Please Help before I RMA half this computer!

[Valaire]

I built a computer for a family friend last winter, here are the specs:

Intel P4 2.6 GHZ w/HTT
Asus P4PE-X Mobo
1024 MHZ CAS3 Kingston RAM (512 MB x 2)
ATI Radeon 9600 AIW
80GB WD HDD
Antec 430W PSU

Bought all the other parts from newegg, but the mobo-memory-cpu came in a bundle from AccessMicro. I have built several computers in the past but never had this problem, all signs I think point to faulty motherboard but let me lay out the info. The computer freezes. There is no pattern, it freezes when idle, when under load, when web browsing. I cannot discern a pattern whatsoever.

I have ran Asus probe many times trying to detect fluctuating voltage, got nothing. I ran MemTest86 and it passed the test twice. The PSU is an Antec so it is not a POS either. I have reinstalled Windows XP Pro 5 times being more anal each time. I did a perfect install of Windows XP, then firewall, then SP1, chipset drivers, directx, video card drivers, then critical updates. Still freezes. I've ran SiSoft Sandra and got no helpful info.

I was positive it was the memory but MemTest passed twice (I'm gonna let it run the entire night). Failing that, I hoped it was a driver/software issue but even with barebones OS installed it freezes. In fact, it once froze -right- after installing Windows XP and nothing else. I've also made sure there is no residual spyware/viruses on the computer. It's protected by XP firewall, Ad-aware Pro, and Norton AV 2004. All are updated and no hits.

The complicating thing is, I was away at school for the semester and could not fix it before I left. This AccessMicro company I had used before, and was (I thought) generally well respected in the industry. Not so. I emailed them several times (I have the right to RMA it, seeing as that is the entire point I bought it from them, it comes with a 3 year warranty). They never responded. I sent it again, no response. I sent it 3 more times over the course of 4 months with no response. Then I sent it to every e-mail address on their website and a week later I got some response that looked automated (but due to timing must have had some human involvement) back from the RMA dept email address that says "All RMA requests need to fill out the form." Talk about customer service. I was originally trying to do them a favor by asking for advice before I RMAed it. The e-mail detailed everything I just told you and more.

This thursday my personal computer will arrive from UPS, so I am going to swap out some memory from it and test it in this computer. Failing that, I am going to have a nice long phone conversation with AccessMicro on Thursday. I just wanted to check with you all to see if you had any technical advice.

Thanks,
Chad

 

[johnjkr1]

There really isn't much else you can do without swapping parts...you can run the hard drive diagnostic to make sure the hard drive is not the cause. I assume temps are right where they are supposed to be? You could also try it with one stick of memory at a time instead of two.

 

[mechBgon]

Here are a few random thoughts, probably not all that useful but hey, this is what they call "brainstorming"

• Bump memory voltage to at least 2.6V
• Jumper your Western Digital to Single-Drive mode and put it on the far end of its own private IDE cable, if it isn't that way already
• Ensure that all your connections are really secure (power cables, for example)
• If you have any slow-running ventilation fans, unplug them from the motherboard... my Asus A7N8X Deluxe will freak out if it has my Enermax thermally-variable 80mm case fan plugged into it, for example (it refuses to POST from a cold start)
• If your case has front USB ports, confirm that your case's wiring is plugged onto the motherboard's headers correctly. All the Asus boards seem to go left-to-right in this order: 5V, Data-, Data+, Ground, Ground on top, and same on bottom except just one Ground. If in doubt, unplug the wiring as a fact-finding step.
• Ensure that your power supply's 115V/230V slide switch is set to 115V since you're in the US... I had a co-worker with intermittent crashes and believe it or not, his system was running with the slider set for 230V input
• and do what johnjkr1 suggested, good advice from him as always

Good job Valaire on picking a respectable PSU and tackling a good deal of intelligent troubleshooting already Hope it works out for you.

 

[Valaire]

Yah, I wanted to up the memory voltage a bit, but unless I am losing it, I can't seem to find that option in the BIOS under chip configuration. I can change the vcore settings though.

I have to check on the hard drive diagnostics. Come to think of it, I really don't remember which hard drive is in here. I'll get on that.

Just fixed a problem with Norton. The auto-protect kept dying. I'm hoping my adaware adwatch (and not a virus) was not playing nice with it because the registry key for ccAPP kept getting deleted.

I am going to run another MemTest86 and hopefully the HDD diagnostics tonight, then tomorrow I will open up the beast and play with its innards. I'll definitely double-check the USB plugs and the such.

It boots incredibely fast, it's such a shame it has to freeze. Only pattern I can think of is that it will more often than not freeze while idle for 20 or so minutes (PSU suspect) but also freezes in every other scenario.

Thanks for the help!

I'll post back later.

 

[jack1951]

I had the very same problem. Had a computer that worked fine for a couple years. Then it started freezing up. I tried everything to no avail. Ended up being the motherboard.

 

[Lmronby]

When you get your computer there try swapping the PS as well. I have seen flaky probs when the PS puts out bad Voltages.

 

[Valaire]

Just ran MemTest86 all night, no problem. Passed 32 times.

Ran WD's diagnostic tool with no problems.

Is there any other way to test the PSU other than running asus probe and keeping it open when it freezes? I've had no alarms go off about the voltage.

 

[Lmronby]

You could try watching the volts in the bios, but if Asus probe isn't reporting probs your PS might be alright. Just my 2 cents. I'm with Jack that your mb is suspect but you are on the right track trying to swap whatever you can out first. Maybe problem with the CPU itself??? Anyone else got a thought on that?

 

[johnjkr1]

It freezes...and you have Norton on there!! Case closed!

 

[Valaire]

It starts freezing well before Norton is on there. =o It will freeze just after installing Windows XP.

 

[johnjkr1]

I know, j/k.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

also did you do your XP install using different drives(as well as check cables..swap them out)..? but most likely its the mobo..

 

[monzie]

You are not alone with this problem. I used to have a xp pc with a similar problem....and so did (and still do) a lot of other people....read this thread...my answer about the CD digital audio fixes SOME machines but not all.

http://oldlook.experts-exchange.com:8080/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20702351.html

 

[Valaire]

I'll try the digital audio fix, but unless it comes stock with Windows XP to cause this problem, it's probably hardware at this point since it will freeze before I install SP1 also or any critical update.

Bad news is my computer in shipment is delayed til tomorrow night so can't RMA til Monday.

 

[Valaire]

Digital audio wasn't even enabled.

Now here's the kicker: I think it's more stable now. I have not had a freeze in awhile whereas it's normal activiity is to freeze every 2-25 minutes.

The only thing I remember doing is changing the pagefile to a fixed 1.5 times memory amount instead of being dynamic. It's on the OS partition which is about 10 gigs and using about 40%.

I should have added that I have a gig of ram in here across 2 DIMMs, Dimm1, and Dimm3. Are there still problems related to a gig of ram and Windows XP?

Now that my computer isn't coming til Friday, I have the whole weekend to slave over this machine. Wonderful. =(