System Lockup

I have a problem when I first turn on my computer (i.e, it is cold) the system loads to the user select screen, when I select the user it normally loads fine, then the mouse, keyboard etc. locks and I need to reboot to get everything back, after doing this one or two times everything seems fine. Also sometimes the screen goes black and the systems reboots automatically. On one ocassion the problem occured prior to loading the user.

Note: I did have this problem where the system would shut down, and thought it was the hard drive (had over 400 bad sectors), I am now running with a new WD800JB drive with the OS loaded on it, the old WD400BB is now a slave.

System Info: AMD Athlon XP, 2000 MHz 2400+,
Microsoft Windows XP Professional,Service Pack 1
256 MB (DDR SDRAM)

Do you think this is hardware or software related?

Any help would be appricated.
Thanks,
Bob

 

i am absolutley no expert here- but i do like fiddling around a bit to see if it is something easy. so, if i had this question, i would try to boot to something like a recovery disk and see if i could play around with the disk options. if i could, then i would assume the hardware itself was ok (except the hdd).

since the hdd is new, i might try to just run the new hdd on a different slot without the old hdd. once in a while bad cables do strange things.

assuming you still have the problem, then i'd quickly glance at security settings and such, then post back here info such as how many systems are on the network, how many users on that computer, what exactly is loading for your user, etc.

not much help, so maybe it was jsut a loonnngg bump
good luck

 

well, this once happened to me but it was because someone haked into my computer and had taken some of my files, if u hav a firewall, chek on it to see if there were any break ins.
might not solve the problem but may at least give u a clue as to what the problem is..... then again, i might be wrong.

 

And I always suggest running Ad-Aware and Spybot first to make sure things are clean and free of spyware.

 

This is a stand alone system - no network. When I refered to user I ment that I have Xp set up to allow multi users (Me sys admin, my son limited access, and my wife) to log onto this one computer. I am more concerned if it is the motherboard, cpu, or memory that is causing the problem. The new hdd seems to be fine, but I am using the old cable, so I may switch that. However the system booted up fine this morning, so maybe just by putting in my mesage to this conference it went away . I did remove Norton Sys Works about 3 days ago, because I did not like all the processes it put in system startup. Spybot poped up a message today asking to allow a delete to the reg. about an entry for Norton, so maybe it was a problem with Norton.

Eclayton, Kolborg, I don't think it is a problem with a breakin. I am running Zone Alarm, Spybot, and SpywareBlaster (and befor Norton AntiVirus). When I added the new hdd I relaoded everything.

Is there some software that will check the motherboard, cpu, memory that you can recomend?

Thanks to all for your replies.

 

There's no software system-checker that currently competes with Everest (formerly called AIDA32) for excellence. And it's freeware, as all good software should be.

Get it and try it
HERE, at MG

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but he didn't say he was running more than one Anti-virus. And I don't suggest deleting your anti-virus, it's good to have real time blocking, along with the firewall. No harm done there. I run AVG, it has a Resident Shield that helps keep things out, and it never causes me problems.

Smittyre,
What we need to do is try one thing at a time in order to trouble shoot. I suggested checking for spyware to take that out of the mix. You should also scan for viruses. Then you should probably open your box and make sure it's clean inside, and also make sure the CPU fan is working properly. Check the CPU temperature, a hot CPU can cause those spontaneous reboots.
Once that is all done, check back and let us know how things are going.

 

Eclayton, Sorry it has taken me awhile to get back - I have been away from my computer for a coulple days.
I am still having the problem.

1) I have upgraded my spyware (Spybot, and SpywareBlaster) with the latest updates and I have also run Norton to scan for any viruses. All is OK there - none of these came up with anything new.

2) I opened my box and everything looks clean inside (i.e., all cables seem tight and attached correctly).

3) I have downloaded AIDA32 and have run the reports, but have not had time to see all that it is telling me. One thing is the cpu and motherboard have sensors for temperature the CPU is at 138 F and the motherboard is at 99 F after the system has been up for more than 3 hours. I don't know if this is within limits?
NOTE: I only have the problem with the system shutting down on the FIRST startup when everything is cold - This is why it leads me to believe that it is hardware related.

I did get a message from windows (on one of the startup's) that the system had a driver problem - but just that - it did not tell me anything more - like which driver!

Thanks for your help - anything else I should try.

 

Since I have 2 HD's I moved everything from one to the other, then reformatted the empty one and uninstalled the other. I then just loaded the OS on the newly formatted drive. I still have the problem when the system is cold. I know it is now either the Power Supply, or the MB. I called the shop "Geisha Computers" who installed the MB, Power Supply, memory, etc. and they said they had problems with Jetway MB's. Mine was purchased 7/23/2003 - just out of the one year warranty. They no longer handle the Jetways because they were having to replace them at there costs because these board were so bad they would not replace them with another Jetway, thinking that they would again be returned. However the only thing they would do for me is to replace my board with an ASRock K7VT6 for $79 - no charge for installation. I found the same MB on the internet for $42. Does not look like they are doing me any favor!

My next question is can I be sure it is the MB. And if so is it a simple process to replace. I think the only issue is taking out the old AMD CPU and replacing it in the new MB. Any suggestions on which MB's I should buy and how do I determine which ones will be able to use my current equipment - I have an AMD Athlon XP 2000 MHz (7.5x267) 2400+, 256 MB (DDR SDRAM) I think these are the only 2 things I need to be concerned about. I also have an NVIDA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro (32MB) - Video Card. Creative SB Live! Value Sound Card. WD HDD's 80 and 40 Gig. CD-RW and a DVDRW drives.

Thanks for all advice.
Bob

 

Ok I need to know somethings. First what OS are you using, second what kind of mouse are you using (ie normal ball mouse, USB opictal mouse, or wireless) same thing with the keyboard. What is your powersupply's specs, how old is the machine, and how are the jumpers doen up on both drives. Plus how big are the drives?

 

The difference between the prices pales onto insignificance if you need further help. Just try and get your PC to the person on the internet where the cheap price is, or try and get them to come and look at your machine. Supporting your local supplier is a good idea if you feel like you may need help later, from someone local. Bazza.

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In answer to your questions – OS: Windows XP Professional, Mouse: PS/2 Microsoft 3 button, Keyboard: PS/2 101/102 key Dell by Microsoft, Power Supply: Transworld MAU-300P4 304W Max., HDD’s: WD800JB 80gig master, WD400BB 40gig computer select (note: previously had this as slave, with problem), DVD-RW master, CD-RW slave.

The system was a Dell, then I had problems so I had the Cabinet, Power Supply, MB, CPU and Memory replaced in July 03, all other components are over 4 years old with the exceptions of the DVD-RW (about 4 mo’s old) and the WD800JB just replaced because I was getting disk errors and thought the problem was the drive. Now I have had the problem with just the WD800JB installed, and also with just the WD400BB installed after reformatting with just the OS (as stated in my previous post) to rule out software and viruses. Note: after reformatting the old HDD the disk errors went away. Also just today I had to reboot about 3 times while writing this message, a change from the (only happens when cold boot up) I did open the cabinet to check the specks for the Power Supply.

 

Something may be wrong with either the HD or the OS it's self. Have you tried starting the system in safe mode? If it still gives you problems then there is a good chance that it is hardware related. If not it more than likely will be a problem with the OS. Have you installed SP2 yet?

 

You are correct the difference between the prices is not that big, and I like supporting the local supplier, BUT that is what I did previously and thought he would stand behind his product. One month out of warranty and all he will do is install a new MB for twice his cost (if I can get it then surely he can at the $42 price). If he were to do the job for $42 then I would use him in the future, but now I will need to look for another local or do it myself, which is what I am leaning toward since I like messing around with computers and now have the time to do so. You see I am retired now and who knows maybe with enough help from all you “MajorGeeks” I will become educated enough to become one of the locals myself.

 

What makes you think it is HD related - I installed the new HD (with new cable) and still had the problem?

I have not run in safe mode. That is a good ideal. I will do that the next time I do a cold boot up. I have not installed SP2 yet; I hear there are random problems and did not want to introduce anything new. I don't think it is the OS because it only was happening when I did a cold boot up (i.e. the system was not brought up to temperature) and I reloaded the OS from scratch to a newly formatted HD. After the initial re-boot about 3 or 4 times I can be running all day without a problem (until just recently while writing the previous message), but that may have been caused by me opening the cabinet (lowering the internal temperature), just a guess.

 

USD$79 for a motherboard and "free" installation seems like a good idea to me. Installing a motherboard, although not difficult, is fiddly. Usually everything has to come out, except maybe the power supply, and go back again and you would have warranty, via him. If he stuffs up the installation of the mobo he has to fix it. If you stuff it up, you may be up for a new mobo or replacing whatever stuffed up. Beware of static if you attempt it yourself. Ground your hands on a metal part of the case, or somewhere, before delving inside the case. Static discharge is fatal to some PC components. Bazza

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Hello Smittyre, it sounds like you're ready to take the plunge and build your self a system. Go to Newegg.com and go shopping for a motherboard. Look up Socket 462/Socket "A" motherboards. If you are budget minded I suggest looking at Asrock. I have built several Asrock boards they are great for the price. (The driver CD has a step by step assembly video that is great for new builders). You'll also see some very expensive motherboards offered. Also do a Google or Yahoo search for how-to articles. There is a wealth of information available. This is my first week using this site. It seems like there are quite a few very knowledgeable folks visiting here. Good luck to you.
P.S. like BigBazza said: Ground yourself while working inside the PC. Some use a grounding strap, some leave the unit plugged in and touch metal before touching any components...VC