PC remains unstable following recent BIOS adjustments.
PC remains unstable following recent BIOS adjustments.
Hi everyone, I have a sad update from this thread: The computer was working fine for awhile. But I must have messed up something since the computer crashes again, albeit with more time between crashes. The crashes happen inconsistently, but around every hour or so. There doesn't seem to be any precipitating event that causes the crash (have tried stress tests, no thermal throttling). One change I did make was change some BIOS settings so that the computer could run Valorant. I followed the instructions on this Reddit thread , which I will post below: To fix this you need to turn Secure Boot on in the BIOS Tab of BIOS The Secure Boot option won't be available until you turn CSM (Compatibility Support Module) off in BIOS If you're like me, Secure Boot will show as "Enabled" but also "Not Active", and this issue will persist through reboots To fix this, change Secure Boot Mode from Standard to Custom, then immediately back to Standard. It'll ask you if you want to restore defaults or something. Say yes. If it boots you out of BIOS, go back into BIOS and ensure that Secure Boot is enabled That's it! Some software that I have installed since "fixing" the initial issues: Steam, Discord, Valorant, Destiny 2, Microsoft Office suite, Adobe acrobat, Google Chrome. Any ideas on how to fix this issue? If I revert the BIOS changes, I don't think I can run Valorant anymore on the computer which wouldn't be ideal...
The fact that the computer ran briefly before crashing suggests the issue isn’t related to BIOS updates. Could be incorrect! I recommend checking your thermal settings while gaming until the crash occurs, then installing MSI Afterburner and turning on the onscreen display for graphics and CPU temperatures. Search for guidance online if you’re unsure. While testing, disable any unnecessary programs—avoid Steam or Discord during this process. Ensure Windows power settings are set to high and match those in the NVIDIA control panel. Ideally, remove everything you installed and reinstall the game one by one, checking for crashes after each step. If it works, install other programs gradually until you identify the problem. In some cases, a complete Windows reinstall may be necessary. Problems with PCs often stem from numerous hardware and software factors, making diagnosis challenging.
The game runs smoothly in Valorant without crashing, though it sometimes stops during web browsing on Google Chrome.
It appears the same problem occurred during the first attempt, so running sfc /scannow again may help identify any corrupted files. However, since the issue persists, it could point to a hardware fault—such as a failing power supply unit or motherboard. Consider performing a fresh Windows installation, updating all drivers, adjusting power settings in Windows, setting NVIDIA to high power, and verifying BIOS settings to ensure everything runs at normal speed. Try opening Chrome afterward. Avoid installing anything else unless necessary. If the browser works, proceed with your next priority, Valorant or another game, and test again. Continue testing until the problem reappears, which will indicate the root cause.
This attempt failed. I've also attempted to update the GPU drivers without success. I'm going to avoid using Google Chrome and see if that resolves the problem.
Experiences interruptions with light software, like web browsing. It might be related to insufficient voltage at idle. Sudden high-frequency spikes could crash the system since the CPU lacks enough power. I think installing HWiNFO and tracking CPU voltages during idle or browsing would help assess the issue. It appears you only mentioned the BIOS version in your original post. Do you have any updated BIOS options?