Hard drive becomes undetected, random system crashes

[t3ch]

For awhile windows randomly crashed and on the reboot my master HD would show as "none" in the bootup screen. If I turned the computer OFF and on, it would re-show up and boot just fine.

I thought it was an HD issue, friend said mobo... So he bought me a new mobo.

Worked fine for a week, then did it again.

Did a full zero-format on both 80gb's, put fresh windows on, worked fine for the past two weeks... Now it's doing the same thing all over again.

The crashes also seem to happen when I try to do too much. Just firefox+aim doesn't crash (at least for a long while). Firefox, aim, irc, and WASTE all running usually causes a quick crash. Don't even get me started on trying to play games.

I've run tests on both HD's using the windows utilites as well as all of WD's utilities, both in windows and in DOS mode. Results were always completely positive, no bad sectors, nothing....

Help?

edit 1---

Specs:

xp 2700
1st mobo: ECS k7vta3+
2nd mobo: MSIK7N2

2 WD 80gb 8mb cache (ide)
1 WD 160gb (SATA)

512mb
nVidia FX-5200

Windows XP

edit 2 - "ok, memtest ran for 5 hours with 0 errors..."
edit 3 - new stick of 1gb corsair, still crashes.

 

[Steaksauce]

computer specs?

 

[alzan]

As Steaksauce said, computer specs would help; but here's a few thoughts:

For the hard drive: Low voltage from CMOS battery causing detect problem, replace battery; not enough wattage from PSU for HDD and other system devices, get more powerful and reputable PSU (Antec or Cheiftec).

System crashes: Faulty RAM, download & run memtest86, for several hours, if any errors replace RAM; not enough RAM, if you're running W2K or XP, 256MB is minimum RAM, 512MB or 1024MB would be better.


alzan

 

[t3ch]

Added specs to original post.

I've been running this system stable as could be for about 6 years. The PSU I just replaced not even a year ago (antec 400w), and my mobo was working fine, just changed because it was suggested that it was the root of my problem.

I might think the RAM, but that wouldn't explain why my bootup is not detecting my HD would it? I would assume that whatever the problem with the HD detection is would also be the cause of the windows crashes, right?

Battery: could try that, but it's happened on two mobos so...
memtest: I'll try that when I'm out tonight

 

[Steaksauce]

You have been running a xp 2700 for 6 years?

Anyways, it sounds like a memory problem as it can't handle more than a couple of applications at the same time. Test it and update posting.

 

[t3ch]

I originally had an 1800, but I got a 2800 awhile ago... didn't think that was relevant to the stability of the system.

Downloaded and testing now

edit -- and the system ALWAYS crashes within 3-4 hours btw, it just does it much quicker when I try to actually do stuff.

 

[Steaksauce]

no no, just asking because I didn't think 2800 or 2700 were made 6 years ago. good luck.

 

[oynaz]

I had a problem much like yours, and just figured out the cause. One of my RAM blocks were faulty, so I would start there if I were you.

 

[t3ch]

Originally posted by: Steaksauce
no no, just asking because I didn't think 2800 or 2700 were made 6 years ago. good luck.

rgr, they weren't. A cpu upgrade fell into my lap last year

Originally posted by: oynaz
I had a problem much like yours, and just figured out the cause. One of my RAM blocks were faulty, so I would start there if I were you.

Good to know, now that I've scoured my house for a non-corrupt floppy I can FINALLY run the stupid test. I'll head to Fry's for a new stick while it runs.

 

[Steaksauce]

you can burn a cd iso file to boot with a cd. Why not let see the results and then get a stick or two?

 

[t3ch]

ok, memtest ran for 5 hours with 0 errors...

In the configuration if I change "memory sizing" from "Bios-Std" (the default) to "Bios-All", I get a ton of errors though... Although I got errors at locations at 4076mb and such, so I wonder if that just tests all the slots and the errors are a lack of ram being present (only 1/3 slots taken)

Anyhow, yeah...

 

[t3ch]

bump, ramtest had 0 errors, keep the ideas comin :|

 

[t3ch]

No ideas?

 

[t3ch]

new 1gb stick of corsair in, still does it. Not nearly as often, but yeah... so I'm leaning toward HD again now. Anyone?

 

[OCedHrt]

My friend had a similar problem but it was with a SATA drive. After trying all sorts of common solutions, we finally replaced the SATA cables (both that came with MB) and everything has been fine since. What are the odds of getting 2 faulty SATA cables in one box? 100% if buying from Fry's.

 

[rcllbrg]

If you swapped the ram and the motherboard how about the PSU