Member Avatar for grannytech

I recently had new motherboard installed, MK33, for my trusty old but updated (as much as possible) computer. Offline use of XP pro was freezing up on me quite regularly until I changed my DSL connection from USB to Ethernet card. Now I have freeze up when I try to play or download videos Online and have to reboot.

MK33 limits HDD space to 137G (OK), Mem is only at 512, I use Firefox & Thunderbird, have PNY graphics card Nvidia GeForce. MOBO tech checked my power supply & said it was sufficient. Processor is limited at 1.5G. I have the latest WinMedia player and have no problem downloading audio files.

When consulting DSL tech he had me disable a network adapter in Device Manager (package?) bad advice...and now I can't boot in safe-mode. (missing driver?) Any ideas for me? (other than "get a new computer"?)

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A short, targeted troubleshooting checklist to separate software/driver causes from hardware faults. 's suggestion that the new board could be bad is possible, but do the quicker isolation steps first so a swap is justified.

  • Check Event Viewer after the next freeze (Start -> Run -> eventvwr.msc). Note the time and any driver or module named in System/Application errors — that points to the component that failed.
  • Turn off hardware acceleration in the browser and in the Flash/Player plugin, then retry the video. If that stops the freeze, focus on the GPU driver.
  • Try booting with basic video (F8 -> Enable VGA Mode) or Last Known Good Configuration. If normal Windows boots, open Device Manager and undo the adapter change or run System Restore to a point before the change.
  • Run Memtest86+ (bootable) for at least one full pass and test with a single RAM stick. Intermittent freezes during install or shortly after starting video are classic signs of bad RAM or a marginal PSU.
  • Run a surface/S.M.A.R.T. check on the HDD and chkdsk /r. Corrupt system files can explain install-time freezes.
  • Update the motherboard chipset drivers and BIOS from the board maker’s support page, and try both the newest and one older stable Nvidia driver for the PNY card (drivers can regress).
  • Remove nonessential hardware: disconnect extra PCI cards, USB devices and, if possible, swap the GeForce for onboard video or another card. Also try the original DSL USB connection briefly to see if the behavior changes.
  • If you cannot restore safe mode or undo the disabled device and normal boot fails, back up data and consider an XP Repair install. If boot problems and hardware tests persist (memtest or a Linux live-boot also freeze), press the installer/seller for an RMA — hardware replacement is then the likely fix.

These steps prioritize low-effort checks first and give concrete indicators to show whether this is a driver/configuration issue or a faulty board/PSU/RAM.

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Member Avatar for HoustonIT

Is the problem that you can't see web video or that you can't boot the PC anymore? When you upgraded the motherboard did you format and reinstall XP?

Member Avatar for grannytech

Is the problem that you can't see web video or that you can't boot the PC anymore? When you upgraded the motherboard did you format and reinstall XP?

Yes, I did format and reinstall XP....several times because the system froze up during the install and I had to start over. When I changed the DSL connection from USB to Ethernet, the problem seemed to clear up....until I went online and tried to watch a video. The video runs for about 14 seconds and then my system freezes again. I thought the problem was only when I went online until this morning...I booted up, my desktop came up...and then it froze again. On second boot it is now OK, So Far.

I'm stumped. Everything else is the same on my computer as it was with the old Motherboard but I never had these problems. The tech who installed it can see no reason why this is so, although he did recommend the Ethernet card. I had him check all the settings and jumpers etc. Thanks.

Member Avatar for HoustonIT

Does the PC lock up when you don't have the DSL modem attached? If so it's sounding like your motherboard might have been bad out of the box.

Member Avatar for grannytech

Does the PC lock up when you don't have the DSL modem attached? If so it's sounding like your motherboard might have been bad out of the box.

Thanks, I'll test that out for the offline system. Of course with the modem detached I can't test out the online videos. If it is the motherboard....bummer! :'( I'm back to square one then, so I'll keep on researching for awhile.

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