Brand New Computer = Lockups

[Inforcer]

Here is my computer specs for this new system I just built.

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Motherboard
AMD Althon 64 3200
1GB (2x512MB) DDR400 PC3200 Kingston RAM
1x 200GB Maxtor DiamondMax10 SATA150 7200RPM 16MB Cache
XFX Geforce 6800 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 with SLI Support
PLEXTOR Black IDE DVD Burner Model PX-716AL/SW
Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Antec NEOPOWER 480 ATX 480W Power Supply

I plan on buying another GB of RAM, one more Maxtor HD, and the new Creative X-Fi soundcard. I decided to get what is listed above, for now, so I could at least get the system up and going.

Here is my current problem. The computer randomly locks up while in Windows. I am thinking the video card might be bad because once I installed the drivers, the problem started happening. I decided to get the lastest drivers to be sure. It sill freezes up.

Another consideration I had, before thinking it was the video card, was that the RAM is bad or not completely seated. I removed one of them and reinserted the other, just to make sure it was completely in there. Computer still locks up and sometimes reboots itself.

Any ideas?

 

[Harvey]

You may want to test your RAM. Try DocMem. Use the alternate download site, ZD.net because they don't require registration to get the prog.

 

[Inforcer]

Thanks for the link. I'll give it a try. hopefully I can download it before my system freezes on me.

Any more ideas from anyone else would still be appreciated

EDIT: I can't use the software. My computers don't have floppy disks drives.....

 

[Harvey]

If you have problems on your own machine, download it on a friend's system. The program creates a bootable floppy and runs from the floppy disk. If you want to do a deeper test, you can run it overnight in "Burn In" mode.

 

[Inforcer]

This system I would use it on does not have a floppy drive, so that is a problem.

 

[montag451]

try memtest - you can use a bootable cd to load that one.
Do a search you bum.

 

[cougar78]

If you think it's the video drivers and you are using the nvidia based drivers, try to switch to the omega version. Try a different vidcard? Do you have the system set to not auto reboot on an error? Checked the heat of the cpu? vidcard?

 

[wpshooter]

Get "PC PROBE" utility program from ASUS to check your temperatures.

Get "Everest" motherboard program to check your power supply, etc. & other components for deficiencies.

 

[Inforcer]

While waiting for replys, I was able to find some older RAM I had to test it out. Luckily I kept some from my older computer (333mhz instead of 400mhz). I booted up the system and I still get the same problems = lockup. So I would feel safe to assume it is not my new RAM that is bad.

- cougar78 -

Omega version of the drivers? I never heard of those before. I'll go check them out.

My system IS set to reboot on errors. I can turn it off, however, the lockups will not allow the system to auto reboot. I have to manually turn it off and then back on again. Still think I should switch it off?

Temperatures look to be good. CPU is at 34 celcius (according to bios after running for 5 to 10 mins). System seems to be not over heating.

- wpshooter -

I'll get the ASUS probe off the disc to monitor the temperatures.

I'll look into Everest. That sounds like it could be very helpful

 

[cougar78]

if you didn't find it already here is the link
http://www.omegadrivers.net/

 

[Inforcer]

Cougar78 - Thank you for that link I did find the site through google though. I'll have to remember that link for future referrence.

Here is what I found out.

I couldn't run Everest without the computer locking up, so I uninstalled my video card drivers. Once I rebooted, I was able to run the program just fine. It told me I didn't have any system memory issues or temperature problems. The power being supplied appears to be doing ok too.

I then went to grab those omega drivers. At this point I was very surprised how I could last longer then 2 mins without the system locking up. I did install and try those drivers out. It didn't help

I reverted back to Novembers, instead of Decembers, Nvidia drivers release. Sure enough, within about 30 to 60 seconds, computer would lock up.

I am assuming that the video card is somehow bad. I'll just do a RMA with Newegg.com and hopefully that new one will work. If the newer one doesnt' work and I still have lock up problems, I am thinking that maybe it is my motherboard or PSU? Can anyone else think of anything besides those two possibilities?

Thanks