Why does my computer lock up?

[downhiller80]

Only happens every now and then, once or twice a day. Computer will lock for about 20 seconds not responding to mouse or keyboard, after this it's fine.

In event viewer I get the following error: "The device, \Device\Ide\IdePort0, is not ready for access yet. "

My system:

Athlon 1300
Asus A7V 1.02 bios 1008
Soundblaster Live! Platinum
Geforce2 GTS AGP
Voodoo3 3000 PCI
WD 120GB 8MB cache hard disk
Windows 2000
All latest drivers, windows updates etc

- seb

 

[samgau]

do you have the windows schduler running... it might be trying to defrag your drive when you are using it...

 

[downhiller80]

nope, but even if I did that wouldn't cause it to completely lock like this.

 

[downhiller80]

Anyone else?

When it happens it always happens in "pairs". It'll lockup for 20 seconds or so, then be ok for 1/2 a second then lock again for 20 seconds. Also the error message I posted doesn't always happen, sso I think it's just a by-product of the lockup.

- seb

 

[sandorski]

Hmm, what PCI slot is the Voodoo3? Try it in another slot.

 

[Abzstrak]

could also be caused by a bad IDE cable or a HDD going bad....

Aso try updating your busmastering drivers

 

[BFG10K]

And check your cables for loose connections too.

 

[downhiller80]

I've recently reinstalled windows 2000, before that everything worked fine. The odd thing is sometimes it's OK, like today it's been fine. Other times, like yesterday, it'll keep on locking up with only about 30 seconds in between. A quick reboot and it's typically OK.

Brand new hard disk, so it better not be that. I don't think it is because the computer had no problems with me copying huge amounts of data or defragging or anything.

Doesn't seem to be linked to any particular program either.

I have the latest via 4-in-1s and nvidia 27.42 drivers.

The voodoo3 worked fine in that slot before I reinstalled.

- seb

 

[MadRat]

Sounds like a NIC related problem, probably DHCP lease-renewal.

 

[downhiller80]

Hmmm, I do have a NIC in the case but it's not connected to a netword and I've "disabled" it in my hardware manager.

- seb

 

[downhiller80]

Another thing I've noticed: after one of these lock-ups I lose a CD drive from "my computer" - have to reboot to be able to see it again.

- seb