Aurora R7, random reboot

Question

This has happened several times already where my R7 will randomly reboot itself; could be in the middle of an application or sometimes idling on the desktop. Checking event logs, the reboot coincides with a kernal-power (41) error which simply states that Windows unexpectedly restarted due to a loss of power.

Flaky 850W PSU perhaps? I've noticed in the past that video output from the 1080 would sometimes flicker. Changing power cables from one output rail to another seemed to have resolved the issue for the most part. Leads me to think that for whatever reason, the power supply is unable to keep output voltage regulated.

Edited to add: I think on every occasion the system has rebooted itself, I had an OC profile enabled; either OC1, OC2, or custom. I've since turned overclocking off on both CPU and GPU to try and eliminate any software-related causes.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@amstel78 wrote:

1. I think on every occasion the system has rebooted itself, I had an OC profile enabled; either OC1, OC2, or custom.

2. I've since turned overclocking off on both CPU and GPU to try and eliminate any software-related causes.

1. Well, that could cause it right there. :Indifferent: If you want stable/working, you do NOT want OverClocking on (stock clocks are fine and fast).

2. Good. Actually, OC-ing is even more vital ... more like a HARDWARE change.

amstel78 · Answer

I have a feeling that it's driver related though. More often than not, the system will kernel panic and reboot shortly after waking from sleep. Only once did it happen while my daughter was using the PC to play Roblox.

I'll keep an eye on it, but if it's somehow driver related (could be some weird issues with Windows rev. 1809 x64, then that could be a problem. Dell hasn't released any new drivers for the R7 in some time.

As for OC - I've had it running Prime 95 on OC2 for a good 5 or 6 once hours without issue. I left it overnight to stress test. It was still running the following morning. Also, all ePSA diags come back fine. Regardless, overclocking has been disabled for both CPU and GPU. I'll start there and work backwards to eliminate variables.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@amstel78 wrote:

1. I have a feeling that it's driver related though.

2. More often than not, the system will ... reboot shortly after waking from sleep.

3. Dell hasn't released any new drivers for the R7 in some time.

1. Could be:

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Aurora-R6-Hard-Lockup-and-crash-while-gaming-SOLVED/m-p/5504128#M6104

2. That could be a different (common) problem.

3. After initial load your drivers come from Windows Update and www.NVIDIA.com . Only thing you need from Dell is AWCC and BIOS updates (if brave).

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/My-Aurora-R6-The-Adventure-Continues/m-p/6224677/highlight/true#M6990

Tesla1856 · Answer

@amstel78 wrote:

1. As for OC - I've had it running Prime 95 on OC2 for a good 5 or 6 once hours without issue. I left it overnight to stress test. It was still running the following morning. Also, all ePSA diags come back fine.

2. Regardless, overclocking has been disabled for both CPU and GPU. I'll start there and work backwards to eliminate variables.

1. It's like racing your car around at the engine's red-line all the time. You are slowly wearing it down. It's also unstable.

2. Good.

amstel78 · Answer

@Tesla1856 wrote:

@amstel78 wrote:

1. I have a feeling that it's driver related though.

2. More often than not, the system will ... reboot shortly after waking from sleep.

3. Dell hasn't released any new drivers for the R7 in some time.

1. Could be:

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Aurora-R6-Hard-Lockup-and-crash-while-gaming-SOLVED/m-p/5504128#M6104

2. That could be a different (common) problem.

3. After initial load your drivers come from Windows Update and www.NVIDIA.com . Only thing you need from Dell is AWCC and BIOS updates (if brave).

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/My-Aurora-R6-The-Adventure-Continues/m-p/6224677/highlight/true#M6990

Thanks for the insight Tesla. Much obliged. I'll see how she runs without any overclocking enabled. Could also be small power surges in the line my computer is connected to. I should probably grab a UPS I have at my other residence and test with that in place before assuming fault with the machine.

Would be a hassle though if the PSU was going bad... still, wouldn't have been the first time I've seen a new power supply develop issues early on.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@amstel78 wrote:

@Tesla1856 wrote:

@amstel78 wrote:

1. I have a feeling that it's driver related though.

2. More often than not, the system will ... reboot shortly after waking from sleep.

3. Dell hasn't released any new drivers for the R7 in some time.

1. Could be:

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Aurora-R6-Hard-Lockup-and-crash-while-gaming-SOLVED/m-p/5504128#M6104

2. That could be a different (common) problem.

3. After initial load your drivers come from Windows Update and www.NVIDIA.com . Only thing you need from Dell is AWCC and BIOS updates (if brave).

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/My-Aurora-R6-The-Adventure-Continues/m-p/6224677/highlight/true#M6990

1. I'll see how she runs without any overclocking enabled.

2. Could also be small power surges in the line my computer is connected to.

3. Would be a hassle though if the PSU was going bad...

1. Agreed

2. I'm always amazed to see how many people just plug their expensive electronics into raw AC power-grid un-protected and un-regulated.

3. No, why? If you mean because of

Level:Critial , Source:Kernel-Power (un-clean shut-down) Event-ID:41

Windows always says that if it gets turned on after not being shut-down properly.

amstel78 · Answer

@Tesla1856 wrote:

2. I'm always amazed to see how many people just plug their expensive electronics into raw AC power-grid un-protected and un-regulated.

3. No, why? If you mean because of

Level:Critial , Source:Kernel-Power (un-clean shut-down) Event-ID:41

Windows always says that if it gets turned on after not being shut-down properly.

Yes, a UPS is worthwhile investment. I have several for my other computers at my other home... just not here where I'm using the Aurora.

As for the PSU, I've seen kernel-power (41) event ID errors pop up before on a machine with a dying 1200W power supply. Couldn't supply a constantly regulated 12V to the motherboard. It only happened intermittently, but it turned out to be faulty switching diodes which couldn't keep the capacitors in the PSU at 100%. Had to use an oscilloscope to figure that one out.

It'd be a hassle to go through the process of swapping it out with Dell.. that's what I meant by my earlier comment.

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Aurora R7, random reboot

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