A non-Pro Tools related crash

[Fastermouse]

Not that you guys remember, but I have been bothered (plagued) by a series of spontaneous system re-boots. Today, for the first time it happened when I was not using Pro Tools.

I was copying session files to and external USB hard drive when my system rebooted with no BSOD. This is a typical crash for me, the difference being that I had my 003 rack turned off and ProTools was not running. The USB drive was in a USB port that is always open, and the drive is only connected during back ups, which never take place with Pro Tools running.

This system is only for Pro Tools and only connects to the net to update PACE drivers and to post Sandras. In my Sandra you will see a Hawking USB wireless but it is only connected to post this message. It is disabled and removed all other times.

I have replaced, my fans, my power supply, and my RAM. The PC sits in a evevated position and is not enclosed by any boxes, etc. There are 2 case fans. The DVD drive is disconnected because I thought it may have been the issue, and has been disconnected for 6 months.
This re boot has been a problem since day 1 and I have tried every config possible to rid myself of it. It now appears to surely be hardware based. I realize that my hard drives are low cache and I will replace them, but can they be the issue, since Pro Tools wasn't running?
Please advise. Thanks, Fastermouse
xp sp3 7.4.cs10 003r factory

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Model : System manufacturer P5QC
Workgroup : MSHOME
Host Name : p5qc
User : Bobby

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Speed : 2.4GHz
Cores per Processor : 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Quad-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 4x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 4MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 16-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing

Computer
Mainboard : Asus P5QC
BIOS : AMI 0803 06/26/2008
Bus(es) : ISA X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 3.25GB DIMM DDR2 DDR3

Chipset
Model : ASUS P45/P43/G45/G43 DRAM Controller
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 267MHz (1GHz)
Total Memory : 4GB DIMM DDR2 DDR3
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 401MHz (802MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : OCZ OCZ2RPR10662G 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3)
Memory Module : OCZ OCZ2RPR10662G 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3)

Video System
Video Adapter : ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series (120 SP, PCIe 2.00 x16)
Video Adapter : ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series (120 SP, PCIe 2.00 x16)

Storage Devices
WDC WD1601ABYS-01C0A0 (164.7GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 16MB Cache) : 153GB (C:)
ST3250310AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache) : 233GB (D:)
ST3250310AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache) : 233GB (F:)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 153GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD1601ABYS-01C0A0 (164.7GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 16MB Cache)
Music (D:) : 233GB (NTFS) @ ST3250310AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache)
Music (F:) : 233GB (NTFS) @ ST3250310AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache)
3.5" 1.44MB (A:) : N/A

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : ASUS LPC Interface Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : T0 A5-13h
Audio Device : PC Partner RV635 Audio device [Radeon HD 3600 Series]
Audio Codec : ATI (AMD) AA01h
Disk Controller : ASUS 4 port SATA IDE Controller
Disk Controller : ASUS 2 port SATA IDE Controller
USB Controller 1 : ASUS USB UHCI Controller #4
USB Controller 2 : ASUS USB UHCI Controller #5
USB Controller 3 : ASUS USB UHCI Controller #6
USB Controller 4 : ASUS USB EHCI Controller #2
USB Controller 5 : ASUS USB UHCI Controller #1
USB Controller 6 : ASUS USB UHCI Controller #2
USB Controller 7 : ASUS USB UHCI Controller #3
USB Controller 8 : ASUS USB EHCI Controller #1
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : Avlab Technology TSB43AB23 1394a-2000 OHCI PHY/link-layer Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus

Network Services
Network Adapter : Hawking Wireless-G USB Adapter with Removable Antenna #2 - Packet Scheduler Miniport (Ethernet, 24Mbps)
Wireless Adapter 1 : Hawking Wireless-G USB Adapter with Removable Antenna #2 - Packet Scheduler Miniport (802.11g (ERP), AES-CCMP, 24Mbps)

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 3)
Platform Compliance : x86

[albee1952]

Wow, the plot thickens I would test RAM(memtest?) and check cpu temps. Also maybe test the power supply if you can.

[dave911]

I've never heard of a drive causing a reboot problem.
Have you run a stress with prime 95? Also, a program called Furmark will stress test the video.
You should run a manual chkdsk with all the options checked on your system drive just to clean up from all those crashes and check the report.

[Fastermouse]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Wow, the plot thickens I would test RAM(memtest?) and check cpu temps. Also maybe test the power supply if you can.

I will test as you suggest but note that both the RAM and the power supply have been replaced as possible fixes. I realize that is possible that I could have the same issue with new RAM or PS but how unlikely is that? Will check cpu temp, but again I have replaced both fans and this has been with NIB parts each replacement. Also have done old d-verb test with a d-verb open on every insert of all tracks with no deterioration.

Keep throwing out those suggestions, everyone. I have another Mobo w/ identical chip set that is next to go in. Waiting on my IT buddy to have some free time.

[TOM@METRO]

Wow Faster, this is a puzzle, and it could be a Motherboard issue. I agree that this does not sound like drives. I have seen RAM cause this but this new RAM should not be repeating the same characteristics of the old stuff. Good luck.

[AirborneFO]

I'll throw in my .02 if you don't mind.

I had a VERY similar issue on my new build. Some of the folks here followed it and were puzzled as well. I would get on, work for about 5-10 minutes (maybe) and then it would just reboot. Out of nowhere.....just restart on its own. After trying everything I could think of, I finally just re-installed XP SP3 and it fixed it. No issues since.

I think what I did was maybe mis-typed something in BIOS when doing the optimization steps or something. Not sure what it was, but after reinstallation and re-doing the optimization steps, that fixed it for me.

[TOM@METRO]

If you think this might be a bios related issue. Go back to default bios settings and see if that solves it.

[Shan]

Heating issues could cause this but I also wouldn't rule out a bad motherboard.

Shane

[Fastermouse]

At this point I am going to install the new board. I think it is the issue, but who knows? At that point I will reset bios and take each thing one step at a time. My guy says that he can install the new board w/o a re-install of programs. Fingers crossed. Please keep the ideas coming. I will try all steps to stabilize my system.

[TOM@METRO]

As Shane and I have pointed out, at this point the motherboard could be the culprit. If the bios changes don't do the trick I think the MB would be my next move.