Troubleshooting arbitrary freeze/lock-up

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brian Link
  • Start date Start date
B

Brian Link

This machine has successfully run Win2k, Win98, Redhat 8.0 and BeOS.
WinXp is the only OS that seems to be fussy.

Shuttle mainboard, AK12, Athlon 1ghz
nvidia GEForce FX 5200/ATI RagePro/NVidia GEForce 2 (at one time or
another)
Creative Soundblaster Live (or not)
3Com 3c905tx net card
ATI TV Wonder cap card (or not)

... in various combinations

This is the fourth time I've tried to install XP. The machine runs
fine then arbitrarily locks up. It has locked up when idle, when
playing a game, when working in a spreadsheet, when typing into
notepad, etc.

It will lock up after being on for 1 minute, or for 4 hours.

When it locks up, the screen freezes, the mouse is inactive and if
there was any audio taking place it loops it at about 8-10 loops per
second. The system will sometimes respond to a "front-panel" boot, but
sometimes requires I unplug the machine. It never responds to
Ctl-Alt-Del when frozen.

On re-boot, no log entries point to the problem. Most of the time XP
can't even detect that there has been an improper shutdown (no disk
checking).

On re-boot, CPU temp is minimum. Fan is working and seated properly.
Case is entirely open.

I've run the system on several vid cards, with the same result.

I've run the system bare with only the vid card with the same result.

Isn't there some diagnostic somewhere that can help me spot where the
problem is? Why would other OS's work fine and only XP barf?

Should I just give up on this OS?

BLink
Brian Link in St. Paul
 
Brian;
#3 Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/default.asp

Are there other fans?
All power supplies have fans as well as many video cards and CPUs.

Reseat all cables and cards.

With case open, case fans may be ineffective because the designed flow
pattern is bypassed.

Try it with everything removed but what is essential for Windows.
Remove Network, modem, sound, disconnect all peripherals,

Are you performing Clean Installations?
 
On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 23:38:44 -0700, "Jupiter Jones [MVP]"

Working late? =)
Brian;
#3 Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/default.asp

Are there other fans?
All power supplies have fans as well as many video cards and CPUs.
Click to expand...

Fan on Vid card, fan on power supply, fan on chip. All cleaned and
apparently working. CPU temp alarm set at lowest temp warning, never
goes off.
Reseat all cables and cards.
Done

With case open, case fans may be ineffective because the designed flow
pattern is bypassed.
Click to expand...

hm. hadn't thought of that. Barfs with the case on, too though .. =)
Try it with everything removed but what is essential for Windows.
Remove Network, modem, sound, disconnect all peripherals,
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I meant by "bare". Vid card, HD only, still dies.
Are you performing Clean Installations?
Click to expand...

Clean in that it's going on a drive with no other OS, and a new
installation rather than an upgrade. Oh wait, first installation was
an upgrade. Subsequently I've installed standalone.

Currently I'm running Win2k as well, fwiw.

Checking the URL you supplied. I'll let you know.


BLink
Brian Link in St. Paul
 
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