re: Computer wont boot.. if it does, it freezes. Updated ***

if all else fails, download hiren's boot cd and run a memory checker.

(if you have another computer that's working, that is.)

You originally weren't even getting past the BIOS boot screen. I would have focused on making that reliable, by removing things until it was possible, and I could get into the BIOS. Then I would have added things back one by one until hopefully it broke again. If that part is working fine now, and Windows is what is freezing, you should be able to approach the Windows issue in the same way. However, I would first try running Memtest86+ to see if it can coax out a memory error.

Take windows out of the equation completely. Unplug your storage drives. Anything you don't need in order to run low-level hardware diagnostics from a boot disk/usb, should not be connected. Including all front panel headers. If you aren't stripping the computer bare and adding components back one at a time, you're doing it wrong. Go borrow someone's computer to create an Ubuntu live disk.

Oh, and low/dead CMOS battery would not be a direct cause of this. That's silly. All that would do is constantly warn him that CMOS needs to be setup again, time and date wrong, etc.

If Ubuntu works perfect (WITH HARD DRIVE AND ALL OTHER NONESSENTIALS UNPLUGGED) for a while, post is hanging on initializing a hard disk and barely booting when it can find your OS partition. Odds are, a reinstall won't fix that. If you can't even stay stable long enough to frick around in Ubuntu, replace your motherboard.

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Memory testers need to run as long as possible, preferably 8 or more hours. Even then programs like Memtest86+ may not detect memory-related errors that are apparent after running, say, prime95 for 5 minutes.

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Yeah, not in this case where the crashing/freezing is blatant and frequent. 5 passes and move on.

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All I got left is motherboard or graphics card, right?

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And power supply. What brand/model is it?

I'm probably just overcomplicating by even considering it because the symptoms are atypical of PSU failure/inadequacy, but it's wise to be thorough. My instinct said motherboard immediately, though.

EDIT: Oh, and have you by chance tried clearing CMOS just for shits and giggles?

And if the mobo is under warranty, might as well RMA it. I think ASUS does cross-shipping if you give them a valid CC.

Corsair psu850 tx.

I originally thought PSU a couple of months ago because of that atx connector problem. Turns out it was the motherboard not the PSU. I haven't fixed the motherboard BC my power was staying connected but now it seems the power stays connected when it crashes
, screen just goes dark but tower and fans on all devices inside keep spinning

Give me quick howto to clear cmoa

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Give me quick howto to clear cmoa

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Google your mobo model and "Clear CMOS." It's a jumper on your board, or in some models can be a convenient button near the I/O ports in back.

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I can navigate.. no freezing.. nothing shutting off.. malware maybe? Also I noticed my Firefox flahwave kept crashing and installed Google chrome right before this happened

Edit. Alright just crashed again. But it let me play around longer before it did

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Sounding more like video card or drivers if it works better in safe mode. Dunno what the correlation with Chrome might mean to that hypothesis.

I've had the HD unhooked for over an hour and no freezes.. maybe it was failing and wasn't completely dead yet? It hasnt shut off any