CPU/Mobo/RAM/??? System freezes

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titan97

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Sep 27, 2004
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I was given a few computer last year and told to make 2 complete systems for other family members. No sweat, those two machines are working great (after one PSU was replaced). However, I then found myself with a few extra goodies that I promptly put to use in my machine, namely a CPU (AthlonXP 1700), mobo (Abit KT7A-RAID), and RAM (2x256MB CAS2). All of these had been working great in the other computer for a year or two. I then used my old parts for another family upgrade. Not long after, my system's stabilty went out the door. The machine would just freeze. It wouldn't reboot, it would just lock up. I had installed a RADEON 9600XT around the same time, so I thought it might be bad. I replaced it with an old Rendition-based card that I had lying around. It seemed to work better, so I RMA'd the 9600XT. When I got it back, I still had problems. Ok, so I bought a 9200 to try out. Same problem. Maybe the PSU, I thought. I bought the king of PSUs (PCP&C 510W Deluxe) and I am still having the problem. This is where I find myself now. Could it be the CPU? mobo? RAM? anything else?

Anyone? anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

-Dustin
 
No spyware that I am aware of. I ran AdAware, SpyBot, and Ewido Suite. Nothing but some cookies, etc.
I though of overheating, too, but my temps seem to be fine. I am part of the [H]orde, so my CPU utilization is always pegged at 100%. You would think that if it were overheating, it would lock up after a reasonable amount of time. But after it locked up late last night, it has been running fine since (about 20 hours). I live in AZ, but my wife keeps our house at a comfy 78F. I think my office gets up to 80F to 82F, but never higher. And I have a big ass 120mm blowhole cut into my case, pointing directly at the CPU and vid card area. My HSF is a Thermaltake SIlent Boost, which is rated for CPUs double what I currently have (1700+).
I'll run the memtest, but I pretty sure I ran it once before with no problems.

Thanks for the ideas,

-Dustin
 
MemTest ran for 1 hour and 55 minutes before it froze. It showed no errors up til this point. While it didn't finish its tests, this clearly shows that there is something else wrong with the machine. I'm not sure how hard MemTest pushes the CPU, but I'd imagine that the problem lies in my mobo.
Any other ideas?

-Dustin
 
I've had Memtest pass for 5 hours before it found an error. You can't exactly rule that out yet.
 
Right, I agree that memory problems can't be completely ruled out. However, you would assume that something else is the problem, like mobo or CPU, right?

-Dustin
 
titan97 said:
Right, I agree that memory problems can't be completely ruled out. However, you would assume that something else is the problem, like mobo or CPU, right?

-Dustin
Click to expand...
Only real way I know to find that out is to try it in a different system. Have you looked at the motherboard for swollen or busted capacitors? That board is probably old enough to fall in the era of that huge goof.
http://www.badcaps.net/

*EDIT*
Upon looking myself that board is listed as a bad cap board. I would contact Abit and tell them you are having stability problems with the board and mention the badcaps.net site and see what they say.
 
Great link amigo. I'll see what Abit says, but since the board is out of warranty by a long shot . . . .? This just may be the reason I need to take the plunge into a Athlon64, DDR, 7800GT system.

-Dustin
 
I recall having sent back the Abit board a few years ago, and that the caps were all blown out. However, upon inspection today, all the caps are perfectly flat and cylindrical. I guess they fixed my caps back when I first sent it in.
However, I am hereby giving 7 days notice for this board. Newegg received my order for a new ASUS A8N-SLI Premium, Athlon64 3000+, 512MBx4 OCZ DDR4000 CAS2, Zalman 7700, BFG 7800GT, etc. By this time next week, I should be problem free, I hope. And if the old CPU is still good, I'll give it to my wife to replace her old Duron 700. :D

-Dustin
 
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