computer unstable??

[adlianb]

recently my comp frequently hang/freeze, sometimes happening twice in an hour or none overnight. if while the comp is on and i switch off the monitor, monitor will display check signal the next time i switch it on again. also, sometimes when i start up my comp, monitor will display check signal message for a few seconds before resuming normal boot up. i suspect it's the processor....any clue?

 

[microAmp]

You overclocking? Put in any new hardware/software recently?

 

[SwampsterFL]

The time from when the monitor receives power to the time it reports that it is not receiving a signal is preset in the monitor itself. How long it takes from the time your motherboard gets power to the time it activates the video card will vary with the temps in the tower. Therefor, it is possible some days to get the message from the monitor and not on others. In other words, I would not see this as relative to your problem.

Go into MSCONFIG.EXE and unselect everything in the StartUp, Config.sys, and Autoexec.bat tabs, click on APPLY and reboot the system. DON'T GO ONLINE AT THIS POINT! When you do this, you will be starting with no virus protection or anything.

If it seems more stable, then start reselecting things one at a time, with a reboot and trial between each, until it starts acting up again. The last thing you reactivated is the problem.

This is a slow process, but will eliminate problems with something running in the background causing problems. One little hint here . . . when you are reactivate things, if you don't know what it is for, don't reactivate it. Many (most) programs add their features into the startup routine without asking and you probably have a ton of stuff running that is not being used . . . but is hogging up resources.

 

[adlianb]

ok, long story here. i bought a 256 DDRRAM for upgrade. after installing it, i boot up the comp and the screen gives my check signal message. i tried switching offpower and boot up a few times but the same message. went to change the mobo(ECS K7S5A) and problem no more but after i install that RAM back, problem came back!! this time, even my processor is fried so i change mobo and processor(xp 1800+). since then the problem stay. my comp spec are:

AMD XP1800
ECS K7S5A mobo
512 DDRRAM
gainward gforce 4 t4200 128mb
soundblaster audigy 2
dvdrom
cd-rw drive
2 80gb HD
floppy disk
enlight 300w power supply

also, i can't seems to find msconfig.exe in my comp. tried run but window can't find the link. i'm using win2000 btw.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: adlianb
ok, long story here. i bought a 256 DDRRAM for upgrade. after installing it, i boot up the comp and the screen gives my check signal message. i tried switching offpower and boot up a few times but the same message. went to change the mobo(ECS K7S5A) and problem no more but after i install that RAM back, problem came back!! this time, even my processor is fried so i change mobo and processor(xp 1800+). since then the problem stay. my comp spec are:

AMD XP1800
ECS K7S5A mobo
512 DDRRAM
gainward gforce 4 t4200 128mb
soundblaster audigy 2
dvdrom
cd-rw drive
2 80gb HD
floppy disk
enlight 300w power supply

also, i can't seems to find msconfig.exe in my comp. tried run but window can't find the link. i'm using win2000 btw.

woawoa waoa...slow down there..what did u just say?...hehe couldn't really understand it.....and msconfig works on win2000...just have to dl it and press ok to those error msgs look-a-likes...but i doubt that's the problem...i really think ur heatsink isn't properly installed onto the chip...it looks like a temperature problem...overheating problem...if not...a bad power supply....
i'm sure those two are you main culprits...

(that's y @ night it doesn't freeze, and during the warm afternoon it freezes twice an hour......also having a bad psu CONTRIBUTES a lot to this problem...my dad's comp had this EXACT same problem..)

 

[SwampsterFL]

OK, now we're getting some where!

Yes, it could still be a patch need . . . something common to all the errant games, so look on all their sites for a commanality.

Looking over your rig, my first impression is you have too little power supply for what you are trying to do. The ESC board you are using is known for poor voltage regulators. In the long run, I have found that the money I save on using that motherboard is spent back on a good 400W PS.

Remember as you work through this . . . it is entirely possible you have more than one problem.