computer lock ups

pjroot · Post by **pjroot** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 7:46 pm

Got a real brain buster for you all. I recently completed building my first computer (spec's to follow). The problem I am having is that it will lock up at various time through out the day. It will lockup anywhere from 1 to 5 or 6 time a day. While surfing, playing games, even at the desktop. I have uninstalled my anti-virus software (Inoculate-it PE), updated to the latest video drivers (both Elsa and nVidia reference), updated my VIA drivers (4-1), replaced the stock cpu cooler with a Global Win WBK38 Super (my cpu temp according to mobo utility is from 44 C to 56 C). I am not running a screensaver or any power saving settings, it is set to be on all the time. I am also running MS Internet Connection Sharing software to network 2 other computers thru a hub. This computer is the server for my network.

The following is a report showing my IRQ settings:
Hardware IRQ Settings >>>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0: System timer
1: Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
2: Programmable interrupt controller
3: Communications Port (COM2)
4: Communications Port (COM1)
5: Creative SB16 Emulation
Status: This device has been disabled.
6: Standard Floppy Disk Controller
7: ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
8: System CMOS/real time clock
9: ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
9: NetSurf 10/100M LAN Card
10: ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
10: Creative SB Live! series
10: VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
10: VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
11: ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
11: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
11: Realtek RTL8029(AS) PCI Ethernet NIC
11: SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
12: Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse
13: Numeric data processor
14: Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
14: VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller
15: Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
15: VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller

I am at my wits end trying to figure this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

Sytem spec's

Win98SE
enlight case w/300 w power supply
Gigabyte mobo
AMD 900 athlon
256 crucial pc100 ram
Elsa Gladiac GeForce MX
Soundblaster Live X-gamer 5.1

g-c0de · Post by **g-c0de** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 9:18 pm

something is wrong with either

1) your power supply
2) shortage somewhere in motherboard
3) CPU problem

check these above

[ 04-07-2001: Message edited by: G-C0DE ]

onetrueday · Post by **onetrueday** » Sun Apr 08, 2001 12:09 am

I see three more things to consider.

I dont think your cpu should be running that hot. I have a duron 800 overclocked to 950 with a stock cpu fan and I NEVER clear 110F. I would be tempted to step down your cpu or even check your voltage to make sure that's okay. The easiest way to do this and make sure its all set right is to remove the bios battery for 10 minutes. try booting it then. If it still messes up try slowing down your cpu by .5 to 850.

My better guess, considering what you have in your computer is that you have bad ram. If you have one 256meg chip, it'll be a while before you acces the higher levels of memory. My old motherboard had trouble with some ram. It would boot up fine, but after a while... it would freeze. That was with pc133 ram, but I think it is still reveant. Try differant ram or move it around.

One more thing. You can probably disable your com ports in your bios, unless you are using them. Your networking card SHOULD NOT be paired with your video card. I had a promise ata card paired with a networking card and that caused A LOT of problems. I cant even imagine your video and networking together. Should be able to do it in your bios. I had an amd550 with a gigabyte mobo and I was able to with that.

good luck and please tell us what happens!!

g-c0de · Post by **g-c0de** » Sun Apr 08, 2001 12:50 am

hey dude you sound like my teacher, Mr. Grele is that you??? lol

pjroot · Post by **pjroot** » Sun Apr 08, 2001 1:27 am

Thanks for the help guys. I'm not sure how to check the power supply, but the mobo utility program shows all good voltages. In regards to the temp, not sure if that is correct. Just checked temp in the bios and it read 38C. I will play with the ram, I have two 128 sticks. Does it matter which of the 3 dimm's it goes into?

I have disabled both of the com ports in my bios, not using a modem (got cable). I'm not sure how to assign irq's in the bios tho.

How do you step down the speed of the processor?

Thanks again for your help.

Scott

Megabyte63 · Post by **Megabyte63** » Sun Apr 08, 2001 2:34 am

Hey Pjroot, I also have a Gigabyte w/Athlon,2 128pc100 ram.
My experience has been that these boards are very I mean very picky with memory. Try swapping your ram sticks around, I had to do that. Also, this may seem dumb but go through and make sure everything is seated real good, it may look like it is but just pull it out and put it back in real good. I also had to add cooling and an exhaust fan to the case. I dont think anything is wrong with your ram or any of your hardware. Does it lock up without the other computers connected? Your documentation is should tell you a lot, but also try the websites of all your hardware or Im sure someone here can come up with some good advice.Lets us know , good luck.

Megabyte63

onetrueday · Post by **onetrueday** » Sun Apr 08, 2001 3:21 am

yahoo, you've got two sticks!! I would remove one of them. Try running it for a while and see what happens. If it still locks up, switch them. Gigabyte mobo's are VERY picky with ram and I am almost sure it's one of those sticks. You can probably give it to a friend though and it'll work fine in their board.

I had a gigabyte board about six months ago. I had 2 64's and 1 32meg. The 32meg wouldnt work right, so I removed it. I gave it to my brother and it worked fine in his computer though.

good luck

pjroot · Post by **pjroot** » Mon Apr 09, 2001 11:15 pm

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions! With a combination of moving the ram sticks around, and moving the realtek nic card to a different slot, I think the problem has been sloved. It's been 2 days and no lock ups at all. WOOOHOOO!! Again, thanks to all of you for your help.

Scott

boricua021 · Post by **boricua021** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 1:39 pm

I had a very similiar problem but the problem was with the nic card. I don't know if that will help you out any but i see that you already moved the nic card around. Could that have been it?? The world may never know.