Gah, random crashing!

[FatBusinessman]

Recently, I got a new computer:

• Asus A7V333
• Athlon XP 2100
• 256MB PC2100 DDR
• Radeon 7500
• Windows XP

But for some reason it appears to randomly crash, bringing up the Windows XP's very own BSOD. It often seems to happen when starting or switching between applications, and none of the settings I've changed in my BIOS seem to have made much difference.

Any thoughts? Please?

 

[tris-]

Is the CPU fan getting enough air flow or is it blocked by any wires etc? This could be making the CPU over heat and causing the PC to be unstable.


Edit - Also is the computer an ex-shop floor one? I did get a computer like that years ago and had all kinds of problems with it.

 

[Happy Go Lucky]

Try upgrading your ram to pc2700

 

[S-Gray]

Didnt / Doesnt Skyler have / has the same Mobo which caused him Problems similar to this?

 

[PR.]

Whats the BSOD error?

 

[S-Gray]

Short for General Protection Fault, a GPF is a error message generated by Microsoft Windows indicating that a program being used attempted to call a portion of memory that is either invalid or already in use. This error often forces the user to exit the application and/or reboot.
The GPF message is often referred to as the BSOD, which is short for Blue Screen Of Death. This name comes from the full blue displayed when the error occurs.

This PR. ?

 

[FatBusinessman]

Originally posted by n3wbie
Is the CPU fan getting enough air flow or is it blocked by any wires etc? This could be making the CPU over heat and causing the PC to be unstable.

Nope, seems to be ok. It's usually about 50°C, which doesn't seem to excessive.

Edit - Also is the computer an ex-shop floor one? I did get a computer like that years ago and had all kinds of problems with it.

Nope, all the parts (barring a few disk drives) are brand new.

 

[FatBusinessman]

Update: after changing the memory speed rating from "Auto" to "1:1" (the setting for PC2100), it seems to be more stable, but it still crashes occasionally. Could this just be because I haven't got reputable RAM?

 

[tris-]

Originally posted by FatBusinessman
Update: after changing the memory speed rating from "Auto" to "1:1" (the setting for PC2100), it seems to be more stable, but it still crashes occasionally. Could this just be because I haven't got reputable RAM?

Sometimes dodgy brand RAM can be a bit.. dodgy. Is the CPU speed, voltage etc all set correctly? Also, i thought i read the 'normal load' temp for an athlon XP is 40 degrees C but i dont see why 50 degrees C would be unstable because it would probably get that hot after playing games etc.. and the absolute limit is 90 degrees C (according to AMD). Also, the disk drives, are these hard disks drives or floppy, CD etc?

 

[Trem]

I would of said dodgy ram tbh.

 

[FatBusinessman]

Originally posted by Tremor{KEA}
I would of said dodgy ram tbh.

 

[tris-]

Originally posted by FatBusinessman

Maybe sent it back and ask for branded RAM like Hyundai or something

 

[kameleon]

What type of crash are you getting? is the machine just locking up? are you getting a blue screen? Does it crash when a sound is played?

need more information

bsod usually but not always means either cpu overheating or memory error, are you usuing thermal paste between cpu and heatsink/fan ? this is very necessary with amd 2gig+ chips. are you using the correctly rated fan/heatsink? there are no cheap shortcuts for this cpu youll have to pay about 35 quid for a decent one.

Have you got a soundblaster live soundcard? there are known issues with asus motherboards and sblive cards

 

[tris-]

Oh yeh also forgot to ask, are you using an AMD approved power supply? If yes, is it supplying the correct power i.e. 350 W. Thats whats in my box and its meant to be for a server so if its lower than 350 W try getting a higher one.

 

[Dimebag]

you're using a radeon and windows xp and have gone straight to blaming ram? In all seriousness though...

Where is the ram from, somewhere reputable?

I'd just wipe the bloody CMOS by jumpering it, and then go through all the settings making SURE they are correct for your system.

I doubt because the board supports 2700 officially it would try and use your pc2100 ram as 2700 just because its on "auto".

Dont bother upgrading the ram unless you are planning on running a 166 mhz bus... for stablility it shouldnt matter.

Again, loads of people seem to go on about psu wattage... in my experience i have found this to be wholely irellevant again from 300W and over.

I was running an athlon 1.2, kt7 board, 9 case fans and all 6 pci slots full, 4 physical hdds and 2 cd roms on a 300W psu and it was FINE. That was with a gf3 that has quite a high demand on current when the board is first turned on, so i wouldnt take this point too seriously.

Check your bios settings, upgrade it if need be, if that doesnt help just reinstall windows with a very basic setup and build up from there. If the problems happen when you are using the system in a very basic stripped state, then you can start to narrow it down properly and it looks like it will either be heat or ram.

Best of luck to you.

Dime