Intermiten Problem - W2K Pro. all updates

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCO
  • Start date Start date
J

JCO

Running Windows 2K Professional with all updates.
1GB Memory, 64MB Video Card.

I'm having an issue with my computer and can't figure out what is wrong. It
seems to fix itself. It is definitely not software related. I know this
because I've done a restore from an image and the problem does not go away.
This seems to be hardware related.

Issue:
Mouse lags and I can't open any applications. It appears that the processor
is working overtime at 99% when doing nothing at all. But I can't bring the
task manager up to verify this. Computer locks up after a bit and I have to
shut it down. It seems to be related to taking the video card out, then
putting it back in. But I don't think it is the video card itself. When I
take it out, the computer uses the on-board video card and it still has the
same problem. Then I put the original card back in place and it is fixes
itself. Weird.

Ruled out Issues:
Prior to stumbling on to the video card solution (if you can call it that),
I've tried booting with one drive, No DVD's or Floppy. Same thing happened.
I also tried swapping the memory out. Made no difference. And as I said
earlier, I restored from an image. This made no difference. It was when I
removed the video card that I noticed a message (during boot) that said ECSD
updated (could be ESCD.. not sure). I think, all it means is that the BIOS
recognized that the video functions had to switch to the on board card. The
same message appeared when putting the video card back in place. The BIOS
updated... then the problem went away.

This issue happened twice with in a week. Common to both times, was
removing the video card, booting up, shutting down & re-installing the same
video card.

Any ideas?
Can the video card over heat and cause the BIOS to trigger both video cards
to work at the same time?
 
Not an expert, but I had the problem of my m/c locking up-intermittently at first, then
more and more often.
Turned out to be heat related - one of the clips holding the heat sink had broken and the
whole assembly was pulling away from the chip.
A little thermal compound and a couple of cable ties fixed it right up!
 
Yeah I always think of a heat related issue too.
Been running all day today with no problems. When it began, last time, it
was off a cold boot after being off all night. Never could get it going.
Then it fixed itself as I explained earlier. So maybe not heat, however; it
could be a leaky capacitor causing voltage spikes.

Thanks for your input. I'm afraid this issue will just have to run its
course before stumbling on to an answer.
 
If issue arises after a cold boot perhaps its a 'failing/dry connection'
somewere.
Try reseating all items, cards/memory/cables etc, allthough it may be mobo
related.
 
That is what seems to be helping but only time will tell how Intermittent
the problem is.
It's happen twice now. Therefore, I think it has less to do with
reseating... yet still a component failure of somehow.
Thanks for your thoughts. It is a tough one.
 
Back
Top