View Full Version : Please read this carefully! Thank you.
I will have to type this fast because my pc can crash any minute...
I'd like you guys to read this carefully and see what there can be done to fix this problem I have with my pc.
Ever since I baught my pc I get crashes all the time.
The store where I baught it doesn't have the slightest clue what the problem could be. I tried everything I can think about already.
Changing cards to different slots... taking cards out... changing some BIOS settings... installing via 4 in 1 chipset drivers... hard disk got broke one day -> baught a new one...
I have a PIII Intel 1.0 gig 256 mb RAM GeForce 2 GTS 64 mb DDR machine. motherboard: SOLTEK -VIA chipset- . I also got 2 Ethernet cards a Hercules Fortissimo II Sound blaster and a TV Card. Other than that I got a cd reader and a cd writer (Creative) (If this matters) Operation system: Windows '98 I don't think I'm forgetting anything.
Please HELP me ! I've been struggling with this annoying problem for about 5 months now and I get crashes every 10 to 30 minutes.
If you think you have the solution to my problem please LET ME KNOW ! Thank you very much !!
-> need any more info... just ask!
Jeff Bolton
12-12-01, 08:48 PM
have you tried returning it to the store to see if they can do anything? it should still be under warranty if its only 5 months old.
jeff
How hot is the processor running? Heat will do that.
-=HN=- Wild9
12-12-01, 09:16 PM
as weird as this sounds, check for different video drivers.
i have a geforce 2 mx 400, when i updated to the detonator xp 23.11 drivers i kept getting system crashes right after everything loaded into windows, i would logon zone alarm, icq, nortons and such would load and if i just let it sit it would be ok, but once i clicked on anything, i would get a lockup, i went back to 21.83 drivers and no more lockups. like i said wierd problem.
I download and install the latest drivers for my GeForce card every time a new driver is out !
I just taught of something... I also have a scanner, a printer, a photo cable, a drawing tablet and a tv cable connected to my pc.
could any of these connections cause some overload or something? Anywayz I've pulled out those cables from my pc to see if my pc still crashes this often.
Another thing I just noticed... I got 256 mb RAM but everytime I go check how many free psychical memory there is... It gets lower and lower. example: 160... 110... 79... 30... 12... 0 psychical memory. When it says 0 psychical memory I can still use my pc
but when I try to play a game, run an mp3, unzip a file, download something... pc crashes !!
It can not be the heat... my CPU is 32C !
-=HN=- Wild9
12-12-01, 10:03 PM
try using a RAM optimizer
I use Ram idle and it works great, i always have at least 400 megs of free ram at any time.
Ok few questions..
1st.. How are you reading how much memory you have left? You are using 98 right?
2nd.. I curious what are you using to cool the cpu? that seems pretty low for just a hsf combo... But then again, its intel, so I couldnt say for sure.. I dont know Intel that well..
3rd.. I think what he meant with the drivers is that get the older versions of the drivers, the newer might not be working right.
4th.. Are you sure the ram is good? Maybe check with a different stick if you can.. see if that changes anything...
5th.. This kinda goes along with the last one... Try using different parts if you can. Or just remove parts and see how it runs for awhile and if it keeps doing it, then try removing something else... Its possible a hardware.. but could be software as well.. maybe a format/re-install might be in order as well...
Let us know how it goes and what the prob ended up being if you can figure it out...
IFMU
I'm curious...
Does this happen if you format everything or disable everything at the start of Windows remove every PCI slot card?
Try to narrow it down, bad stick of ram etc?
ifmu
Yes I use Win98. I read my fysical memory by clicking right on the desktop -> properties ->
settings -> advanced -> GeForce2 GTS | (I have a dutch system so I hope I'm translating everything right) => There it says right now:
Total fysical memory: 261.564 KB
Free fysical memory: 161.388 KB
I use a normal cooler (don't know the name of it) looks like a cube that fits right on the processor. It's not a big cooler if thats what you're wondering.
Personally I don't think the temperature has got anything to do with this.
I also tried the old drivers for my graphics card without installing the new ones for a while. I still had lockups, crashes or whaterver you call them.
When one of these lockups occur my mouse does not respond to my movement anymore and sound keeps repeating the last second over and over again.
I removed my tv card... still got lockups. I replaced my GeForce 2 card with a Riva TNT for a while... still got lockups.
Tried changing cards to different slots... still got lockups. replacing network cards with new ones... still...
Like i sayd before I have now pulled out the plugs of my scanner (out of USB port), my printer, tv-cable and uninstalled the drivers and programs of these.
I heard that an USB port uses a lot of memory. Is this true? Then this might be the problem.
tsunami,
good question
I reinstalled Windows 98 yesterday and I had some serious trouble getting on the internet so I didn't install anything for hours until I got on the net first.
In these hours... I never got a lockup once. ;-) Later I installed my scanner, my printer, my tv card and my drawing tablet... and then a while later a lockup occured... rebooted and about a half hour later
I got another lockup... rebooted... 5 minutes later -> another lockup... I had to reboot multiple times. These lockups occured while unrarring a huge file and once when I was just surfing the internet. Then I decided to uninstall the programs and drivers I just installed for my printer, scanner and so on...
Haven't had a lockup since... Been asleep for most of that time tho while my pc was off tho so I do not know for sure if the problem is fixed yet. I am hoping...
A couple of suggestions:
When you reinstall Windows reformat your hard drive and do a clean install, this will ensure that you get rid of all the old drivers that could be lurking around.
Upgrade to Windows XP Pro, it manages memory much better than 98 does, plus it is a much more stable OS.
-=HN=- Wild9
12-13-01, 12:24 PM
high temps can cause lockups ya know.
forgoten
12-13-01, 12:34 PM
I HAD THE EXXXXXACT SAME PROBLEM
but for me, it crashed like within a minute of it loading windows. And although the overheating problem could be it... i put a f'ing box fan on the side ofmy computer and still crashed, so i KNEW that wasn't it. try that, if it still crashes you've eliminated that prob. also what I think is wrong. i had to replace my mobo. that solved everything, but it was weird i thought that it was the last thing was wrong. because it used to work fine, but it just got worse and worse with every boot.. .. . so i suggest gettin a new mobo... i went from a 150$ to a 100$ one and it works better!!!! o btw it was an asus, and i personaly dont like asus anymore!
Silversinksam
12-13-01, 12:53 PM
If you dont return it to the Store you bought it, its a matter of trial and error.
Since this sounds like a really anoying problem for you, perhaps reformat your HDD, then only put in the bare essential peripheral cards.
Check it, if problems persist,
use one stick of memory and if it still is problomatic, swap the memory stick.
After you rule out the memory check out each item one by one such as the CPU making good contact with the Heasink.
If you get it running without lockups, start adding your pci cards, NIC, Modem etc etc one by one until you isolate the problem.
Use the latest official drivers before you use the Beta drivers as well.
Eventually with a little patience you will figure it out.
At this point a couple hours after months of misery is time well spent if you can solve the riddle
It_The_Cow
12-13-01, 02:13 PM
How's the power supply? I'd try reinstalling everything bit by bit and wait to see who the culprit is
Ok, this is definately getting interesting.
Now the first thing that Im starting to think it is, is that there is something with one of the cards/drivers. And Im going to guess right off that its in the tv tuner card or drawing card/drivers.
My suggestion is the same that has already been stated.
Remove all extra hardware. NIC, Sound, TV, everything. Just leave whats needed to run it. get something like SETI or FOLDING to force your rig to run at full bore when your done.
Format.
Clean Install, My opinion, if you can use 2k, not XP, to new to trust yet IMO. But 98 would be fine if thats all yea gots!~!
Install all the drivers one by one for everything that you were not able to remove. After each driver is installed, try running the seti or folding program/s and run a few others as well. Just to try to get it to luck up. Open IE, open winamp, everything you can. But remember everything that youre doing, we want a 'controled' crash of sorts here.
Now once its ran for some time, install the next card. If its NIC and your on cable or dsl, excellent. Start there. Get it in and running and do that above again... for several hours... then start trying some of the OLDER vid drivers, some that you know have worked with no problems in the past. Keep doing the same bit by bit.
Sorry if I seem like Im tryin to be rude, just trying to make sure you know what I mean.
And I would also suggest in the very beginning to do as it_the_cow suggests with the ram, just to take out possible causes.
This could take quite some time, but should find the problem eventually.
IFMU
My HD broke 3 weeks ago... it was still in guarantee so I braught it back to the store and I am still waiting to get a new one in return...
I couldn't wait and baught a new HD for the time being... a brand new 40 gig HD.
Since my HD crashed I taught these lockups occured because of a problem with my hd but now that I got a brand new HD I still get these lockups so the problem can't be the HD.
As I was testing now to unplug my scanner, my printer and any other devices to see if one of these could be the problem... Well I still had 4 lockups today. I got another pc here and isn't even half as good as mine... NEVER CRASHES OR ANYTHING !
I also think its the mobo that causes this problem but when I tell this to the vendor from whom I baught this sh*tty pc he tells me that is IMPOSSIBLE and he doesnt want to hear about it !
It can't be the heat cuz I have 2 coolers in my pc and my CPU temperature is very low. I don't know exactly how low right now (I'd have to look in BIOS).
I also changed my ram to another slot without any improving result. :-(
ifmu,
I want to thank you for trying to help me I think you are doing a great job and I really appriciate it !
As you said that it could be the drivers... as soon as I read that I removed the drivers from my tv card and drawing tablet. I already removed printer and scanner drivers yesterday.
I will be able to know for sure if this helped when I don't get a lockup for the next 2 days.
what is SETI or FOLDING ? What is a rig? What is full bore? I am really sorry but I am not familiar with these terms. (Belgium here)
My other system that never crashes also runs on Windows 98 so I personally don't see what Windows 2K could do to fix this problem. It should run FINE with Windows 98 don't ya think ? ;-)
OK I want do do it the way you say... installing drivers one by one... please tell me where I can get that SETI program or whatever it is first. Thanks !
OK Flashback:
What are the temperatures?
What are the computer specs?
Important: HAVE YOU TRIED TESTING THE RAM
I really think its the ram crapping out man.
How are your voltages doing?
Flashed the lastest bios?
Originally posted by JayDee
1: I don't know exactly how low right now (I'd have to look in BIOS).
2: I also changed my ram to another slot without any improving result
ifmu,
3: I want to thank you for trying to help me I think you are doing a great job and I really appriciate it !
4: what is SETI or FOLDING ?
5: What is a rig?
6: What is full bore?
7: It should run FINE with Windows 98 don't ya think ? ;-)
Thanks !
Ok im gonna try to say these in the order I listed above.. :D
1: Try to get something to read the temp while your inside windows... Motherboard Monitor is a good one...
2: Try the ram one stick at a time, not just moving them.. Use only one try it for awhile if it doesnt lock up pull that one and try a different one..
3: Absolutely man, thats why we are all here, to try to help everyone out...!~! :D
4: Seti and Folding are programs that make your system use all the clock cycles. Basiclly it forces it to run at full speed, the max that it is capable.
Seti@Home here (http://www.ocsetiteam.com/index.shtm)
Folding@Home here (http://www.overclockers.ws/)
I do believe that these are the correct sites for us here...
5: A rig is basiclly your computer, the setup in its entirety...
6: Full bore - Basiclly what I said earlier, full load is more commonly used.. Make it run as fast and as hard as it can... Its good to force you system to look for possible flaws within it.
7: Win 98 is ok overall, for the typical user its a good system. I do alot on here so 98 is not good for me. Some seem to like XP. But I personally am not gonna try to for some time. I want them to get all the bugs out of it before hand...
Luck to yea man!~!
lots of lockups occured again on my system today so that means uninstalling the tv - and drawing tablet drivers did not help. :-(
I have just switched my 265 mb ram stick with my other pc's 128 ram stick and I got another lockup within the first 5 minutes so I don't think the RAM is the problem.
I switched back the ram sticks to where they came from and I've put my 256 ram stick in another slot this time.
About a month ago I have switched my GeForce GTS with the GeForce MX from my other pc and I still had these lockups so I switched em back again. This means the graphics card can not be the problem either.
I've switched the internet cards too but that also did not fix the problem.
Now just about an hour ago I have removed my TV-Card and my cd-writer.
The only cards I still have left in my pc are a GeForceGTS graphics card, 2 ethernet cards and a Hercules Fortissimo II soundcard.
I checked BIOS and these were the temperatures: CPU -> 35C/95F SYSTEM -> 23C/73F
I also installed that Folding proggy and ran it... but after a while it didn't seem like doing anything anymore and I don't know exactly how to use it so I closed it. Could you please give me more info on this program? Thank you
I personally think there must be something wrong with the mobo. Or maybe some BIOS settings are not right.
Hmm see if you can bring it down to a local store(bring everything) and see if they can switch everything to a new mobo and see how it works lockups etc.
Yes I called the store today but the "boss" is never there.
There's always a very charming lady who picks up the phone so I told her I want to speak to the boss and that I am very dissapointed in the service they provide. I also told them that there will have to be a solution soon or I will take actions. I've been struggeling with this pc for over 5 months now. The actual store where I baught it is called "Services At Home" (haha).
This "Service At Home" as they call themselves is gone bankrupt two weeks ago and they told me to go to the other "Services At Home" wich is in another city but they are now calling themselves "Socom" (I guess they realized how rediculous their storename was). A friend told me they did that because they don't want any problems with "annoying" and "complaining" costumers who want their warranty on systems....
He might have a point there.
Hey all I think I found a clue to what the problem might be. Don't give up on me guys (yet). I feel we are getting very close.
I opened the .chk file that was created after I got my last lockup and this is what it says:
SyGate 3.11 build 565 Sat Dec 15 02:28:32 2001
Check AOL running...
end of check...
OS: Windows 4.10, build: 67766446(0x40a08ae)
OS SD: A
LicType: 4, S: 44123456039C4522
Licensed to Bryan,
==== Nic List ======
0001 Externe-toegangsadapter
0000 Realtek RTL8029(AS) PCI Ethernet NIC
0002 Realtek RTL8029(AS) PCI Ethernet NIC
====================
Installation Id:983b3324_938fc578
Engine turned on
nic outgoing:0002, nic inside: 0000, outgoing_type: 0, enable access log:1, enable DhcpSrv: 1, enable Socks5Srv: 0, enable enhanced security: 0, enable Dial-On-Demand: 1, Ras Idle Timeout: 180, Connection Timeout: 86340000
SyShield is not installed
SyGate 3.11 build 565
command line:
"C:\Program Files\SyberGen\SyGate\SyGate.exe"
command:
Check AOL running...
end of check...
add host:BRYAN
add host:DAVY
Delete host:DAVY
Delete host:BRYAN
add host:DAVY
add host:BRYAN
z r &*PNP0B00 System Systeem-CMOS/Real-timeklok (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft p ( 1 8 E b l r &*PNP0100 System Systeemtimer (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft u ( 1 8 J g q #s &*PNP0101 System EISA-systeemtimer (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft t ( 1 8 I f p Js &*PNP0102 System MCA-systeemtimer (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft v ( 1 8 K h r qs &*PNP0800 System Systeemluidspreker (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( 1 8 c s &*CPQFA1B System Compaq Deskpro 486/50-systeemgeheugenkaart (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( < C w s &ISAPNP\ReadDataPort System IO read data poort voor ISA Plug en Play-enumerator (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( < C \ y s &ACPI\ACPI_INTERRUPT System SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft | ( 8 ? Q n x
t &VPOWERD\BATTERY System APM-batterijsleuf (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( 6 = W t ~ 4t &ACPI\COMPBATT System Samengestelde energiebron (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft } ( 6 = R o y [t &ACPI\ACPI0003 System ACPI AC -energiebron (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft w ( 4 ; L i s t &ACPI\BUTTON System ACPI-systeemknop (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( 9 @ X u t &PROCESSOR_UPDATE System Processor-ondersteuning (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft u ( 1 8 ` g q t &*PNP0C06 System Early Compaq Presario Plug en Play-BIOS Compaq Microsoft u ( 1 8 ` g q t &*PNP0C07 System Early Compaq Prolinea Plug en Play-BIOS Compaq Microsoft k ( 1 8 V ] g u &*PNP0CF0 System Compaq LTE Lite-ondersteuning Compaq Microsoft l ( 1 8 W ^ h Eu &*PNP0CF1 System Compaq LTE Elite-ondersteuning Compaq Microsoft n ( 1 8 Y ` j lu &*CPQ9A83 System Compaq Deskpro XL-processorkaart Compaq Microsoft a ( 1 8 L S ] u &*CPQA090 System Compaq SmartStation Compaq Microsoft c ( 1 8 N U _ u &*CPQA0A0 System Compaq MiniStation/EN Compaq Microsoft c ( 1 8 N U _ u &*CPQA0B0 System Compaq MiniStation/TR Compaq Microsoft x ( 1 8 M j t v &*PNP0A00 System ISA Plug en Play-bus (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft l ( 1 8 A ^ h
0v &*PNP0A01 System EISA-bus (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft k ( 1 8 @ ] g Xv &*PNP0A02 System MCA-bus (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( 1 8 Z w v &*PNP0A04 System ISA Plug en Play-bus met VL-slots (Standaard systeemapparaten) Microsoft ( 4 ; X u v &PCI\CC_0500 System PCI standaard RAM-controller (Standaard systeemapparaten
What does "ACPI\ACPI_INTERRUPT System SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus (Standard systemdevices)" mean?
PLEASE HELP ME !!!
Ok quick question here.. Do you have AOL & Morpheous installed? If so theres your prob... I can say this cuz that happened with his setup... Now If youve exhausted all possibliltys then there are only 2 left that I can think of... 1: Bad OS install - coruption kinda thing.. onlypossible fix to that ( well the easiest) is format re-install) 2: the motherboard has something wrong with it...
.
ifmu,
I've never used AOL before and I don't have Morpheus installed.
Bad OS installed ? I reinstall Windows 89 frequently and offcourse I always format before I do this. I use that same 98 cdrom to install on my other pc's and those never crash.
Another weird thing is that the whole evening I did not get a lockup and then I turn on my other pc too who is connected with this one for internet sharing and then I got a lockup. I use Sygate to share the internet with my pc's. This does not mean the internet sharing is the problem because I have had lockups without the other pc's being connected to mine.
Ok well Im stuck at 2 possible fixes here.. the first as been said.. the mobo has something wrong with it... and the other... Check into what ever that internet sharing program is... Explain al little more about how its used and when its locked up when using it...
Im runnin outta ideas.. Hope Ive helped yea none the less...
Try this:
1) Make sure that everything is attached and placed firmly in their slots
2) Make sure that all device and power cables are place in the correct order
3) Recheck with a friend or a technician
4) Restore BIOS default settings except some of them if are necessary to work your devices
5) Remove all unnecessary devices
6) Format your disk install the OS
7) (Make sure you have the latest drivers) Install DirectX latest version
8) Install motherboard chipset drivers
9) Install graphics card drivers
10) Then place any other secondary device on your computer and install it
11) Make sure that you dont have any CONFLICTS between your devices
If you keep getting lockups (not resets) then you probably one of the devices is defective possibly a bad circuit or burned RAM.
Recheck by removing the devices one per time.
Patience is a virtue
Mike360000
12-16-01, 02:34 PM
I've seen that problem way too many times. And I started out, the first time, doing the things most of you guys suggested. However I'll guarantee you it is either one of two things, and I'll bet more on my first thought. It is your motherboard. If it ain't that then it is a power supply problem. That is all it boils down two. I have seen this problem many times on AMD systems, especially the K6 models. It might be a good idea to get your mobo model and serial number and check it out on the AMD website for any problems. Include your BIOS in the check.
This problem will drive people crazy. It drove me crazy the first couple of systems I had do that. But as I said, it could be the power supply. If you can try another without it costing you anything, you can try that first. If that doesn't work, it is a 100% guarantee that your motherboard is defective or mismatched to your processor.
Cheers and good luck,
Mike Lamb
Ok, I have a question: you say that you have uninstalled the drivers for your hardware, but have you physically removed the hardware? I have had similar trouble in the past with hardware conflicts, which sounds to me like the most likely cause of the trouble. I'd suggest removing ALL cards except video and doing a clean install of the os.
Troubleshooting hardware can be very difficult because sometimes you will only have a problem when card "a" and "b" are installed and then "c" and "d". The fix can sometimes be installing "a", then "d", "c" and then "b"- if you follow what I'm saying. I used to have a lot of trouble with video, modem and sound cards that had to be Physically installed and then drivers installed between each piece of hardware, in order!
The general order of installation I found best is Video, ISA (modem, sound or nic), PCI (modem, sound or nic), secondary grachics, etc.
Good Luck
TheCrow
12-16-01, 08:17 PM
Has anyone tried looking for bugs??? (Virus)
JayDee, do you have any antivirus program installed?
mrilock
12-18-01, 03:31 PM
I found your physical RAM shrinking problem interesting... first of all, I'm assuming that was system ram, not video ram.
But could one of the drivers for your devices have a memory leak? I believe you said that the machine was okay when you took off all the devices, perhaps one or more of the devices has a driver memory leak, slowly sucking up RAM, then crashes the machine when you have no more RAM...
That's my 2 cents.
i say if all else fails, reformat and re-install
Can you flash a bios update 4 your m-b
From what I've read you've never taken the Sound card out have you???
If not then do that ASAP. I had EXACTLY the same problem as you. System crashes constantly etc.. My ram also had problems.
In my system it was a BAD sound card. I has a Diamond Card..can't remember the name. Every time I'd take it out of the system, all was well. Plug it back in! CRASH. Didn't matter what slot or driver set. I replaced it with a Creative SBLive X-gamer 5.1 and no problems since. I later tried the card in another system, hoping to use it in a KIDS computer. Same problems there.
Now if you've removed your sound card. Ignore me! :p
BTW: The symptoms my system had were as follows.
1) random crashes, anywere from a few seconds after boot to a few hours.
2) A constant drop in available ram. Till my system was running in swap file.
3) lockups with a repeated 2-3 second loop of sound. Usually a pinging noise but sometimes the last few seconds of sound from the game I was playing etc..
4) The odd time I was also getting loops showing on monitor the last few second of whatever I was doing. This usually only happened if I let the ram get to low! :)
Well I hope this gives you some help!
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