Random crashes and reboots. No clue what could be the problem

[PepperBreath]

My system specs:

MSI K8N Neo-FSR motherboard
Athlon 64 3000+ Socket 754
2-512mb Mushkin PC3200 RAM
eVGA Geforce 6800GT 256mb
Sound Blaster Audigy 2

About a month ago my mother board began to act up and wouldn't post. I did an RMA to MSI and got a replacement. The replacement motherboard worked fine for a little bit but now I'm getting odd reboots and hangs at seemingly random places. When I play games, when I browse the net, when I'm chatting on messenger. Sometimes it could just be at the desktop and I'll click on the Start button and it'll lock up.

The lockups are seemingly random and I've already tried a few things. I've pulled the Audigy 2, I've pulled one ram stick and then the other. I've tried adding additional cooling elements (new HS for GPU and CPU). I've swapped the PSU. I've tried reformatting and reinstalling, thinking that it was software. Nope, got a lockup or two during the install.

I have no clue what it could be. The lockups seem to be more or less random. It seems like the more I do or the longer I'm on the PC, the more unstable it gets. If I just leave it at the desktop, I could come back from work and notice it's still working. As soon as I sit down to browse for a few minutes, it'll lock up. As a matter of fact, it's nothing short of a miracle that I've typed this message without a reboot.

Any ideas? Right now I'm going to try to swap the video card but I'm starting to suspect it's the replacement motherboard.

 

[mechBgon]

1) what are the brand and models of the two power supplies you've tried so far?

2) in the BIOS, go to the Cell menu and ensure that dynamic overclocking is disabled. Also raise the memory voltage to 2.7 volts.

 

[PepperBreath]

1) There was an Antec NeoPower ATX 480W power supply in there. Now there's a Thermaltake Silent PurePower 420W.

2) None of the overclocking settings are on. It was one of the first things I checked actually. Thinking that I switched something bad accidentally, I did the "load fail safe settings". It didn't help.

I'll try to boost the power to the memory.

Boosting the power to 2.70v did not help. I got a lock up about 10-15 minutes afterwards.

 

[mechBgon]

Hmmm Do you have a mild-mannered non-power-hungry AGP card you could try in place of the 6800GT as a fact-finding step? Like a GeForce2 or a 440MX or something? The ThermalTake 420W isn't too burly on the 12V line, isn't it just 18 amps?

 

[PepperBreath]

Well, the Thermaltake is only in there because I thought it might be something wrong with the Antec. It's locking up with both so I can just put that one back in.

The only other AGP card I have is a Nvidia TNT. I'll be putting that in later tonight as soon as I can find it. I'll bump this thread when I do.

I paid a lot for the Antec and it's quieter but you know what, my PC is actually a little cooler with the Thermatake. I'm tempted to just keep it in there.

 

[PepperBreath]

Well, the old TNT card won't fit into the AGP slot. I guess they made very slight changes since the original AGP cards.

Interestingly enough though, I pulled my old 450mhz celeron PC out in order to use it instead of the new PC and it started locking up in exactly the same way! The only things that were connected in common with the new PC were my monitor, my speakers, and my Logitec MX Duo wireless keyboard and mouse. I've plugged my new PC back up but now I'm using a regular corded mouse and keyboard.

I'd be really, really strange if the MX Duo was responsible. I kinda hope it is because I'm sick of pulling stuff out and testing and just pulling my hair out trying to track the problem.

EDIT:

Well, it wasn't the MX Duo. I got a lockup even with the corded keyboard and mouse. I really don't get this at all. Two different PCs having the same problem. I don't get this at all.

 

[mechBgon]

Mmmm... viruses/worms? What are you running for firewall and antivirus protection? Somewhat of a long shot, I suppose.

 

[PepperBreath]

Can't be virus or worm. I just formatted and reinstalled XP. I was getting lockups and reboots during the setup.

I don't use a software firewall as I'm behind a router. I was using AVG Free on the previous install. There is no AV software yet on this reinstall.

I'm at a complete loss. I can't even use my old PC it seems.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
Can't be virus or worm.

As soon as your NIC comes online during Windows Setup, here come the worms straight from your modem, ready or not, unless you have firewall protection. If you have WinXP with SP2 built-in, or a router that no other computers are sharing, then you're shielded, but otherwise, you might want to take one more try and follow some best practices in order to be certain.

If you cannot use either of the suggested approaches (installing SP2 offline, and/or getting a budget router), then install WinXP offline, go to Network Connections, right-click your Local Area Connection, choose Properties, go to the Advanced tab, and enable the Windows Internet Connection Firewall there to get you started. Like this picture.

Other than that, try a different power strip if you didn't already. Good luck!

 

[PepperBreath]

Like I said, I am behind a router.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
Like I said, I am behind a router.

That's good then, as long as there aren't any worm-infected computers sharing the router with yours. I guess I would try the different power strip, and see if you can dredge up an old Cirrus Logic 1MB PCI video card as a fact-finding step, if possible.

 

[HeddaLora]

Try these things (any that you haven't already tried or don't apply):

-- Delete all temp files (c:\windows\temp\*.tmp, or on XP C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp)

-- Delete temporary internet files (c:\windows\temporary internet files\*.*, or on XP C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files)

-- If you use I.E., click on Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files, select "delete all off-line content", click OK

-- Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, Systems Tools, Disk Cleanup

-- Download AdAware, http://www.lavasoft.de , check for updates, run it and remove whatever it finds

-- Periodically empty the browser cache and the java plug-in cache

-- Download Diskeeper, http://www.executive.com , and defrag

-- Download, update and turn on the spyware removal tool of your choice.