Windows XP Computer crashes and locks up and resets it self

[realdealgman]

My computer constantly Crashes and locks up and resets itself when running applications and games. It only started doing this recently within the last month. I have:

Windows XP Home with Service Pack 1
AMD Athlon XP 2000+
640 MB DDRAM
DVD ROM
CD R/RW
Albatron GeForce4 4200 128 MB
60GB HDD
Floppy Disk

I run alot of different games from newer to older but after about 5 to 10 minutes the stuff locks up or my computer resets itself. I am frustrated and need help.

Thanks REAL DEAL

[ski]

Possible causes:
-Overheating
-Bad memory
-Bad MB
-Bad or undersized power supply

[realdealgman]

The memory is good and the temperature is not over 109F I ran th ecomputer for 4 hours and then checked the temp through BIOS and it only got to 109F. Now what do you mean by bad MB?

[realdealgman]

Oh yeah I know now bad mother board. All these symptoms just happened within 3 weeks. I had the PC for 2 months now. As for the Power supply it is 350W.

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

A 350 watt power supply may be fine, but it depends on what you have loading it and it could be just not good. However, before all of that, I am not terribly familiar with XP yet, but I remember reading that it has some sort of setting that causes it to automatically reboot after a program crashes. If you have installed anything recently that might be unstable, that could be the cause. I would look at some of the basic settings for XP to see if you can change this. Also, I would make sure you have run an updated and deep virus scan and spyware scan. You can find links to download programs for this at this link if you need them:

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15179

Budfred

[dilsburger]

Hi. Just my 2 cents.... Some things that might help sort it out:

You list 640MB DDR, what is the config of DIMM's? How did you test the memory? Did you remove down to your smallest stick that you can run with etc?

Had you added any of those components just before you started having the problem? (sorry, had to ask anyway :))

Off the top - you could be taxing the power supply or it is just weak. 350W could be cutting it close for the power your consuming. Those GF4 cards require some "elbow room" from your PSU and throw heat.

Greater knowlege is on the way I'm sure. Luck!

[realdealgman]

Thank you All!!!

All the componets were installed at the intial building of the machine. However I did not test the RAM. I just slapped them all in. 2 Sticks of 256 and one 128. I tried the heat issue and "old Mc Donald had a dog and....... BINGO was his name-o"

I put a fan to blow into my PC. Fixed the problem. So I have to fix this problem because I have a case fan and my processor still read at 145F (BAD) with the house fan I only had 105F. No crashes. Ok let me think of how to get good air flow.

Thanks again folks.

RealDeal

[dilsburger]

I've been through a cooling situation myself recently. Here is a link that was given to me, maybe it can help....

http://www.tweak3d.net/tweak/airflowtweak/print.shtml

[realdealgman]

Awesome Information. Currently I have an intake fan which is on this attachment. (Bitmap Drawing) I think the fact that I have a bundle of IDE (wide) cables blocking airflow. I need the 3 fan method. Man you learn something new everyday :)

[dilsburger]

Tell me about it! :D

I couldn't get my CPU temps down in my old case but when I popped the side off they would drop proving I had an airflow problem. I tried "better" HSF's but they didn't work since it was the hot air trapped inside causing the problem.

My new case has 2 intake 28CFM fans on the front bottom, a side intake, and 2 48CFM exhaust fans.(those two roar a little - about 37dba) Of course there is also the fan blowing out of the PSU. As a result my system & CPU temps dropped 10-12C into more desirable ranges. System is 32C under load and CPU 44C. It's a little noisey but if the wife doesn't mind I sure don't! :D

Oh and if you can cut a hole the back of the case and use fan grilles for each fan instead of forcing it thru those little airholes, you'll get more air out and reduce the noise somewhat...