Computer Spec (A custom computer)

AMD Athlon 1700+
512Mb RAM
GeForce 2 Graphics Card
SonicFury sound card (with latest drivers)
40GB Harddrive
Windows 98 (normally XP)

Hi,

My computer kept having random freezes when loading the desktop (whilst running windows XP). Also it happened when playing games, after about 5 mins or so, give or take, it would freeze and if there was a sound playing it would repeat itself really quickly, and i would have 2 restart. i thought it was a virus, and my computer was full of junk anyway so i reformatted it. I have windows 98, and an XP upgrade so i firstly installed 98. However, during Installation afew times it crashed and i had to restart the whole process. I fianlly got that in and went straight into trying 2 install XP, then i can only get so far and the computer freezes, and i can get no more than 10% of XP installed. So now im stuck with windows 98.

I installed 2 games, Raven Shield and Commandos 2, and during gameplay, after afew minutes the game would freeze, like before, with the sound repeating itself. However my computer runs windows fine.

I thought it was overheating, but im not sure. After my computer froze abit ago, i qucikly restarted it and looked at the CPU temp on loadup and its at 76degrees Celcius, which I dont no if that is normal or not. It also says CPUFAN is running at 5000RPM and the SYSFAN at 0 RPM, but it has been like that for ages

Heres a picture of the inside of my computer which may help (sorry about the angle i was in a rush to take it, i can get a better one if needed)

Picture

if theres any more information you need please ask and i'll help out

Thankyou for your time!

Dave

it might be a memory problem you should try taking out the memory then putting it back in. i also had a problem like that and it was because my powersupply ran out so i would get your computer it person or if you know how to do t yourself check the powersupply.
And if your computer stays on long enough i would clean it up do a spyware and virus scan, defrag your hard drive, remove any obselete programs.

I'd suggest starting over again, and using the Windows XP CD to perform a clean install, rather than loading Windows 98 first. The install process will only need the Windows 98 CD to perform a 'check' for eligibility. You'll be asked to pop it in the drive at the appropriate point, and then replace the Windows XP CD when the check has been performed.

See this article of mine for detailed instructions about installing. Make sure you remove the existing partition, and then create a new one in its place, as mentioned in the article. You'll get a much cleaner install doing things that way.

As mikeandike22 mentioned, you might be having RAM problems as well. If that 512Mb is two x 256Mb modules, of different brands, then I'd suggest you first do the install with only one module in place, in Slot 1. If the install goes through cleanly and the system runs stable, add the other module afterwards and check that the system still remains stable.

From what I've read, that is too hot. Clean your system out with compressed air, and add fans.

Oh hell! I missed that!

That's certainly too hot for a processor to be running. I'd suggest removing the heatsink, thoroughly cleaning heatsink and processor core, and then refitting it using Arctic Silver paste.

Have you changed heatsinks at some stage, and not cleaned and replaced the thermal compound?

Well I totally reformated the computer, then reinstalled windows 98 (and it crashed during install) so therefore im guessing it has to be a hardware problem



I think ill try that now aswell then install XP. It is made up of 2 modules which are, as u said, different brands




From when building the computer about a year ago I havent changed anything inside, except I think puttings a TV card in.


I dont think the picture uploaded correctly either

http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfold...0/P8150022.JPG

Someone has also suggested to me using a RAM tester but im not sure if that will help. Ill try that windows XP install now (which 256MB RAM in) and see what happens, and get back to you

Thankyou for your help!

Man! That's a dirty dusty PC. Blow it out to get rid of the dust, eh, and then tidy up those cables!

lol well it does look abit of the dirty side, Ill do that then, but the cables thing i may struggle with abit

After ive finished running the RAM tester program im gonna go do the reinstalling using Catweazles guides and Ill get back to you.

I think im also gonna remove my TV card because theres no point in it being there lol.

At the very least, fold those drive cables concertina fashion and secure the folds in place with rubber bands. Preferably, replace them with 'rounded IDE cables' which are an inexpensive purchase at a PC store.

http://images.gfx.no/0/16/round-ide-cable-3.jpg

A few judiciously placed 'wraps' of electrical insulation tape to hold the various bundles of wiring together, rather than flopping all over the place, and you're well on the way.

Perrhaps a few cable ties to hold things out of the way, and pretty soon you've improved the airflow inside your case tenfold.

Then fit an 80mm exhaust fan to that mounting point at back of your case, and for a smal and reasonable outlay, you've got a system that actually has a chance of staying cool.

If, that is, you ever decide that being covered in mud is bad for it!

Read this!

Do u mean an 8cm exhaust fan? Will one of these 2 do?

http://www.dabs.com/uk/Search2/resul...se=Exhaust+fan


Ok so now, ive opened the case, got the RAM and video card out and given it a quick clean of dust (ill do a better job when i have time to get some compressed air). I was wrong about my ram, i have a 128 and a 256, its the computer im no now which has the 512. Neway, they are differnet makes, the following picture shows then both

http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfold...0/P8160024.JPG


and the next picture shows a better view of the computer at a differnet angle, with the ram cards out. I havent done the cables yet.

http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfold...0/P8160023.JPG


Ive got another problem now, I changed my BIOS thing to read the CDROM as the primary drive (im following the guide) and the computer loads up, reads the CD, but then goes into windows 98, not the XP installation. Ive got an XP upgrade, not the whole thing, and a windows 98 CD. So what do I do here?