System freezing

[teknodude]

System OS: Win 98SE

Ok, we're having some serious system problems...

The system is regularly freezing, and upon reboot, when scandisk is automatically run, it freezes again, and only after several more reboots can we make it back to Windows. I thought this problem was caused by our DVD drive, as when freezes were occuring, just before they happened the DVD drive would make a funny noise (even if no CD/DVD was in it). It was also having problems reading CD/DVDs and was ejecting them and presenting a blue screen error. Consequently I unplugged the DVD drive power cable in the case and a new DVD drive has been ordered.

The problem however, is still occurring. Freezes are happening randomly and with no warning. When the system freezes however there is frantic hard disk access, and the HDD LED is constantly lit. The HDD seems to chug away like a beast even when the system doesn't freeze.

Any ideas as to what's wrong folks?

TIA for your help

teknodude

 

[teknodude]

bump...

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: teknodude
bump...

40minute bump..? anyway..how old is said machine..? psu is ..? mobo is ..? memory ..type/amt x # of sticks..? ..etc. tia for a thread update..remember ..not everyone reads minds..or is looking at the inside of said comp...gl

 

[DannyBoy]

If the Hard Drive is chugging away (Making noise I pressume) and the Hard Drive activity is at a MAX when the system freezes it does sound to me like it oculd very well by your hard drive.

What are the specifications of the machine though?

 

[teknodude]

Sorry guys...system spec:

- PIII 500MHz
- 2 x 128MB PC100 SDRAM
- 18GB Maxtor HDD
- 3DFx Voodoo 3 PCI
- SoundBlaster Live! 1024
- Can't remember the mobo...

The system's about 3-4 years old.

[edit]BTW: these problems are still occurring after reformating the machine. I did this as I thought it might help clear up the problem, and also to tidy up all the collected junk As I can't get the DVD drive to work properly I haven't been able to install any extra drivers...this means that the Mass Storage Controller (which I'm assuming is the HDD controller) driver hasn't been installed off the mobo disk. This shouldn't affect it should it?[/edit]

teknodude

(ScrapSilicon: I'm pretty desperate to get this sorted! )

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: teknodude
Sorry guys...system spec:

- PIII 500MHz
- 2 x 128MB PC100 SDRAM
- 18GB Maxtor HDD
- 3DFx Voodoo 3 PCI
- SoundBlaster Live! 1024
- Can't remember the mobo...

The system's about 3-4 years old.

[edit]BTW: these problems are still occurring after reformating the machine. I did this as I thought it might help clear up the problem, and also to tidy up all the collected junk As I can't get the DVD drive to work properly I haven't been able to install any extra drivers...this means that the Mass Storage Controller (which I'm assuming is the HDD controller) driver hasn't been installed off the mobo disk. This shouldn't affect it should it?[/edit]

teknodude

(ScrapSilicon: I'm pretty desperate to get this sorted! )

how dusty is the inside..you might have cooked the harddrive if it doesn't get sufficient airflow..I'd have to say you might do the Powermax on it ...sounds like its on its way out like DannyBoy noted. <edit> unknown mobo...AIDA32 might be of help..sounds like there is a lot of things possibly out/on the way out..

 

[teknodude]

Ok, I'm trying PowerMax now...

How would the hard drive have been cooked if it's still working? Anyways...I'll check out the dust factor as well.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: teknodude
Ok, I'm trying PowerMax now...

How would the hard drive have been cooked if it's still working? Anyways...I'll check out the dust factor as well.

dust acts as an insulator..covers up the underside of the harddrive..so the circuitboard heatsup and well......

also can allow minute electrical misfires to occur..

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: teknodude
Ok, I'm trying PowerMax now...

How would the hard drive have been cooked if it's still working? Anyways...I'll check out the dust factor as well.

dust acts as an insulator..covers up the underside of the harddrive..so the circuitboard heatsup and well......

also can allow minute electrical misfires to occur..

Also, if any dust has entered the Hard Drive (Quite possible) then the arm could of choked on a peice of dust and damaged parts of the physical disk

 

[teknodude]

well when i run PowerMax it gets as far as detecting the devices...then when I go to press 'Y' to confirm that the detected devices are correct the system freezes with the HDD LED going frantic...this is DOS for god's sake!

the PC boots up fine in safe mode i've been finding...what next?

is there any other way of telling if the HDDs dead?

Thanx 4 all ur help so far,

teknodude

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: teknodude
well when i run PowerMax it gets as far as detecting the devices...then when I go to press 'Y' to confirm that the detected devices are correct the system freezes with the HDD LED going frantic...this is DOS for god's sake!

the PC boots up fine in safe mode i've been finding...what next?

is there any other way of telling if the HDDs dead?

Thanx 4 all ur help so far,

teknodude

pull said drive out...pay attention to how it is currently jumpered..write it down..place drive as slave in another system setting it as either CS or Slave on the jumpers...do a virusscan thorough(latest definitions)...

 

[teknodude]

Ok, thanks ScrapSilicon...I'll need to try that 2moro.

Thanx for your help guys I'll post back ASAP with how stuff's going...

teknodude