Freezes after cold startup

[Celox]

hi,

i setup a new rig and ever since i got it up and running im experiencing a annoying problem i couldnt get rid off.
In the past four weeks i have been looking everywhere for an answer but nothing would help.

My Problem is as follows:
My system freezes after a cold startup.
As an example, when i get back home from work i start my rig, bios posts without problems, vista x64 startups fine, after 5mins or so work my system just freezes, i cant move my mouse or type on the keyboard etc..

Now the fun part: After i restart it using the reset button it passes bios and windows startup fine, i can work and even prime95 test my system for hours, it wont freeze at all.
It does it only when my rig was shutdown for more then 6hours. (I havent experienced it after just 1-2hours only around 6h+)

my rig:
Gigabyte X48t-DQ6
Core 2 Quad Q9550
2x 1GB OCZ PC3-14400 Platinum Edition (gone upgrade later to 4x 1gb)
1 x wd Velociraptor 300gb /w ice pack
1x toshiba cd/dvd writer
1 x gainward ati radeon 4870
Xigmatek 1283
corsair hx620 psu
chasis antec 182p

My bios settings:

Robust Graphics Booster  	       Auto
CPU Clock Ratio 	               8.5x
CPU Frequency 	                       333FSB
CPU Host Clock Control 	               Enabled
CPU Host Frequency (MHz) 	       333
PCI Express Frequency (MHz)           100
C.I.A.2 	                       Disabled
Performance Enhanced With 	       Standard
System Memory Multiplier 	       4.00B
DRAM Timing Selectable 	               Manual
CAS Latency Time 	               8
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay 	       8
DRAM RAS# Precharge 	               8
Precharge delay (tRAS) 	               24
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD) 	       Auto
Rank Write To READ Delay 	       Auto
Write To Precharge Delay 	       Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay 	               Auto
Read to Precharge Delay 	       Auto
Static tRead Value 	               Auto
Static tRead Phase Adjust 	       Auto
Command Rate 	                       1T
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving 	       800mV
CPU Clock Skew Control 	               Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control 	       Normal
System Voltage Control 	               Manual
DDR3 Overvoltage Control 	      (+)0.40
PCI-E Overvoltage Control 	       Normal
FSB Overvoltage Control 	       Normal
(G)MCH Overvoltage Control 	       Normal
Loadline Calibration                  Disabled
CPU Voltage Control                   Normal

Bios version is F5

temp at cold startup is around 29-35 degree

running Windows x64 with latest SP incl. updates and latest component drivers:
Driver for Intel X48 (INF Update Utility v9.0.0.1008)
Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver v8.5.0.1032
(my velociraptor runs on the intel ich9R ahci controller /w ncq)
ati catalyst driver v8.8
RealTek Audio (Vista_R204)
RealTek LAN v6.208

i run out of ideas for a solution for this problem, maybe someone here has an idea
(sorry for my english, im german)

solution? read here: Freezes after cold startup

[Kelainefes]

Hi and welcome.

I assume you don't turn off the PSU, the wall socket, or a multi-socket you use for the PC, but is it possible that you got a model that shuts down by itself when power usage is minimal (one of those new eco friendy thingies)?

[Clunk]

Welcome to the forums

No need to apologise for your English, it's better than some of the English people here

There are several things this could be, so it's going to be a case of trial and error.

Do you have any parts that you can swap out and test with?

Assuming that its not a driver issue - Firstly, I would be memtesting the RAM - memtest86+ v2.xx - test 5 for about an hour on each stick.

Make sure you have the correct timings and voltages set for the RAM.

A dying hard drive can also do this - run chkdisk or the util of your choice to check the drive's health.

PSU can also do this.

[Celox]

first off, thanks for your fast respond!

I assume you don't turn off the PSU, the wall socket, or a multi-socket you use for the PC, but is it possible that you got a model that shuts down by itself when power usage is minimal (one of those new eco friendy thingies)?

thats right, i dont unplug or turn off anything except the command to shutdown my pc using windows.
first thing that came in mind was that my psu would not have enough watts to pull my rig off.
after some calculations and corsairs calculator it should be more than enough

this is the psu i use

There are several things this could be, so it's going to be a case of trial and error.

been doing trial and error for four weeks now

Do you have any parts that you can swap out and test with?

lucky me, yes i do. i work for a it company and i can lend some parts for a given time.

Assuming that its not a driver issue - Firstly, I would be memtesting the RAM - memtest86+ v2.xx - test 5 for about an hour on each stick.

will do that right away, run a test for few hours with 0 Erros using MemTest 3.7 HCI.

Make sure you have the correct timings and voltages set for the RAM.

tried that already with no luck. got the information directly from ocz support. here's a quote:
"The correct timings for your memory are 8-8-8-24 and the memory voltage should be set manually to 1.95V"

A dying hard drive can also do this - run chkdisk or the util of your choice to check the drive's health.
PSU can also do this.

i hope its not my drive its brand new and was quite expensive

1. gone chkdsk my drive now! edit:results: no problems detected.
2. gone do memtest86+ on every dimm socket and seperatly check ram dimms

[Clunk]

Try different SATA cables too, and also, try the raptor on the Jmicron instead of the Intel copntroller - Its a longshot but it might work.

You can also check for shorts. Remove the board from the case and build it up on some cardboard - check the I/O shield for stray bit of metal. Make sure all your motherboard standoffs are screwed into the case tightly.

[Kelainefes]

Also, is it something that happens very often, or does it ALWAYS happen within a few minutes after long shutdowns? You ever tried to leave the PC on a couple of days straight?

[kitfit1]

Originally Posted by Clunk

You can also check for shorts. Remove the board from the case and build it up on some cardboard - check the I/O shield for stray bit of metal. Make sure all your motherboard standoffs are screwed into the case tightly.

I have a sneaky feeling Clunk may well be right with this. Cold mobo, starts up and a few mins latter shuts down. Heat expansion somwhere causing a short. Start up again and the short has gone, until the next cold boot.

[affiliate13]

I would have guessed PSU 1st, RAM next (use fan of DIMMs when using memtest) also try the sticks in different slots.
Short on the IO shield is very common on new builds, check no other mobo parts are in contact with the case or other parts - i am thinking CPU HSF mounting plate or similar.

[Celox]

thx for ur suggestion guys

2. gone do memtest86+ on every dimm socket and seperatly check ram dimms

my dimms passed the memtest86+ #5 tests, had it running both for an hour.

i have noticed something strange while trying to boot from the memtest86+ cd.
i booted from the cd and it said "Loading....." and my system froze, had to reset by hard reset as crtl+alt+del didnt work.

i went straight into the bios and disabled AHCI and NCQ, to see if that was the problem.
cd booted and tests were error free.

Try different SATA cables too, and also, try the raptor on the Jmicron instead of the Intel copntroller - Its a longshot but it might work.

this is what i had in mind after i had the booting problem from cd (sata rom) with the intel controller running as ahci with ncq

You can also check for shorts. Remove the board from the case and build it up on some cardboard - check the I/O shield for stray bit of metal. Make sure all your motherboard standoffs are screwed into the case tightly.

quite alot of work but seems like i have to do it again i build the whole system myself and it was making sure i didnt have any shorts. who knows maybe i missed one spot.
by the "check the I/O shield" u mean the backplane with usb, audio/video connectors?

Also, is it something that happens very often, or does it ALWAYS happen within a few minutes after long shutdowns? You ever tried to leave the PC on a couple of days straight?

it happens only if the system was shutdown for a longer period of time.
i shutdown my rig before i go to sleep around 11:30pm. i wake up and before i leave for work im checking for new mails around 6:50am and the problem occurs. its pi**ing me off .
once i've checked my mails i shut it down leave for work and around 5:30pm i turn it on again just to get pi**ed off by the problem again
it never occurs a second time after i have reset the system once the freeze happens
i can game, encode, watch shows/movies using media center etc without freezes. its just the very first time i start the system after it has been shutdown for more or around 6 hours

Start up again and the short has gone, until the next cold boot.

yeah but its really weird that it does not happen when the system was shutdown for 1-2hours. something must be "unloading" that takes alot more time, like overnight.

Short on the IO shield is very common on new builds, check no other mobo parts are in contact with the case or other parts - i am thinking CPU HSF mounting plate or similar.

i checked and redid the whole cabling a few days ago. no contact with other parts. i havent re-mounted the cpu fan yet as its quite heavy and hard to mount, i guess by CPU HSF u mean heat sink fan?

[affiliate13]

Originally Posted by Celox

i checked and redid the whole cabling a few days ago. no contact with other parts. i havent re-mounted the cpu fan yet as its quite heavy and hard to mount, i guess by CPU HSF u mean heat sink fan?

Yes heat sink, but only if you are using a backside mounting plate (ive seen these put on wrong way around), otherwise dont worry about HSF.

did a different PSU make any difference at all?

One other thought, do you use driver cleaner when changing between catalyst versions? Might be worth a shot too.