Computer Stability

Phenax · l33t Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 972

I just built a new computer. It's very unstable. Not with running applications, but whenever I compile large applications.. like
glibc, gcc, wxGTK, etc..
It segfaults and says that it is probably an OS/hardware error.

My hardware is all at default in BIOS, but my RAM voltage which I set to the recommended 2.1v over my BIOS' default 1.85v, which runs unstable.

Is memtest86 any good for testing system stability? It came with my Gentoo minimal disk, and I have no blank disks. I just want to test my system stability and try to find the culprit. My CPU temperature is around 36c idle, and my sys temperature is around 34c idle.. I don't think temperature is the problem.

I really just want to try to figure out WHAT is causing this, but even if it not tell me any programs would be good..

RiBBiT · Apprentice Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 215 Location: Sweden

memtest86 will tell you if your RAM is faulty, if you let it run long enough. It will not test the stability of the rest of your system. The RAM would be the first I would check anyway though, so I recommend running it.
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Phenax · l33t Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 972

I ran it for a couple of hours. Passed all tests multiple times. I got a segementation fault compiling wxGTK on the minimal disk kernel. I really wonder what this is..

DAharon · Apprentice Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 155

I was having a similar problem a little while ago. But this was not a new system, it was one that never used to lock up. But I had moved to a new apartment and it was the hottest it had been in a long while. The thing was overheating.
While the cpu was getting hotter than it had ever been, I think it was the memory that was actually overheating.
Everything was fine after night fell.
BTW, I know these things vary, but 36* is pretty hot for my P4. I was having the segfault problems at just over 40*.

Phenax · l33t Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 972

I ordered Artic Silver 5 thermal grease and if one of my 120mm fans fits in my heatsink I'll try it. In probably a week it'll be here. It works fine now that I've downclocked it 200mhz.

enderandrew · l33t Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 731

The segfaults are likely the RAM.
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Taladar · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:44 am Post subject:

You can check if it is a thermal problem easily by opening the PC and putting a large (30 cm or something like that) fan in front of it, blowing into the PC. If it doesn't segfault that way you need better cooling.

Boris27 · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:56 am Post subject:

It's the heat. Probably your RAM.

I'm experiencing the same problems now that it's so hot up here in The Netherlands. The room where my PC is in is 31 degrees Celcius and my memory kinda disagrees with that some times.
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Phenax · l33t Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 972

Actually, it seems to be my CPU voltage. I just upped it from 1.4 to 1.55, and it's running much more stable. I'm not sure if it's still going to crash, only testing will tell.

Boris27 · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:46 am Post subject:

Phenax · l33t Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 972

Not really, it's quite funny. 1.4volts keeps my Vcore around 1.5v, while 1.55v keeps my vcore around 1.55v..