PC Crashing Often ?

[fortfun]

I have been having this problem with a particular PC for quite a while now. It is a P3 processor with 256 MB RAM and Windows XP installed. The problem is that the programs running and the OS itself keeps crashing very often. Everything from Internet Explorer to Windows Media Player keeps crashing. Reformatting and reloading the OS did not solve the problem. I tried a different motherboard as well as changed all the parts other than the RAM but the problem is still there. So I think its a problem with the RAM. Is that possible?

Also the motherboard runs on a 100MHZ FSB so will it be OK if I use 133 MHZ RAM with it ?

Also, on an unrelated question, I have a 8X CD Writer which now shows only a maximum speed much lower than what it is rated. What could be causing the problem. Could it be because the lens is dirty or something because normal CDs are also taking longer to read with this drive.
Please do answer the questions if you can, it would help me a lot!

Thanks
DM

 

[littlegreencube]

Yes, and yes. Try to check running Processes, maybe some spyware or something is fux0ring things up.

No idea on the writer.

 

[Pezman]

Another good thing to check is the DBGENG engine (Debugger) and find out what it may be.

 

[StraightPipe]

Welcome to anandtech!

133 RAM will just run at 100 sine the bus can only fill it at 100mhz
if the card fits it should work fine.

if your CD burner is not showing 8 x it could be 2 things
1. you have a bad driver and should go the the manufacture's website to get a better driver.
2. it the program you are using, often free or "trial" software will only let you burn at a max speed of 2x or 4 x.

what programs do you run in windows (other than media player and IE)?

what happens when it crashes? freeze/blue screen/black screen?

try running the resource monitor to see how the RAM is being used when it crashes.


let us know, so we can answer!

 

[fortfun]

Well, I run quite a few programs ranging from the Microsoft Office suite to Pagemaker. But the funny thing is, it seems that some program are more prone to crashing than others. For example, Nero - Burning ROM, on this particular PC hardly ever crashes. But Internet Explorer crashes every 15 seconds at its worst.

Most of the times it just quits back to the desktop, but sometimes its more serious, the blue screen comes and performs the memory dump, the system reboots automatically or just locks up.

BTW, I have a full version of Nero so I guess that shouldnt be the problem?
And I dont think I ever needed to download the drivers from the net - it was working just fine even after a clean install to a hard drive.........so could it be something else ?

I have another question - Is it possible to run 100 MHZ RAM on a 133 MHZ motherboard? I am actaully asking this because I have 2 computers which run at 100 and 133 MHZ FSB. So I wanted to exchange the RAM of the two machines for troubleshooting

OK I will try running the resource monitor and tell you the results.

BTW I dont have any spyware on the computer - I deleted all that crap with Ad Aware......

 

[Mitzi]

Your CD Writer is possibly nearing the end of its life, after all an 8x writer must be at least 2-3 years old...my 8x takes ages to spin up CDs (if at all). Strange that it doesn't detect the correct max write speed though.