Hello, I am hoping you guys can give me a few pointers.
I have a problem that my computer automatically either completely freezes, or simply restarts on it's own volition. When it freezes, all the hardware keeps running (fans etc) for what seems to be an indefinite time. The restart appears just as if the power is unplugged. It's a very "hard" shutdown, and 2-3 seconds later it starts booting up again.
This can happen at any time, and the longest I've been able to keep the computer up and running is approximately 15 minutes. Sometimes it also happens before POST completion.
I've tried multiple OS versions, and it happens in all of them. (That was before it started happening pre-POST, obviously.)
The first time it happened was when I upgraded from Win7 to Win8. However, as said above, this clearly isn't an OS issue.
What I have done so far
1. I've re-stalled various OS, windows and linux versions.
2. I've run through Prime95, no issues detected
3. I've run through Memtest, no issues detected
4. I've run through 3DMark, completed just fine.
I have also disconnected virtually all hardware. The computer now only has 1 harddrive + gfx card attached to remove any possible shorting issues, and it still happens.
The computer has a 750W PSU, so it also shouldn't be a power shortage issue with this little hardware in it.
The computer is water cooled, and the CPU temperature has never been above 40C, so it ought not be any overheating issues.
My ideas
I am, at this point, guessing that it's either a motherboard or CPU issue. Before I start ordering new hardware, I'm hoping for a second opinion from you guys.
The memtest results makes me believe the RAM is just fine, and the prime95 test makes me think the CPU is also ok. Leaving me with mobo.
Should I just order a new mobo, or could there be something else?
Edit
I should point out that the event logger in Windows does not record anything, and the Q-Code on the ASUS motherboard does not show any errors.
I have a problem that my computer automatically either completely freezes, or simply restarts on it's own volition. When it freezes, all the hardware keeps running (fans etc) for what seems to be an indefinite time. The restart appears just as if the power is unplugged. It's a very "hard" shutdown, and 2-3 seconds later it starts booting up again.
This can happen at any time, and the longest I've been able to keep the computer up and running is approximately 15 minutes. Sometimes it also happens before POST completion.
I've tried multiple OS versions, and it happens in all of them. (That was before it started happening pre-POST, obviously.)
The first time it happened was when I upgraded from Win7 to Win8. However, as said above, this clearly isn't an OS issue.
What I have done so far
1. I've re-stalled various OS, windows and linux versions.
2. I've run through Prime95, no issues detected
3. I've run through Memtest, no issues detected
4. I've run through 3DMark, completed just fine.
I have also disconnected virtually all hardware. The computer now only has 1 harddrive + gfx card attached to remove any possible shorting issues, and it still happens.
The computer has a 750W PSU, so it also shouldn't be a power shortage issue with this little hardware in it.
The computer is water cooled, and the CPU temperature has never been above 40C, so it ought not be any overheating issues.
My ideas
I am, at this point, guessing that it's either a motherboard or CPU issue. Before I start ordering new hardware, I'm hoping for a second opinion from you guys.
The memtest results makes me believe the RAM is just fine, and the prime95 test makes me think the CPU is also ok. Leaving me with mobo.
Should I just order a new mobo, or could there be something else?
Edit
I should point out that the event logger in Windows does not record anything, and the Q-Code on the ASUS motherboard does not show any errors.