Your computer keeps restarting in a cycle, but it's hard to pinpoint the exact issue.
Your computer keeps restarting in a cycle, but it's hard to pinpoint the exact issue.
I assembled my PC in December 2020. A few weeks into its use, after some investigation, I discovered the RAM I purchased could be overclocked. I pushed it to its limits and kept running the system for months without issues. One day it stopped completely and wouldn’t power on. After some adjustments, I realized the machine only accepted one stick of RAM improperly inserted in the fourth slot from the left (I think the correct position is the second slot). If I placed a stick in the second slot, the motherboard’s debug light would illuminate and Windows would refuse to boot. Despite this, I kept using just one stick in the fourth slot without problems for a while, but after a couple of months it again failed to start. When I tried to turn it on, I encountered a persistent Windows boot loop, specifically the "SrtTrail.txt" error. Even after clearing my SSD and reinstalling Windows 10 and 11 repeatedly, the loop persisted. I’ve tried wiping the SSD, reinstalling Windows multiple times, downloading drivers, and updating everything, yet the issue remains unchanged. Personally, I’m convinced this isn’t a software problem but a hardware fault. My main concerns are the CPU and motherboard, though I don’t have spare parts to test. If anyone has any advice or insights, please share—I’m open to more details if needed.
I believe we should clarify the kind of memory OC you configured, especially the IMC voltage settings. The fact that you didn’t want to boot with a stick in slot 2 suggests a CPU with a dedicated memory channel. Also, knowing the exact motherboard model can be useful, as some have higher failure rates.
The configuration file is included (I’m not sure what I was working on, which might explain why my PC crashed). Here are the components listed: Ryzen 5600x MSI B550 Gaming Edge Wifi Crucial Ballistix 3200 MHz 2x8GB.
It seems like the situation isn't overly risky. The only potential problem would be accidentally setting the SOC voltage too high—like typing 1.25V instead of the allowed 1.125V (the maximum safe setting is 1.2V). If everything was entered correctly, it shouldn't pose any danger. If not, the issue likely depends on the incorrect voltage setting. My instinct suggests a CPU problem is more probable than an MB one, though confirming this would require testing another unit.