What are the error messages you are getting ? When is it locking up ? what operating system are you using ? Is it locking up during the boot cycle or after the operating system has already kicked in ? What programs, if any, are are you running when it locks up ? And, just a long shot, is it overheating?

I am sure there are other pertinent questions to try to narrow down what the cause might be, but let's start here, unless someone else has a better idea.


And to Warpedcow: Thanks, that is an intersting setup.
Cheers

Download MemTest86 and burn the bootable ISO of it. Run it for at least TWO passes at whatever speeds/voltages you're going to run. Lots of RAM requires you to set a SPECIFIC voltage in the BIOS! The default "auto" setting often undervolts and it becomes unstable.

Once that's stable, boot Windows (any flavor) and download Prime95 and run the stress test on all cores, for at LEAST 12 hours, preferably 24. If it detects any errors it will stop, then you get to dig around for the problem some more. Also, watch the CPU temp with RealTemp (assuming a Core 2 processor, I'm not sure if it works on the i7). For AMD systems use SpeedFan I guess. Using a good aftermarket HSF, a Core 2 Quad should stay under 65C on all cores unless you overclock, if you do, make sure they all stay under 80C.

Also, if you detect errors with MemTest or Prime95, you may have a corrupted OS install, and you might as well redo that as soon as you get the hardware stable.

One other comment on my own build detailed above - you could easily get a cheaper case and power supply and video card if you don't have a massive RAID array, nor care much about gaming performance. If so, you could change those things and come out probably $200 cheaper or more.

My mind still says I'm 16 and should be able to do all the things I was capable of at that age. Unfortunately, or fortunately sometimes, my body turns a deaf ear and refuses to permit some activities.

Congratulations on being an "experienced" 19 year old.

Cheers

The new rig has 2 dual core xeon chips. Runing windows 7. Supposed to run 667mhz memory fb dimms but had 2 1gb 800 MHz from my mac pro laying around so popped them in. I had to remove the heat spreaders from 1st dimm due to space limitation on mobo. Think it's a heat issue though on the dimm. Running wcg with 2 wu's crunching. It would lock up after a bit. Put the heat spreader back on, shaved one side so it would fit and so far no lockup. Order the 667 dimms so when they are in I will crunch 4 to see what happens. Doing the 200 hour burn in before going 24/7.

The mac pro is great for 8 cores crunching but cheaper to build one.

500 bucks, lease buy out.