Frequent Lock-Ups in Win2k - Running out of places to look

[Transition]

Alright you A+ or MCSE buffs, here's one for you

I seem to have this same problem everytime i build a computer. It works flawlessly for about 6-8 months then all the sudden i start to get these lock-ups. I'm currently running Win2k on SP2, recently scanned & defragged and 1-4 times a day i'll get these random lock ups. The system completely freezes and i can't even CTRL+ALT+DELETE to close any apps or processes. I can't find any patterns to the lockups, no specific application will cause the system to crash, it appears to be random. I'm looking in the event viewer for some clues as to how to diagnose this, and this is the only error i find..

The following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load:
NPF - I can't find anything useful on Technet regarding this error..

Here's the important system hardware..

Soyo Dragon Ultra KT333+ mobo
1 gig Crucial RAM
WD 80gb HD
SK6 Heatsink with an avg CPU temp of 44 celcius

Alright i'm stumped, what would you guys do next?

 

[dm33186]

id try running sp3 on it myself

 

[Rapidskies]

Usually hard lockups (ctrl-alt-del doesn't work) indicates hardware/overheating problem. Check your fans, swap memory out, they start replacing components starting with psupply. First though update all your drivers and sp3 to eliminate as much as possible.

 

[DurocShark]

If you really wanted help, you wouldn't ask for certified folks. LoL

Seriously, you're getting hardware issues. Are you using the same brand PSU or case on each of these? Either way, attack them with a can of compressed air. The PSU's, the HSF on both the CPU and the vid card, etc. Especially if they are running in a dirty environment.

I did a service call on a woodworking shop once. Gal was angry that the tech she had before would fix something and only a month later something else would break. I opened the case and 2 pounds of sawdust fell out! It was clogging the fans! (I was afraid to look in her printer!)

The solution was I found was an old line printer sound proof housing with filtered fans. Worked awesome.

 

[Transition]

Excellent, thanks guys. I'll do some investigating with hardware issues, could be to the fact that i'm running 2 NIC cards right now. I'm going to eliminate one..

 

[yukichigai]

I was recently having a similar problem on a very similar system. (Soyo Dragon KT400 mobo is the main difference) I'm not sure what was causing the lockup specifically, (though it was shortly after I installed ForceASPI so Nero would work) but I disabled all standby/monitor off/hard drive off features under power management and set the screen saver to blank screen. As of yet it hasn't locked up again, though I'm not sure if that's what did it. I was also browsing through the task manager and noticed a process called loadqm.exe that I'd never seen before, so I ended it. No problems occured so I guess it wasn't too important.

Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[fluxquantum]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
If you really wanted help, you wouldn't ask for certified folks. LoL

Seriously, you're getting hardware issues. Are you using the same brand PSU or case on each of these? Either way, attack them with a can of compressed air. The PSU's, the HSF on both the CPU and the vid card, etc. Especially if they are running in a dirty environment.

I did a service call on a woodworking shop once. Gal was angry that the tech she had before would fix something and only a month later something else would break. I opened the case and 2 pounds of sawdust fell out! It was clogging the fans! (I was afraid to look in her printer!)

The solution was I found was an old line printer sound proof housing with filtered fans. Worked awesome.

2 pounds of sawdust :Q LMAO!!!

 

[Transition]

Originally posted by: fluxquantum

Originally posted by: DurocShark
If you really wanted help, you wouldn't ask for certified folks. LoL

Seriously, you're getting hardware issues. Are you using the same brand PSU or case on each of these? Either way, attack them with a can of compressed air. The PSU's, the HSF on both the CPU and the vid card, etc. Especially if they are running in a dirty environment.

I did a service call on a woodworking shop once. Gal was angry that the tech she had before would fix something and only a month later something else would break. I opened the case and 2 pounds of sawdust fell out! It was clogging the fans! (I was afraid to look in her printer!)

The solution was I found was an old line printer sound proof housing with filtered fans. Worked awesome.

2 pounds of sawdust :Q LMAO!!!

Sounds like our warehouse here. I've never seen so much dust in my life. How'd you like to open a computer up and actually not be able to see the heatsink/fan because it's covered in dust/dirt? It's happens!

 

[Transition]

Took out the extra NIC and everythings working great! Thanks guys