Random Freezing

[Hayabusa554]

Okay, so I recently posted regarding random restarts on my computer. These random restarts eventually lead to random freezing as well as damaging windows boot files. It seemed apparent that there was a windows error, so i formatted my hard drive and reinstalled windows. The random restarts stopped, but the random freezing continues.

This freezing doesnt occur at any specific time. I have tried to come up with some sort of equasion for it, but it seems entirely random. It isnt just when the computer is very hot. It isnt just when the computer is processing very heavily or using alot of ram. And it isnt just when the video card is working hard. In fact, it seems to happen more when the computer is doing smaller things (such as loading a webpage, or downloading something small) than when the computer is using alot of ram or video processing. It often happens within 10 minutes of restarting.

This is my setup:
GA-7nnxp Gigabyte motherboard
1 gig crucial ram (two 512 sticks dual channeled)
asus 9800xt video card
Athelon 3200+ AMD processor for xp
500w antec power supply
80 gig seagate hdd

The random restarts could be anything. I realize this. At this point, ive ruled out the hard drive, motherboard, and power supply. I dont think its the video card either. It really seems to deal with the ram or processor. Thats all i can think of.

Does anyone have any ideas/comments/questions/suggestions? I am completely out of ideas here, so any input would be greatly appreciated.

[macko72]

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp here is windows memory diagnostic tool!!!
And some guide lines for testing processors http://www.duxcw.com/faq/cpu/testamd.htm

Freezing maybe occurs because of dual-channel RAM, you have to get them in pairs (same voltage, same everything actually) like THIS !!!

[Hayabusa554]

My crucial sticks are definately identical. I made sure of that when i got them. Im testing them each individually now. Ill test my CPU soon as well, though id rather the problem be with the ram.

Heres another interesting tidbit regarding my problem. Every so often, my computer deletes all the bookmarks i have listed for mozilla firefox. Theyll be there at one point, and after the next restart, theyre gone. The computer has done this both before AND after the format. Does anyone know what that might be a sign of?

[cuog]

I am assuming that when you reformat you make a boot Floppy and use that correct?

It is possible that you got hit with a really nasty virus that has firgured out how to get itself onto the boot disks you make or it has been set after your IP address and keeps attacking you once you fix the problem.

Leave your computer unplugged from the internet after you next reformat and see if you still get the random freezing

[Hayabusa554]

Oh, the computer was definately unplugged from the internet during my last format.

From some of the things im doing, it really seems to be a ram thing. Im currently running with only one stick (i took one out to see if either of them were causing the problem individually) and its been running all day without problem. Ive downloading things, played half life 2, and done a few other things that usually cause a freeze without anything happening. It might be a problem occurring when i try to dual channel the ram, or possibly just one of the sticks is burnt out.

Of course, this could mean absolutely nothing, so im still totally open to suggestions.

[flanzig1]

Test the other stick by itself also.

[macko72]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Test the other stick by itself also.

Yes test them both then you will know is it RAM or Dual settings that causing freezing!!!

[Hayabusa554]

Tried Both sticks, still got the freezing, as well as the return of the restarting.

At this point, it seems to be narrowed down to the processor, motherboard, or hard drive. I dont think the power supply or video card could cause freezing. Does anyone have ANY ideas on how to test th cpu, mobo, and hdd? Swapping them out with others isnt exactly the most plausible idea, so im trying to think of something other than that.