WinXP Freezes (caused by hardware or software?)

[wolfhound]

Okay - new and exciting problem. Actually, it is driving me crazy.
I will give the timeline in bullets.

1. Installed XP
2. Installed all updates via IE
3. Only had XP firewall turned on
4. Insalled Office XP
5. Installed XM software for XMPCR
6. System would boot up and shutdown fine
7. After going to a couple of web sites system freezes. (nothing x-rated)
8. Did a virus scan (Norton) and malware/spyware scan (multiple scanners)
9. Only found one item and removed it.
10. System still freezes

Update - I hear a clicking before it freezes as if the hard drive is shutting down.

Any ideas on what I should do to troubleshoot?

Thanks.

[Panama Red]

Run hdd diagnostics from the hdd makers site.

[wolfhound]

Ran HDD diagnostic. Both simple and advanced. No errors.

Any chance that this could be caused by a partition on the drive?

Any suggestions on what I should look at next?

Thanks.

[Cricket]

What are you system specs? List the parts by brand and model including the power supply.

Cricket

[GaryRouth]

Hi wolfhound

. . . along with the chance that it might be an underperforming/underpowered power supply --- try checking the system temps & fans: with the power off & system unplugged, remove the computer case cover, and then start the system with the case open = checking that the cpu fan, the power supply fan, and any other fans (such as perhaps a graphics card fan, or case intake/exhaust fans) are spinning OK. In fact, as the system is first powered on, press the key mentioned in the bios banner message (something like: "Press F1 (or DEL, F10, etc.) to Enter Setup"), and then look for a menu that displays the system temperatures and voltages (often called "Hardware Monitor" or something similiar -- note: many OEM computers don't have the temp/voltages readings listed in their simplified Bios Setups).

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[& Hi There, Cricket! ... my wife & kids & aunties are headed your way in early July = they'll be the prettiest ladies on Maui]

[wolfhound]

Okay - here is the update. Ran memtest 8 times without any errors found. So, appear that the RAM is okay.

Here are the system specs.

MoBo - M7NCG 4000
AMD 2400+
1 Gb Corsair RAM
PSU - Chiefmax 450 Watt
C: Seagate 120 gig
D: Maxtor 20 gig

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Did you have a chance to check your temps and voltages yet? Can't hurt to take a look.

While in the Bios Setup screens, check to see if your motherboard has a setting that shuts down the processor if it reaches a certain temperature. If it does, make sure that the setting isn't set unreasonably low.

I'm not familiar with Chiefmax as a supplier, so I don't know their reputation for quality, good or bad. Can't hurt to try another supply of sufficient wattage, if you have one around.

If the virus infection that you removed is the sort that affects many system files, you can 1) visit Windows Update to get current with all your patches [if you're not already], then 2) run the "sfc /scannow" command from the Start/Run box (don't type the quotes) -- that can help if it's a software problem causing the lockup.

. . . Gary

[jayb1234]

I ran Chiefmax 450 Watt through some shopping search engines and the few hits I got were priced from $12.99 to $18.99.

Not a very good sign.

For that price it is very unlikely that it is any good.

A 450W psu from a quality manufacturer costs several times that much.

I suspect that the clicking is the PSU overloading.

[wolfhound]

jayb - I am starting to think that you are right. I guess my next purchase needs to be a good quality PSU. Thanks for the help.

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

If you want to eliminate any doubt about the power supply, there's a Fry's in Dallas [ 12710 Executive Drive (214) 342-5900 ] - and I believe they have an Antec TruePower 480w. for $60 through Tuesday (most of their weekend sale prices are good through Tuesday). That's a pretty good price for a top supply. Here's a link to a copy of the ad http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electro.../02/17253.html [that site specializes in Fry's ads].

The specs for that supply on are the Antec site http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=22480

It's actually probably a little overkill for your current system: but it will give you lots of room to add things later on (if you ever need to).

One of the reason I recommend the Antecs (besides their excellent reliability) -- they are very quiet.
. . . Gary


P.S. --- [I still recommend checking the temps too. If you built this rig yourself = how much case cooling did you add (in the way of case fans) and is the heatsink/fan the stock fan? Some cases have better airflow than others - and the recent cpus do tend to run a bit warm.
--- You could also try to borrow a power supply before having to purchase one - if you know anyone with a suitable extra: that way you don't spend any money unnecessarily]

[wolfhound]

Well, went out and bought an Antec PSU and all appears to back to normal.

I am sorry for the delay in posting an update but work got in the way of my hobby.

Thanks again to the PC Mech forum.

[GaryRouth]

wolfhound - Thanks for letting us know: we are always curious.

Glad it worked out nicely.

For any other readers looking in on this thread this week, I've noticed the Antec cases and power supplies on sale all over in the last week or so. It seems Antec is providing substantial rebates [directly from the manufacturer]. I was able to pick up a 500wt Antec for $20 -- ($50 rebate, and an "anniversary sale" price at Fry's) just unbelievable values.
. . . Gary