A7N 266VM verrrrry sluggish

  • Thread starter Thread starter heymikey
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heymikey

Hi-

I have a A7N 266VM / Athlon combo with 2 (unmatched) 256 MB sticks of PC 2100 DDR. I am running XP Pro SP1 dual-booted with 98SE.

When I start either OS, system monitor shows 100% usage, and the computer is (obviously) very sluggish as long as it stays running. Sometimes, it will flash a blue screen (not long enough to read) and re-start. I have replaced the power supply, tried shuffling the RAM sticks (different slots, by themselves, etc.), and tried re-loading the memory controller drivers (couldn't get the drivers to load from CD or downloaded from nVidia or Asus sites). I have re-installed XP at least 10 times (even borrowed another XP disk and tried that), and the computer will run fine for about a week then crash again.

I have tried Asus tech support by e-mail, and they have three times suggested re-installing the memory controller drivers. I have tried using the generic drivers.

Is this a RAM problem, a processor problem, or something else?

I am going nuts (a short trip)!!!!!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

heymikey
 
Firstly, go to Control Panel>System>Advanced>Startup and
Recovery>Settings and under System Failure uncheck the box for Automatic
restart. That way the Blue Screen won't fly by. You may find a
specific file/driver may be listed as the problem. Also take note of
the beginning of the string with all the numbers in it as that could
give helpful clues, so you won't have to try as many things. Make sure
you have good settings for Single Drive or Master/Slave in BIOS and on
any drive(s) jumpers.

Rob
 
When I start either OS, system monitor shows 100% usage, and
the computer is (obviously) very sluggish as long as it stays
running. Sometimes, it will flash a blue screen (not long enough
to read) and re-start. I have replaced the power supply, tried
shuffling the RAM sticks (different slots, by themselves, etc.),
and tried re-loading the memory controller drivers (couldn't get
the drivers to load from CD or downloaded from nVidia or Asus
sites). I have re-installed XP at least 10 times (even borrowed
another XP disk and tried that), and the computer will run fine
for about a week then crash again.

---
I think I've seen this a couple times a few years ago..And it may
have been a bad CPU..or bad heat issue. If i remember, i'll post
again.

Well, the fact it runs fine for about a week each time may be a
clue something else is affecting it other hardware.
I'd suggest this.
a) Download Spybot. Run it. Pay attention and you can't go wrong.
Improvement ~may~ indicate something you install.
b) you do have virus protection right? if not AVG/grisoft is free
if you navigate their website with patience and quicker than going
to the store.
c) run a diagnostic on your hard drive. Ie, if it's western
digital, run the western digital diag.
d) Keep an eye on the Task manager for anything odd. Look up the
odd things on google.

Afterwords:
a)Reset the bios to safe levels (i think you have an AMD board you
said, so make sure the bios sets your FSB to 133)
b)Format, if you can, Win Xp on a newly created partition. Delete
all data you had before if it's not indespensible(sp?).
c)Take out everything you can do away with for a week or two.
No printers, scanners, camera, NO KAZAA!, no extra software that
you don't absolutely need.
Later, slowly add them depending on pressing needs :)
d)Keep the case side open in case of heat issue.
Alternatively, take the screws off, so you can slide it on/off
during periods of peak use
Not saying do it for the rest of your life, but maybe 2 weeks.
e)Immediately backup your registry files after reinstall, and set
a system restore point to Post Install Status.
f) Only do critical patch updates..Until you are certain things
are okay. Perhaps the problem is something that gets updated one
week into your computer's usage..
 
I suggest you run a test on your memory and hard drive.
The memory can be tested with your choice of a couple of free utilities. These testers make floppies or CDs that you boot from to run the test.
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp#top

Next, run a diagnostic test on your hard drive. Use the ones available direct from the manufacturer of the hard drive instead of the Windows tester. Again, they usually create a boot floppy from which to run the test.


Hi-

I have a A7N 266VM / Athlon combo with 2 (unmatched) 256 MB sticks of PC 2100 DDR. I am running XP Pro SP1 dual-booted with 98SE.

When I start either OS, system monitor shows 100% usage, and the computer is (obviously) very sluggish as long as it stays running. Sometimes, it will flash a blue screen (not long enough to read) and re-start. I have replaced the power supply, tried shuffling the RAM sticks (different slots, by themselves, etc.), and tried re-loading the memory controller drivers (couldn't get the drivers to load from CD or downloaded from nVidia or Asus sites). I have re-installed XP at least 10 times (even borrowed another XP disk and tried that), and the computer will run fine for about a week then crash again.

I have tried Asus tech support by e-mail, and they have three times suggested re-installing the memory controller drivers. I have tried using the generic drivers.

Is this a RAM problem, a processor problem, or something else?

I am going nuts (a short trip)!!!!!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

heymikey
 
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