XP locks up

[KatoPC]

I have a computer here that locks up after a bit of time sometimes 2 to 10 hours sometimes 2 days. The computer came in with a PSU rated way to small for what was expected 250W Replaced with an Antec 400W. I have tried all of the obvious solutions. Anyone got any others for me?

[ktkendall]

One place to start is to check the event viewer, found by right clicking MyComputer, then manage, then event viewer, and see if there isn't anything under system or application that coincides with the times of the lockups.. Also does there seem to be anything in particular that you are running or doing that coincides with the lockups, and what all is running in the backround. If you moniter the task manager for a bit of time you also may get a clue as to what is hogging up resources..

[KatoPC]

Thanx I have been monitoring that for the better part of the day. Xp reinstall reformatted 300G MAXTOR. Does anyone thing it could be a bad memory stick?

[ktkendall]

Yes if you have pretty much ruled out a software problem, such as virus/spyware or anything in the backround hogging up resources, then the focus goes to hardware. I would run a good diagnostic on the harddrive, and the memory..

[KatoPC]

Thanx. Does anyone know of freeware hardware/memory diagnostics software? Any preferences for purchased software.

[kev7555]

There's one for memory called memtest. If you search that as a keyword here on the forum there are multiple threads where GLC has suggested this tool.


-Kev

[KatoPC]

Thanx

[kev7555]

Sorry...

Here's the link:

http://www.memtest.org/

[glc]

If you work on computers frequently, you need the Ultimate Boot CD.

ubcd.sourceforge.net

[ktkendall]

For your harddrive you should be able to find diagnostic software from the manufacturers web.

[KatoPC]

Sure did thanx

[KatoPC]

a7n8x-la, AMD 2800+, (2) 300gig hd, (2) 512 sticks micron PC2700, Radeon 9800 pro,not overclocked, swapped out PSU twice, clean install XPP, Os on HD no other added software. Thought it might be overheat problem,. cleaned heatsink applied new compound Now at idle about 127 F still seems high to me. went as far as checked PSU with my voltmeter

[kosova]

Okay, first step. Go to My Computer->RIGHT CLICK->Properties->Advance (its a tab)->(under startup and recovery) CLICK SETTINGS.

Now. Look for Automatically restart, check that off, and click ok.
When your computer now restarts if there is a blue screen you will see it. If you see one record what it's saying and post it here. I searched that mobo, it says it accepts 2700 NON-ECC. That means if your RAM is ECC (error checking and correcting) it will act flakey like you are describing it. 127F isn't that high. If you have some RAM you could swap it would be good to try. You could try to boot with one RAM stick, who knows one stick may be going south. Do you get any BEEPs when you turn your computer on? When you say locks up, do you mean nothing happens when you click POWER? no fans spinning no anything?

[KatoPC]

Maybe runs for an hour or two maybe a day but then locks up no video,mouse, keyboard. When you are on the PC or when waking from video suspend All hardware excluding PSU which was an OEM 250W. Not big enough even before the 2nd HD

Pc is on and running checked event viewer multiple times. pc2700 non ecc which is what installed from HP. Alternated the memory sticks, run on just 512 swapped sticks and sockets, still same situation

[stylin19]

all else being considered, i'd go back to heat.

here's a nice dissertation on it.
http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=11807

for a quick test, you might try pulling the case covers and aim a table fan at high speed at it and see if you get more life out of it. If so, good bet it's heat

not much...good luck