Alright Geeks here is a tough one

So here is the story, I just built a new machine.

CPU AMD 64 |3000+ ATHLON 64 939
DDRAM 2x512MB| OCZ4001024ELDCPER2-K
ATI 9800 - 128 MB (Know good was in a previous system)
Neo 2 Platinum K8 motherboard - MB K8N NEO2 PLATINUM MSI
74 GB raptor HD - SATA
CASE ANTEC|P160
POWER SP|520W(P4) VAN-520A RT
160 GB Maxtor - data drive (also know good from previous system)

It running Windows XP Professional - The issue is not on the OS I have formatted and reinstalled twice and same issues everytime.

(No overclocking...yet)
The issue is: The machine freezes. It could take 9 days, it could take 20 minutes. Nothing seems to cause it. Meaning its not iTunes, its not access USB, its nothing that I can pinpoint, its all random. In fact I have DDNS set up to my computer to access it from work and sometimes it will crash in between when I leave in the morning and when I get to work wtih no process running. I have a Netscreen 5GT firewall, and Trend Micro OfficeScan (virus) scanning installed and Microsoft Beta Anti-spyware, there is nothing like that causing this. I can even boot into Knoppix (single CD linux installation) and it will eventually crash. So I have narrowed it down to hardware obviosully. Luckliy when New Egg sent me the items they sent me 2 MB's. So I replaced the motherboard last night. Froze again today. CRAPPPPP!!!!! So I guess next its either memory or the processer. At this point I think its the Memory. Its just not a cheap solution and I am out of my time frame for RMA, so whatever it is its goign to cost money.

What do you guys thing? ANy other diag tools? ANy other things to try?

Anyone want this other Neo2 Platinum, best offer can have it.

-Iceburg

 

what about the HDD? have you run any diagnostics on that?

could be the mobo is picky about memory ... you might search MSIs forum ... or loosening the timings

this might seem obvious but make a check list of drivers and make sure you have the latest

 

hi, i have a similar problem and i think its due to ram, how does one change the timings and that should they be set to? i have 2 GB of pc 3200...

 

changing the timings is usually in the advanced chipset section of the BIOS ... sometimes letting the SPD control the timings works best other times it's best to set them yourself ... all depending on the RAM and mobo you are using

 

I had this exact same problem sata raptor,msi neo 2 plat(check my sig) and I have concluded beyond a shadow of a doubt its the sata cable or sata ports near the cpu.My comp now runs perfectly and has not crashed/locked for 3 months.Whenever I plugged the HD into the ports near the cpu the computer would randomly lock up there are only a few culprits;The ports are bad or the sata cables dont like being threaded near or around the electrical interference created by the the cpu,gfx card or the amount of current they draw.I have tested this too many times to count with 2 other different sata cables and everytime the computer would lock up using those ports.My comp is now set up so the HD is only a few inches away from port 3 at the bottom right of the mobo,the sata cable is plugged straight in and just left to rest on the bottom of the case without being folded or tie wrapped.One of the things I couldn't understand is that in the manual it says dont fold the cables or you will get data loss,but msi's come folded tight in a little packet"hmm".Anyway tell me what ye thinks.Id be happy to test other things on my sytem.

 

You should check your processor and RAM.Check on another machine.If OK. Change the mb.