System freezes

[Mike T]

I've recently put together a system from spare bits and pieces for my son to take to university. I've installed win 98 and office plus an mp3 player but now find that the system freezes and will not respond. Sometimes the mouse will continue to be moveable but generally not. There seems to be no pattern as to which program causes this and sometimes it occurs in the middle of playing an mp3. Control-alt-del generally fails to work although sometimes if left for a few minutes it does respond. I've tried removing all running programs in task manager, except explorer! but the problem persists.
Is there any way to view programs that might still be running even though task manager shows only explorer?
Has anyone got any suggestions??

AMD 350 + m/b from a previously working system
Geforce2 mx graphics
128 ram
Sound Galaxy washington sound card.

[geebee76]

Hi Mike Welcome to the Forum.

Just a thought before someone else comes on.

Have you checked Device Manager for conflicts?

MyComputer/Control Panel/System then Device Manager tab.

Have a look and post back http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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[bassvax]

Mike, rats to you for boggling my mind with this one http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I know there is an easy solution here, but nothings floating to the surface...yet.

GeeBee hit on the first thing to check.

OK, since you got me going, I'm gotta start chuckin' stuff your way and you throw back the stuff that has already been tried or doesn't work...you can keep the stuff that works though...deal? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Check for loose mouse connection (I know...humor me)...heck, check for loose or poorly seated peripherals.

Have any USB devices working the rig? If so, 350 AMD-Style MHz was the key frequency that required a USB patch to work with Win 98...you can get that here. (http://www.usbman.com)

Sound cards are notorious for wreaking havoc on newly built systems (regardless of listed IRQ conflicts or not)...something about DOS emulation. Can you pull the sound card for a bit to see if the prob persists? If so, try to sneak it into a diff pci(?) slot.

Not being familiar with Office Plus, I tried to hit their site (drafting tools...or the likes right) It wouldn't spring to life for me though. My thought was to see if there were annoyances like those of MS Office like Find Fast and other Start at Startup progs.

You can use the start/programs/accessories/system tools/system information/software environment/running tasks or startup programs to view the busy bodies.

Heard somewhere's about un-ticking the v-sync option in the advanced properties of the display adapter (Geforce 2 MX) under the OpenGlide tab.

Give us a shout back http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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[Mike T]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, i'll now try to relay the latest state of play.
There were no conflicts shown in device manager.
I've removed the usb devices and disabled them in the bios, but no change.
The system processor is actually a AMD K6 2 333 clocked to 350 But no change when clocked back to standard and i couldn't find an update on the AMD site.
The soundcard is an isa one but i've taken that out with no result.
I unchecked some of the suspect programs running in the background, no result.
I've set the v sync to default off with no result.
When i first built this system i fitted a 4mb diamond viper AGP card and suffered the same problems. My son decided that he wanted a better card, so bought himself the invidia and we hoped that it would cure the freezing ----------------- it didn't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its now getting late and i'm begining to forget what i have changed, but i've now had 4 freezes at the same point - when i preview the win98 screen saver - whether this is significant, i don't know?
I might have thought that the graphics chip was overheating, as it didn't come with a fan, but i've fitted one from a 486 processor so that shouldn't be a problem.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! Im running out of ideas and sanity.
Any more ideas guys?????????

[bassvax]

Just a quick shot to maybe disable all power management schemes from BIOS and control panel...and the screensavers for now.

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Flush 'N' Forget
FE Stokes WWTP (http://www2.apex.net/users/hwuswtp)

[Mike T]

I've disabled all power management schemes and the sreensavers - no change.
i've also found a burn-in program and set it running for 2 hours with everything flat out at 100 % - no problems at all.
The problem seems to be worse as programs are opening or closing???? i don't know enough to determine whether this is significant.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, any further ideas guys?

[Whyzman]

Mike,

Since this is a new situation (old parts...new system) and I suspect you've no pertinent data to save, you may just want to reload the works and check as you add each device/program if the problem then crops up.

May all your dealings in live be win/win!

Whyzman

[Mike T]

Well guys you will be pleased to know that things seem to be working ok know.
I uninstalled Office 2000, Pulisher and the screensavers/wallpaper and it seemed to cure the problem.
I've now reinstalled Office 2000, but not yet Publisher and everthing is still ok.
As the original install was Win 98 - office - Publisher and the problem only showed itself after the office install i can only assume that this was the problem, but why - i have no idea.
Anyway thanks for the help guys.