Desperate for Help With Constanst Lock Ups!!!!!!!!

[Metalloid]

I noticed this starting to happen two nights ago. My computer will be running fine and then it will just freeze. Ctrl+Alt+Del doesnt do anything, and I have to push the reset button. It then boots up and works fine for a while and locks up again. I had just upgraded to Windows XP Pro a few days before so I decided to go ahead and reinstall it. Part way through the installation it locked up again. I tried reformatting again and installing Windows 2000 Pro, but got the same results. I then tried XP again and it still locks up after 1-2mins of installation. I dont think I will even be able to finish the installation due to the fact that I have to restart after 1 minute. Someone please help me!

Here are my system specs:
AMD Athlon XP 1900+
Abit KR7A
256mb Crucial DDR
PNY Geforce4 TI4400
Maxtor 40GB 7200rpm
Netgear FA310TX NIC
Hercules Fortissimo II Sound Card

 

[Mem]

Could be a few things,what are your temps like and what PSU do you`ve? I would do a clean install of XP and do a minimal install of hardware then add the PCI cards one at a time,I would also recommend you install the latest VIA 4 in 1 drivers (4.38) as well.

 

[Metalloid]

Here is an update. I deleted the current partition and created an FAT32 partition to install Windows 98SE. When restarting my computer it froze on the memory test at POST and reported that I had 122mb instead of 256mb. Then I restarted and got no video. I restarted a few more times and still had no video. Then I restarted and it froze on memory test and said that I had 478mb. Then it restarted fine and I am currently reformating to install Windows 98SE. If anyone can figure out what is going on please let me know.

 

[socketman]

Try your memory in a different dim

2. try a different video card if you got one
3. If your mobo has dipswitches play with them
4. Clear cmos battery (probably wont do anything, but its fun )

There are so many things it could be. At the point your at, i generally just take a giant piss on the mobo. Or get stoned and try to think creatively how to solve my prob. good luck, keep us updated.

 

[Boobers]

Do what socketman said, and clear the CMOS, either by the jumper/contacts or removing the battery for a few hours.

You could also try using a PCI video card to do the install of the OS (do NOT overclock while installing the OS). Any old PCI vid card will do. (you might want to try removing all the other PCI cards too). After the OS is installed, remove the PCI and install the GF4. I don't know for sure, but I have had problems like this before with GeForce cards during OS install.

Did you do an "upgrade" of Win98 to XP? This is nothing but problems. I'd suggest booting from the XP Pro CD, deleting all partitions on the drive, re-partitioning the drive with the XP setup program (make the XP partition NTFS), and then install XP onto the fresh partition.

 

[Metalloid]

I did a clean install of XP, not an upgrade. I put 98SE back on and it worked fine as far as installation goes. While installing drivers and such it did the freeze again, and is now doing it every time I boot up after a few minutes. I will try clearing cmos, taking out PCI cards, changing memory to a different slot, putting different stick of memory in (will have to steal it from my dad's computer), etc. I will keep you guys posted and thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Metalloid]

Also forgot to add. My case temp is 23C, my CPU is 40C and I have a 400w PSU.

 

[RedShirt]

It could be the RAM, do you have another stick somewhere you could try?

 

[Metalloid]

Yeah I am going to try a different stick tommorow. I am too tired today.

 

[Metalloid]

Well I tried a different stick of ram, a different ram slot, took out sound card and NIC, unplugged cd-rom, unplugged all of my case fans, and it still doesnt work. So it's either the video card, motherboard, or CPU. I will try a different video card and let you guys know what happens.

 

[littlezipp]

My PNY Geforce 4 causes my system to hang while benchmarking.
I've tried a couple different sticks of ram too. Maybe these things have low tolerances, or can't overclock worth #$!@.

 

[hungrygoose]

RAM or Hard drive i would say......bad hard drive could make it lock up even in post b/c BIOS is reading it wrong or not at all.....I would definitely say ram or HD though......the video card thing would make some since only if CTRL+ALT+DEL worked......video freezing up usually doesn't completely hault the system......also......make sure u have all your ide ribbons the right way.....not backwards.....especially the floppy......i've dealt with that b4 and it took me forever b4 i realized i had the damn floppy drive ribbon plugged in backwards

 

[Metalloid]

Like I said its not the RAM. I dont see how I could have the IDE cables backwards since this started happening all of a sudden and I hadn't had my case open in over a month.

 

[hungrygoose]

oops....i overlooked the part where u said u tried a different stick of ram.......now i definitely think that it is the hard drive then....i would definitely try a different one......if it was the mobo or processor or power supply, you would probably be experiencing more than just freeze up problems.....i had a problem once with a bad hard drive where my system would spontaneously reboot itself.....after awhile of tinkering i found that it was the hard drive......the wierd thing was that it wasn't even the hard drive that contained the OS.....it was just used for storage....

 

[Boobers]

If none of that works... try an Exorcist.

(But don't get a Catholic priest to do it, because he might molest your computer...)

 

[Shagga]

I know this is painfull but, try rebuilding from scratch as someone more or less stated above. Then go through the motions of re-installing your OS (Painfull at the best of times). Just take your time and don't rush. Try copying the Whole installation files to your hard drive first then install it from there.

Good luck!

 

[Metalloid]

<< I know this is painfull but, try rebuilding from scratch as someone more or less stated above. Then go through the motions of re-installing your OS (Painfull at the best of times). Just take your time and don't rush. Try copying the Whole installation files to your hard drive first then install it from there.

Good luck! >>


That is painful. I think I will try the hard drive transplant first before I completely disassemble and reassemble. Will let you guys know how it goes.

 

[Metalloid]

Well I think it has something to do with the video card. I switched my video card, a 32mb DDR Radeon, out of my other computer, and both computers worked perfect. When I switched the cards back, the Geforce4 box got no video on bootup. The other computer continued to word fine. Are there any known compatibility issues between my PNY Geforce4 TI4400 and any part in the rest of my system?

 

[Metalloid]

Anyone?

 

[Metalloid]

Not the hard drive. I put my other hard drive in my messed up box and it still didnt work. I am calling PNY tommorow.