HELP! Win XP keeps Restarting/freezing on me (It is supposed to be known for stability:(

[Oalex]

Imagine the exitment: I just put together a high-end machine (for gaming mostly) last week. everyone advice on using Win Xp (why not?).
You won't belive that it has restarted and frozen over 50 times in three day. The first two times where during installating (on a clean system
Specs are:

AMD xp 2200
Ausu A7V333
Samsung DDR333 512Mb
ASUS GF 4600 Delux
2 x WD 80GB (NOT in raid) 7200
1 x Quantum 30GB (mobile Rack) 7200
Plextor 40/12/40
Pioneer DVD-CDrom 16/40 (which is currently disconected in order to connect the Quantum)

(So you can't realy complain about recurces)

Software
Win Xp Pro (no SP installed)
Nvidia 40.41
Latest ASUS Bios-update

Extras:
Sant Cruz TB (latest driver)
B2C2 Broadban Reciver PCI Card
Ir-port device connected to COM1 (for mobile phone conectivity)
USB keyboard (logitech navigator)
USB mouse (logitech dual optical)

When it works it works fine (3dMark 2001 ~12500 points)
But very often it halts on error (for instance: while I was writing this post, it closed the other explorer window due to unkown-error DAMN, and it was just open with Anand home page and it was idle, WTF) and other times it freezes completly and I have to reset and other times it just restarts on its own. Very annoying. Some times, if i don't do any thing then nothing happens, but when I play a game (Warcraft3 or SOF2) it always restarts after like 20mins. ito the game.
When I copy large files (DVD-rip) from one harddisk to another it also freezes very often.
There are no harware conflicts, no viruses. I just dont get it.

Please help if you can. Some one adviced me to do the following: Clean install, with just the most nececary components installed in the PC (mobo, GF, one hard drive, cd-rom, monitor) and then, when XP is up then to start installing the components one by one and waiting 2 hours between each to find out what is causing the problem. This would be a long a frostrating project. So if you have any other suggestion please post.

First I tought it was just the raid, so I dis-enabled it from the modo. (I could not copy amy file bigger the 1mb from raid to stock hard drive). No no All 3 hard drives are on stock IDE and I diconected one of the cd-roms.
I am ready to clean install, but I just want to know what could be the problem, cause I don't think it will be solved.

I know it has to be something with my machine cause even WIn98 does not freez this much

HHHELLPPP!

 

[AndyHui]

Here's something that will help you track down the problem:

FAQ: Why does my computer restart itself in Win2K/WinXP?

 

[Oalex]

Thx Andy,

maybe now it won't restart, just BSOD, I hope I will find out what the error is. But this won't still solve the freezing issue, but its a good place to start of.

 

[SCarrier11]

are u over heating? whats your temps like?

 

[Oalex]

CPU 52"C /125"F ~ 54"C
Mobo 39"C / 102"F
GPU 55"C

Voltages

+12V = 13.30 ~ 13.50
+5V = 4.892
+3.3 = 3.264
Vcore = 1.696



In the last 30 mins I had one terminatre on error and one BSOD

Terminate on error = Serious Sam
AppName: serioussam.exe
ModName: ntdll.dll
(nothing about type of error)

BSOD=
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

I can't oppen the dump file to check for the descrition in the minidump (FAQ only covers NT Dumpexaminer not XP)
How do you open XP dump files?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Oalex
CPU 52"C /125"F ~ 54"C
Mobo 39"C / 102"F
GPU 55"C

Voltages

+12V = 13.30 ~ 13.50
+5V = 4.892
+3.3 = 3.264
Vcore = 1.696

Those look a bit low, especially the 5v line. Not sure why the 12v is showing so high. Assuming that the MB voltage sensors are reasonably accurate (they may not be, hence the 12v reading), then you definately need a better/more powerful PSU.

 

[Mem]

What PSU and size are you using,did you try installing VIA 4 in 1 drivers 4.42?

 

[Oalex]

the VIA 4in1 is up to date, I am checking on the PSU now, I know I asked for a 300W, but who knows these retailers today, the case is a EASY CASE TK-3004(B) no other description on the box, I'll look for the home page, hope they have one.

 

[Mem]

I`m thinking it could be a PSU problem that`s why I asked, if you can try a quality 350w or above from Antec , Sparkle,Enermax etc ,great.

I always try & have a bigger quality PSU then I need, it does help with stablilty and longer lasting for future hardware expansion before it needs upgrading again.

Other things like if you`ve two sticks of ram,try one stick at a time,never overlook anything.

 

[Oalex]

I opened the case and checked, its an Acorp LC-300ATX (I guess that should mean 300Watts). I have the monitor runnning via the PSU (is tha a problem?)

In the mean time I had another BSOD:

PROGRAM: WIN32K.SYS

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGE_AREA

Any ideas?
Could it be my bios setting, like memory and all that (I think most of them is on either default or auto or optimal)?

Still no one with program to view XP Dump files? I just checked and there where over 30 of then (I turned this computer on 3 days ago for the firts time in its life, 30 BSOD's is insane)

 

[Abzstrak]

go spend $60-$70 on a real power supply

 

[Oalex]

If that is the issue I would not hesitate.

How probable is that as being my problem?

EDIT:
Come to think of it, I do have a lot of devices in this thing:
3 Hard-drives
2 CD-roms
2 PCI cards
1 AGP
7 HSF (including the ones on the CPU and GPU)

 

[Oalex]

More over that bloody B2C2 Broadband Network PCI card is hoocked-up to a 90cm Satelite dish with no indipendent power supply. I doesn't broadcast, but even with reception I guess it needs power.

 

[Abzstrak]

worst case scenario you take the power supply back to the store cause it didn't fix it

 

[SemperFi]

Have you checked your event viewer to see if you could find more info? Control Panel>Administrative tools>Event Viewer. Since it happened on installing xp I wonder if it could be a bios setting?

 

[AndyHui]

Looking at your voltages, I am 90% certain of a weak power supply.

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: Oalex
Imagine the exitment: I just put together a high-end machine (for gaming mostly) last week. everyone advice on using Win Xp (why not?).
You won't belive that it has restarted and frozen over 50 times in three day. The first two times where during installating (on a clean system
Specs are:

AMD xp 2200
Ausu A7V333
Samsung DDR333 512Mb
ASUS GF 4600 Delux
2 x WD 80GB (NOT in raid) 7200
1 x Quantum 30GB (mobile Rack) 7200
Plextor 40/12/40
Pioneer DVD-CDrom 16/40 (which is currently disconected in order to connect the Quantum)

(So you can't realy complain about recurces)

Software
Win Xp Pro (no SP installed)
Nvidia 40.41
Latest ASUS Bios-update

Extras:
Sant Cruz TB (latest driver)
B2C2 Broadban Reciver PCI Card
Ir-port device connected to COM1 (for mobile phone conectivity)
USB keyboard (logitech navigator)
USB mouse (logitech dual optical)

When it works it works fine (3dMark 2001 ~12500 points)
But very often it halts on error (for instance: while I was writing this post, it closed the other explorer window due to unkown-error DAMN, and it was just open with Anand home page and it was idle, WTF) and other times it freezes completly and I have to reset and other times it just restarts on its own. Very annoying. Some times, if i don't do any thing then nothing happens, but when I play a game (Warcraft3 or SOF2) it always restarts after like 20mins. ito the game.
When I copy large files (DVD-rip) from one harddisk to another it also freezes very often.
There are no harware conflicts, no viruses. I just dont get it.

Please help if you can. Some one adviced me to do the following: Clean install, with just the most nececary components installed in the PC (mobo, GF, one hard drive, cd-rom, monitor) and then, when XP is up then to start installing the components one by one and waiting 2 hours between each to find out what is causing the problem. This would be a long a frostrating project. So if you have any other suggestion please post.

First I tought it was just the raid, so I dis-enabled it from the modo. (I could not copy amy file bigger the 1mb from raid to stock hard drive). No no All 3 hard drives are on stock IDE and I diconected one of the cd-roms.
I am ready to clean install, but I just want to know what could be the problem, cause I don't think it will be solved.

I know it has to be something with my machine cause even WIn98 does not freez this much

HHHELLPPP!

Maybe your system is running hot. Check cpu temp

 

[Oalex]

Sorry,

I could not post cause I did a clean install (with the B2C2 card and iRport removed. It took a little longer but it did happen: 2 BSOD's in 10mins both were==> IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, in the FAQ is says that in this case it is always a device driver problem, but there are no conflicts.
Don't get me wrong, I will go and buy another PSU today (what should it be 340W or 400W?), but what about the error report.

There are no conflicts in the device manager, althogh there is a shearing that I'm not sure of: both the Santa Cruz and USB via driver are shearing IRQ 19. Is that supposed to be ok?
Another thing, in the bois I have: "PnP OS: DISABLED" is that supposed to be ok?

Thanks for all the input guys.

By-the-way: toant103 (being a diamond menber) you should know to read all posts!

 

[AndyHui]

PnP OS should be DISABLED, that is correct.

IRQ sharing is normal.

Please read the FAQ: ACPI vs APM

 

[IdahoB]

Heya mate, sorry to hear about your problems.

One thing no-one has yet mentioned is memory issues. Seemingly random crashes are often down to memory instability, whether caused by overclocking, poor memory settings, or simply memory that isn't quite up to it's specification.

I've had a quick look at your motherboard manual. Try going into the BIOS advanced menu, then Chip Configuration. Make sure that the first item is set to 'By SPD.' If that doesn't help then try going into the EXIT menu and choosing 'Load Setup Defaults.'

If none of that works... maybe you do need a new PSU. But in my experience it's usually been a memory problem.

 

[Vehementi]

Originally posted by: Oalex
CPU 52"C /125"F ~ 54"C
Mobo 39"C / 102"F
GPU 55"C

Voltages

+12V = 13.30 ~ 13.50
+5V = 4.892
+3.3 = 3.264
Vcore = 1.696



In the last 30 mins I had one terminatre on error and one BSOD

Terminate on error = Serious Sam
AppName: serioussam.exe
ModName: ntdll.dll
(nothing about type of error)

BSOD=
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

I can't oppen the dump file to check for the descrition in the minidump (FAQ only covers NT Dumpexaminer not XP)
How do you open XP dump files?

Gah that is hot. Not hot enough to lose stability however...

It is supposed to be known for stability

No OS that starts with "W" is known for it's stability

I for one am pretty sure it's a weak PSU. Go and get a 400w+ Enermax or Antec. That would definitely explain the random resets and such.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Oalex
CPU 52"C /125"F ~ 54"C
Mobo 39"C / 102"F
GPU 55"C

Voltages

+12V = 13.30 ~ 13.50
+5V = 4.892
+3.3 = 3.264
Vcore = 1.696



In the last 30 mins I had one terminatre on error and one BSOD

Terminate on error = Serious Sam
AppName: serioussam.exe
ModName: ntdll.dll
(nothing about type of error)

BSOD=
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

I can't oppen the dump file to check for the descrition in the minidump (FAQ only covers NT Dumpexaminer not XP)
How do you open XP dump files?

Isnt the Vcore for that cpu supposed to be 1.75V ?

 

[Oalex]

Thanks again for all the input guys.

I will have to move this over to the Hardware Forum cause it is NOW definitly not OS related.

Story update:
Yesterday (as most of you sugested I went and bought myself a Mecury 400W PSU. EEERRRR. Wasn't the problem, didn't take long to figure that out. I installed the new PSJU and did a clean install AGAIN, (5 times in 4 days), XP crashed towards the end of the setup.
I went into the bios menu just to check if every thing was right and the bios menu hanged. This was wiered. I called a friend to ask if this is normal, you can guess, he said no, that its definitly a harware problem. I did a trial and error to see what was causing the problem. Removed every thing from the box except for the mobo, cpu, vga card and mem. It still happen. more or less every 2 or 3 reboot and entry to bios menu, a little playing around with the keys and the menu hangs.
Another very interesting thing was I installed one of the 2 WD 80GB drives and the system would not recognise it, but when I install both WB then it does instantly ???WTF???. I tried both of the WD as single drive on primary IDE as master and the same thing happend, the only time it recognised it automaticaly is if both were hooked up (Master+slave). I tried connecting only the 3 hard drive (Quantum Fireball 30GB) as single and then it recognised it, now this beats me. I tried every configuration I could think of: change the IDE cable switch between the two WD (Master/slave) it was always the same thing the only HD that the bios recognised if only one HD was installed was the Quantum, it only recognised the WD if both was hooked up.

ANy ideas, should I return my mobo in a hurry (bios hang)? could it also be the CPU or the mem. It can't be any other thing cause every thing else was removed. I don't think the GF4 is the problem cause it run games fine at 1600*1200 32bit + all eyecandy and looks great. exept for when the system BSOD's.

I am opening a new post in the Hardware forum please follow-up/post there.

BTW Budman: 1.75V is for Palmy this is a TB and the rating for these are 1.65V.

EDIT: Follow up in General Hardware: Post title = "Very wierd problem!!! ASUS A7V+XP2200+DDR333. WTF"

 

[Amused]

Your HDD problem is easy. WD HDDs require you to set the jumpers to "SINGLE" if they are the only drive on the IDE channel (cable). That's why they are both detected as master slave, but a sngle drive is not detected... you more than likely left the jumper set to "master" when it should have been set to "SINGLE."

As for your stability problems, it sounds hardware related. I would try testing the memory in another computer, followed by the CPU. If both work fine in another mobo, your mobo is messed up.

 

[IdahoB]

I second that - it really does sound like memory issues. Try lowering all the memory settings in the BIOS.