Random XP Pro lockup... (Not your usual case, FYI)

[marty.schoenthaler]

Let me first off explain that I've been building and rebuilding
computers all my life.
With that out of the way, heres my issue (and its a tough one).

My computer will randomly lockup, whether i'm actively using it or if
its sitting idle.
Here are the things I've tried to resolve this:
1) Reinstall XP Pro
2) Reinstall XP Pro with ACPI turned off
3) Replaced the motherboard
4) Replaced the CPU & Fan
5) Replaced the power supply (with a 430watt Antec one)
6) Replaced the Ram... TWICE
7) Replaced the video card
8) Removed my sound card (Didn't replace it)
9) Not related to this, but I also bought a new DVD burner after my old
one died

The only things I've done anything with are my three hard drives and
the 3 fans inside my computer.

Current specs are:
2.66ghz P4 (533fsb)
ECS L4VXA2 motherboard (I know, I know, i dont like ECS either)
1GB PC3200 Ram
Geforce 6600GT OC video card
40gb, 160gb, and 250gb hard drives
16x Liteon DVD Burner
430watt Antec power supply
Sound Blaster 5.1+


I'm open to suggestions. I'm wondering if it could be the outlet or
power cable or something like that?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Let me first off explain that I've been building and rebuilding
computers all my life.
With that out of the way, heres my issue (and its a tough one).

My computer will randomly lockup, whether i'm actively using it or if
its sitting idle.

Just a guess, but perhaps flaky power at the wall outlet. I've seen problems
like this solved by installing a UPS.

 

[Anna]

Let me first off explain that I've been building and rebuilding
computers all my life.
With that out of the way, heres my issue (and its a tough one).

My computer will randomly lockup, whether i'm actively using it or if
its sitting idle.
Here are the things I've tried to resolve this:
1) Reinstall XP Pro
2) Reinstall XP Pro with ACPI turned off
3) Replaced the motherboard
4) Replaced the CPU & Fan
5) Replaced the power supply (with a 430watt Antec one)
6) Replaced the Ram... TWICE
7) Replaced the video card
8) Removed my sound card (Didn't replace it)
9) Not related to this, but I also bought a new DVD burner after my old
one died

The only things I've done anything with are my three hard drives and
the 3 fans inside my computer.

Current specs are:
2.66ghz P4 (533fsb)
ECS L4VXA2 motherboard (I know, I know, i dont like ECS either)
1GB PC3200 Ram
Geforce 6600GT OC video card
40gb, 160gb, and 250gb hard drives
16x Liteon DVD Burner
430watt Antec power supply
Sound Blaster 5.1+

I'm open to suggestions. I'm wondering if it could be the outlet or
power cable or something like that?

Marty:
I'm assuming you inadvertently left out a rather important "NOT" in the
sentence, "The only things I've (NOT) done anything with are my three hard
drives and the 3 fans inside my computer."

Assuming this is so, then might the problem be possibly traced to a
defective HD? Have you a bootable XP OS on at least two different HDs? And
would your lockup problem still persist using either HD?

We're also assuming your system is malware-free of course. I'm sure you've
checked this out.

I take it from what you've indicated that the system *always* boots to a
Desktop without any problems, right? Never a boot problem, right? The lockup
*always* occurs by & by, yes?

Doubtful if it could be the power cord. Our experience has been they either
work or they don't work. But we learned a long time ago not to take anything
for granted re a PC. So I assume you've changed power cords, right? Ditto
for your AC outlet. And if you're connected via a power strip I assume
you've also tried going straight to an AC outlet.

And, of course, when you say the system locks up, you mean precisely that,
right? The screen freezes, no messages, and there's no way out other than
powering down the system. No automatic shutdown or reboot, right?

After you power back on, nothing in Event Viewer that's a clue?

When you power up with only your CPU/heatsink, RAM, video, monitor, keyboard
& mouse connected - no other connected components/peripherals - and let the
system sit for x number of hours, any problems? If not, and assuming you
have a floppy disk drive, can you boot to a DOS boot floppy and/or determine
that the floppy disk drive is functional? Again, no problems after x amount
of time?

Please keep us informed when you resolve this problem.
Anna

P. S.
You mentioned changing the motherboard. Both ECS and the same models?
Assuming it is the same make/model I assume you've checked the ECS website
to determine if any BIOS upgrade (or other information) is available that
bears upon your problem.

(BTW, I understand your comment inferring about the poor reputation that ECS
boards had in the past, but I have to admit that in the last few years
they've come a
long way. They're turning out much higher-quality boards at significantly
lower prices than many other MB manufacturers. Maybe not in the ASUS league
as of yet, but they're making real progress.)

 

[marty.schoenthaler]

Yes, sorry... "NOT" was missing in that sentance.
I've tried installing windows on a totally different hard drive with
the same result (same other 2 hard drives still plugged in)

It always boots up without issue. Nothing in the event log either.
I've even turned "Automatic Restart" on which doesn't change anything.
It just lockups hard.

I've not tried a new power cable, but I did try a different power
strip.

None of the parts I've switched were the same model... Or even the same
Make for that matter (within reason... Been intel processors both
times)

I bought a UPS system last night so we'll see if that makes a
difference. If not, I'll continue investigating I guess.