Troubleshooting Hints

[Paul C ATL]

I am a ong time user and a 1st time builder. My wife and I put together our
first PC over the weekend. The PC is upand running . Great feeling when you
boot up for the first time.

I do have some issue though. The system parts are as follows

ABIT IC7-G Max II MB
2.8C Intel Processor
1 GB DDR 400 Memory
60 GB SATA HD
120 GB Maxtor
ATI 9600 PRO Video Card
Window XP Home
and I have a Linksys wireless network

Is there any site that help me troubleshoot issues?

The system runs great, for a while then it slows down to a crawl. Then I
have to reboot and it runs fine again. In addition my network, on this
computer will will not stay connected.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PaulC

 

[John Smith]

- Update the bios.
- check your hardware connections. Make sure they are seated correctly.
- Try by adding one hardware at a time to locate the source if it is
hardware. meaning, remove all other hardware except the basic
essentials to run the pc. Example, graphics, memory, 1 drive and 1 hard
drive. See if still runs slow if it does not then add another hardware.
Try updating drivers as well. Look at your task manager and see what
process is taking up alot of cpu time and memory.
- update your drivers for your wireless and the firmware. Make sure its
set up correctly. Make sure there are no obstructions to the router.
Signal has to be strong.

as for sites go well here is what i do. If its motherboard issue i'd go
google newsgroups for your specific motherboard
alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit
if anything no specific i'd try here.

 

[jeffc]

The system runs great, for a while then it slows down to a crawl. Then I
have to reboot and it runs fine again. In addition my network, on this
computer will will not stay connected.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would try booting XP in Safe Mode, and running like that for awhile.
Granted you won't be able to do any internet stuff and the graphics will be
primitive, but that's the point - see if you can narrow down the problem.

 

[Fitz]

Microsoft has a patch out that specifically addresses the slowdown issue
(has to do with the way XP SP1a handles memory). It doesn't happen to
everyone, so the patch isn't available on the update site. You have to call
MS, or download it from a third party website:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q815411
Have you installed the additional Networking Services (Add/Remove
Programs>Add/Remove Windows Components>Networking Services >Details- all but
RIP Listener)?

 

[VIC]

Abit Max Motherboard forum

http://forum.abit-usa.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=3

 

[paul comcast]

Thanks to all who have responded so far. I will try the suggestions you have
made.

 

[paul comcast]

--
PaulC in ATL

Microsoft has a patch out that specifically addresses the slowdown issue
(has to do with the way XP SP1a handles memory). It doesn't happen to
everyone, so the patch isn't available on the update site. You have to call
MS, or download it from a third party website:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q815411
Have you installed the additional Networking Services (Add/Remove
Programs>Add/Remove Windows Components>Networking Services >Details- all but
RIP Listener)?

Fitz,

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't downloaded anything from the internet
because I can't maintain a connection on the computer. Also when doing a
search on Google there are quite a few references to HEAP Algorithm. Is
there a specific 3rd party site that I can go to.This will enable me to
download on one of the other computers and load it on the new one.



Thanks again for any response

 

[paul comcast]

Thanks John,

I will take out the one of the drives. Are you suggesting I take one stick
of memory out ( I have 2 sticks of 512 ddr)? I failed to mention that I
have a DVD/CD - ROM drive and a DVD-RW drive. So I will disconnect DVD-RW.

 

[Andrew Z Carpenter]

Fitz,

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't downloaded anything from the
internet because I can't maintain a connection on the computer.

So let me check if I'm reading this right - you're connecting to the
internet on a new installation of Windows XP, without having first
applied at least the most critical security updates?

I'm gonna wage that your slowdown you are seeing is due to being hit
by viruses that are taking advantage of your unpatched machine, such
as Blaster and Welchia/Nachi.

First thing you need to do is enable the built in firewall. Microsoft
were kind enough to put one into the OS, so use it. Once you have that
enabled, you should be able to get online without getting hammered.

Visit the WindowsUpdate website, apply all Critical and Windows XP
updates, ensuring that you revisit the site until no more updates are
offered to you. Remember to repeat the process regularly.

You're also gonna need some antivirus software on that machine,
possibly to clean up whatever's on there already. You can get some
free at http://www.grisoft.com

Let us know if you find anything, and how you get on.

Andrew

 

[--]

I would try booting XP in Safe Mode, and running like that for awhile.
Granted you won't be able to do any internet stuff

I do believe you can boot XP in Safe Mode With Networking.