Windows crashing/computer restarting/installations denied

[umbcjackson1]

I have a few things wrong with my computer. The largest problem is that any time i try to install system drivers, (directx 9, media player 10, internet explorer 6, etc) it says the software is not digitally signed and refuses to update the software. Obviously i cannot run many games without directx 9...the only suggestion it offers is to contact my system administrator (myself)...windows update doesn't work either.
The second problem is that EVERY driver for hardware that isn't on the original Windows XP installation disc is reported as not having passed windows xp logo testing, even when it's very obvious that the software has (directx, creative soundblaster drivers, geforce 6800 drivers, integrated ethernet controller)
The third problem is that the computer will randomly restart. I cannot seem to predict when this is going to happen, but in the 2 days after i finally got windows to install, the restarts are very frequent.
The fourth problem is that every once in awhile, the display will lock up for a few seconds, and resume operation after a 7-8 second freeze. Immediately after the freeze, the graphics card turns the monitor on and off, in a kind of like "hard refresh."

I had just installed a new graphics card, a BFG Geforce 6800GT to my computer, when everything got all screwy. After i physically installed the new graphics card, the drivers for both my sound card and my ethernet controller were wiped somehow. i tried to manually installed everything, but to no avail...i reformatted my hard drive and attempted to reinstall windows...sadly this didn't work either... so i formatted my hard drive like 10 times, and kept trying to reinstall windows, but it kept either locking up or flashing the blue death screen, saying something about new hardware being installed incorrectly...so i took that as a signal to attempt to install the vid card again, but that didnt do anything either...eventually i got windows installed, and that's where i am now...with the above 4 major problems.

What could i possibly be missing here? I don't want to buy a new computer yet, but if it's the video card that's the problem i want to know so i can return the thing...i wasn't that pleased to buy a $400 card and have it malfunction like this anyway...

System Specs:
Mainboard: Shuttle A35N
Memory: 2x512 MB PC3200 DDR
CPU: AMD Athlon XP "Barton 2800+" 333 MHz FSB, 2.08 GHz
Video Card: BFG Geforce 6800 GT, 256 MB GDDR3
Sound Card: Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS
Hard Drive: Primary: Samsung 80 GB (the one i use for system files)
Secondary: Western Digital 250 GB (media storage, no hidden files)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake fan (the extremely loud one)
CPU Temp: 30C idle, 45C load

 

[KB]

You said this occurred after installing your new vid card. If you install the old card do the problems go away? If so then the new card is bad.

My thought is that it is a hardware problem, either the video card or the harddrive. But it is always hard to pin these down.
Try removing the extra hardware (harddrive/sound card and one stick of memory) and see if you still have the problem. Try swapping harddrives/memory if the problem persists.

Turn off the automatic reboot after BSOD so you can see the full BSOD error message. Right-click my computer, goto properties. On the Advanced tab click the Startup and Recovery Settings button and uncheck Aotumatically restart.

 

[umbcjackson1]

yup done all that, just putting my old card and settings back on did not fix anything...i want to say it's just a hardware thing caused by my new video card, but i fear it's not that simple. my BSOD message was the same as another poster's in this forum, saying windows could not complete installation.

 

[KGB]

You neglected to mention what PSU you are using.

Also try swapping out the RAM or try them in different slots.
Have you tried running MemTest86?

 

[umbcjackson1]

sorry, i did neglect to mention the PSU. It's a PowMax 400 watt. As for the memory, i tried all that swapping stuff but the real problem i can't get around is that windows refuses to let me update its components. I don't see how that could possibly be memory related, the restarting is possibly a memory problem, but without the ability to update windows, media players, drivers, directx, etc, i'm kinda screwed. Is there a way to get around it not installing a driver because it says it's not digitally signed?

 

[daniel49]

right click on my computer and select the hardware tab.
click on driver signing and see which option is selected ignore, warn, or block?
and if thats selected for the system default.

 

[umbcjackson1]

ok, i fixed the updating drivers problem...now i just have to deal with the random resetting...

 

[mechBgon]

It's a PowMax 400 watt.

Get a quality power supply like maybe a Fortron, Antec or Enermax. Fortron Blue Storm is worth a look, it's 24-pin so it'll run the new 24-pin boards (comes with a converter for 20-pin boards too).

Your weird digital-signature stuff... there's a couple settings in Local Security Policy that could've brought that on, but you'd remember if you went in and changed them yourself. Maybe one of your pals sneaked onto your computer and altered them as a practical joke? Or maybe you have malware changing that setting on you. What exact antivirus and firewall are you using?

One other thing to check: the system time and date. If those are wrong, they can throw the acceptance of certificates. And if your system's got a feeble power supply crashing it all the time, the time could be reverted to Jan 1 1980 or whatever.