I'm not completely incompetent....

[uhwhatsamobo?]

..but I could use the advice of people more experienced than I am. I've built a few computers, but not a ton. Have been having a random crashing issue and am having a hard time pinning down the problem. I'm not experienced enough to intuitively connect the dots on what may be a common problem with new hardware and I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction.

Built a new rig about half a year ago and occasionally have it crash randomly. It restarts just fine and carries on. The event logs note that "the last shutdown was unexpected" but that's the only record of it.
It might happen 5 times in 2 hours or not at all during a 12 hour session.
It doesn't appear to overheat, hasn't been overclocked yet, does not recognize that a software error has occurred (when one happens it does note it- just doesn't seem to relate to the crashing), runs torture tests with no problem- pushing all 4 cores to 100% for an hour straight (which is a much heavier load than I normally carry when i have problems). Mem test comes back OK. Loss of power to the local outlets would reset my sound system and tip me off, surge protector has been replaced - no change. Worked the same with 2 versions of XP 32-bit and Vista 64.

Any ideas what to check next?

[Panama Red]

How bout posting some system specs. Include the manufacturers and model numbers of your:

motherboard
power supply
cpu
memory
video card

[uhwhatsamobo?]

Intel DX38BT- mobo
Intel Core2 Q6600 2.4 - CPU
2 sets Corsair XMS3 PC10600 DDR3 1333MHz 2048MB
EVGA - Gf 8800 GTS 512 - vid card
Rosewill RX950 D-B - PSU

Sorry was looking all that up right as you were asking. Hard to help without that.

[Panama Red]

Rosewill power supplies are not on our good list and for good reason. Take a look at the label on the side of the psu and you'll find a number that begins with E. Use the site below to check the E code and see who the real manufacturer is.

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/t.../gfilenbr.html

[uhwhatsamobo?]

Nice...........

Have any that you recommmend? I want some room to play if I decide to add more goodies to my system.

[Panama Red]

The Corsair line has been getting great results around here for a while now. Take a look at these and selelct a size and price that fits your budget. Probably something in the 650-750 watt range would be good. Some have modular wiring so you'll want to check close to make sure you have all the needed connectors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

[uhwhatsamobo?]

Thanks! That will give me somewhere to start looking.