[Senidol]

I have been trouble shooting this problem on and off for months now with no luck so hopefully I can get a some insight on where to go from here.

Months ago, there was a windows XP update that I felt acted somewhat strage during installation, the following morning my computer would not boot at all. The only way to boot the computer was to remove the CMOS battery on the motherboard which I did. I then replaced the CMOS battery and my computer would boot fine. Obviously I lost all of my bios settings, but since I was did not build this machine and it was given as a gift I had no way of knowing the previous settings. I did reseat one piece of ram as well.

After a few days of use the computer started to Hard Freeze, total lock up no mouse, no access to task manager , speakers looping etc. It happens at random intervals on various applications at windows login, on desktop, in Firefox browser etc even with the system just sitting idle. Often if I turn off the surge protector overnight I get a "checksum" error on boot, but when leaving the power on I do not get the checksum error.

Things I have done with no results:

-Virus/Malware/Spyware scans, 6-7 programs - nothing found
-Took apart computer, reseated all components - no result
-Ran Memtest, and Memtest86 for 24 hours each - no errors
-Updated sound/video/LAN/ethernet drivers - no change
-Manually cleaned registry - no results
-Replaced CMOS Battery for a second time - no results
-Used Jumpers to clear/reset Bios - no change
-Monitored Computer Temperatures - 31C/34C
-Chkdisk/Disk Defragment - No errors, no change
-System Retore - no change

Phoenix/Award Bios v6.00PG
NF650islit-a ECS motherboard
Nvidia Geforce 7800 GTX 256mb video card.
Intel E4400 2.0ghz Duo
Onboard Sound
WDC WD16 00AAJS-00MOA SCSI hard drive.
Windows XP Home SP3

So to recap, I am getting a hard freeze issue which restarting is the only option. Full system lockup. The only event log item I get is a DHCP warning. I will give a more detailed system spec once I get back onto the rig in question. Any help and/or advice would be much appreciated.

[Advertisements]

This speedfan screenshot look strange to anyone else?

[Senidol]

This speedfan screenshot look strange to anyone else?

[Senidol]

--------[ EVEREST Home Edition © 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc. ]------------------------------------------------------------

Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Quick Report
Computer -Purr-
Generator Administrator
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2010-03-03
Time 23:46


--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name -Purr-
User Name Administrator

Motherboard:
CPU Type Unknown, 2000 MHz (8 x 250)
Motherboard Name Unknown
Motherboard Chipset Unknown
System Memory 2048 MB
BIOS Type Award (11/04/08)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX (256 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (D115J8960CLU)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Realtek HD Audio output
Audio Adapter USB Audio Device

Storage:
IDE Controller NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
IDE Controller NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive WDC WD16 00AAJS-00M0A SCSI Disk Device (149 GB)
Optical Drive PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-212D SCSI CdRom Device
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 152617 MB (79272 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Mouse HID-compliant mouse

Network:
Network Adapter NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet

Peripherals:
Printer Auto HP DeskJet 720C on hfhdfghdfgh
Printer Auto Microsoft XPS Document Writer on dfhfhfhf
Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer
USB1 Controller Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller [NoDB]
USB2 Controller Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller [NoDB]
USB Device USB Audio Device
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device

[Senidol]

[ersatz]

You've really racked up the tests, eh?

I'm assuming you've tried running it with all the USB devices (printers and such) unplugged?

How does it run in Safe Mode? Same deal?

To Restart your Computer in Safe Mode:

• Restart your computer, holding or tapping F8 repeatedly, until you hear a beep, or get to the Advanced Options menu.
• Scroll to Safe Mode, then press Enter.
• You will see a large list of drivers loading.. this is normal, just be patient.
• After a minute or two Windows will start loading, probably in a larger resolution than you are used to.
• Log in as Administrator, or an account with administrator privileges.

Have you run the System File Checker yet...?

Start > Run > sfc /scannow
(note the space between c and /)

Let this run undisturbed. Since you are running XP, there's a good chance you'll need you're Windows XP CD.

Sounds like a RAM issue, but since Memtest ran clean makes me wonder about the hard drive.. Not sure, just thinking aloud. Try these two tips first.

-Tony

EDIT: Don't stay up waiting for me.. I have class tomorrow, so I'm hittin' the hay now. Best of luck, will check back tomorrow.

Edited by ersatz, 04 March 2010 - 12:10 AM.

[Senidol]

Thank you for the response Tony, the computer is still somewhat operational so I can still mess around with it on my own. Running the scan right now to see if it brings up any issues.

[Senidol]

Test checked out, going to run another memtest while I chow down on my birthday cake. Be back tomorrow.

[ersatz]

Well late Happy Birthday to you

You have your Windows Xp CD? Next thing I would try is [url="http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-run-checkdisk-recovery-console-Windows-xp-t131922.html""%20target="_blank">http://www.geekstogo...un-...1922.html"</a>"]this[/url].

Have you had any BSOD's lately or previously that may help point to a problem?

Maybe try running some hard drive diagnostic software from the drives manufacturer. I found yours, but for some reason I cannot post a link to western digital's website... I'll ask someone about that. Anyhow, just go to the Support section on their website and find your drive. This is your drive model: WD1600AAJS

-Tony

Edited by ersatz, 04 March 2010 - 05:40 PM.

[ersatz]

Sorry for the double post.

Go here for the hard drive diagnostic tools: LINK

Scroll down near the bottom for the Western Digital ones. I'm suggesting the 6th one down.. Data Lifeguard Diagnostic v5.04c for DOS (CD), although I haven't used any of them so I can't tell you how it'll run.

-Tony

[Senidol]

Thanks again for the reply, I ran another memtest last night with 86 passes no errors. Unfortunately I don't have the CD for this operating system since the computer tower itself was pre-built and given as a gift. I may go out and buy windows 7 sometime this weekend.

Just finished running the WD test for the harddrive no bad sectors, SMART test pass, TEST = pass.

Something that is strange to me is I have been running different games on the computer, World of Warcraft still crashes. But when I sign into something like Everquest, I have never crashed while in that game. I can't quite put my head around why that would be? Again I crash at desktop, in browsers, at the admin login etc. I don't crash in BIOS, or Everquest. I havn't gotten a single BSOD since owning this computer.

[ersatz]

Download the Recovery Console here.

Burn the ISO to a CD-r.. if you don't know how, read this.

Then use the RC to try [url="http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-run-checkdisk-recovery-console-Windows-xp-t131922.html""%20target="_blank">http://www.geekstogo...un-...1922.html"</a>"]this[/url].

-Tony

[Senidol]

Do I only need a working windows disk to do the chkdsk, or do I need specific XP pro? Since I have 3-4 normal XP home disk laying around somewhere.

[ersatz]

Either should work I'd guess.. you can try it.

[Senidol]

running chkdsk now, my laptop windows disk worked to get into recovery console.

[Senidol]

Chkdsk just finished

"Chkdsk found and fixed one or more errors on the volume"

Will see if this takes any effect on the crashes, this is the first true error message I have gotten through all of the tests.