Unstable computer, help!!

[fuqd]

Description of problem: random hardware lockups? EEEEEE noise emitted. Often caused when flash page is loading (90% of times of crashes is when flash page is opening, 90% of times flash page is opening it doesnt happen). Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop stop working (corrupted .exe) after being run a couple times (everytime I reinstall/reformat it happens again). Happens under win2k and win98 (normal, se, and me), happens less in win2k I think?

Hardware: P3 933 (fcpga in slocket), 128 meg PC800 (1 rimm), ASUS p3c-3, soundblaster live, 3com 3c905b ethernet card, geforce 2 64mb, adaptec 2940.

What is my problem? I do not think it is irq conflicts, I swapped cards a few times based on the manual and it has not helped. My only guess is that I have a problem with my mobo/ram? Someone told me I need a second, identical rimm, before a i820 mobo can be stable? Could the slocket be causing it to be unstable? These are the most bizarre problems I have ever had. I was able to deal with it while this was a recreational box, but I am going to start working again and NEED photoshop. It wont even run on my box?? Reformat or reinstall doesn't matter, it ends up being corrupt sooner or later. Someone please help me!!

-fuqd

 

[fuqd]

Noone has any ideas? Thanks for help!

-fuqd

 

[web1723]

fuqd -

try a hdd controller card.

Several years ago on an old machine I had a similar problem. Random lockups, corrupted exe's, but no "EEEEEE noise". Reformatted and re-installed, but the problem eventually came back. I tried new ram, hd, and os. Nothing seemed to work.

I finally replaced the mb, and it worked. My father-in-law then suggested that it could have been the ide port on the old mb since the system was basically the same except for the mb.

I don't know for sure that it was the ide controller, but it would have been a lot cheaper and quicker to test had I known.

Good luck!

 

[sadb0i]

format!

 

[WarCon]

If your getting corrupted files, then it could be your memory or your HD. But when it makes that sound, it usually means something messed with your soundcard that it didn't like, usually means the data bus started to bug out. Move your soundcard to different slot, they real picky about sharing IRQ's. I know its not much help. But if your getting corrupted files, that typically don't get written too like the exe's then you got something else wrong, I suspect. Have you done a thorough Scandisk?

 

[fuqd]

I have formatted and the problem comes back up. EEEE is only present when soundcard is present, it still hangs when there is no soundcard. I think im going to try a different chip, and if it still hangs (and I know the chip is good then) I will try a new mobo.

-fuqd