WinXP - Keeps Freezing!!

[jattardi]

Hi all,

First post here. Finally decided to join the site after lurking for some time.
I desperately need some help with my Windows XP system. I don't have all the nitty gritty details (I'm at work at the moment), but here are my specs that I can remember:

Athlon XP 3000+
MSI Motherboard (not sure of the model) w/ nForce2 chipset
Geforce FX 5700

The system just keeps freezing randomly, in addition to a few guaranteed spots - It always freezes when I copy songs to my iPod using iTunes, and when I am trying to install the latest version of Java (the full JDK, using the installer). Other than those two occurrences, it freezes at unpredictable and random times.

So I reformatted my hard drive and re-installed Windows... still doing it. So I'm guessing it wasn't something funky in the software. So far I have tried:

- updating to the latest BIOS
- resetting my BIOS to fail-safe settings
- full virus/spyware scan
- unplugging all my USB devices
- checking in the Event Viewer for any error messages related to my apps that freeze

None of these work. I know this isn't a whole lot of information - I can post more specifics later when I'm at home, but in the meantime, are there any obvious things that might make a Windows XP system freeze like that?

Thanks, I appreciate the help because I'm just tearing my hair out over here...

 

[newbiepcuser]

Trying run a RAM tester. Such as memtest



See if your RAM is foobar, also did your motherboard come with diagnostic software to check for cpu temp and voltage readings? Is your case well ventaliated?

 

[jattardi]

I'll try memtest when I get home tonight.
As far as the case goes, it's pretty well ventilated - I have a fan in the front bring air in, two in the back blowing air out, one on the side panel blowing air in, and one on top over the power supply.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Check the readings in the BIOS for voltage also, and also are you overclocking?

 

[jattardi]

I am not overclocking, no. The odd thing is, though, that everything was running perfectly and then at some point the thing started freezing up on me. I hadn't made any significant changes...

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: jattardi
I am not overclocking, no. The odd thing is, though, that everything was running perfectly and then at some point the thing started freezing up on me. I hadn't made any significant changes...

Since you did a clean install of the OS, installed the service packs etc then its looking towards hardware.

Not trying to be a MSI hater, but I suspect your board. But it could also the RAM.

 

[jattardi]

I ran that Memtest program you referred me to for about 45 minutes and it found no errors... any other ideas?

 

[jattardi]

Here's some more info on my system:

CPU temp is good - 82 F/28 C

My voltages are: +3.3 = 3.26V, +5 = 4.97V, +12 = 11.85V, -12 = -12.03V, -5 = -4.99V