Weirdest freezing problem ever

[aeoeoeo]

Hello everyone

My machine freezes after windows XP is loaded right as the taskbar gets loaded. Sometimes it freezes up to 5 minutes later and anywhere in between.

I tried different memory
I have new hard drive
I reinstalled Windows XP, clean no 3rd party drivers for anything. SP2 installed.

The problem doesn't happen in safe mode (I tested 10 times and not once froze). The event logs are mostly clear -- some errors for non-related things.

My FSB, CPU, RAM, video are at stock speeds now but were overclocked before.

ASUS A7N8X-X
AMD Athlon xp 3000+
512MB PC3200
Windows XP
Radeon 9800 PRO

Can it be my PCI bus? I could have pushed my FSB too high and PCI runs on a multiple of it and it got screwed..Default FSB there is 166mhz, and I moved it to about 177 and 178. Maybe the safe mode doesn't load PCI drivers in so it works fine there. And it used to work no problem before overclocking.

Thanks

 

[sykopath79]

The first thing I would start with for that issue would be a full spyware/virus scan. I have witnessed this behavior innumerable times being caused by some kind of malware active on the system.

Go run HijackThis and paste the results here.

 

[aeoeoeo]

Thanks for the reply

Well I reinstalled Windows XP clean install.
Also my SP2 installation froze for some reason (not the computer).
Never happened before

 

[sykopath79]

Originally posted by: aeoeoeo
Also my SP2 installation froze for some reason (not the computer).

What else could have caused it? The toaster?

If it's still freezing randomly, I would have a look at the hardware. Make sure there's no domed/bulging/leaking/crusty capacitors on the motherboard. If those check out, run MemTest86 (will need to make a boot floppy for this or download Ultimate Boot CD and boot to/run it from the CD.

 

[aeoeoeo]

Thanks again sykopath

I will try that when I get home.
Do you think this can also be a PSU issue?
I have..
about 9 fans
2 HDDs,
a cd-rw,
a PCI NIC,
a PCI Hercules Game theater XP sound card (which comes with an amp which connects directly to the PCI card),
and my video card (radeon 9800pro) has a standard 4-pin power connector

So all this crap probably draws a lot of power, and I have a 450W PSU.
It may happen because when it's in safe mode it does not stress all the components as much as when normal mode is loaded. But I've found that when the PSU is overloaded it will shut off usually, but my power is still on (all the fans spinning and all)

Any ideas?