this is a cry for help! please read and help!

[Jeff Bolton]

ok guys, this is a cry for help. for the life of me i don't know WHAT is wrong with my computer but its seriously starting to tick me off and it doesn't make sense...so i'll explain it and see if any of you guys have any suggestions.

on and off for the past couple of months, i'd wake up maybe once every two weeks to a computer that was frozen (in windows). i didn't think much of it because i know the computer is overclocked and it might not be ENTIRELY stable, but i didn't think it to be much of a big deal. well a couple of weeks ago it started doing it a lot more often, during regular tasks such as listening to mp3s while surfing and chatting...not during high load things such as wolfenstein or diablo 2. it started doing it around the time that i installed windows 2000 service pack 2, so i figured maybe i had a bad install and that was the problem.
so this past saturday i decided to format the 'ol hard drive and reinstall windows 2000 and put the latest version of redhat linux on it. well i messed up the windows installation and decided to just put redhat on for now (only partition on the hard drive). ok, red hat goes in fine, i'm up and running, and much to my dismay it FREEZES! well if there is one thing linux doesn't do, its freeze on a regular basis. this has happened numerous times in the past few days and it is really starting to bother me.
the fact that it happens in linux AND windows leads me to believe its a hardware problem of some kind, but i don't know what it could be. my heat is not getting out of hand as far as i know, it has no reason to be, because i'm not doing anything high load when the computer crashes. i also though that maybe my video card could be a problem but i don't know what would have caused it. my FSB is only 133 and thats stock for my tbird.

so if anyone has any ideas, comments, other questions, please help a fellow OC'r get back to operating his computer without fear of a crash.

thanks all,
jeff

EDIT: just to make sure, yesterday i went back and set my computer to 1200mhz, stock speed and sure enough after a couple hours it did it again. as a side note i've also noticed the computer making a wierd noise, but just on startup for a second. right when it goes from the primary screen and before the LILO dual-boot manager screen comes up. i don't know how to describe the noise but the best way to put it is kind of like when a floppy is in the drive and its reading, but a little louder and nastier sounding. but i don't hear the sound at any other times. don't know if the problems are related, but the noise hasn't been happening as long as the freeze-ups and it only happens for a second

[KFB]

Spike, I/we would be glad to help. But, we are gonna need some detailed system specs to have a chance with it. Are you running Oc-ed now?

[Jeff Bolton]

read the edit

i had the specs in the signature till a few days ago when i decided to shorten it.

tbird 1200@1333 cooled w/delta 38cfm/coolermaster heatsink
512mb pc133 crucial ram
abit kt7a
40 gig maxtor 5400 rpm
matrox millenium g450 32mb ddr graphics

that's probably all you'll need to know for the main hardware but i also have aopen 16x dvd, plextor 16x burner, soundblaster live! 5.1 and linksys network card.

hope this helps

[Teacher_Doug]

Spike,
Is the noise you hear kind of high pitched, like a metalic mosquito,
or is it lower.

[Jeff Bolton]

its not as high pitched as a mosquito. its definitely lower but i wouldn't exactly call it low pitched.

jeff

[Teacher_Doug]

OK, it sounds as if it might be your hard drive bearings running rough. Have you a spare drive you could change it with.

[Jeff Bolton]

nope. i've only had this hard drive for about 7 months. and would that explain the computer freezing? and why does it only do it for a second on bootup?

jeff

[Teacher_Doug]

why does it only do it for a second on bootup?

If it is the HD, then as it speeds up, it'll pass through a critical rpm, which may cause a resonance if the bearings are going. I'm not saying it is definitely the hd.

edit add:- Try this. First make a boot floppy, then unplug your HD. Boot up from the floppy and leave the system running. Check for sounds, and crashes.

[Jeff Bolton]

i don't think that would tell me anything, because it always happens at random times, when i don't expect it to. plus i'm not gonna try anything like that unless there's no other option. thanks for the idea though! and thanks for your help, you're the only one postin so far :)

jeff

[Kingslayer]

Actually seeing it's happening in Windows and Linux, I think he's right on the money with the hard drive thing.

[Jeff Bolton]

so the hard drive could be causing the freezing? if that's the case i guess i'll have to scrounge up some money...maybe i'll splurge and go for a IBM deskstar this time. this sucks though, because i've only had the hard drive for less than a year and i know i don't have any reciepts. is it normal for hard drives to fail so easily?

jeff

[Yodums]

First of all try clocking back down the overclock then run it again if its skipping and stuff then it might be the HDD as Mp3 etc are really ran hard off the HDD so I put my money on it too.

[Jeff Bolton]

i already clocked it back down and it still happened.

checking around, newegg has a 40gb IBM deskstar 7200rpm for $89

jeff

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by Spike Spiegel
so the hard drive could be causing the freezing? if that's the case i guess i'll have to scrounge up some money...maybe i'll splurge and go for a IBM deskstar this time. this sucks though, because i've only had the hard drive for less than a year and i know i don't have any reciepts. is it normal for hard drives to fail so easily?

jeff

Depends on the hard drive. I've had many problems with Maxtor drives in the past. I'm not sure if they were specifically Maxtor drives, or if they were Maxtor-labeled Quantum drives. But Maxtors tend to have problems.

One thing you can try and do is RMA the drive. Maxtor used to do a "No questions asked" RMA, but now they require an error code from their Powermax software. But I've had drive problems without an error reported by the Powermax software. So you may want to visit maxtor.com and download the Powermax software, and see if you get any errors. If you do, get an RMA going.

[Teacher_Doug]

plus i'm not gonna try anything like that unless there's no other option

This isn't a big deal. Disconnect the HD at the ide plug & power plug. Put the boot floppy into the FDD, switch on and leave overnight. Then go and have a beeeeer :beer: (A long one)

good luck :)

[Jeff Bolton]

Originally posted by drobb2


This isn't a big deal. Disconnect the HD at the ide plug & power plug. Put the boot floppy into the FDD, switch on and leave overnight. Then go and have a beeeeer :beer: (A long one)

good luck :)

i'm tempted to say screw it and just buy the new hard drive. i've also heard of maxtor drives not doing too good. do to the thing that wally suggested i'll have to wait till i reinstall windows since i doubt they have the test for linux.

another question: if i bought the IBM 40 gig do you think i'd have a problem setting the maxtor up as a slave so i'd have 40 more gigs of storage or do you think that'd cause problems too?

jeff

[Rezman5]

Go for the Seagate 60GB 7200 instead. You should be able to get your current drive up as the slave just fine.

[Teacher_Doug]

Jeff,
I've got an IBM deskstar 40 Gb, no probs, avg. seek time 9.1 ns, sustained rate 35000. I don't see that setting up your Maxtor as a slave would be a prob., but if it froze again, your BIOS would probably shut the whole sys down. What I would do now is backup all your essential info, before it collapses completely....IF it is your HD...the evidence points that way, but it is not definite. Rather than spend the $ I'd confirm you need it first

Doug

[rogerdugans]

I just experienced that same sound this morning!

I started to have problems with this pc over the weekend: rebuilt it into my workstation and sporadic crashes WHEN I am using it only. I have a thread about it, so no details, but I am also working on a temp increase right now.

My latest thought is that MY noise was the fan on my video card: It was working, but is now dead and replaced.

Good luck (to us both!)

[KeyboardCowboy]

Originally posted by drobb2
OK, it sounds as if it might be your hard drive bearings running rough. Have you a spare drive you could change it with.

i was just gonna say that is sounds like the "TICK OF DEATH"

if that is what it is then you are sol


sorry dude, this happens to the best of us

[Teacher_Doug]

i was just gonna say that is sounds like the "TICK OF DEATH"


:eh?: Don't say that, it'll suck poor Jeff's life blood :p

Ya gotta keep smilin' Jeff :)

[Jeff Bolton]

well i wanted to get the IBM when i first built the computer but i wanted to save some money and got the maxtor. now the IBM is less expensive than the maxtor was when i got it, and if i can get the maxtor slaved i can have 40 extra gigs of storage, which'll be phat. i'll never need that much space! luckily its a point in time where i have a little extra money to spend if i need to. i'll have to wait on the new heatsink i've been meaning to buy though.

jeff

[abb1]

Before you get a hard drive I would look at other possibilities. A faulty power supply can cause freezes. I had a 300W power supply running a 1.2 gig Athlon and also experiencing freezes in windows. I took my 350 W Enermax out of my other computer to see if that helps and voila, cured. I now have a 430W Enermax in my main PC and a 350W Enermax in my secondary computer. After I switched Power Supplies , I have never experienced another freeze. Just something for you to check out. Good Luck.
Abb

[Jeff Bolton]

its somthing to think about. i have a computer genius friend that i know that i'm gonna ask to read this thread and see what he thinks. then i'll get back to you guys.

jeff

[Jeff Bolton]

ok here's another thing to throw into the equation that i forgot to tell you guys, i don't know if its related but i'll say it anyways.

i've noticed this, not so much in linux, but DEFINITELY in windows. this has been happening as long as i can remember, not just since my problems have been starting. the noise that the fan makes is pretty loud, but i notice when i do something, such as scroll a webpage, open a program, or something that takes cpu power, the fan will raise in pitch, like it can sense the cpu is drawing more power. like i'll be playing a game, and when i quit the game, the fan will suddenly go down a couple octaves in sound. i don't notice it as much in linux, in linux it seems like it is the higher pitch all of the time, but i can tell a difference when i start up the Folding@home client.

the reason this is tying in is because whenever the computer freezes up i hear the fan go high rpm like something is taking up all of the CPU usage but i have no way of telling. its all a big jumbled up mess. grrrr :mad: :mad: :mad:

jeff

[Jeff Bolton]

bump

[ColdMiser]

Spike, I'm afraid you have doppelgangers in your system. I suggest you post a WANTED ad in the classifieds for an Easy Bake Oven. Take the 40 watt bulb from it (the one that makes real delicious cakes with icing packets) and put it inside your case. After this take a pudding break. Because really, Spike, is there ever a bad time for pudding?

Well, Spike? Is there?

After the pudding break you will be ready for the next step. You will have to transfer your brain into a robot body. This will give you the strength of 5 gorillas.

Oh fignuts. I forgot the rest.






Mailboxhead.

[CrystalMethod]

ChecK the Maxtor site. There should be a utility to check your HDD. It's called "PowerMax", or "MaxBlast", That's waht I use, and what it used to be called at least. It's tailored specifically for Maxtor Hdd's. If you can't find it PM me. Another thing to check, is if it's a "Quantum" Maxtor, or a "Maxtor" Maxtor. You can usually tell by the jumper/s to set "slave/ cable select/ master". The IDE part of Quantum was bought out by Maxtor a few months ago, and there's still a lot of old stock that they've been repackageing. Quantum drives with Maxtor logo's on them, but still Quantum drives. The older Quantum stock , from my experience is of a lesser quality, and prone to problems. (This goes for their IDE drives, not SCSI drives). The Maxtor utility will work regardless of which of the two companies actually manufactured it. There is the short test, and the "advanced" test. If the drive passes the short test, run the advanced test. If it passes both, you're SOL, and Maxtor will not RMA the drive. If however it DOES fail, it will give you an error code. Mark this down very carefully, and RMA the drive though whoever you bought it from, or to Maxtor themselves. Include the error code, make sure the drive isn't physically damaged in ay way, etc... They'll take just about any excuse to refuse an RMA. Package it carefully when/ if you send it. (ESD bag, bubble wrap, etc...)

[Jeff Bolton]

Originally posted by ColdMiser
Spike, I'm afraid you have doppelgangers in your system. I suggest you post a WANTED ad in the classifieds for an Easy Bake Oven. Take the 40 watt bulb from it (the one that makes real delicious cakes with icing packets) and put it inside your case. After this take a pudding break. Because really, Spike, is there ever a bad time for pudding?

Well, Spike? Is there?

After the pudding break you will be ready for the next step. You will have to transfer your brain into a robot body. This will give you the strength of 5 gorillas.

Oh fignuts. I forgot the rest.






Mailboxhead.

but oh no, overclockers.com has been vaporized!

does that mean nothing happened?

when it exploded it caused a subspace fracture!

take that, subspace!

look at me i'm like an otter, a SEXY little otter!

but the secret ingredient is love, dammit!

:D:D:D

jeff

[KFB]

Spike, I gotta say your Power Supply could be the culprit. I mean we all know PSU's can cause major problems with the OC-ed AMD chips most of us run, and what else could be responsible for the change in pitch of the fan? When your CPU goes to draw some extra wattage to do work, the PSU is str8 strugglin like 2Pac. Ése es mis dos centavos.

[Jeff Bolton]

i agree on the fact that i probably could use a power supply but would that really be causeing freezups? and the noise at startup. maybe i need a new hdd AND power supply. :mad:

jeff

[abb1]

Originally posted by Spike Spiegel
i agree on the fact that i probably could use a power supply but would that really be causeing freezups? and the noise at startup. maybe i need a new hdd AND power supply. :mad:

jeff
Yes, as I have written in my post. It has happened to me. Just test it with another one to make sure before you buy. By the way, what power supply are you running, and what is the wattage?
Abb