New computer can't do anything......

[kcbass]

I built a computer for a friend this summer as a graduation present, and I'm supposed to give it to them next week, but I can't even get it to work. All the hardware that I've checked appears to be ok (hard drive, mobo, etc). I load windows XP, which takes a few tries (four or five) to install correctly, and when I start installing antivirus and other apps, explorer crashes, restarts, crashes, then turns off the computer. I tried to repair using the on disk repair console, and I get blue screen after blue screen some are IRQL_not_equal_zero, some are page_fault_in_nonpaged_area, others are with ntfs.sys, and there's even more that I forgot to write down. I have no idea what causes these. Is it a faulty winXP disk, is it bad memory? I've already RMA'd two mobo's and a hard drive trying to fix this problem. I have never had this much trouble with a computer before. Please help 

 

[moonsite]

Try running memtest86 to check your memory. I had a problem like that once and it turned out memory was the cause of it.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: kcbass
I built a computer for a friend this summer as a graduation present, and I'm supposed to give it to them next week, but I can't even get it to work. All the hardware that I've checked appears to be ok (hard drive, mobo, etc). I load windows XP, which takes a few tries (four or five) to install correctly, and when I start installing antivirus and other apps, explorer crashes, restarts, crashes, then turns off the computer. I tried to repair using the on disk repair console, and I get blue screen after blue screen some are IRQL_not_equal_zero, some are page_fault_in_nonpaged_area, others are with ntfs.sys, and there's even more that I forgot to write down. I have no idea what causes these. Is it a faulty winXP disk, is it bad memory? I've already RMA'd two mobo's and a hard drive trying to fix this problem. I have never had this much trouble with a computer before. Please help 

Most of us don't possess psychic powers here, so why don't you go ahead and list detailed specs for us, please
Include the brand and model of the power supply and the memory modules, as well as all add-in cards and whatnot.

 

[amdskip]

Power supply or memory gets my votes.

 

[kcbass]

power supply can cause that? where do I get that memtest you referred to? 

 

[mechBgon]

The hardware all runs on electricity, y'know You can get Memtest86 at http://www.memtest86.com it does take a while to run a full set of tests so maybe run that overnight. But if you could post some specs, then I might be able to suggest some stuff to try

 

[Beau]

It'd be very helpful to know what hardware you're using. Specifically what brand/model of MOBO and RAM, plus the settings you've got. I got errors like these when I was building a computer with an auto-precharge memory setting with ram that was not compatible with it. It's a bios setting that needs to be turned off (is turned on by default), and usually requires a BIOS update to get the option to disable it.

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe the specs are a secret :Q

 

[kcbass]

Unfortunately, I don't know the specs offhand, and I don't have the receipts with me (just moved back to school, and they're at my house, so it'll take me a while to get the details. I do know that it's an Abit socket A mobo, and the ram is just guaranteed compatibility from portatech, and it's not the cheap kind. Memory's the one thing I don't comprimise in a system . Also, does memtest run in DOS? If it requires a windows atmosphere, then I can't run it

 

[kcbass]

also, I tried the ISO image for the bootable cd on the site provided above, but the CD didn't boot, and I don't know how to make a startup disk in winXP, which is the only OS I have available. Can anyone walk me through it or provide a link where I can download the files for one? 

 

[amdskip]

Memtest runs in it's own little world. Just boot from the floppy it creates and it will work no matter what os you are using.

Windows xp cds are bootable.

 

[CVSiN]

RAM most likely is BAAAAD!

 

[mechBgon]

kcbass, if you have the computer in your possession, would you please open the case and get us some specs

 

[kcbass]

Just started memtest. I'll let you know how it turns out. Also, I forgot that I had the mobo user's manual with me the whole time...whoops. It's an abit NF7-M running and athlon XP 2700 333 using the onboard video. Like I said before, the ram doesn't have a brand name on it. 

 

[mechBgon]

What speed is the RAM rated for, and what brand, model and wattage is the power supply?

 

[kcbass]

the PS was generic and came with the case. It's either 330 or 380. The ram is pc2700 and I'm just using the default speed. In a dos environment, the computer seems to do fine. If it were the power supply, wouldn't it fail at regular intervals and not at random times? 

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: kcbass
the PS was generic and came with the case. It's either 330 or 380. The ram is pc2700 and I'm just using the default speed. In a dos environment, the computer seems to do fine. If it were the power supply, wouldn't it fail at regular intervals and not at random times? 

Generic power supply? And you're sending the kid off to school with that? No no no, get an Antec, Enermax or Fortron in there. And also set the memory voltage to 2.6 volts to start with, not Auto. If you would elaborate on any other specs, such as PCI cards and etc, that could also shed light on the problem (IRQ conflicts, etc).

 

[kcbass]

oh yeah. no pci cards. everything's onboard 

 

[farscape]

Definitely sounds like memory or a PS problem to me also.

If memtest goes well, there are a few things that you can try:
Start with a basic setup - as little as you need - MB, proc, 1 stick of memory, vid card, HD, CD, and maybe a flppy (if you use one). Start and get into BIOS and set it for system defaults, save and reboot. Listen for your post code beeps - your mb manual may have the listing. If all is well your on your way.

Possible other ideas - are you OCing - do not run OCed if your setting up a system.
HD? - WD? WDs do not like to beconfigured as master if they are the only one in the system - pull the jumper.
Heat related? - how's your HSF - on good? Grease? - not too much/too little/any?

AND...

Listen to MechBgon - he won't steer you wrong.

 

[kcbass]

all the hardware you listed...that's all I'm using, and I already have the bios defaults loaded. I'm not oc'ing. I don't even do that on my rigs. I assume you mean western digital for the HD? I'll check that, because i'm pretty sure it is one. So far, the memory's checking out. Should I run the advanced tests? If so, how do I run those? 

 

[Beau]

If you're using the onboard video, you may have the auto-precharge setting defaulted to on. Older bioses have no option to disable it, so you'll need to flash it with the most current version. A lot of DDR chips are not compatible with it. Update the bios and disable the auto precharge. It causes severe system instability of the sorts that your mentioning.

 

[kcbass]

can anyone provide me with a link to win98 boot disk files or anything like that? every time I get to the dos prompt through the winxp repair console, the system goes blue. I need a boot disk 

 

[kcbass]

also, does memtest86 stop when it's done? so far I've got 6 passes, but I only have 1 stick of memory...should I stop it, or is it still going? 

 

[kcbass]

Now I've got 9 passes 

 

[kcbass]

better yet...is there a way to make a startup cd instead of a startup disk? I took my floppy out of my computer a while back, and that would really save me some time