Really weird problem

[Usul]

Hi.

My main rig had a very strange problem a couple days ago.... can't figure it out!

My configuration is as follows:

P4 Northwood 3GHz HT
Albatron PX 865PE Pro II mobo
Fx5900XT based video card, AGP
Maxtor D740X HDD, 3 NTFS partitions
256 MB DDR500 Mushkin + 515MB brandless ram
Plextor PX-504A DVD burner
Thermaltake 650W PSU
Aureon 7.1 Terratec sound card
Cooling is more than adequate
XP Pro SP2 + updates

The problem:

All of a sudden, network connection to home LAN drops.
I reboot and windows fails loading.
Safe mode works, I reboot again and still no go in normal mode.
Safe mode with network support does not work either.

I took out the sound card, the brandless ram module, disabled Ethernet controller in the BIOS but still no go.
AVG (up to date) reported no infection.
Formatted Windows partition, reinstalled from scratch, same situation.

Swapped motherboard with one Albatron PX845PE PRO II I had lying around, reinstalled windows again, same situation.
Checked the 12V and 5V rails with testers, they are OK.

I have no idea what it could be, and why safe mode boots ok while safe mode w/ network support isn't.

Any help or suggestion welcome

Thanks
Mattia

 

[Usul]

please help!

 

[wpshooter]

Have you tested integrity of hard drive with drive manufacturers diagnostic software ?

Have you tried another network card ?

 

[Usul]

Well, Hard drive integrity is OK for I can access it perfectly in Safe mode.

I use the mainboard onboard ethernet controller, and I changed motherboard mainly because of that.

Other ideas?

 

[wpshooter]

Still think I would test hard drive. Also, is hard drive spyware free ?

Maybe NIC software corrupted - are you sure you are using the correct driver for your NIC ?

Have you tried with just one stick of your memory ?

Have you tested memory ?

 

[ThePiston]

so you've pretty much ruled out

sound
1 stick of ram
mobo
ehternet of one mobo

I'd run SpinRiteif you have a copy to check the integrity of your HDD. Look for any shorts from mobo to case, then I'd swap out PSU. It's hardware related for sure. I'd swap PSU first actualyl, run it barebones... only mobo, video, 1 ram, HDD. start from there.

 

[Usul]

Thanks for the suggestions.

wpshooter, it is spyware free for sure since I formatted it.
Since I formatted, ther is no NIC SW.

I tried with one stick only, and the memory is good for sure as it works fine in safe mode and while installing Windows.

Anyway, I am trying with another drive I had in a XP64 test box, it's a Maxtor Diamond Max 9, doing a low level format right now.

The power supply... well, could be, but I see no way it could work well in safe mode and thru win installation and not in safe mode w/ network support....

Mattia

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: wpshooter
Have you tested integrity of hard drive with drive manufacturers diagnostic software ?

Have you tried another network card ?

My thoughts as well.

 

[wpshooter]

If it turns out to be the hard drive, let me relate that my experiences with Maxtor have been far from desirable. I definately prefer SEAGATE, good & RELIABLE !!!