Computer keeps freezing/restarting

[bullion416]

I can't seem to figure out what the deal is with my computer. It is a home built computer and has worked for a year flawlessly. Recently the thing kept restarting every once in a while. Some times it would just freeze.....I even got the blue screen of death a couple times. Any ways, I was almost certain that my hard drive went bad since when the computer would restart it made a click noise. So I bought a new hard drive and it still does the same thing. The really weird thing is........when I go to install Windows XP Pro the installation will freeze before I can even get it to install. It took a lot of restarting and tinkering to finally be able to get windows to install. At this point I am guess I have a motherboard issue, a power supply issue or maybe even a memory issue. Has anyone else had a problem like this? I really don't know what to do at this point. By the way, I have an Abit NF7-S motherboard with Crucial Tech memory.

 

[imported_ChaoticGeek]

Yeah, from my personal experience that sounds like it could be a power supply or memory issue. What about heat? I've had systems restart and crash just like you're talking about when they were getting too hot.

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Run memtest86? It's definitely either PSU or RAM... HDD doesn't sound *too* likely, but you never know.

 

[bullion416]

I ran a memory test program that I downloaded from Microsoft's website (the file was called: mtinst). I ran it but it did not detect any errors with my memory so I guess it is fair to say my memory is good. That means I either have a power supply issue or motherboard issue.......I really don't have an easy way to test those things either....well, I can probably borrow a friend's power supply, but if that doesn't turn up any results, I have no way to test my motherboard (at least that I know of).

 

[Somniferum]

Originally posted by: bullion416
I ran a memory test program that I downloaded from Microsoft's website (the file was called: mtinst). I ran it but it did not detect any errors with my memory so I guess it is fair to say my memory is good.

I would run a reputable test like Memtest86 overnight before ruling out the RAM.

Are you overclocking anything? 99% of lockups are caused by heat, in my experience.

 

[bullion416]

No, nothing is being overclocked. The board is running completely to spec. My processor isn't running hot either. I can now rule out having a bad power supply since I tried my buddy's and the computer locked up during the Windows XP Pro install screen as usual (right where it detects the hard drives connected to the machine and asks you where you want to install windows.....for the most part, this is when it always freezes up). I will run that other memory test program that you recommend and see what happens.

 

[bullion416]

I ran that memory test program that you recommended for several hours and got no errors so I think it is fare to say my memory is good. That leaves really only one other thing that could be bad and that is my motherboard. I guess I will try to get an RMA for it through Abit. Has anyone dealt with their warranty service before....anything I should be aware of?

 

[LeetestUnleet]

I've never dealt with ABit RMA, but since they're so popular with their NF7 series of boards, I can only assume that they have the customer service to back up their reputation. But before you do that, it is possible that you have a corrupt installation CD - try your new hard drive in your buddy's machine with the same install CD?

 

[bullion416]

I have tried 3 different copies of windows xp (all of which are legal). It must be something with the voltage regulator on the motherboard or something similar.

 

[avatar976]

I would first update the MB BIOS with the latest available and then proceed to the RMA. Did you check if the MB has a jammed active chipset cooler? Did you change something before the instability began? Have you tried to disconnect the system battery for a couple of minutes to reset the BIOS?