Memory leak or hardware problem?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD
  • Start date Start date
J

JD

I have recently bought a new PC and installed windows XP SP1 with all
current security patches. After about 5 minutes the machine stops
responding, if I try to launch an application then I get a beep but no
response. If I reboot, which I can sometimes, but sometimes I must hard
reset, then it boots fine and lasts for about another 5 minutes.

I reinstalled windows and did a repair installation but had the same
problem. I thought it was a ram issue and took the machine back to the
supplier who tested it and said the ram was fine and that it was a software
issue and hence my problem.

I thought they were talking nonsense and borrowed a knoppix CD disk that
allows you to boot into linux without effecting the system. I booted into
linux and left the machine running for 24 hours without any apparent loss of
performance - I could browse etc after 24 hours which is about all I can do
in Linux.

I installed SP2 but it made no difference at all.

I am pulling my hair out and have spent many hours with no result, so would
appreciate any pointers or advice at all.

;-)
 
JD said:
I have recently bought a new PC and installed windows XP SP1 with all
current security patches. After about 5 minutes the machine stops
responding, if I try to launch an application then I get a beep but no
response. If I reboot, which I can sometimes, but sometimes I must hard
reset, then it boots fine and lasts for about another 5 minutes.

I reinstalled windows and did a repair installation but had the same
problem. I thought it was a ram issue and took the machine back to the
supplier who tested it and said the ram was fine and that it was a
software
issue and hence my problem.

I thought they were talking nonsense and borrowed a knoppix CD disk that
allows you to boot into linux without effecting the system. I booted into
linux and left the machine running for 24 hours without any apparent loss
of
performance - I could browse etc after 24 hours which is about all I can
do
in Linux.

I installed SP2 but it made no difference at all.

I am pulling my hair out and have spent many hours with no result, so
would
appreciate any pointers or advice at all.

;-)
Click to expand...

If it happens after a fresh reload then have your 'supplier' do a fresh
reload and watch it freeze. I doubt he would say it's a software issue then.
Also, does it happen with 'just' XP or after you load 3rd party drivers?
If you don't want to deal with your supplier anymore you could start
narrowing down what it could be by pulling ALL extra cards (except video, of
course) and have only one stick of RAM (as long as it's 128MB or higher)
when you reload. Then just play around in Windows (I know, it'll be boring)
WITHOUT loading any 3rd party drivers or software and see what happens.
Remember, if the Linux install didn't load drivers for ALL of your
components it's not a true test since it could be those components that are
faulty.
Hope this helps.
 
JD said:
I have recently bought a new PC and installed windows XP SP1 with all
current security patches. After about 5 minutes the machine stops
responding, if I try to launch an application then I get a beep but no
response. If I reboot, which I can sometimes, but sometimes I must
hard reset, then it boots fine and lasts for about another 5 minutes.

I reinstalled windows and did a repair installation but had the same
problem. I thought it was a ram issue and took the machine back to the
supplier who tested it and said the ram was fine and that it was a
software issue and hence my problem.

I thought they were talking nonsense and borrowed a knoppix CD disk
that allows you to boot into linux without effecting the system. I
booted into linux and left the machine running for 24 hours without
any apparent loss of performance - I could browse etc after 24 hours
which is about all I can do in Linux.

I installed SP2 but it made no difference at all.

I am pulling my hair out and have spent many hours with no result, so
would appreciate any pointers or advice at all.

;-)
Click to expand...

Run a full scan using a recently updated anti-virus program.

Check for malware by using Ad-Aware, Spybot Search & Destroy, and
CWShredder. Run HijackThis and check the log for unknown processes
and/or configuration.

Run msconfig.exe, disable all startup progams, reboot, and see if the
problem remains.

Reboot into Safe mode and see if the problem remains.

Go to the web site for the motherboard, video, and sound card makers to
download and install the latest drivers (unless this is a pre-built
name-brand computer in which case visit that maker's web site).

It sounds like you got the computer but then YOU installed Windows XP.
If so, and since this was a "recently bought" computer, it is likely
something you did after the install screwed up the system, like some
software you installed (or did not install, like the latest drivers).
Since this is a new computer then there shouldn't be much to lose if you
boot from the Windows install CD, reformat the partition, and start over
with a fresh install of Windows XP.
 
BAR said:
Linux will install, however it doesn't load the drivers for all the
devices in your computer configuration.
Click to expand...

That isn't true of Knoppix - it will scan for and load drivers for plug and
play devices and will detect most of the stuff in any computer. Of course,
if a set of drivers is buggy then being Linux, Knoppix will use different
drivers and hence never trigger that bug. And of course, Linux not being
Windows, each will stress different parts of the machine and such like.
 
All fixed

trial and error found that it was a third party device causing the problem,
it was tea timer, part of spybot.

uninstalled and all well now

thank you all very much indeed.

JD
 
Back
Top