Windows Explorer as a Test of Stability?

[Peridium]

I've got a annoying problem with my system. Right now I'm overclocked to 966MHz and I can run games and programs just fine. But, the funny thing is that sometimes whenever I close Windows Explorer it crashes my desktop and I'd have to restore my Active Desktop! You can imagine how annoying that can be. Is this a sign that my processor isn't really stable? I can run Prime95, Quake3, and UT without problem. Anybody know of an answer?

Here's my setup:
Intel Pentium III 700E @ 966MHz (1.85V)
256MB Infineon PC133 RAM (CAS2)
Asus CUSL2 (Bios 1003)
CL Annihilator 2 (200/380)

 

[Syborg1211]

Try and downclock and then see if the same thing happens, if so, it is not your cpu. Maybe your hard drive.

 

[snow patrol]

Yeah, does this happen at 700Mhz too? Process of elimination - see if it's overclocking that's causing the problem or whether it's a Windows issue for example...

 

[Syborg1211]

Did you try it yet?

 

[Peridium]

Right now I've clocked my processor back down to 700MHz and I haven't had any Explorer problems. So this means that my processor doesn't like to run at 966MHz? I used to run Prime95 and play Quake3 at that speed all the time. Anybody care to comment?

 

[they call mr big]

well you've got the bus up to 138 mhz so either it's your graphic card, which is probably isn't (running games fine etc) but it couod be your hard disk didn't like it. what did you have the cpi divider set at?? set to 1/4 pci and see what happens. funning as you have a good motherboard, but what temps are you getting????

 

[Peridium]

I don't think I have an option to change my PCI divider. I believe that the motherboard chooses it automatically. As far as temperatures are concerned, when running the Prime95 Torture Tests, the temperature is usually around 48-50°C. When idling the temperature drops to around 37°C. Case temperature is about 27°C. I use MBM5 to measure my temperatures with sensor 2 set to Asus 2 (CUSL2). I'm using an Alpha PEP66 with thermal compound for cooling.

My IDE connections are as follows:

8.4GB Quantum Fireball CR (Primary Master)
8.4GB Quantum Fireball SE (Primary Slave)

Plextor PlexWriter 12/10/32A (Secondary Master)
Pioneer 16X DVD-105 (Secondary Slave)

 

[Syborg1211]

Just run 933, the perfect 133 mhz bus. The difference between the two speeds is only 33 mhz. That is very unnoticable. I myself don't really notice much of a difference between 700 and 850.

 

[The_Lurker]

For me, it's relaly weird, i used to get explorer crashes everytime i close a window while all my programs are 100% stable. Then i downclocked my cpu back to 500, and i still got that, then i changed the ram back to cas 3, and i still got that, finally, i decided to install WIn ME OVER Win 98 SE, and i haven't had any probs yet, in fact, i haven't crashed yet! =)

 

[Peridium]

Interesting...
So are you saying that Windows ME is more stable for overclocking than Windows 98SE? Would upgrading my OS to either Windows 2000 or ME aid in getting rid of Explorer crashes altogether?