Computer lockup: Even RAM chip test freezes the system !

[Dougbert]

For the past several weeks I've been experiencing at least daily computer
lockups, where I have no choice but to push the Reset button. (WinXP sp2)

I've tried running at least 2 different RAM chip test programs that launch
at bootup from floppies. Even these freeze up at some point -- sometimes
after reporting errors, sometimes not. Since the problem happens even
outside of Windows, that rules out software and device drivers and hard
disks and lots of other things. I thought of over-heating, but my fans are
all running and m/b and CPU temperatures are within normal range.

Can I be confident that this is a RAM chip issue? What makes me nervous is
that the problem occurs with various combinations of my 4 512 MB chips, and
it seems strange that more than one of them would have died suddenly.
Thanks,

-Doug

 

[Jerry]

Coule be the power supply. Is the PSU rated for enough power for the mobo,
video card, drives, etc? Or it could just be going bad.

 

[Guest]

This can be an overheating issue but not cpu. Just GPU. (graphic card) Be
sure your gpu is cool. If it is then try your rams in another ram slots on
your motherboard.

 

[Dougbert]

Thank you all for your suggestions. So as I mentioned, the computer locks up
even when running those text-based RAM test utilities from a boot floppy,
when not so much as an O/S is loaded. If I replace the RAM chips (now on
order from Newegg) and still have a problem, the only other components in
use at the time are:

- power supply
- motherboard
- CPU
- graphics card

WHICH ONE OF THESE IS THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT if it's not the RAM? Thanks
again,

-Doug

 

[Jim]

Thank you all for your suggestions. So as I mentioned, the computer locks
up even when running those text-based RAM test utilities from a boot
floppy, when not so much as an O/S is loaded. If I replace the RAM chips
(now on order from Newegg) and still have a problem, the only other
components in use at the time are:

- power supply
- motherboard
- CPU
- graphics card

WHICH ONE OF THESE IS THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT if it's not the RAM? Thanks
again,

-Doug

First of all, you are definitely running some kind of OS when you run a
program off the floppy. Most likely it is some version of DOS.

To answer your question, here are my opinions (worth every penny that you
paid):

First: power supply
Second: motherboard
Third:graphics card.

An overheating motherboard will cause cpu problems. The cpu by itself can
over heat if the cooling fan doesn't work right whether the motherboard is
at fault or not.
If the cpu gets too hot, it may not work at all.
Jim

 

[MikeR]

An overheating motherboard will cause cpu problems. The cpu by itself can
over heat if the cooling fan doesn't work right whether the motherboard is
at fault or not.
If the cpu gets too hot, it may not work at all.
Jim

The thermal transfer grease between the chip and CPU can fail also.
Mike

 

[Kerry Brown]

For the past several weeks I've been experiencing at least daily
computer lockups, where I have no choice but to push the Reset
button. (WinXP sp2)
I've tried running at least 2 different RAM chip test programs that
launch at bootup from floppies. Even these freeze up at some point --
sometimes after reporting errors, sometimes not. Since the problem
happens even outside of Windows, that rules out software and device
drivers and hard disks and lots of other things. I thought of
over-heating, but my fans are all running and m/b and CPU
temperatures are within normal range.
Can I be confident that this is a RAM chip issue? What makes me
nervous is that the problem occurs with various combinations of my 4
512 MB chips, and it seems strange that more than one of them would
have died suddenly. Thanks,

-Doug

In another newsgroup it was suggested you check the capacitors on the
motherboard. Have you done this? It is a very likely cause of your problem.
I replace two or three motherboards a month because of this problem.

http://cquirke.mvps.org/badcaps.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

 

[Dougbert]

I opened up the computer, removed all the cards and everything else even CPU
from the motherboard, disconnected all the cables, vacuumed the fans
(although I had verified that they all were working), plugged everything
back in ... and my problem is gone. Unfortunately I'll never know what the
problem was.

Thank you all VERY much for your information and suggestions. Best regards
to all,

-Doug