Dad's computer is driving me crazy! Please help!

[slackerinabox]

I'm going crazy here and would really appreciate any help... Thanks for even reading this!
So my dad's computer hasn't been working well and, of course, he's blaming me.... Sure, I built the system but I also didn't build it according to my specs - a lot of the parts in there date back from his old duron system...I'm about to write him a very professional list of ways to resolve these problems as well as parts he needs to buy... So here are the problems he's having:
1) Random crashes... One moment he's using (gag) AOL and then the next moment EVERYTHING is frozen - the mouse doesn't move, the keyboard doesn't reply (fails the "numlock test), CTRL+ALT+DEL does nothing (in winXP pro)... The system does not work until a reset

2)It's often slow as heck... He's using a decent processor (celeron 2.0) with not enough ram -256mb- but my mom's PIII-333 is faster and more responsive.... He doesn't game yet typing a letter in word often has that very annoying "type faster than text appears on the screen" effect

3) Sometimes the system doesn't reboot or it hangs at the WINDOWS IS SHUTTING DOWN SCREEN

4) His wireless network drops pretty often... Now I know this could just be the net adapter but I have a feeling something more devious is up...I noticed that unplugging the USB receiver and plugging it back in fixes any problems..

So those are the main issues.. Here are his specs:

-Albatron PX845PEV motherboard
-256mb ddr266 ram ... Ancient stuff taken from his old duron rig..
-ATX case and 350watt power supply from his old rig.. I'm convinced this has something to do with his problems..In fact, I'm thinking he should just buy a new power supply and 80% of his problems will be resolved..
-Panasonic dvd-ram/dvd-r multidrive
-Maxtor 120 gig hd.. Partitioned as 40/40/40
-Zip drive... I say it's useless but he swears by the thing
-Old ATI all in wonder card... Could this card's features slow down his computer? He never uses the video features...hMMmm..
-Built in sound: since his CPU isn't very high powered could this be adding to his PC slow downs? Any cheap 100% hardware cards out there?
-Intel Celeron 2.0 ghz (p4 based) NOT overclocked/ using standard cooling
(btw: the system does NOT show a spike in temperatures after crashes)
-Netgear USB 802.11B adapted

Here's the shopping list so far:
-Allied True Power 450 watt power supply
-Micron or other high quality 512mb ram (I'll throw away the old 256mb chip)
-Soundcard (if it REALLY reduces the CPU overhead)
-2 system fans and possibly a HD fan

Thanks for any help!
P.S. I've already done three clean install of Windows.. The computer is still buggy as heck

 

[Wiktor]

Reformatting doesn't help? That's the first thing to try if you can't trace why the system is unstable (affraid to lose data?)

I'm running WinXP on 256MB, it's not really that bad.

I don't think a soundcard will help in any way so while upgrading RAM is always good, no reason to add a sound card.

I don't know that system looks fine, I think it's a software/OS problem not hardware related.

Good luck

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: Wiktor
Reformatting doesn't help? That's the first thing to try if you can't trace why the system is unstable (affraid to lose data?)

I'm running WinXP on 256MB, it's not really that bad.

I don't think a soundcard will help in any way so while upgrading RAM is always good, no reason to add a sound card.

I don't know that system looks fine, I think it's a software/OS problem not hardware related.

Good luck

Thanks for the reply... I formatted the HD a few times and the problem continues.... I was convinced that it's a software problem until I reinstall windows countless times...

 

[Wiktor]

I see, well it could still be a driver problem.
I always think it's somethnig overheating when the pc comes to a dead lock like you described at random times. But you're not overclocking so that';s probably not it.
Maybe try replacing some components: like the ATI card, ram etc.

 

[WarCon]

I have WinXP on 256megs on a clients machine that only has a 900 duron. It runs just fine (doesn't multitask as well as I would like, but I might be getting use to hyperthreading) and has little or no slowdowns.

I think you have something else going on. Some part is failing or you have some serious driver issues. Does it install and run slow after first boot into XP? If not then I vote for driver issue. Otherwise I would be starting to pull devices to see if I can isolate the problem.

Have you checked temps in bios to see if you are running very hot and throttling your processor?

Edit: You really might look into a different video card as the first thing, I didn't think ATI's driver support for those older cards was very good.

 

[PanzerIV]

Ok...where to start!? As for some of the problems with AOL, they could be just that...AOL problems. Their software is known to take over a system with bits and pieces everywhere. Perhaps something in the software is conflicting with a driver. How does it run BEFORE you install AOL? Also check device manager to make sure there aren't any IRQ conflicts.

You should test your memory to see if that is causing any of these problems. Use Memtest and find out if it comes up with any errors. If it finds the memory is good I wouldn't throw away a perfectly good stick of RAM. Keep it around for a spare.

I would not recommend an Allied PSU. Since you're suspecting the PSU may have a role in this why not buy a higher end more reliable brand such as Vantec, Thermaltake, Enermax, Enlight, Antec, Sparkle or Fortron. NOT Allied.

Not certain about the wireless networking problems. No ideas there.

 

[waylman]

did u run memtest?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Do you have any conflicting devices? Using same IRQ? Is all your hardware installed and working properly (hardware properties)? Try resetting bios to defaults?

 

[Dug]

Check processes in task manager and see what's eating up cpu usage.
Or event viewer for any errors.

 

[lucky9]

my daughter has aol and has had multiple problems very similar to this. PanzerTV has the right direction as a first step.

 

[wetcat007]

AOL=cause of half of all computer problems

 

[Goose77]

Panzer is on the right trek!

My first guess is that its software/driver issue

My second guess is that damn Netgear, not the best adaptor. Have one and it gave all my AMD systems a tough time (Duron/Athlon/XP) (Asus/Abit) try SMC, cheap and works like a charm!

Final guess has got to be the memory, although you have not mentioned any BSOD(bluescreenofdeath) so good possibility that this is not the problem.

oh and P.S. powersupply might need changing.. get good quality on this!!! vary important here!

oh, just remembered one more thing. That dvd drive, is it on a seperate chanel? Try to put it buy its self, without a master or slave. I have an LG and another one that does not like to be paired up with anything!!

I think thats about it, if i think of anything else ill let you know!

 

[WeiWei]

could it be the processor...?
well, I suppose the first step is getting all the old junk away.