PC Freezes with Looping Sound

Unfortunately after a recent crash, the HWMonitor did not make a log, since it does it at the end (because that's wise), so I'm unsure of if it is a Voltage issue still. Since my Surge Protector is so old, I'll probably go out soon and replace both and hopefully that will remedy the situation. Still going to do a memtest tonight and I'll make sure I give the results just in case.

If memory was relevant, then you saw the error message either in the system (event) logs or in a BSOD screen. The numbers in either say everything. No error numbers? Then memory was eliminated from your list of suspects many days earlier.

Most of what you did (ie upgrade BIOS) put your hardware at great risk without any reason to fix anything.

Unfortunately you have been measuring using the voltage monitor. It is a monitor for voltage changed. You need a multimeter to see the actual voltages. That monitor is not designed to provide accurate numbers - only to report change.

The multimeter is sold mostly in store that also sell hammers because the meter is that complex and dangerous. Let's get rid of that popular urban myth now. It even sells in K-mart or in Wal-mart for about $18. You must borrow or buy one. There is no other useful solution.

Now, your voltage measurements are only useful when the system is using (multitasking to) every system component. IOW you must play complex graphics (ie a movie), while downloading from the Internet, why playing sound loudly, while reading a CD, while powering a USB device, while searching the hard drive. Only now is the system under any relevant stress.

Use the meter on 20 VDC scale to measure any one orange, red, purple, and yellow wire from the power supply to motherboard. For example, the purple wire will measure about 5 volts. But the number must be reported to three digits. Three digits contain information that only more knowledgeable can interpret. You report the numbers. The next reply will be definitive. There will be no more 'it could be this' or 'might be that' answers.

For example, your power supply could have been defective months ago or even when first installed. Normal is for a computer to boot with a defective power system. But the meter would have found that defect even that long ago. Nobody will provide a useful answer until you collect those voltage numbers only when the system is under that maximum load.

All those other 'it could be' suspects such as a bad power cord? Multimeter numbers will even identify or exonerate those speculations - without doubts.

So, how often is your 120 volts rising to 400 and more volts? Never? Your surge protector does nothing - is nothing more than a power strip - when 120 volts is below 330 volts. Only those with fundamental electrical knowledge or who understood numbers on the box would know that. Another example of so many hyping myths only due to hearsay. Ignore so many silly recommendations that only have you wasting money.

A power system can make any good hardware act defective. Get the meter. Provide those numbers to three digits. Have an answer without doubts. Only then should other suspects be considered.

And finally, the list of suspects for your failure as short. Power system (which is more than just a supply), only a few some motherboard functions (BIOS is clearly not on that list), CPU, sound card, video controller, and drivers for third party hardware. Some of those suspects are quickly eliminate by system log or BSOD messages. Notice so many items not on that list that others wanted to fix. Until you have those three digit voltages, then anything else can act strangely.

Stop trying to fix anything only on wild speculation. Memory, BIOS, surge protector, and so many other speculations were removed from a suspect list at the very start. First learn what is defective. Follow the evidence. Step one starts with a multimeter - and not numbers from a voltage monitor.