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Hello, I recently bought a used computer (all sales final) that has what
appears to me,to be a ramdom lock up problem.Some days it will lock up
every 5 to 10 minutes, other days it can run for days without locking
up.The only definate lockup cause I have found is if I use a USB flash
drive,after removing it (using the os to stop/shut it off) the pc would
lock up. The most recent lockup was today, the pc was running since
Sat.AM (11/04/06) until today Sunday AM(11/05/06). Between the lockup I
have played games, gone online, ect. then right in the middle of writing
out an email, bang! lock up. I have tried reinstalling the os, I have
even taken the time to, one at a time remove each memory stick and test
each one in each bank to try to see if I had a bad stick, each one ran
fine. I have no idea how to fix this lock up problem. any help will be
greatly appreciated. sorry for the lengthy post, just trying to give as
much info as possible. with that said, below you will see my system info
as taken from a SiSoftware Sandra report. Once again thanks for any
help.
scrubs

================================================== ==============
SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : XXXX-XXXXXXX
User : Administrator
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Processor
Model : AMD Duron(tm) Processor
Speed : 850MHz
Model Number : 850 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR1131 (estimated)
Cores per Processor : 1 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Internal Data Cache : 64kB Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way set, 64 byte
line size
L2 On-board Cache : 64kB ECC Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way set, 64
byte line size

Mainboard
Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI USB i2c/SMBus
MP Support : No
MP APIC : No
System BIOS : VIA694 - 42302e31
Total Memory : 512MB SDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : VIA Technologies Inc VT8363/5 KT133/KM133 System Controller
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 100MHz (200MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 512MB SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 1x 100MHz (100MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : RAGE 128 PRO Ultra GL AGP (Microsoft Corporation)

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : WDC WD153AA-00BAA0 (14GB)
CD-ROM/DVD : CD-ROM Drive/F5E (CD 52X Rd)
CD-ROM/DVD : TEAC CD-W512EB (CD 32X Rd, 12X Wr)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C : 14GB (8.7GB, 61% Free Space) (NTFS)
CD-ROM/DVD (E : N/A
CD-ROM/DVD (D : N/A
3.5" 1.44MB (A : N/A

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse : PS/2 Compatible Mouse

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Creative Sound Blaster 16 Plug and Play (WDM)
Device : Creative Advanced Wave Effects Synthesis for AWE32 Plug and
Play (WDM)
Device : Game Port for Creative
Device : Creative 3D Stereo Enhancement Technology (WDM)

Power Management
AC Line Status : On-Line

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Professional 5.01.2600
(Service Pack 2)

Network Services
Adapter : Winbond PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter (Generic W89C840)

Performance Tips
Warning 100 : Large memory sizes should be made of Registered/Buffered
memory.
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Notice 5901 : CD 1x= 150kB/s; Exercise caution when comparing measured
versus published ratings.

"Scrubs" <> wrote in message
news:Xns9872778913C36Whatsanoriface@204.186.200.10 5...
> Hello, I recently bought a used computer (all sales final) that has what
> appears to me,to be a ramdom lock up problem.Some days it will lock up
> every 5 to 10 minutes, other days it can run for days without locking
> up.The only definate lockup cause I have found is if I use a USB flash
> drive,after removing it (using the os to stop/shut it off) the pc would
> lock up. The most recent lockup was today, the pc was running since
> Sat.AM (11/04/06) until today Sunday AM(11/05/06). Between the lockup I
> have played games, gone online, ect. then right in the middle of writing
> out an email, bang! lock up. I have tried reinstalling the os, I have
> even taken the time to, one at a time remove each memory stick and test
> each one in each bank to try to see if I had a bad stick, each one ran
> fine.

<snip>

If the machine ran fine with just one RAM stick (either one)
are they identical types or different?

Maybe they are just not compatable?

Also: I assume all your fans are OK and it's not a heat problem.

Finally...as a last resort in a few stubborn systems I've worked on...
sometimes the machine will work fine if clocked down slightly

Scrubs wrote:

> Hello, I recently bought a used computer (all sales final) that has what
> appears to me,to be a ramdom lock up problem.Some days it will lock up
> every 5 to 10 minutes, other days it can run for days without locking
> up.The only definate lockup cause I have found is if I use a USB flash
> drive,after removing it (using the os to stop/shut it off) the pc would
> lock up.

If your lock-ups are "solid freezes" without reboot and with no mouse
reaction, it may be some hardware fault. If you can, try another
powersupply (and look for bulged capacitors around the cpu). Check the
harddrive as well (use some s.m.a.r.t monitor tool). But a failing
harddrive rarely makes solid freezes.

--
vista policy violation: Microsoft optical mouse found penguin patterns
on mousepad. Partition scan in progress to remove offending
incompatible products. Reactivate MS software.
Linux 2.6.17-mm1,Xorg7.1/nvidia [LinuxCounter#295241,ICQ#4918962]

"philo" <> wrote in
news:

>
> "Scrubs" <> wrote in message
> news:Xns9872778913C36Whatsanoriface@204.186.200.10 5...
>> Hello, I recently bought a used computer (all sales final) that has
what
>> appears to me,to be a ramdom lock up problem.Some days it will lock
up
>> every 5 to 10 minutes, other days it can run for days without locking
>> up.The only definate lockup cause I have found is if I use a USB
flash
>> drive,after removing it (using the os to stop/shut it off) the pc
would
>> lock up. The most recent lockup was today, the pc was running since
>> Sat.AM (11/04/06) until today Sunday AM(11/05/06). Between the lockup
I
>> have played games, gone online, ect. then right in the middle of
writing
>> out an email, bang! lock up. I have tried reinstalling the os, I have
>> even taken the time to, one at a time remove each memory stick and
test
>> each one in each bank to try to see if I had a bad stick, each one
ran
>> fine.
>
> <snip>
>
> If the machine ran fine with just one RAM stick (either one)
> are they identical types or different?
>
> Maybe they are just not compatable?
There are 3 banks, and 3 sticks. Two sticks are pc133 128mb, One stick
is pc133 256mb.
> Also: I assume all your fans are OK and it's not a heat problem.
I would think if it was a heat problem it would lock up everytime the
pc gets too hot, this pc can run days without a lock up then out of the
blue it locks.
> Finally...as a last resort in a few stubborn systems I've worked on...
> sometimes the machine will work fine if clocked down slightly
No idea how to do this. will look into it. thx.

Walter Mautner <> wrote in
news:9kk124-:

> Scrubs wrote:
>
>> Hello, I recently bought a used computer (all sales final) that has
what
>> appears to me,to be a ramdom lock up problem.Some days it will lock
up
>> every 5 to 10 minutes, other days it can run for days without locking
>> up.The only definate lockup cause I have found is if I use a USB
flash
>> drive,after removing it (using the os to stop/shut it off) the pc
would
>> lock up.
>
> If your lock-ups are "solid freezes" without reboot and with no mouse
> reaction, it may be some hardware fault. If you can, try another
> powersupply (and look for bulged capacitors around the cpu). Check the
> harddrive as well (use some s.m.a.r.t monitor tool). But a failing
> harddrive rarely makes solid freezes.
As far as solid freezes goes, there is no mouse reaction, & no keyboard
reaction, and I have to reboot everytime.

<snip>

> >
> > If the machine ran fine with just one RAM stick (either one)
> > are they identical types or different?
> >
> > Maybe they are just not compatable?
> There are 3 banks, and 3 sticks. Two sticks are pc133 128mb, One stick
> is pc133 256mb.


But if only one stick is in the machine works OK???


> > Also: I assume all your fans are OK and it's not a heat problem.
> I would think if it was a heat problem it would lock up everytime the
> pc gets too hot, this pc can run days without a lock up then out of the
> blue it locks.
> > Finally...as a last resort in a few stubborn systems I've worked on...
> > sometimes the machine will work fine if clocked down slightly
> No idea how to do this. will look into it. thx.
>

True...prob. not a heat problem then

to clock the machine down, you need to go into the bios settings
and look at cpu speed, bus frequency and multiplier

Scrubs wrote:

.......
> As far as solid freezes goes, there is no mouse reaction, & no keyboard
> reaction, and I have to reboot everytime.

So consider the hardware as flakey. If you have access to a digital
multimeter, check powersupply voltages. You may as well switch to alternate
current mode and watch if AC exceeds 100 mV.
And watch the capacitors ...
--
vista policy violation: Microsoft optical mouse found penguin patterns
on mousepad. Partition scan in progress to remove offending
incompatible products. Reactivate MS software.
Linux 2.6.17-mm1,Xorg7.1/nvidia [LinuxCounter#295241,ICQ#4918962]

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:26:27 -0600, Scrubs <> wrote:

>"philo" <> wrote in
>> Also: I assume all your fans are OK and it's not a heat problem.

> I would think if it was a heat problem it would lock up everytime the
>pc gets too hot, this pc can run days without a lock up then out of the
>blue it locks.

You can't assume anything. If you do, you risk not finding the problem.
Random lockups are a symptom of overheating.
You said the PC is new to you, so check everything.

Wild assed guesses-
Reseat the cpu.
Check CPU clock against CPU model, overclocked?
Check memory timings. Someone may have buggered with them.
If the command rate is at 1, set it to 2,
Change cas latency from 2 to 3, etc etc.
Search for compatability problems with video drivers with your chipset.
ISTR SB live problems with the 133s, try removing your soundcard and drivers.
USB devices often cause problems. Some have even wrecked motherboards.
Check power supply voltages. Is it big enough?

philo "contributed" in 24hoursupport.helpdesk:

> <snip>
>
>> >
>> > If the machine ran fine with just one RAM stick (either one)
>> > are they identical types or different?
>> >
>> > Maybe they are just not compatable?
>> There are 3 banks, and 3 sticks. Two sticks are pc133 128mb, One
stick
>> is pc133 256mb.
>
>
> But if only one stick is in the machine works OK???
>
>
>> > Also: I assume all your fans are OK and it's not a heat problem.
>> I would think if it was a heat problem it would lock up everytime
the
>> pc gets too hot, this pc can run days without a lock up then out of
the
>> blue it locks.
>> > Finally...as a last resort in a few stubborn systems I've worked
on...
>> > sometimes the machine will work fine if clocked down slightly
>> No idea how to do this. will look into it. thx.
>>
>
> True...prob. not a heat problem then

Not true. The could be just surfing and sending/receiving some emails and
opening a word document occasionally. Not much processor load. Maybe he
started some heavy game which causes the machine to lock up, heating up a
processor with a clogged fan cooler.

>
> to clock the machine down, you need to go into the bios settings
> and look at cpu speed, bus frequency and multiplier
>
>
>

--
You hairy crate of smelly cat hairs.

"philo" <> wrote in
news::

> <snip>
>
>> >
>> > If the machine ran fine with just one RAM stick (either one)
>> > are they identical types or different?
>> >
>> > Maybe they are just not compatable?
>> There are 3 banks, and 3 sticks. Two sticks are pc133 128mb, One
stick
>> is pc133 256mb.
>
>
> But if only one stick is in the machine works OK???

Hello, it's "scrubs" different pc & different nym.
Yes, to test the sticks and the banks I did the time consuming job of
testing each stick in all three banks, then I tested two sticks within
the 3 banks, then finaly 3 sticks in the 3 banks, each time I tried
mixing the sticks so they werent in the same bank at each boot up, not
one stick or bank caused any start up problems. from the other replies
looks like I will look into a the power supply 1st, then try the video.

>
>> > Also: I assume all your fans are OK and it's not a heat problem.
>> I would think if it was a heat problem it would lock up everytime
the
>> pc gets too hot, this pc can run days without a lock up then out of
the
>> blue it locks.
>> > Finally...as a last resort in a few stubborn systems I've worked
on...
>> > sometimes the machine will work fine if clocked down slightly
>> No idea how to do this. will look into it. thx.
>>
>
> True...prob. not a heat problem then
>
> to clock the machine down, you need to go into the bios settings
> and look at cpu speed, bus frequency and multiplier
Thx, may save that as the final resort.