Mobo Replacement or Repairable Hardware issues???

Hi.

I'm looking for help to resolve my majorly annoying Hardware Interrupts problem.

It all started when trying to get my system to recognise a new RAM module I was trying to install (See my thread at http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=213483). Through the process, which happily resulted in me installing the RAM, I seem to have upset the pc somehow and am now getting 80 - 90% CPU usage from Hardware Interrupts.

Through the help of Mimsy and burrell I think I've established that the RAM modules are fine. I have run checkdisk on the hard disk partition containing the OS (WinXP Pro). I have also run a scan of my system using FreshDiagnose but am not sure of how to interpret the results so that's not been of much use so far. The outcome of the previous thread is potentially pointing to the MOBO being at fault but I was hoping that someone may have other ideas that I could try first before replacing it....

A fresh bit of useful information (hopefully) is that I can significantly reduce the Interrupts down to occasional spikes of around 10% by clicking the "safely remove hardware" and selecting to remove the "internal card reader". I do not remove the reader though. I have subsequently done an uninstall of the card reader and let XP reinstall it after rebooting but the Interrupts are back. I have also tried disabling the card reader in Device Manager but the Interrupts are still there. They are only reduced when I "safely remove hardware" it seems. Does this offer anyone any clue as to how I can sort the problem out or am I destined to do a MOBO replacement??

Help appreciated.

Thanks

 

Hi there! We meet again! :-D

So are your only issues the CPU spikes?

do you have any devices plugged into the card reader?

 

Hello again Burrell!

I think that the system is fine other than the high cpu spikes (although they change from being spikes to fairly constant high cpu usage for a minute or so when opening programs). As mentioned Process Explorer tells me the cpu is being used up by Hardware Interrupts. Mimsy seemed to think that the Mobo might be at fault but I was hoping otherwise..

There are no cards inserted into any of the slots in the card reader (It's a 7 in 1 Reader). I've also never had problems with the reader in the past. There are also still interrupts even after "safely removing hardware" is selected for this reader. Although they are small they still cause issues when listening to music or watching media for example.

I was wondering too about how to strip the system back and then reinstall hardware one by one to see if the interrupts disappear. I take it I can only strip back as far as having the hard disk with the os on it, the graphics card so I can connect the monitor, and a stick of RAM connected to the mobo. Was thinking of doing this just in case the problem was with a bit of hardware other than those. What do you reckon?

Thanks again for getting back to me.

Cheers

 

yes, stripping it down to the basics then building it back up from there is a good idea!

Remove all exept the MB, 1 stick of RAM, CPU, HDD.

You can use the onboard video for now.

Then put hardware back one at a time and see if the spikes still occur.

 

I can't see a port to connect my monitor to on the motherboard though. I'm connected to the VGA port on my Graphics card which the mobo doesn't have. It's got a serial port instead which I can't use...

Does the stripping back involve uninstalling each bit of hardware in Device Manager before removing from the base unit or can I just turn off the pc and remove straight away?

Cheers

 

Yep.

No need to make any software changes.

 

So I've taken as much out from the system as I can without losing the ability to bootup and see windows and I'm still getting a certain amount of interrupts. They are mainly spikes but if I open a program then the Interrupts are longer lasting.

After about half an hour of windows starting, the interrupt spikes lasting 2 or 3 seconds are only using up about 20 - 30% of CPU but more like 80% when opening a prog and lasting more like a minute.

Since the problems only started to occur after doing the memtest on the RAM modules is it not most likely that I've angered the mobo (which is pretty easily confused acccording to Mimsy)? It seems that the more hardware that is connected then the more the cpu usage spikes which makes me think that it's jsut the mobo having more to deal with therefore generating more interrupts (or am I completely wrong about how interrupts work?).

If the mobo is so confused that I need to replace it then I have a couple of questions.

1) How can I get hold of a K7VT4A+ Asrock motherboard since the one installed is about 6 years old and I'm not sure they're sold anymore?

2) Is it worth buying another K7VT4A+ if they're really not that good anyway?

Also I'd like to know how I came to create the hardware interrupts in the first place since all i was doing was trying to add more RAM. Are mobo's that sensitive/fragile?

Mimsy also mentioned that a new mobo means my windows xp license becomes technincally invalid until I persuade Microsoft that I have only changed the mobo. How would I go about this if I was to replace the mobo?

Sorry for so many questions. I appreciate your time is limited but I'd really like to get to the bottom of this problem. You are a great help!

Thanks again.

 

I'm not too sure about the rest of your system problems, but about the OS;

The OS is tied to 3 parts of the PC, the Motherboard, CPU and HDD.

Only if all 3 are removed/changed, then the OS will no longer work.

By just changing the MB, you can just re enter the old OS validation code and it will activate properly.

 

Ok. Thanks for that Burrell. At least now I know I can replace the mobo without a major nightmare dealing with MS.

Is there noone at majorgeeks who could shed light on the system issues???

I suppose I really need to know that if I'm going to replace the mobo then is it possible to buy a new one that is different and better than the K7VT4A+ but is ultimately compatible with the other bits of hardware???

Probably my last question. :-D