Computer Diagnostic Software (Computer lock up Problem)

[Fujiiro]

Hi guys little problem here it is in as short as possable.

:: Intro ::

A while back i purchased a 512 MB Memory chip for my computer (Everquest found 128 was just not enough hehe) and it was incompatable (had the wrong manual for the motherboard Do'h) so replaced it with (2) 256 chips.

:: Problem ::

Since then ive had a little problem with my computer freazing at random, ok need more info i know but its complex so here it is in short if you need more information just ask. here it is as well as I can explain.

What happens is differnt every time to a certain degree, but there are some consistances.

When it happens the computers mouse and keyboard become un-responsive eg hit Caps Lock and the light wont turn on/off Ctrl+Alt+Del to the end of the word no change, no pointer on the screen it just vanishes as if the picture going to the screen locking up.

I can trigger it more often on Windows 98 then 2000 and Linux only if i do anything High in 3D eg Tuxracer (love that game). (high 3D will lock it up everytime its just a question to how long)

Its happeing on my 98 computer, and I can make it happen just by opening IE and typing www (sometimes i get the . in not often).

All thease are from a clean Install.

When it locks up it only appears to lock up the mouse, keyboard & display. I know this as i can log on to the network and open, close, safe files on the computer that has 'locked up'.

I tryed the origional RAM in the computer again but it keeps happerning and i got a 3rd to test and still happens

Replaced the, Videocard, Soundcard, Motherboard, Cables, Floppy, CD-ROM, Processor, Memory, Monitor.

from parts left built another computer, problem is on both computers.

Have teasted with the bair bones (floppy, CD, motherboard, processor, CPU, Memory, Videocard) and its still there.

This will happen on Win 98, ME, XP, 2000 Linux Mandrake 8.2.

Anyone ever have something like this happen to them if so what is it, if not any diagnostic software i can get (free or otherwise) to see if it can find the problem.

Thanks for any help possable.


Ritchie.

[lynchmob]

What brand of ram are you using?
From the way you describe it,all these problems seem to have started after you increased your ram.
If you were just running 98 I'd say you may need to adjust your cache settings but if it does it in 2000 and Linux(those 2 OSs can handle that amount of ram easy)then I'm not so sure.
If you have the original ram,put it back in and see how it behaves.Let us know.
Here's a link for tufftest lite .Its a diagnostic utility that may help.
lynch

[Fujiiro]

Ive tryed it with the origional ram and the problem remains, something i only really picked up on today but since the problem has started i no longer get an auto dial on internet conection, only the save password tab.

dont see how it could be related but weird anyways.

[flashingcurser]

Did ya check temps? Sounds kinda like a temp problem, with the 3d apps and such. (just using the kiss method)

referring to myself:

K eep
I t
S imple
S tupid


Stupid is right i cant even spell keep hehe

[Fujiiro]

Oooook, not to sound to blond but ya huh...

flashing mind putting that into a little more english for me done really understand what you meen by kiss methould and by temps do you meen tempary files?

Ritch

[flashingcurser]

Prossesor temperatures. It definately not sotware (linux and windows having problems). I think its prossessor temps because it happens in 3d apps.

[Fujiiro]

Ok, ive got a Intel 450 P3 and a Druron 1.3GHz the 1.3 has a fan for a 1.5 on it so hopefully been cool enough as for the 450 how can i find out what fan it has? its just the one that came built onto the top of the chip when the computer was purchased.

and if possable what ways can i cool the computers to test, im guessing a BIG honking fan blasting into them and seeing if it keeps happerning hehe.

as for the current temps im unshure how to test that any way how to?

Thanks flashing & nice app Lynch going to get a full version for the 10$.

Ritch

[Fujiiro]

After Pulling open my old computer my mom pointed something out to me that i did not see because i never thought about looking for it and that is 3 of the (transistors? the cilender black things point up and have silver ends (i was terable at Electronics) look well burnt out, there brown like that have blown or something dont know but there right next to the AGP port and since its the Video that going nuts i guess it might be that, its not the same on my other computer but the problem is on both.

but i did move the dard from one comp to the other, so I assusme its possable the card got damaged because of them, for this matter i contacted my videocard manufacture and there going to send me a replacement in about 2months AHHHhhh!!! some i on the laptop right now and well once the new cards back I will try it and see how things go.

Any sujestions are welcome.

Ritchie

Additional vie Edit:

I cooled down the computer 3 fans blowing at it from every angle possable would have done the trick and it actually made the problem worce, figgues lol.

How about grounding problems with your mobo? If you have a contact somewhere between the mobo and the case, it can cause power to ground and you can get all sorts of flaky probs.

Since this only started when you opend the case and added some RAM, I'd be checking for some sort of short (fallen screw maybe?). Remove the mobo completely, check where it touches the case (are there any "extra" metal stands touching where they shouldn't?) and make sure there are no bits of metal anywhere there shouldn't be.

Another thing that comes to mind is power supply. I know you said you changed rooms and sockets, but the power supply in the PC might have a prob, and it could be flaky. Try ALL of your original components in a completly different case with diff power supply if you can.

Hope you can get this one sorted out.

Cheers
Mick

[Fujiiro]

Humm.. will look into if it has any stray cables in the 2 computers its affecting, also so you know i have tryed it with a new power supply and the problem is there but in the newer computer the problems a little less, will try putting the new supply with all the old hardware and see if i can get things going again better.

will eb a few days till i can pull the computers appart since im currently haveing to swap rooms and all my equipment is in a coubord hehe.

Ritchie