what"s happening????

[ez_rider]

hi,guys. I've just built an Amd pc and installed WinMe on it. The problem is when I tried to update Windows manually, it will hang. At first I thought that's something wrong with the mouse for it usually happens when I tried to select the appropiate updates.Tried changing the mouse, it still hangs.Funny thing though, it only happens when I"m at the windows update site.But my wife told that she experience the same thing when she were using Excell. BTW,pressing ctrl+alt+del doesn't help; need to press the restart button to reboot the pc. Anyone got any ideas?


THxks..............



Athon1800
Asus A7V8X-X
256DDR333 Kingston
Gef4 mx440 64mb
Maxtor 40g 7200

[imbest123]

Seems like a windows problem to me.

[Cricket]

See if the problem is related to heat by running the computer with the case sides off. If the problem goes away, it's heat related. Improve your case cooling.

What mouse are you using? Did you install the mouse drivers that came with it?

What kind of background programs do you have running on that computer?

How are you IRQ assignments? Any conflicts?

Have you scanned your system for viruses, spyware and trojans?

Do you clean out the temp folders often?

Cricket

[GaryRouth]

Hi ez_r, imbest, & Cricket:

If this Only happens in WindowsUpdate and no where else, try this tip from the Windows Update site. It reinstalls the controls used by Windows Update -sometimes if mismatched files get tangled, odd behavior like this results. http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/
. . . Gary

[Edit - well, if I could get the link right, it would help! The article you want to view for this procedure is called "Manual installation instructions for Windows Update controls". It's the 16th article in the first section]

[p.s. #2 ---also, don't use any "download manager" software when downloading either drivers or updates from manufacturer sites or from Windows Update. They can sometimes cause file corruption]

[ez_rider]

I did scan using Spybots and Adaware ; so far so good no ads running. I did try taking off the side of the chasis ; it still hangs. Btw, I've tried using two different mouses : one usb the other Ps2 , still it hangs.Even try reformating and re installing Windows; still the same. I've checked the cpu temp. under bios : 57 C only after running the pc for half and hour.Btw , I keeping getting some colourful display patterns occasionally when I try to restart. Will try to go the link that Gary suggested......

[GaryRouth]

Hi again all

You mentioned the two spyware programs, did you also scan for viruses?

If you've already tried reformatting/reinstalling, then it's unlikely to be a Windows Update controls problem. Especially if this is happening in other programs (you mentioned Excel).

If you have aggressive timings set for either the cpu or memory, try more conservative settings and see if that helps. 57 degrees C after only a half-hour seems a little high for an 1800, but it shouldn't shutdown at that temp (though next time you're in the Bios Setup screens, make sure that the automatic shutdown for overheat isn't set too low = some will set as low at 60 degrees C, which your system might be getting to). You can try resetting the hs/fan with a fresh dab of thermal grease (Artic Silver, etc).

An easy way to see if its Bios Setup timings/setting issues is to set everything back to Defaults (make a copy of the custom settings you have now that you want to keep).

If you think it might be a mouse driver issue, or a sensitive port on the mb, trying different mice might help = but try removing any old mice from Device Manager in Safe Mode, and remove any fancy extras mouse software in Add/Remove Programs.

. . . Gary

[ez_rider]

Hi, everyone.This problem is getting on my nerves..THIS time it hangs as I was typing this ! I've tried scanning with norton a/v....nothing found.Gary, Ive tried the link that u gave me , still it didn't solve the problem. I "ll try ur way ,Gary. Btw, could it be a case of bad memory ?

[GaryRouth]

Hi again all

Normally if it was bad memory I'd expect to see you have more error messages rather than system lockups. You can test the memory though, if you suspect it at all - http://www.simmtester.com has a nice tool free for personal use and evaluation. You can also try things with just one stick of memory in, if you have two sticks in now. Kingston ddr333 (pc2700) should be OK, but there is always the possibility of a bad batch.

If you're lucky enough to have another (>300wt.) power supply around, try swapping it in & see if the lockups disappear.

Since you're using a Via-based board, might try a different set of 4-in-1s.

Also - check at the Asus site to see if a bios update is available for your board [probably is at least one]. Sometimes lockup issues are solved by flashing the bios of the motherboard to a newer version. Be sure you've read up on Exactly how to do this before you try a bios flash. And don't do it if you're not comfortable trying it. If things go really wrong, you can be left with an unusable motherboard. [that said, I flash the darn things all the time: but I've been doing this for years. I've never had a bad flash yet. The biggest no-no (or Uh Oh!) is if the power goes out while flashing -ouch]

And do check your temps again. Check the temps with the case open (like Cricket mentioned). If you are still getting to 57 degrees with the case open, check to see if the fans seem to be spinning intermittently instead of steadily. It's not high enough to hurt the cpu at 57, that's pretty much within the normal range. It just ought to be a little better than that with the case open, unless you're case is in the Sahara Desert, and not under the oasis tree

Best of luck - & don't worry, lockup issues aren't a great surprise on new builds: just a bump in the road.
. . . Gary

[ez_rider]

Hi, there.


Managed to take out the vga card and ram from the pc and guess what I found..? The Hsk/fan wasn't properly clipped to the cpu..!(silly me!).Put the them back and monitored the temp again. Now its 50 C under bios. At least it solved One problem....The sys still hangs.Will try look 4 bios update and may be try the ram test...Will keep you inform...

[ez_rider]

Hi ,everyone.Its me again. Finally managed to get back at the pc again. Been working on the nite shift lately and finally got the time. I've tested the RAm..., its working fine.Have checked the bios..Its the latest. The sys still hangs. Everything works perfectly until I started using Excel and update Windows manually. Could the mobo be defective?




thxks

[ZYFER]

do you have any other OSs on hand? Windows ME is one flaky operating system and it could have messed up during installation. Even though it may give you no error I have seen Windows ME just not install properly and give vast array of errors

[ez_rider]

Did try to install Win98Se but ended up wth more problems...Kept asking " insert Win98 disk" during hardwares ' drivers installation. Finally checked the mobo(A7V8X-X)'s manual ; it supports WinMe and later O/S. Frankly, I don't know what to do now. Guess , I"ll try to bring the mobo back to the shop where I bought it from since its only less than two weeks old........hopefully THEY can rectify the problem or at least replace it with a new one. I don't wanna end up wth a useless piece of SH**T !!!!



............Sorryyyyy!

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Make sure to look at all the items on this checklist, any of which could lead to a system hang:
1) power supply [what brand/wattage is in now?]
2) Bios Settings [try with the settings back to "FailSafe Defaults"
3) Device Manager - check in Safe Mode. Remove all mice, remove any devices shown which are not on your system, or have double-entries: have your install Cd handy on reboot.
4) check the Via 4-n-1 angle - if the current version seems installed OK, try a more recent version. [you can check either at the Asus site or at the Via]
5) If nothing else has helped, Disable System Restore, reboot, shutdown again & then try an over-the-top reinstall, - and ReEnable System Restore if all is well.

The details for a Win9x/Me over the top: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846

Hope to hear the All's Well soon
. . . Gary

[Edit - just saw your last post. I was taking my time typing, it looks like. OK - I'd try again with WinMe. Either 98 or Me should both be OK. But since Me is expressly supported - and partly worked - why not try again?

Start from the very beginning - fdisk to delete the older partitions, create a new Primary Dos partition and mark it active. Boot from the Install CD and let Windows format the drive. Install from there - do the Via 4-n-1s first! You may want to download more recent versions of your motherboard's drivers from the Asus site, as they may have fixed a few bugs. And don't forget the power supply angle: an 1800+ isn't that power-hungry, but a flaky/underpowered supply can cause random system hangs - - -

You have as much troubleshooting time as the motherboard warranty/return policy allows. So you may not have to rush as much as you might think.]

[one more thing - it's normal for Win98se to ask for the install disk when installing drivers & setting up a board - that's OK]

[GreenBMP]

Hmm... i dont now much about computers but it sounds more like some software problem which is freezing the computer. Maybe try installing another version of windows explorer for going to windows update and trying that?

[ez_rider]

Hi , again.

Frankly speaking, this THING is driving me nuts !! Its seems ironic that I"ve managed to trouble shoot other peoples ' pcs but when it comes to my very OWN , it don't know what to do ! Well , guess I'll heed Gary 's advice and give it another go.......Will keep inform..

[ez_rider]

Hi, everyone. It 's me again , having another go at the pc. Will try to get a new PSU as soon as possible.Btw , this sounds like a DUMB question but How do I go to SAFE MODE ?


Thxks..........

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Most commonly = Tap the F8 key while the computer is starting up to see the boot menu.

Sometimes systems post so quickly that it's tricky to tap F8 at the right time, if so = try holding down both CTRL keys while booting. That can do it, too

Believe it or not, there are actually several more ways to get there, but those two are the most common. The other two (using System Configuration Tool or a floppy disk) are in this Microsoft thread (in case you're curious) http://support.microsoft.com/default...02&Product=w98

All questions here are good ones: ask away.
. . . Gary

[ez_rider]

Hi , again..... and thanks Gary for the swift answer...will get to you as soon as possible

[ez_rider]

Hi, guys it me again...Just to inform you that the pc is finally OK !! It seems that the VGA card IS the main culprit...As I was thinking on what to do next, I realized that I haven't try one other thing : that is to try and change the VGA card.. So I contacted my friends and luckly one of them has a VGA card with the same spec as mine. So i Borrowed the card from him and installed in my pc. AND Guess what ??? IT works !! NO more hung ups!! So , without any delay I took my VGA Card ( guess its not compatible with my rig..) back to the shop and exchange it for a similar VGA card as my friend's. Took the new card and installed in the pc and it works FINE without any hungups as before.


Thxks , you guys for your advice and tips and especially to you , Gary. I guess PATIENCE really PAYS..

[GaryRouth]

Way to go!