Problem with one of my PCs.

[Zucarita9000]

In a nutshell, one of my oldest systems is not working properly. It all began a couple of months ago, the computer started to crash inexplicably.

Let's begin by giving you the systems specs:

Intel Pentium III 750MHz (Coppermine core, 100MHz FSB)
Soyo 7VBA133 Motherboard
128MB of ram (PC-100, 64MB Kingston x2)
Nvidia TNT2 Ultra w/32MB. AGP 2x
20GB 5400rpm Maxtor HD
Generic 10/100 NIC
Samsung 52x CD-ROM drive
Iomega IDE Zip 100 drive
Windows 2000 Pro SP4

The system began to "froze" during normal Windows operation, sometimes rebooting itself and sometimes it would take a few tries to boot up (nothing happend when pressing the ON switch, no video and no aparent HD operation) I thought it was some sort of drivers issue, so I reinstalled the OS. It worked fine for a few weeks, then it started crashing again and again, so I though "It must be the RAM". I replaced the memory with a 512MB PC-133 Micron dimm and cleared the CMOS memory, and it was working fine for at least a couple of hours. Then I replaced the NIC with a 3Com 3C905B-TX card, wich I know it's working fine and it's the same brand/model that I have in my personal system. No luck, so I said to myself "reinstall windows and see what happens..", so I did. Or at least I tried. I booted from the Windows CD and started the installation. I can't even re-format de HD. The system would crash while performing the operation. Now I don't even have an OS in the system and possibly a corrupted HD. I've tried the Windows installation like 4 times, and every time the system would hang during the formatting procedure.

I have a few things to try out before replacing the motherboard, and those are:

Replace the video card
Reflash the BIOS (it already has the latest version)
Replace the motherboard battery
Replace the HD?

A friend of mine is bringing me another vid card (a Matrox Millennium G200) later today to see what happens, but I was wondering if a video card is capable of "crashing" the system like that. I mean, I can't even run the Windows installation.

I don't think it's the RAM (I've already replaced it with a higher quality module).
I suppose if it's not the vide card, it's the motherboard. Maybe the IDE controllers, I don't know.

If I can't get it fixed, I will eventually replace the motherboard with the good old Asus CUSL2.

 

[Maximilian]

I had a problem exactly like this with my current pc. It turned out it was the hdd. I have two and the first one which has the OS on it was knackered in some way (it had 128kb of bad sectors to start with) and it just got worse and worse until eventually i couldnt install windows again. Ill bet its your hdd, if you can try and swop it around with another one and test if all works ok.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Damn! that's the one thing I don't have, a spare HD.... I would have to get a new one.
I'm running Memtest86 to test the RAM, so far so good (test 4/11).

 

[Zucarita9000]

Well, I installed another video card with no apparent luck. I run memtest86 for 3 hours with no errors, so I'm leaning towards the HDD. I've downloaded a format utility from Maxtor's website and performing a low-level format... so far so good.

 

[Zucarita9000]

This is giving me such a headache!. The low-level formatting was succesful, but it still hangs during the NTFS formatting during the Windows installation. So, do I have a corrupted drive??

 

[azkiwi]

Have you checked system temps to make sure it's not crashing due to a heat problem ... I wnme through something similar a while back and discovered a dust bunny tucked inside the cpu heatsink. It didn't seem bad enough to cause crashes, but after a good vacuuming - the crashes went away.

The fact that it started crashing after running fine for a long while might be a clue.

 

[TD77077]

I had a WD hard drive that caused similar problems until it finally died. It was a 20G drive and would cause the system to "hang up" for several seconds then seem to be OK. It eventually started making clicking noises - the sure sign of impending doom. Been hearing any noises from the box?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Zucarita9000
This is giving me such a headache!. The low-level formatting was succesful, but it still hangs during the NTFS formatting during the Windows installation. So, do I have a corrupted drive??

only 40 minutes to low level a 20GB..? anyway I'd say it is either the mobo or the drive(ide cables checkup time as well..) you are using for the CD install..gl

 

[Zucarita9000]

Yes, the system is clean. There's no dust and every fan is working properly.

After about 8 tries to install Windows 2000, I decided to try with XP Pro. Guess what? It was able to format the drive with NTFS, install Windows, install all the hardware and it's currently installing SP1. I have no idea why the system hung during Win 2k installation, but XP setup went smooth as silk. I can't understand it.

I'll install some SMART software and see if there's actually something wrong with the HDD. I'm wondering now...


EDIT: AARGH!! I'm starting to hate this damn thing!. The system froze up again during Windows Update.
It was too good to be true. I'll try to replace the HDD and see what happens.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Win 2k installation

bad media or bad media reading..the XP disc is probably very new..

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Win 2k installation

bad media or bad media reading..the XP disc is probably very new..

Yes, it actually is. I got it last week when I built a new PC. It's an OEM version, so I "shouldn't" activate it on this system. I'm simply trying to figure out what the hell is wrong.

Active SMART reports the HDD is "OK". The funny thing is, the system will no froze up during normal operation if you're using it (running some application, browsing or whatever), however, it will hang if you leave it idle for a few minutes.

 

[mechBgon]

At that age, I'd suspect the power supply or motherboard is failing (hard drive's certainly a possibility too, of course). If you have a high-quality power supply you can use to test with, that could help narrow the field.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Active SMART reported this:

Seek Time Performance: Threshold: 187, Value: 246. It has a red down arrow and a number one on the side. I don't know what that means, but it can't be good.

Yes, I also thought it could be the motherboard. Didn't think about the PSU, but at this point I cannot be sure of anything.

 

[Zucarita9000]

It crashed again, this time while performing ScanDisk at boot-time. I'll try with a new HDD, if it doesn't work, I'll have to replace the mobo. I hate Maxtor!

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Zucarita9000
It crashed again, this time while performing ScanDisk at boot-time. I'll try with a new HDD, if it doesn't work, I'll have to replace the mobo. I hate Maxtor!

Im 99% sure its your hdd so replace that and see what happens, when mobos break they typically leave you without even the ability to get into bios. good luck

 

[imported_Nacelle]

The HD is harder to change out than the PS. I'd really recommend you hook a differant PS to it and see if that does is. If you read the A+ Cerification book, random reboots is a sign of a PS going bad.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Hmmm... the thing is, it no longer reboots itself. It keeps freezing after leaving it idle for about 10 minutes, however, I was browsing the web, my LAN, I copied files and entire folders, installed appplications, etc. and it never froze. It seems to be only crashing when leaving it idle.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

maybe it's trying to go into sleep mode and locking up.

 

[gaidensensei]

i think that it's your power supply as well,
as of that age is probably long ago.

the reason why i'm for on the psu is because one of my older P3 system finally gave in last month, due to the faulty psu, which then damaged the motherboard, and the PCI cards that it used. Thankfully the CPU and memory were still OK.

The symptoms started happening such as VERY random reboots, and sometimes the internet not working because WinXP said that the cable was disconnected, but it was actually on. It never froze though.

I hadn't known it was the PSU until the second motherboard died.
The first one was a IWILL KT133 motherboard, then a couple of years later it was some random PC Chips kt133 motherboard they were selling for cheap at compusa, for a quick replacement.

This system was my dads, mainly used with WinXP just to search the net, print stuff, and use Outlook.

I'd say for you to try a trusty psu you have around to check if it'll still crash.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Ok, I'll see if I can get my hands on another PSU...

 

[SmokeRngs]

Look for blown or leaking caps on the motherboard to start with. If you have any, that is more than likely your problem.

The next thing to look at is the PSU. If it's not funtioning correctly, then your system will not work right. Since there is little chance it is still under warranty of any type, I would suggest taking the cover off the PSU to see if it's clogged with dust and stuff. If your PSU is overheating, it can act like it's going bad. I know you said all the fans in the system are working but double check the PSU fan.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: SmokeRngs
Look for blown or leaking caps on the motherboard to start with. If you have any, that is more than likely your problem.

The next thing to look at is the PSU. If it's not funtioning correctly, then your system will not work right. Since there is little chance it is still under warranty of any type, I would suggest taking the cover off the PSU to see if it's clogged with dust and stuff. If your PSU is overheating, it can act like it's going bad. I know you said all the fans in the system are working but double check the PSU fan.

The motherboard seems to be OK. I'll be getting a new PSU this week, and probably a new HDD (this time from Western Digital!).

I've found this PSU at a reasonable price, here are the features:

Hercules 400-Watt Power Supply

Give your computer the power it craves. This Hercules power
supply provides 400-watts of power!

General Features:
- 400-watts
- 115V, 230V switchable power supply
- 12-inch ATX power connector
- 12-inch 12V ATX power connector
- Four (4) 12-inch large 4-pin power connectors
- Two (2) 12-inch small 4-pin power connectors

- Specifications:
- +3.3V @ 28A
- +5V @ 30A
- +12V @ 11A
- -5V @ 0.5A
- -12V @ 0.8A
- +5Vsb @ 3A
- 115 VAC 7.0A 50/60 Hz
- 230 VAC 3.5A 50/60 Hz

- Regulatory Information:
- FCC
- CE
- Gost R
- Fimko
- Nemko
- Demko
- Semko
- TUV
- CB

--> Retail Package Includes:
- Hercules 400-watt power supply


I don't actually need the 12v P4 connector, and the system doesn't have SATA.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Zucarita9000
It crashed again, this time while performing ScanDisk at boot-time. I'll try with a new HDD, if it doesn't work, I'll have to replace the mobo. I hate Maxtor!

welcome to the club

there is not 1 month out of the year where I am not RMAing a Maxtor hard drive.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Well folks, it wasn't the HDD. I've just replaced it with a shiny new WD400BB and still have the same problem.

My new PSU should arrive tomorrow, and that's the last thing I'll try before switching motherboards.