Oddest problem I've encountered in nearly 2 decades of computing.

[Lemodular]

If I assume that it's hardware related, it sounds like a heat issue if things begins to hang after a while. It can be with any part that is heated, RAM modules, onboard chips, capacitors, HDD etc. I'm guessing that the metal of a defected part is loosing contact due to thermal expansion. What kind of case is it in?

If it's software, the first thing that come to mind is SP3, but I think that's covered. I thought that MS may have found away to lock-out third parties progs. (I always assume this ) I would try to install Firefox before upgrading to SP2 and 3 or any drivers (making sure everything is gravy between upgrades). Good luck.

 

[ussfletcher]

Perhaps the northbridge heatsink is loose?

 

[KAZANI]

Since you have already gone paranoid trying to pin the problem down to hardware level, you may as well change the HDD too and eliminate that possibilty. But I'd be looking at software if I were you. Testing a clean OS installation with no SP3, no programs installed and without a network connection would be my suggestion. Taking it from there, start adding programs and network (or vice versa) to the mix until you bump into the glitch.

Good luck.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Cutthroat
Are you using Firefox 3.0?

I have been using Firefox 3.0 for a while now and NEVER have i ran into a problem like his.


Ausm

 

[imported_Champ]

Are you 100% that your anti virus is working...like are you just installing then nothing...with AVG it is about 2 updates and resets until it is full running...make sure that it is fully updated and running...check your temperatures to make sure that nothing is getting too high and potentially throttling your comp it could be your northbridge or ram maybe

 

[Syndicate]

Originally posted by: robisbell
okay. to clarify, what hardware has been changed out, and what is currently in the system at this time.
how was the PSU tested? did not see any post with any test results on it, nor on the ram nor cpu or gpu.

The PSU has not been tested. I have another sitting next to me to swap it out with though to verify it is not the PSU.

The components have all been "tested" by swapping them with replacements. None of it helping. As mentioned, I've also run the gambit of Prime 95/Orthos/Memtest86/Seatools/3DMark without issue in long loops...except that eventually the whole system does the problem but no tests fail.

 

[Syndicate]

Originally posted by: Lemodular
If I assume that it's hardware related, it sounds like a heat issue if things begins to hang after a while. It can be with any part that is heated, RAM modules, onboard chips, capacitors, HDD etc. I'm guessing that the metal of a defected part is loosing contact due to thermal expansion. What kind of case is it in?

If it's software, the first thing that come to mind is SP3, but I think that's covered. I thought that MS may have found away to lock-out third parties progs. (I always assume this ) I would try to install Firefox before upgrading to SP2 and 3 or any drivers (making sure everything is gravy between upgrades). Good luck.

I've tried SP2 and SP3 as mentioned. Firefox isn't the problem it just causes it faster.

I've changed out all the components. The system is now sitting open with no case in a 65f room. It is not cooling related.... I think.