Win 2K Strange Prob!! Advice??

[maxxwell]

Been reading for a while and picking up cool info, thanks to all. Here is the problem, I have a new machine, 1.4 Tbird, GA7ZXR3.0 MB, 512 Cas 2 133 RAM, 40 G HDD, 32 MX200 Video Card. I loaded Win2K no problem, but after a while, the computer locks, no mouse, no keyboard, no ctrl-alt-del, nothing completely frozen. I deleted partition and reformated, reloaded Win2K, and same thing!!!:mad:

Please help me!!!! this is driving me crazy, I have never had a system do this. What are you guys take on this, Please Help!!1
Thanks

[13oots2]

Firstly welcome to The Forum, the first thing I would look at is the CPU temp, do you have monitoring software installed? If not download a copy of Motherboard Monitor it's free and you can get it from here http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
You really want to keep the CPU below 50C and lower is better still.

[maxxwell]

Thanks for the reply, yes i use Cpucool. Temps normal, 91 F.
I also monitor my RAM, and CPU usage, it is all normal. Any Ideas??

[Jon]

I'd like to welcome you as well.

Now, let's make sure a few things are straight (on my end). You list 512MB CAS 2 memory. Are you positive that memory is rated at CAS 2? If not, that could definately cause a hard lock. Another thing, I'm not familiar with that board, but does it include the VIA chipset? If so, have you downloaded and installed the latest VIA 4-In1 drivers? If it's not a VIA chipset have you installed the latest miniport drivers from AMD? What about Service Pack 2 for Win2K from Microsoft?

As Boots states, temps are a concern as well. Considering the fact you didn't mention it, I'm assuming you are not overclocking yet. That aside, what cooling are you using and what are your present temps?

A couple of quickies you can try is going into the BIOS and setting your AGP to NOT use 4X and try setting your CAS rating to 3 instead of 2.

Get back with us on the rest of the info I asked for.

[maxxwell]

Jon, Boots thanks. Ok, well I order this ram from company that explicitely guarantees that this is 6 layer Cas 2 133 512. They guarantee money back if not satified. So, I dunno, i am assuming that it is Cas 2, Brand name "Atlas Precision" if that helps. The Mobo is Gigabyte and it does contain Via and I did install the 4-n1 drivers. And also installed Service Pack2 on all my systems earlier this week, was lagging behind:o .
The machine is ready for OC, but I have to get it stable first, running air cooling only, strategically placed 8 80mm fans and 4 roller fan, good air flow in from the bottom and out of the top. I am sure my cooling will get to 1600, we will see:cool: .
Ok I willl try the bios settings, but it hasnt locked up for about 10 min, it seems that if I work on it, it runs fine, as soon as I let it idle, it freezes

PS, I am using CPUCool, I dont know how accurate it is, but i like it. I am able to look at the Stats on the RAM, and the program reads that the RAM is Cas 3, hmmmmm. Well, Now I am ****ed.
Dammit, i hate getting ripped off.

Do you guys think this is the problem, bios is set to Cas2.
Thanks a Million

[Jon]

Well, programs aren't the final word but if you have one that detects it as CAS3 then it might be.

If it locks again go into the BIOS and set it to CAS 3 and see where you stand.

You say it locks up after leaving it idle for a while. How long would you say? 20 minutes? I'm wondering because that is the default time that Advanced Power Management kicks in to turn off your monitor, start screensavers, etc. Longshot, but a thought.

Get back with me on that memory issuse. Something sounds fishy there for sure.

[maxxwell]

APM hmmmm, I dont know. I do know that it has locked on me in the middle of programs, not often but it did happen once or twice.

I have another machine, that I also use CPUCool and the RAM in that machine is Kinston ValueRam, it read Cas 2/3, so I think the Ram I have is Bogus on Cas 2.

In you opinion, keeping in mind OC, would you keep the Cas 3 Ram?

Thanks ya'll have been a big help, was almost ready to toss out the window:mad:

[maxxwell]

forgot the time elapsed before the freeze up, lol
about 10 mins mostly. but i would say randomly, I have been installing software and for the past 30 Min, no lock up.
Have not changed the BIOS.

[Jon]

Keeping the memory is really up to you. As far as overclocking goes, I would keep it but not for that PC. I'd stick it in another (unless you don't have another for it to go in, oops) and get some real overclocking memory like Crucial or Corsair.

If it won't run stock at CAS2 then you can bet it's not going to overclock very well even at CAS3.

[maxxwell]

Well the question is that Cas 2 Ram or not. I personally think it is not, seems wierd. I will let it idle tonight and see. Thanks again.

[maxxwell]

One other question, I do alot of 3D modeling and graphics, so I need RAM and alot. I looked at Crucial and Corsair, neither one have 512 Cas 2, do you think Cas 3 512 will be able to overclock like I want to?

[Jon]

Usually not. CAS3 rated timing memory is not quite as stable as CAS2 at the same speed. Once you start upping the FSB you're going to run into some problems.

Take for instance, CAS2 and CAS3 133Mhz memory. The CAS2 may do 150Mhz fine at CAS2 then may be able to hit 160+ at CAS3. The CAS3 memory may make it to 150MHz at the CAS3 timing, but then what do you think is going to happen when you get over 150MHz? Probably not going to like you much. There is also no guarantee it can even hit 150Mhz. CAS2 is just going to give you more room to move and deliver better performance.

Check into Mushkin as well. A bit pricey but I think they have 512MB modules rated at CAS2. OCZ may have some too.

[Ebola]

did you upgrade to service pack 2. sometimes old versions of windows 2k just lock up. mine sometimes did. sp2 helped.

[maxxwell]

Thanks Jon, i will keep that in mind, makes sense!!
Ok One more, I have been in front of that system and it has been acting ok, hasnt locked up since I started the thread??????
The system was fired up for the first time earlier today, maybe "breakin period"??????? What are your thoughts???


Ebola, yep I have Service Pack 2 Installed. Thanks for the Advice.

[Jon]

Originally posted by maxxwell
Thanks Jon, i will keep that in mind, makes sense!!
Ok One more, I have been in front of that system and it has been acting ok, hasnt locked up since I started the thread??????
The system was fired up for the first time earlier today, maybe "breakin period"??????? What are your thoughts???


Ebola, yep I have Service Pack 2 Installed. Thanks for the Advice.

It's possible. Hard to say really. I'd let it idle overnight and if all is well by morning you may want to start a burn-in period for a day or two to make sure it's all good.

SETI, Folding@Home, Prime95, CPUBurn are all good for this.