Seemingly random crashes – black screen while functional and fans going 100%

Understanding and Troubleshooting Unexpected PC Crashes: A Case Study

Introduction

Experiencing random system crashes can be a frustrating ordeal for any user, especially when symptoms evolve over time. This article delves into a recent case of unexplained computer crashes characterized by black screens and persistent fan noise, providing insights into potential causes and troubleshooting steps. Whether you’re encountering similar issues or seeking a structured approach to diagnose hardware and software problems, this overview aims to guide you through the process.

Case Overview

The user reports that their PC, which previously operated smoothly for over a year, began experiencing sporadic crashes approximately 1-20 minutes after startup. Notably, these crashes have escalated in severity, now occurring within a few seconds of boot, sometimes before any display output appears. The problem has worsened post-vacation, indicating potential underlying hardware or software issues.

Initial Observations

• The system experiences crashes shortly after power-on, sometimes before reaching the Windows login screen.
• Symptoms include a black screen, fully functional fans running at 100%, and system instability.
• The issue persists regardless of the type of system startup (warm restart or cold boot).

Troubleshooting Attempts

The user has undertaken several standard troubleshooting measures:

• Performed a clean reset of Windows using a bootable USB drive.
• Updated the motherboard BIOS and reset BIOS settings to default.
• Downloaded and installed graphics drivers directly from NVIDIA.

However, some suspected causes have not yet been fully addressed:

• Utilization of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 580 drivers, which are known to have potential compatibility issues.
• The possibility that the problem is hardware-related, especially since crashes occur before OS initialization.

Hardware Specifications

The setup in question includes a custom-built gaming PC featuring:

• [Link to detailed specifications for transparency and context.]

Additionally, system hardware data has been logged and can be reviewed for anomaly detection:

• Hardware information in CSV format from Hardware Info tool.

Potential Causes and Diagnostic Strategies

Given the symptoms and troubleshooting history, several hypotheses can be considered:

1. Hardware Faults

2. Graphics Card Issues: Although the driver version might contribute, crashes occurring before the OS loads could point toward GPU hardware problems or power delivery issues.

3. Power Supply Problems: A failing or insufficient power supply can cause system instability, especially during initial boot or under load.
4. Motherboard or RAM Failures: Loose connections, faulty memory modules, or motherboard issues can manifest as early boot crashes.

2.