Computer Randomly Freezing

[Evlich]

Hello, I built a new computer and it randomly freezes after about an hour ob being used. I have tried it running very little and it still freezes. It is an AMD Tbird 1.33 gHz with 256mgs of DDR RAM, which the motherboard supports. It is running Windows 2000 Pro. Does any one have any ideas why this might happen? Thanks a lot.
~evlic

[David]

Hi! welcome to the forums.

Set all the settings back to factory settings and try it. If it still freezes double check all connections/cooling etc.

Try running the system just vid card/cpu/ram/mobo and see if that freezes.

If you can, test your CPU and RAM in different computers to double check that it works.

If you still have a problem dont hesitate to post again :D

edit: after thinking about it sounds like either dodgy cpu ram or poor cooling. Run the system with the sides off, see if that helps.

[Evlich]

When I first encountered the problem I thought it was RAM too. The program that came with the mother board says that the CPU is staying at less than 40 degrees C, so I don't think that that is it.
~evlich

[David]

Can I see a detailed spec?

eg:

CPU Thunderbird 1333MHz
RAM 256MB PC2100
motherboard?
video card?


Have you got a friend/neighbour with a socket a system? if so I would try the CPU and RAM and video card in that machine.

Reset the bios. (see mobo manual for which jumper to use)
Try reinstalling Win2k as a last resort?

[Evlich]

I just re-installed Windows 2000

Video Card: GeForce 2 MX 32mgs
Motherboard: Soyo SY-K7V Dragon Plus

The keyboard and mouse are both USB, and I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I also just reset the BIOS and reset it up. I don't know anyone with anything but Intels. But I do think that it is the RAM I will have to find some way to test it.
Thanks a lot.
~evlich

[David]

Try using a PS2 kb and mouse - its a long shot but...

[David]

Have you tried just running the CPU/RAM/Vcard/mobo/PSU?

Does it only lock up when being in windows 2000?

Try 98se or 95?

[KFB]

Now I am guessing, but maybe its ACPI?
Since the symptom only starts after an hour or so, maybe ACPI is switching on after inactivity (or just b/c it feels like it) and locking up the comp for whatever reason. Just a guess.

[David]

Originally posted by Kentucky Fried Bird
Now I am guessing, but maybe its ACPI?
Since the symptom only starts after an hour or so, maybe ACPI is switching on after inactivity (or just b/c it feels like it) and locking up the comp for whatever reason. Just a guess.

Aaaahhhhh!

I never thought of that :D

Look in the BIOS and turn off anything ACPI, power saving, etc.

[Evlich]

About the ACPI, there are several options about it, and I don't know all that much about BIOS's. Here all that it has it that I can tell that it will allow you to adjust the suspend mode, but it only has one option. Also, it only has a way to use a PS2KB to bring it out, or that is what I got out of the manual.
~evlich
P.S. You can download the manual if you want, it is at SOYO.com under K7V DRAGON Plus!

[Evlich]

Well, I tried changing the BIOS and originally I thought that it worked, but after I was using the computer for a while, it still froze. It did take a lot longer, but it still froze, so I don't know what to do know. Are there any other ideas? Thanks a lot.
~evlich

[Evlich]

Is it possible that my fan randomly goes off? my bios has this thing where if the CPU fan goes off then it automaticly shuts down the system. My fan came with my processor, the processor is an AMD Athlon.
~evlich

[CrystalMethod]

You should disable that function in your BIOS, and have the fan spin all the time. When you trouble shoot a system, you shouldn't use it as if it was funtioning correctly untill you have solved the problem. A whole lot of things may be causing the lockups. I've heard of as strange a thing as a mouse causing a system to crash, so don't rule out anything till you check. If you have more than one stick of memory, I'd pull out one, and run with 128 megs to run a few bench marks. If it still locks up, swap memory sticks. If it still locks up, start removing PCI cards one by one. You also haven't mentioned which service pack you have installed, what PCI cards you have, drivers, etc...

[cjlax5]

how big of a psu u got? that could be the prob too

[Evlich]

I don't know that much about computers, this is the first one that I built, what is PSU?? Also, I was talking to a friend of mine today about it and he said that it might have somethign to do with the cache. Is that a possibility?
~evlich

[turd]

whats your clock speed in your bios is it like 133X10? cause if not make sure it is, cause thats what i think that thunderbird likes, just a stab

but if you have like 9X 150 for 1350 that will hang u

[gsxr750]

This is the thing.

W2K, AMD, Nvidia.... This combination is a know issue for freeze.
you could add VIA to get better freeze... LOL

Here the think.

first update all your driver for all hardwares.
go to support.microsoft.com and download AGP freeze fix for w2k(it a known issue).
if you Video card board is Palit Daytona then go to their site and download the registry freeze patch then install (Or check with the manufacture of your video card site about freeze).
try set you AGP to 2Xor may be 1X.

There are more to it but you should try about info first.

[Al Capone]

first try out what the guy before me says as he could be right.

Its very very likely that it is the RAM, maybe try out a different RAM, or take one out and see if the computer doesn't freeze

by the way is your computer overclocked?

[Evlich]

No, my computer is not overclocked/
~evlich

[WeaponX]

try taking everything out of your computer but your video card and see if it stops freezing :D

[Gandalf]

Originally posted by gsxr750
...first update all your driver for all hardwares.
go to support.microsoft.com and download AGP freeze fix for w2k(it a known issue)....

I cant find this patch on there site?