Problem with my HTPC

[ugt]

I've been having a problem with a computer and I just can't figure out what's wrong. Randomly most of the time the screen goes blank and says no signal but everything in the case is still running, other times everything freezes. I check the Event Log after but it never has any errors. This doesn't happen everyday but sometimes it happens multiple times per day. I just used memtest overnight with no errors, I'm now using Prime95 to test the CPU. Heat isn't the issue as temps are all normal. What can I use to test the GPU? All drivers/firmware/BIOS is up to date. Are there any other tests I could run to troubleshoot?



OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional x64
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
PSU: Corsair 850AX 850W
CPU: AMD FX-8120
CPU Cooler: Enermax ETD-T60-VD
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB DDR3 1600 996988 x2
GPU: EVGA 460 2Win 2GB
HDD: Crucial M4 128GB SATA III
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB SATA III
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB SATA III
ODD: Samsung SH-B123L/RSBP
Tuner: Hauppauge! Colossus HD PVR
Tuner: Hauppauge! DCR-2650
Sound: ASUS Xonar D2

[slugbug]

Try OCCT. It's useful for testing pretty much everything in your Computer.

[ugt]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[Cella]

The symptoms sound like a lot of descriptions I have read on nVidia driver issues. Even though you have the latest driver, the 2Win is anything but a reference card and may have some unique issues. Have you tried going back to the last driver set that you are certain worked? Hopefully it is something that simple.

[rrplay]

Have to agree with the above comment from Cella, many times it is just that simple, by reverting back to the previous driver and having it re-installed cleanly. Give that OCCT that slugo mentioned a test an let us know how it works for you.

[ugt]

I have no idea which last driver worked, but I'll go back a few and hope that does it. I have to take it off my UPS or switch it to one of my other ones with a higher wattage as I'm overloading it with OCCT. I'll report back later.

Also Cella, when you reviewed the UD5, did you notice any glitches with USB, if I plug in some USB 3.0 devices my mouse and keyboard lag like crazy.

[BackDraft]

how long has this been going on, if I missed it I'm sorry.
The NVIDIA driver issue usually occurs when the system comes out of a sleep state. I have not had any issues when the monitor was turned off but have had intermittent problems when I put the system to sleep.
It could be that your card is starting to go or you may be having a problem with the PCIe slot.
Hopefully it's just a driver issue but it's always good to check the latter.

The only GPU test I could think of would be to change the GPU with a similar one. AS in another NV card. If it happens it's the drivers.
You could also try putting a slight OC on it to see if it crashes more frequently.

[ugt]

This has been going on about a month, maybe more.
I don't believe the card is going, it's fairly new and doesn't crap out if I fold. I do think it's more along the lines of driver, my media center software(Sage), or a loose connection somewhere. I'll check the cables and reseat the hardware later.
It never goes to sleep, tv is on 24/7.
The PCIe slot could also be a possibility, on my last motherboard with mostly the same hardware I didn't have any of these problems.

[Synesthesia]

Maybe a sus psu, checked it?

[ugt]

Not the PSU, it's been running fine for for a few days. I brought in another monitor and connected via DVI and booted windows and then turned the monitor off. Since then all it's done is record and I've streamed them to another computer. So it's between the HDMI cable I've been using or like BD said the GPU. I actually don't think it was the HDMI cable, more of it being the mini HDMI to HDMI dongle. I just got new cables that don't need the dongle so I'm going to try that next.