Computer crashes approx. once a week--why?

R

RedShark

[H]ard|Gawd
2FA
Joined
Aug 8, 2003
Messages
1,943
Hello everyone,

Setup
My P4C 2.4ghz (running at 2.4ghz, memory _underclocked_ to 133mhz, 3:2 ratio, 2.5-4-4-8 timings) crashes.

It has:
Antec 430 Watt TruePower (20A on 12V)
Asus P4P-800 motherboard
Windows XP Pro SP2 (installed fresh about 6 months ago)
2GB Corsair memory
320GB WD-3200JD hard disk (problem occurs without this plugged in, to power or the controller)
200GB WD-2000JB hard disk
45GB IBM Deathstar hard disk
BFG GeForce 6800GT
SB Live! Value
NEC ND-3540A DVD burner
Lite-On LTR-48246S CD burner

More setup information is included below if you need it.

Another Thread on this Topic
This thread is a continuation of another one I posted in general software originally (here http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1018253). I suspect this is a hardware problem of some kind, but I can't figure out what. After the original thread ran its course, I was convinced the problem was either my WD-3200JD drive, cable, or controller, but the damn computer crashed while I had the drive unplugged, so it's not that. I now have no idea why it's crashing.

Stability Test Results
Computer is prime 95 24 hours stable--run on "blend," two instances with 850MB RAM per instance. Memtest86 also passes three separate overnight tests with no errors. The memory is already massively underclocked anyway--it's rated for PC-3200.

Crash Symptoms
About once a week the system crashes. The symptom is exactly the same: the mouse freezes, and the display is frozen. There is no sound coming from any hard drive--I'm familiar with what it sounds like if it's trying to read a bad sector. I ran chkdsk /r/f on all the drives recently.

System Event Log
I checked the System Event log, but nothing registered during the most recent crash. In the past, I had seen some NTFS errors (discussed in the original thread), but those have been ruled out since they were all tied to the WD3200-JD drive, and the problem persists even if that drive is physically unplugged.

Here is a copy of the System event log:
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~mjr/log3.txt.

The last time the computer crashed was 9:30 PM last night (3/18/06) but there is nothing suspicious at that time in the log. I had just turned on the computer, started using it, and a few minutes later is crashed.

Events Surrounding Crash
It always does it while I'm at the desktop. I play games occasionally, but I can't remember the last time a game crashed--it always crashes when I'm trying to get some work done. This morning it crashed while I was scrolling through a PDF.

DXDiag Info
http://cs.wisc.edu/~mjr/dxdiag.txt. Report is dated 2/20, but nothing much has changed, and the problem existed when that report was made.

HiJackThis log
Below are the processes running. The problem occured before I installed OpenAFS (listed below as afsd_service) or Directory Opus. "sr" is SlickRun, DkService is DiskKeeper. Let me know if you're concerned about any of the others--I'm quite sure it's not a spyware issue. Yeah, there's a lot of junk listed there. What can I say, I use a lot of software.

Code: 
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:00:01 AM, on 3/19/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Util\Kerberos\bin\krbcc32s.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\cygwin\bin\cygrunsrv.exe
C:\Util\OpenAFS\Client\Program\afsd_service.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dns\bin\named.exe
C:\cygwin\usr\sbin\sshd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Acrotray.exe
C:\Util\SlickRun\sr.exe
C:\Util\Directory Opus\DOpus.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\Util\OpenAFS\Client\Program\afscreds.exe
C:\Util\Proxomitron\Proxomitron.exe
C:\Util\Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
\?\C:\WINDOWS\system32\WBEM\WMIADAP.EXE
C:\Download\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:8081
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: Devpartner Analysis Common BHO - {CE92F0E4-87AD-11D3-B713-00C04F8F6C86} - C:\Program Files\Compuware\DevPartner Studio\Analysis\NMIEHELP.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: NewsStand Toolbar - {6E94ACD5-2C6A-48AC-84EF-A4DE746D385F} - C:\Util\NewsStand Reader\NSIETool.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 7.0] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SlickRun] "C:\Util\SlickRun\sr.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DOpus] C:\Util\Directory Opus\DOpus.exe
O4 - Startup: Firefox.lnk = C:\Util\Firefox\firefox.exe
O4 - Startup: Proxomitron.lnk = C:\Util\Proxomitron\Proxomitron.exe
O4 - Startup: Start outlook.bat.lnk = E:\Documents\Programming\Sleep\Release\Start outlook.bat
O4 - Startup: Start TimeSync.bat.lnk = E:\Documents\Programming\Sleep\Release\Start TimeSync.bat
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: AFS Credentials.lnk = C:\Util\OpenAFS\Client\Program\afscreds.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open PDF in Word - res://C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPagePro14.0\PdfCnv\IEShellExt.dll /100
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {B205A35E-1FC4-4CE3-818B-899DBBB3388C} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Encarta Search Bar\ENCSBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - [url]http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1121293025984[/url]
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{34FE323B-1CAE-48EE-BA37-B3554235F192}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1,24.196.64.53,68.115.71.53
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{6341226A-24D5-4579-8D8A-49B7FDD1ADED}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{953AFD6E-05FC-4B7C-8F10-A702FD4CE36D}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{B9530664-9683-4DD6-B273-EE7F91A7CC38}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{CE703088-B3F6-4A8B-88F1-C816A180D90A}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{D6CD1E6C-F90A-42D7-B6B5-76EF5A06882D}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = cs.wisc.edu
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{34FE323B-1CAE-48EE-BA37-B3554235F192}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1,24.196.64.53,68.115.71.53
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = cs.wisc.edu
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\..\{34FE323B-1CAE-48EE-BA37-B3554235F192}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1,24.196.64.53,68.115.71.53
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = cs.wisc.edu
O18 - Protocol: ms-help - {314111C7-A502-11D2-BBCA-00C04F8EC294} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\hxds.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~1\GOEC62~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: AfsLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\afslogon.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: KFWLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\afslogon.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Version Cue CS2 - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\bin\VersionCueCS2.exe" -win32service (file missing)
O23 - Service: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: MATLAB Server (matlabserver) - Unknown owner - C:\Util\Matlab701\webserver\bin\win32\matlabserver.exe
O23 - Service: CYGWIN sshd (sshd) - Unknown owner - C:\cygwin\bin\cygrunsrv.exe
O23 - Service: OpenAFS Client Service (TransarcAFSDaemon) - OpenAFS Project - C:\Util\OpenAFS\Client\Program\afsd_service.exe
O23 - Service: twdns - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dns\bin\named.exe
O23 - Service: VMware Authorization Service (VMAuthdService) - VMware, Inc. - C:\Program Files\VMware Workstation\vmware-authd.exe
O23 - Service: VMware NAT Service - VMware, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\vmnat.exe

Additional Information
=======
- Drivers are up to date, including video, sound, network, and chipset.
- The problem has been going on since last May or so, but seems to have gotten worse since then. Since I've reformatted in the mean time, it makes me think it's a hardware problem but no tests suggest that.
- I have two network cards, both wired and wireless, and the problem occurs regardless of which I'm using so I suppose we can rule that out
- I doubt it's sound since I never play music on the computer--indeed, it always crashes when there is no sound being played.
- Video is also unlikely since it's always on the desktop. No 3D is ever involved. Games run fine (e.g. Quake IV, Serious Sam II, Civ IV).
- Typically I have a number of applications open, e.g. outlook, firefox, plus some tools I use for school (maple/visual studio/eclipse/photoshop/illustrator/etc.) when it crashes. None of these programs should be able to crash the computer like this. A driver is the most likely culprit based on my past experience, so I've been trying to uninstall all unnecessary drivers, including Daemon Tools and BlindWrite.
- Here's device manager: http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~mjr/devicemanager.png
- Disk SMART status: http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~mjr/smart.png
- Could it be power-related? I think this is unlikely since the problems occur whenever both the CPU and Video card are not stressed (sitting at desktop).

Please Help! :(
Thanks for any suggestions everyone! This problem has me stumped. I've posted all the material I've gathered over the last few months, so hopefully something here will be of some value.
 
considering you've practically elimated everything I would suggest. I can bet its more a motherboard issue.
 
That was just one of my failed attempts at solving the problem :( I just ran memtest86 again (for the nth time) last night and there were no errors after 10.5 hours.
 
You have tried about everything I would try. I had a MOBO that crashed every week or two. Took a couple of months to verify it was the MOBO though. Other thing to try... Have you checked the PSU voltages with a meter?
 
Its time to start swapping component! only real way to find out at this point.
 
I had a similiar issue with that exact mobo.......is it one with an SiS chipset? Different mobo with all the other original componments solved my problem.
 
I just opened the case and checked some random voltages. The only one I actually measured was +5.05V. I suppose in order to really measure everything I would need to unplug some more things (I don't know the voltages on the various connectors by heart, so I couldn't find any that read anything other than 5V :)). MBM readings indicate all the voltages are quite close to normal (3.28, 5.03, and 11.86). 1.55V for the CPU. What other connectors on an ATX power supply should I test for the other voltages? The only one I can think of that has them all is the main connector that plugs into the mobo, but testing that one might not suggest a problem since the computer would have to be off to try it (i.e. the PS would not be under any meaningful load). Any tips on testing the PS with a meter more effectively? I suppose there are web pages on the pin assignments--I've just never had occasion to look them up before.

I checked the wall outlet--it read 116V so no problem there.

Virus? It survived a reformat, and I normally have Symantec AV 10.0 running (disabled temporarily while I've been attempting to solve this problem). I could re-install it and do a full scan, but I'm pretty sure that's not the problem.

Swapping components: that's what I was afraid of. :( Unfortunately, I'll probably just have to put up with this problem until summer since I need this machine in order to get any work done between now and then.

This mobo has the i865PE chipset, so it's not SiS' fault :)

So, I will try swapping components eventually. In the meantime, I'm certainly open to any other things to try :)
 
hidden0rp.jpg
 
Look closely at all of the capacitors on the motherboard. Check to see if any of them are beginning to bulge out. If not, I would suggest trying to swap another PSU in there for a bit and seeing if that fixes it.
 
Update May 26

The capacitors on the motherboard appear to be fine. No leaks. (Interestingly, there's a website devoted to this: http://www.badcaps.net/).

It looks like the problem was the memory.

I had 4x512MB Corsair PC3200 (rated for CAS 2 at DDR400). The machine had 2x512MB originally and everything was fine. Last June or so, I installed two more--a different revision of the memory, but the rating was the same. I'm not sure what specific chips were used.

Anyhow, I either didn't notice the problem, or it changed--became worse--in severity, which is why I posted here. To diagnose the problem, I removed the two new sticks of memory and operated the computer for a month. It didn't crash once. I then removed the two old sticks, and installed the two new sticks. The computer has been running fine for three weeks. Interesting.

Has anyone else had this problem before? The motherboard should support four sticks, especially at DDR266 speeds (CAS3 or 2.5, not CAS2) as I had been running them, should it not? It's clear that the motherboard is compatible with either pair in isolation--why not both simultaneously? Are motherboards still that picky about memory? If I can't operate it with (ostensibly) high quality Corsair modules, what can be done? Perhaps one module wasn't seated properly, leading to sporadic crashes? Would it be worth installing all four once again, perhaps in different slots?

Does anyone have any remaining suggestions in light of this latest development?

In any case, I'll probably (99% certain) be upgrading to Conroe later this summer since it turns out I can get a big fat discount ;) I can then pass this problem off to my parents, heh.
 
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