Sudden problems with hanging and access errors

[DS]

Hi

My pc has been stable for about a year, but now i get several problems a
day. When using normal apps such as Borland Delphi i have been getting
access errors, when running games such as C&C Generals, it will get to
loading the begining of game 5 (USA) and hang every time. I have also seen
the screen saver crash. This has started happening in the last week. I have
not installed any new hardware, software or changed system settings for
several months.

I have tried a scan disk, and looked at system info, used the DirectX tests,
but nothing appears to be wrong. mobo runs at 28C cpu at 51C

The system is:
ASUS A7N8X Delux
1 Gb of Crucial memory (2x512Mb)
120Gb Maxtor SATA drive connected to mobo SATA port

I was thinking of testing the memory with something like memtest86
http://www.memtest86.com/#download0

Does anyone have any suggestions? (polite ones only please!

D

 

[Dave C.]

Hi

My pc has been stable for about a year, but now i get several problems a
day. When using normal apps such as Borland Delphi i have been getting
access errors, when running games such as C&C Generals, it will get to
loading the begining of game 5 (USA) and hang every time. I have also seen
the screen saver crash. This has started happening in the last week. I have
not installed any new hardware, software or changed system settings for
several months.

I have tried a scan disk, and looked at system info, used the DirectX tests,
but nothing appears to be wrong. mobo runs at 28C cpu at 51C

The system is:
ASUS A7N8X Delux
1 Gb of Crucial memory (2x512Mb)
120Gb Maxtor SATA drive connected to mobo SATA port

I was thinking of testing the memory with something like memtest86
http://www.memtest86.com/#download0

Does anyone have any suggestions? (polite ones only please!

D

It's likely a power supply issue or a bad RAM board. If you have more than
one memory board, try running with just one at a time. If you only have one
RAM stick, see if you can borrow a good RAM stick from another
ystem. -Dave

 

[DS]

Hi

I have 2 sticks of 512 memory, but the system passes both memtest86 and the
microsoft windows memory tests. However, if I run prime95, it will crash
instantaneously on the benchmark tests and produce various symptoms (hang,
do a bit and hang etc, stop after 100 warnings for illegal sumout) on the
torture test.

Does this pinpoint the problem better?

Thanks
D

 

[Dave C.]

Hi

I have 2 sticks of 512 memory, but the system passes both memtest86 and the
microsoft windows memory tests. However, if I run prime95, it will crash
instantaneously on the benchmark tests and produce various symptoms (hang,
do a bit and hang etc, stop after 100 warnings for illegal sumout) on the
torture test.

Does this pinpoint the problem better?

Thanks
D

No. It still could be RAM or power supply. Shut down the computer and
unplug it. Remove one of the 512 memory sticks. Leave it out for a while
and test the computer like that. If no change, swap the memory sticks so
that you are using JUST the one that you'd removed earlier. If still no
change, try a different power supply. -Dave

 

[DS]

Hi

I have tried swapping the memory like you have suggested, but it still has a
problem. Is there a way I can further check the psu? ie will it help if i
unplug cdrom etc?

thanks
D

 

[Dave C.]

Hi

I have tried swapping the memory like you have suggested, but it still has a
problem. Is there a way I can further check the psu? ie will it help if i
unplug cdrom etc?

thanks
D

I don't think it will help, but it won't hurt anything to test like that.
If you do unplug a cdrom, make sure you unplug *all* cables from it. Also
be aware that if it's on the same cable as a hard drive, you will need to
reset the jumper on the hard drive. -Dave

 

[DS]

As a further to my original post:

I tried changing the cpu ext freq setting from 166 to 133. Now it runs
prime95 fine. The voltage levels, as monitored by the asus probe software,
do the same as before ie next to nothing. Now prime95 actually runs, the cpu
temp goes up to 58C but seems to run at that temp without problems.

Does this suggest it is the cpu and or mobo at fault rather than the psu?

Thanks
D

 

[Andrew]

Hi

I have tried swapping the memory like you have suggested, but it still has a
problem. Is there a way I can further check the psu? ie will it help if i
unplug cdrom etc?

thanks
D

 

[Andrew]

I have tried a scan disk, and looked at system info, used the DirectX tests,

but nothing appears to be wrong. mobo runs at 28C cpu at 51C

have you checked the capacitors on the mother board? A computer at
work was crashing a lot several months ago, when we replaced it we
noticed that 3 capacitors where about to blow (expend) and two already
had. Machine had been on 24/7 for 18 months , so it does occur over
time.

causes are bad capacitors and / or bad power supply (mains or from the
power suppy)

cheapest solution if this is the case for you, warrently on the board,
or a new board. Repairing them requies a speacial touch and access to
similar boards (most mother boards use unusual size capacitors.

A

 

[Andrew]

I have tried swapping the memory like you have suggested, but it still has a

problem. Is there a way I can further check the psu? ie will it help if i
unplug cdrom etc?

You could try, but if it is power from the power supply and the cd is
not being accessed at the time, then it wil not make much difference.

unplugging unneeded HDD and fans would be the best option (They always
draw power)

A