REQ HELP: Freezing IWILL266plus-R

[RickDel]

MY SYSTEM:

Antec sx635 (350watt PS)
IWILL266plus-R
1.4 Tbird
64MB DDR VIVO Radeon
256MB Crucial RAM
Maxtor 40GB HD
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
D-Link NIC
3Com cable modem
Windows 98SE (xp dual boot)
Logitech Mouseman (optical/cordless)
IE 6.0 (5.5 had same problem)
SMC 7004ABR Router

While surfing the web I get random lockups (freezing) where I loose total control over system, no keyboard or mouse. The freezing is very random and I can't determine what's causing it. I can't remember if it's ever occurred other than surfing web, but I know it seems to happen more often when I'm QUICKLY accessing/loading several web pages at once. It's even occurred when I've been connected to the web and walked away from system for a few minutes, the only data transfer being email connecting every one-minute.

I was overclocking @1.6 11x 145FSB but I've backed it down and its still freezing. Like I say it's very random, but it doesn't seem to be happening as much since I've put it down to 1.4. (heat went from upper 40's to around 45C)

I've uploaded and installed all new drivers video, sound, NIC, router.

Not sure if it occurs in XP, because I don't really work in XP (fatal registry error one time that prevented me from accessing OS)

Any idea what could be causing this?? I know it can be anything, but I'm hoping I can get some advise for what steps to take to determine the problem.. Thanks

UPDATE:: went back up to 1.6 (1.4@1.6) and tried to make it freeze... Opened 10 webs pages, photoshop, acrobat, winamp + played a song, and played a AVI file all at once. Then I started opening as many links as fast as I could on the different web sites.. Didn't freeze. This is frustrating, because I just can't tell what's causing it.

 

[Blain]

You might try cleaning out any old devices listed in your device manager, maybe some type of registry cleaning.

I've got one of these Iwill's but never have any trouble like you've described.
I do have an Intel based system with a randomly locking HD. I've got two RAIDed up, so I'm waiting until the bad one finally goes before pulling it. By being RAIDed, I don't know which one it is right now.

You also may try and msconfig your start up menu empty.

Try searching around for info about your D-Link NIC. I've read before that some NIC's don't like high PCI speeds. Who knows?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

backup your data onto CDs..reformat...reinstall...had to do that on a Compaq( I hate Conpaq..now...lol) seems there was a Windows 98se trouble and its tight grip w/IE 5.5 and 6..so I flattened the install put fresh..been 2 months now..owner seems happy still (if that seems extreme...grab another harddrive off one of the HotDeals threads...put up a fresh install on your iwill and see if the prob still there)

 

[RickDel]

Thanks for the Advice



<< cleaning out any old devices listed in your device manager >>

-- Had already done that...



<< some NIC's don't like high PCI speeds >>

-- Ok, I think I'll swap out my NIC (be nice if it's that easy)





<< grab another harddrive off one of the HotDeals threads...put up a fresh install on your iwill >>

-- Probably try this too..

Thanks again.

 

[Blain]

I swapped my V5 this morning for my Radeon 64mb VIVO.

Guess what?

Looks like the problem may be with the Radeon drivers.
A swappin' I will go.

 

[Blain]

Oops, I can't blame my Radeon anymore I switched the Radeon for a PCI Banshee card (talk about Retro). The lock ups continued, but at a lesser degree.
I removed my PCI/USB add on card, BINGO, no lock ups. VIA and their USB issues... I knew I should have listened to that little voice