technology I need computer help, please?

[Guest]

Hi everypony

 

So last week I got a brand spanking new pc for gaming. I don't really know anything about pcs and I'm only a casual player.

So it worked perfectly last week but then over the weekend and until today it has kept freezing up every hour or so even if no program is running.

I've run antivirus and it's fine.

My fan is at full speed and it's not overheating. The motherboard gets to max. 51 degrees c.

It has an Asus driver, which does have an update, but it keeps failing every time I try to install it. It says 'Flash Fail' and 'VBIOS Fail'. So I'm assuming that is the problem, but I don't know how to fix it. Or if that's even it.

I'm at my last straw, it's really annoying.

 

I hope someone can help or got some ideas?

 

Thanks in advance

-hugs

[boiteporte 591]

Hello;

 

First, it would be good if you could provide us with your technical specifications. What OS are you using ? And the details of your hardware.

 

Is it a fixed computer or a laptop ?

 

Also, try to start in in Safe Mode and see if the problem persists.

[Guest]

Hello;

 

First, it would be good if you could provide us with your technical specifications. What OS are you using ? And the details of your hardware.

 

Is it a fixed computer or a laptop ?

 

Also, try to start in in Safe Mode and see if the problem persists.

 

Sorry, I forgot about that stuff.

 

It's a fixed computer, brand new tower but old screen, mouse and keyboard.

It runs Win8.1

 

8GB RAM

AMD FX-8320 Eight-core processor

3.50 GHz

64 bit operating system, x64 based processor

 

 

I  think that's all? 

[boiteporte 591]

No, it's not.

 

I would also like to have your motherboard specifications and what BIOS you're using.

Also, try to start in Safe Mode. If your computer works in Safe Mode, then we can rule out the possibility of a hardware failure.

 

If it still  crashes, it might be a hardware related problem although it would be strange considering your computer is new.

Edited July 4, 2014 by boiteporte

[Digit 321]

No, it's not.

 

I would also like to have your motherboard specifications and what BIOS you're using.

Also, try to start in Safe Mode. If your computer works in Safe Mode, then we can rule out the possibility of a hardware failure.

 

If it still  crashes, it might be a hardware related problem although it would be strange considering your computer is new.

This, also if your running Windows 7 or 8. I'm guessing it's 8 but just to clear all possibilities of a OS problem as well.

[boiteporte 591]

She is running Windows 8.1. Please refer to earlier posts

Edited July 4, 2014 by boiteporte

[Guest]

No, it's not.

 

I would also like to have your motherboard specifications and what BIOS you're using.

Also, try to start in Safe Mode. If your computer works in Safe Mode, then we can rule out the possibility of a hardware failure.

 

If it still  crashes, it might be a hardware related problem although it would be strange considering your computer is new.

 

The motherboard is Asus M5A97 R2.0

It says 'UEFI BIOS' on the box is that enough?

 

I don't know a lot of this stuff, and how do you run the computer in safe mode?

[boiteporte 591]

I forgot that modern BIOS were UEFI, lol. The BIOS manufacturer does not matter, then.

 

Right, to start in Safe Mode, restart your computer and press F8 on startup until the startup screen shows up. Then, choose the Safe Mode setting. 

 

The computer will start in Safe Mode (That is, only load the minimum required to run the computer).

If the computer works normally, the problem will likely be software related.

 

It the issue still persists, then it will be hardware related.

 

It is very important to check that because the troubleshooting steps will be very different in the two cases.

[Guest]

I forgot that modern BIOS were UEFI, lol. The BIOS manufacturer does not matter, then.

 

Right, to start in Safe Mode, restart your computer and press F8 on startup until the startup screen shows up. Then, choose the Safe Mode setting. 

 

The computer will start in Safe Mode (That is, only load the minimum required to run the computer).

If the computer works normally, the problem will likely be software related.

 

It the issue still persists, then it will be hardware related.

 

It is very important to check that because the troubleshooting steps will be very different in the two cases.

 

When I pressed F8 there wasn't a 'Safe Mode' on the list.

But I selected 'Windows Boot Manager' from the list, I took a picture of it.

 

If it's right, then I guess now I just have to wait and see if it freezes again.

[boiteporte 591]

It's not F8. It's either F2 or F10.

This is the boot manager. It allows you to change your boot device which is not what we want.

On my computer, the Safe Mode option is accessed using F8. Unfortunately, it 's different for every computer.

 

You might want to check the manual that came with the motherboard.

[Horsy 193]

You can talk to the people who sold it to you. Is it under warranty?

[boiteporte 591]

Alternatively, you can try the following which is easier than trying to figure out which button to press  

 

Start the computer normally. press Windows + R keys.

Type msconfig and press Enter.

 

Click the "boot" tab. Check the "Safe Boot" box  and  select "minimal" for a typical safe boot. The computer will boot in safe mode the next time it restarts.

Edited July 4, 2014 by boiteporte

[Guest]

Ok that was easier. So now I'm in Safe Mode, and what should I do now?

In safe mode it recommended that I do a 'recovery' but when I did it said it was missing some Windows files??

Also how do you get back to normal?

[Jokuc 8,174]

Since this seems to be some sort of motherboard error, try to enter the BIOS menu and see if you see any error messages in the settings panel. Enter the bios menu by pressing Esc while starting up the computer. If it's not working with Esc, try F1, F2, Del and F10

Edited July 4, 2014 by Jokuc

[boiteporte 591]

Now, that you're in Safe Mode, you want to find out whether the computer still crashes. Don't worry about the recovery for now.

Keep it running and see if it crashes again.

 

If it does not, then we'll talk about "recovery" and "system restoration" , etc...

If it does, we'll have to look on the hardware side of things.

Since this seems to be some sort of motherboard error, try to enter the BIOS menu and see if you see any error messages in the settings panel. Enter the bios menu by pressing Esc while starting up the computer. If it's not working with Esc, try F1, F2, Del and F10

 

The BIOS error messages can come up because of a lot of different factors.

I had BIOS Checksum errors because my computer was overheating. It does not always mean that the problem comes from the motherboard. 

[Khaoios 1,970]

I forgot that modern BIOS were UEFI, lol. The BIOS manufacturer does not matter, then.

 

Right, to start in Safe Mode, restart your computer and press F8 on startup until the startup screen shows up. Then, choose the Safe Mode setting. 

 

The computer will start in Safe Mode (That is, only load the minimum required to run the computer).

If the computer works normally, the problem will likely be software related.

 

It the issue still persists, then it will be hardware related.

 

It is very important to check that because the troubleshooting steps will be very different in the two cases.

 

Now, that you're in Safe Mode, you want to find out whether the computer still crashes. Don't worry about the recovery for now.

Keep it running and see if it crashes again.

 

If it does not, then we'll talk about "recovery" and "system restoration" , etc...

If it does, we'll have to look on the hardware side of things.

 

The BIOS error messages can come up because of a lot of different factors.

I had BIOS Checksum errors because my computer was overheating. It does not always mean that the problem comes from the motherboard. 

 

Beat me to the punch, .  However, OP, i recommend you follow, bioteporte's steps. 

 

 

EDIT: Mat, I need you ask you a question...............how old is your machine, just out of curiosity.     I'm asking b/c what you are going through, I went through from one of my PC's. 

Edited July 4, 2014 by Thunder-Wing

[Jokuc 8,174]

 

 

The BIOS error messages can come up because of a lot of different factors. I had BIOS Checksum errors because my computer was overheating. It does not always mean that the problem comes from the motherboard.

 

I know, I'm just saying since it seems like she's unable to update the driver. To me that sounds more like a motherboard problem than a problem with overheating or similar.

[Khaoios 1,970]

I know, I'm just saying since it seems like she's unable to update the driver. To me that sounds more like a motherboard problem than a problem with overheating or similar.

 

I concur...........since she mentioned, Gaming computer, I wanted to ask her, what game is she trying to run, b/c i think she needs stronger specs.   Judging by wat she said, it sounds like a familiar problem that i had, when i was running SWTOR, and black out my screen and pretty much froze, forcing me to reboot.   So, I wouldn't be surprised if it "is" an overheating problem.   In addition, I for one, would not recommend using an AMD cpu on a Gaming PC, b/c in my opinion, intel core is much better.   AMD is more fit for a standard client PC. 

Edited July 4, 2014 by Thunder-Wing

[UnicornWolf 8]

Do you know, when I fix people's computers the most common reason for freezing and go-slows is having 2 anti-virus programs installed, both of which are fighting each other. Often they get one with the PC in trial version which expires and rather than buy it after this they get a free one, either without removing the other or with removing only part of it. 

 

Regards

[boiteporte 591]

 

 

I know, I'm just saying since it seems like she's unable to update the driver. To me that sounds more like a motherboard problem than a problem with overheating or similar.

 

We can look into that later.

 

 

 

I concur...........since she mentioned, Gaming computer, I wanted to ask her, what game is she trying to run, b/c i think she needs stronger specs.   Judging by wat she said, it sounds like a familiar problem that i had, when i was running SWTOR, and black out my screen and pretty much froze, forcing me to reboot.   So, I wouldn't be surprised if it "is" an overheating problem.   In addition, I for one, would not recommend using an AMD cpu on a Gaming PC, b/c in my opinion, intel core is much better.   AMD is more fit for a standard client PC. 

 

 

 

 

Do you know, when I fix people's computers the most common reason for freezing and go-slows is having 2 anti-virus programs installed, both of which are fighting each other. Often they get one with the PC in trial version which expires and rather than buy it after this they get a free one, either without removing the other or with removing only part of it.    Regards

 

She mentioned even with no programs running.  2 antivirus programs can cause problems and slow down the computer but crashes every hour is highly unlikely. 

[Jokuc 8,174]

But as boiteporte said, try to run the computer in safe mode for a while and see if it keeps crashing or not.

 

Also, you could try to look for errors on the system. Search for "cmd" then rightclick on it and chose "Run as Administrator". Now type sfc /scannow and hit enter. Wait for it to finish and takes notes if any errors shows up. You can also press the windows button, then search for "eventvwr" start the program and go to "Windows logs" then press on Applications. Now look around if you can find any errors, these will be marked with red ! s look at the information given and see if it says anything about crash or application hang. Do the same for the System tab

 

You can also look if there's a problem with any devices, search for device manager and look if you can find any yellow warning markers

[Khaoios 1,970]

Do you know, when I fix people's computers the most common reason for freezing and go-slows is having 2 anti-virus programs installed, both of which are fighting each other. Often they get one with the PC in trial version which expires and rather than buy it after this they get a free one, either without removing the other or with removing only part of it. 

 

Regards

 

TBH, i hate those "free" ones, b/c i'm always afraid it would screw up your system.   I usually would go to Staples and pick up a physical copy of Norton, McAfree, or Trend.   The download ones these days, don't seem to trustworthy, IMO

[Azure Envy 1,092]

Are you attempting to update the UEFI BIOS? Based on the errors "Flash fail" and "VBIOS fail," that's what I'm getting. If so, is there any reason you are attempting to do so other than the fact that the update is available?

 

As for the fan running full speed, it may be set that way inside the BIOS. Usually there's some sort of option or adjustment that allows the fan to ramp up and down based on system temperature.

[Khaoios 1,970]

She mentioned even with no programs running.  2 antivirus programs can cause problems and slow down the computer but crashes every hour is highly unlikely. 

 

Oh okay.  Its a common problem then, with the downloaded anti-virus'?

 

 

OP: I tend to work from easy solutions to harder ones, but I would say, go to Control Panel, and Uninstall the program.  However, if the problem, continues to occur, System Restore to 1 month before (make sure you remember the date, you installed those anti-virus programs).   If that doesn't do anything, then we'll have to work from Safe Mode. 

Edited July 4, 2014 by Thunder-Wing

[Azure Envy 1,092]

TBH, i hate those "free" ones, b/c i'm always afraid it would screw up your system.   I usually would go to Staples and pick up a physical copy of Norton, McAfree, or Trend.   The download ones these days, don't seem to trustworthy, IMO

 

I use free versions of Avira and Avast on my home computers without any issues. Norton has gotten better over the years, but McAfee is a total pile. It did nothing to stop CryptoLocker from wrecking havoc at work.