taking out all but one stick of RAM, and
replacing that with another - it is unlikely all 4 sticks are shot, they are
matched sticks.

Is there any reliable software out there that can monitor the system and
give more accurate reports as to what might be the problem? I have also
reinstalled Vista after formatting the drive.

Ron

Ron O'Brien wrote:

> I have just completed building a super powerful PC comprising of:
>
> Intel QX9770 quad core Processor 3.2ghz
> Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard
> 8gb RAM (4x 2gb DDR3)
> Sapphire Radeon HD3870 graphics card
> 2x WD 300gb SATA HDD's as RAID0
> LG Blu-ray/HD/DVD/CD drive
> Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit [full retail]
>
> All the latest downloads and up-dates are installed.
>
> I can be working away, the PC could have been on for a few minutes or an
> hour or more and it just shuts down and re-starts for no apparent reason.
> If I look in the Problems, Reports & Solutions section it simply states
> that windows shut down and is awaiting a solution - it doens't say why!
>
> I know the usual culprits include over heating - can't be, apart from
> three huge great fans, it sometimes occurs just minutes after starting.
> RAM being another problem, I've tried taking out all but one stick of RAM,
> and replacing that with another - it is unlikely all 4 sticks are shot,
> they are matched sticks.
>
> Is there any reliable software out there that can monitor the system and
> give more accurate reports as to what might be the problem? I have also
> reinstalled Vista after formatting the drive.

What kind of power supply did you put in your "super powerful" computer? If
it is one that came with the case, it's probably inadequate.

As for reports, software monitoring isn't going to help with a hardware
problem. Strip the machine down to the bare essentials and start testing
all your hardware. BTW, you do understand that with RAID 0 you now have a
doubled chance of losing everything?

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Check the system log. See if theres any info in there.

eventvwr.msc

"Ron O'Brien" <castcall@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:edPGQE6%23IHA.5336@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have just completed building a super powerful PC comprising of:
>
> Intel QX9770 quad core Processor 3.2ghz
> Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard
> 8gb RAM (4x 2gb DDR3)
> Sapphire Radeon HD3870 graphics card
> 2x WD 300gb SATA HDD's as RAID0
> LG Blu-ray/HD/DVD/CD drive
> Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit [full retail]
>
> All the latest downloads and up-dates are installed.
>
> I can be working away, the PC could have been on for a few minutes or an
> hour or more and it just shuts down and re-starts for no apparent reason.
> If I look in the Problems, Reports & Solutions section it simply states
> that windows shut down and is awaiting a solution - it doens't say why!
>
> I know the usual culprits include over heating - can't be, apart from
> three huge great fans, it sometimes occurs just minutes after starting.
> RAM being another problem, I've tried taking out all but one stick of RAM,
> and replacing that with another - it is unlikely all 4 sticks are shot,
> they are matched sticks.
>
> Is there any reliable software out there that can monitor the system and
> give more accurate reports as to what might be the problem? I have also
> reinstalled Vista after formatting the drive.
>
> Ron
>
>
>

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:OGiTf06%23IHA.5336@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Ron O'Brien wrote:
>
>
> What kind of power supply did you put in your "super powerful" computer?
> If
> it is one that came with the case, it's probably inadequate.
>
> As for reports, software monitoring isn't going to help with a hardware
> problem. Strip the machine down to the bare essentials and start testing
> all your hardware. BTW, you do understand that with RAID 0 you now have a
> doubled chance of losing everything?
>
> Malke
> --
Malke, Thanks for the info. The power supply should be OK it's 1000w
Yes I am aware of the RAID issue. I may well change it

Ron

check the event logs

just because you think heat may not be a problem is not a good reason that it might not be.

you should have some program to monitor heat and fans.

you have too much invested to take a chance.

I usually use Speed Fan.





mikeyhsd@sprintpcs.com



"Ron O'Brien" <castcall@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:edPGQE6%23IHA.5336@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
I have just completed building a super powerful PC comprising of:

Intel QX9770 quad core Processor 3.2ghz
Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard
8gb RAM (4x 2gb DDR3)
Sapphire Radeon HD3870 graphics card
2x WD 300gb SATA HDD's as RAID0
LG Blu-ray/HD/DVD/CD drive
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit [full retail]

All the latest downloads and up-dates are installed.

I can be working away, the PC could have been on for a few minutes or an
hour or more and it just shuts down and re-starts for no apparent reason. If
I look in the Problems, Reports & Solutions section it simply states that
windows shut down and is awaiting a solution - it doens't say why!

I know the usual culprits include over heating - can't be, apart from three
huge great fans, it sometimes occurs just minutes after starting. RAM being
another problem, I've tried taking out all but one stick of RAM, and
replacing that with another - it is unlikely all 4 sticks are shot, they are
matched sticks.

Is there any reliable software out there that can monitor the system and
give more accurate reports as to what might be the problem? I have also
reinstalled Vista after formatting the drive.

Ron

I'd also check the SATA cables and look at Intel Storage Manager... open it
and see if any errors.
Michael


"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:OGiTf06%23IHA.5336@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Ron O'Brien wrote:
>
>> I have just completed building a super powerful PC comprising of:
>>
>> Intel QX9770 quad core Processor 3.2ghz
>> Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard
>> 8gb RAM (4x 2gb DDR3)
>> Sapphire Radeon HD3870 graphics card
>> 2x WD 300gb SATA HDD's as RAID0
>> LG Blu-ray/HD/DVD/CD drive
>> Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit [full retail]
>>
>> All the latest downloads and up-dates are installed.
>>
>> I can be working away, the PC could have been on for a few minutes or an
>> hour or more and it just shuts down and re-starts for no apparent reason.
>> If I look in the Problems, Reports & Solutions section it simply states
>> that windows shut down and is awaiting a solution - it doens't say why!
>>
>> I know the usual culprits include over heating - can't be, apart from
>> three huge great fans, it sometimes occurs just minutes after starting.
>> RAM being another problem, I've tried taking out all but one stick of
>> RAM,
>> and replacing that with another - it is unlikely all 4 sticks are shot,
>> they are matched sticks.
>>
>> Is there any reliable software out there that can monitor the system and
>> give more accurate reports as to what might be the problem? I have also
>> reinstalled Vista after formatting the drive.
>
> What kind of power supply did you put in your "super powerful" computer?
> If
> it is one that came with the case, it's probably inadequate.
>
> As for reports, software monitoring isn't going to help with a hardware
> problem. Strip the machine down to the bare essentials and start testing
> all your hardware. BTW, you do understand that with RAID 0 you now have a
> doubled chance of losing everything?
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>

Also check the video card drivers.
64 bit Vista REQUIRES signed drivers, others will not work correctly.

On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:38:28 -0400, "Phillips" <afn18721@afn.org>
wrote:

>I'd also check the SATA cables and look at Intel Storage Manager... open it
>and see if any errors.
>Michael
>
>
>"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
>news:OGiTf06%23IHA.5336@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Ron O'Brien wrote:
>>
>>> I have just completed building a super powerful PC comprising of:
>>>
>>> Intel QX9770 quad core Processor 3.2ghz
>>> Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard
>>> 8gb RAM (4x 2gb DDR3)
>>> Sapphire Radeon HD3870 graphics card
>>> 2x WD 300gb SATA HDD's as RAID0
>>> LG Blu-ray/HD/DVD/CD drive
>>> Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit [full retail]
>>>
>>> All the latest downloads and up-dates are installed.
>>>
>>> I can be working away, the PC could have been on for a few minutes or an
>>> hour or more and it just shuts down and re-starts for no apparent reason.
>>> If I look in the Problems, Reports & Solutions section it simply states
>>> that windows shut down and is awaiting a solution - it doens't say why!
>>>
>>> I know the usual culprits include over heating - can't be, apart from
>>> three huge great fans, it sometimes occurs just minutes after starting.
>>> RAM being another problem, I've tried taking out all but one stick of
>>> RAM,
>>> and replacing that with another - it is unlikely all 4 sticks are shot,
>>> they are matched sticks.
>>>
>>> Is there any reliable software out there that can monitor the system and
>>> give more accurate reports as to what might be the problem? I have also
>>> reinstalled Vista after formatting the drive.
>>
>> What kind of power supply did you put in your "super powerful" computer?
>> If
>> it is one that came with the case, it's probably inadequate.
>>
>> As for reports, software monitoring isn't going to help with a hardware
>> problem. Strip the machine down to the bare essentials and start testing
>> all your hardware. BTW, you do understand that with RAID 0 you now have a
>> doubled chance of losing everything?
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP
>> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
>> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>>

Thanks for all the advice.
I'm still not 100% sure what has been going on but since writing this it hasn't shut down....maybe that's the answer scare it into thinking you might start fiddling with it and it will behave!!!

Ron

This is all from Intel

Regarding your question, please be aware that there is a limitation on
the
Intel(R) Desktop Board DX48BT2 that will only allow 2 DDR3-1600Mhz
modules
to be installed"


"The maximum system memory for DDR3 1600 is 2 GB using 1 Gbit
technology
memory in a 1R x 8 configuration (single-sided modules).

For 1600 MHz memory, only two DIMMs are supported for a maximum of 4
GB
utilizing
1 Gb memory technology. DIMMs should be configured as a matched pair
equal
in

speed and size in DIMM 0 and DIMM 1 of channel B."


I Removed the Dimms from channel A and no longer had the reboot
problem. This was with WinXP