Need help!! System locks up and reboots automatically

[Ubergen]

Okay, here's my system:
I have an abit KT7A board with a Duron 850. I had 256 mb or RAM (mixed PC100 and PC133), I took out all but my PC100 128 mb stick to try and solve my problem.
I was originally using Win ME but reformatted and installed Win98 to hopefully correct the problem but it still does it. My computer seems to randomly freeze up and reboot. Which is a pain in the butt when I try to do anything. I thought maybe it was the RAM so I ordered a 133 compatibility 256mb stick and it will be here Friday. Has anyone else had this problem? What are the different causes of it? Motherboard? Chip? RAM? I hope someone can help. Thanks.

 

[datalink7]

wait and see if the ram helps.

I had the same problem of random reboots. I loaded up a program that detected my memory usage and noticed that it got really low when the reboots happened. So I think, for me, it was that I didn't have enough ram. Now, it doesn't happen, and I have much more ram (used to have 128, now have 512). So that might be it.

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

I had the same problem with one of my systems.

in my case it was the board.

but your PS,and Ram could be the main cause.
i doubt its becuae you only have 128Mb.
it could be bad ram though.

if the new ram you have coming don't fix it,make sure when you reinstall windows that the only cards you have installed is the Vid card.
nothing else.
since IRQ conflicts can cause this as well.

then check PS if ram is good.

then lastly,i'd say its your Board if the above don't fix it.

this problem stumped me for weeks till i changed boards.


Good Luck.



Shawn.

 

[FreeFrag]

I'd go for a new PSU. Try and lend one and see if that fixes it, i've seen it happen before

 

[Souka]

Follow simple trouble shooting steps.

Remove all HW except video, HD.

Does the system reboot? if not, add once pice at a time and test for awhhile....

This problem could be caused by drivers, OS, or hardware...or even a combo of the afore-mentioned. Overheating, insuciffent power to a component, etc...



Also, I've seen this help....disable all powermanagement in the BIOS....on Win9x/ME I've seen this help.

My $.02

 

[Ubergen]

Okay, by PS(U) I'm assuming you mean power supply. And if so, this is the second one I've tried. It's a 300 W supply.
Datalink7: what program did you use to detect the memory usage?
I upgraded my computer to this new motherboard a couple months ago and that's when all of these problems started. The only three new components are the board, chip and different RAM.
Thanks for all of the advice so far. I'm going to try the new RAM tomorrow and if that doesn't fix it, start pulling components. It mainly freezes up when I'm playing some Counterstrike.
Thanks.

 

[MaxBand]

I had the same problem with freezing - no rebooting though- on my KT7A/Duron 850 combo. I found I had to up my IVo to 3.5 volts....as well, some of my higher preformance memory settings, (4-way interleave etc.) were causing problems. Had to scale back to more conservative settings...Looking at replacing my RAM too. Let us know how your new memory does!

 

[datalink7]

I used MemMax 1.1 to detect memory usage. Before getting my new ram, I had to keep hitting the "optomize" button so that RAM wouldn't get too low. That got annoying quick.

 

[Viztech]

Go for the power supply first. It's relatively inexpensive and easy to change.

[edit]Doh! I see that you already tried that. Look at CPU cooling. Sometimes leaving the side panel off will be enough to make the difference. [/edit]

viz