Machine keeps crashing for some unknown reason

D

dangfx

Gawd
Joined
May 2, 2001
Messages
707
Hi,

I have just put together a brand new system (specs below) with a fresh install of WinXP Pro, SP2. but i keep getting one of two things: this BSOD, or just lock-ups. Both happen at completely random points. Sometimes after the machine has been on for hours, sometimes when it just gets past the "welcome" screen after boot.

Code: 
MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
........
.............
..................
STOP: 0x0000009C

I've checked around, but no real solutions can be found. MS's KB article doesn't say much on how to fix it.

any ideas? thanks in advance...
:(

Specs:
Asus A8N-E revision 2, bios 1005. (drivers from Asus CD, probably 6.53?? I have also tried the 6.66 drivers and they were very unstable)
AMD X2 4400+
2GB (1GB stick x 2) Corsair Value Select VS1GB400C3 (in first and third DIMM slots, A1 and B1)
BFG 7800GTX PCI-E (78.03 drivers from nvidia)
Antec TruePower 550 EPS12V SSI Server-rated PSU
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 SATA 200gb (on 1st SATA channel)
Creative 52x CD-ROM (IDE Primary master)
Plextor 716AL DVD/CD burner (IDE, Secondary master)
Plextor 16/10/40A CD burner (IDE, Secondary slave)
Floppy drive
2 case fans + 1 CPU fan (AMD retail box HSF)
Windows XP Pro, SP2 (have also tried it with XP x64 Edition for a bit)

-everything is running at stock speeds, no overclocking.
-I have left the 1005 bios, as that seems to be the most stable which people say.
-Windows is completely updated (w/ SP2).
-I have not installed the nvidia IDE drivers.
-temps according to the bios are between 35-39 degrees (celcius).
-everything on auto in the bios except for ram which i bumped up to 2.75v.
-ran memtest86+ for about 2 hours, found no erros
-ran the diagnostic util for my Maxtor hdd, found no errors
 
Could be wrong, but isn't there an issue with Maxtor SATA drives and your Asus board? I've been out of the AMD game for a while, but I'm sure I read it somewhere on the [H] Forums.... Sorry I can't be more helpful.

EDIT: Are you running the latest bios for your MB? Just been looking at the updates on Asus site - seems that should you update to the latest BIOS, you will need the 6.65 or later drivers.
 
hi jellyhead,
there have been no issues with Maxtor and my Asus board that I know of. There are no incompatibilities according to each manufacturer's website.
As for the BIOS, i have left it at 1005 becuase it seems to be the most stable, and most people say the same thing. Also, if I upgrade to a later bios, I would have to upgrade my chipset drivers to 6.65 or above, and these drivers are terrible, as countless posts here at [H] have indicated.
 
Damn dude - I'm stumped. Looking at the MS article, it would suggest that perhaps the issue is with your CPU? Don't suppose you have a spare S939 hanging around? :confused:
 
i used to get the same error, it turned out to be bad catalyst drivers
 
jellyhead-
no, unfortunately i dont. is there a CPU diagnostic tool or utility around to test it?

pstang-
as you can see, I'm using nvidia drivers. I am using the latest version, and I have tried 3 others (77.77, 78.01/2??, and one other which i cant remember). The problem occures no matter which graphics driver i use.
 
dangfx said:
jellyhead-
no, unfortunately i dont. is there a CPU diagnostic tool or utility around to test it?

pstang-
as you can see, I'm using nvidia drivers. I am using the latest version, and I have tried 3 others (77.77, 78.01/2??, and one other which i cant remember). The problem occures no matter which graphics driver i use.
Click to expand...

i wasnt saying it was a catalyst only issue, i was saying it could be driver related (and not just the graphics driver) maybe a format and reinstall would help
 
Hmmm... if I was going to send an engineer to your house, I'd load him up with a MB & maybe a processor. But I think my money (if you've already tried a full format & reload) would be on your MB being faulty.
 
yeah, possibly driver-related, although i dont have that many peripherals in there. And all of my peripherals should work fine as i havnt heard about any compatibility issues.

Yes, i would like to have a spare CPU to try. But i've tried Sandra's CPU burn-in test, and it came out fine (with good results). As for the board, its my second A8N-E (the first was defective).
 
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