Hardware problems

11-10-2002, 10:42 AM

Ok this is driving my crazy... i have xp on my pc and when i reboot..i have to reload about 5-20 times before it loads and works...all kinds of bsod saying weird things, it seems to be pretty random (but ones its loaded its solid as a rock) ive formatted about 5times and used different copies and ive updated xp totally (no sp1 tho) and still the same errors come back.

So i installed mandrake, but when i come to install the **** for my modem it gets read error and cant install it (corrupt) and the mandrake control center crashes sometimes and if i close the window it logs me off straight away :s. When i try to reinstall linux (using the same cd again) it wont even load the gui installer gets some error.

So im guessing its some hardware error, but i cant afford to go out buy a new pc so i need to know exacly what it is so i can go replace it...

Here is my system specs

1.4 amd tbird
mobo abit kg7- lite
sound card - sb live
video card - abit siluro gf2 64
2x sticks of 256 ram (dont know what spec)

other specs
512 adsl usb modem - did it before i got that
20gb maxtor hdd
hapungeeeee tv card - did it before i got that
300w psu
cpu temp is @ 45 now... 49 at load

i have all the latest drivers for everything..sometimes they fix it for a while but it comes back.

gbread49 · 11-10-2002, 06:57 PM

Hi Ryanmt....

Seeing that you are having problems with two different OS's, I'd say your probably right that it is a hardware related problem.

Probably one of three things, either the BIOS, the mobo or the powersupply, I'd say the latter most likely. I doubt if its a memory problem, because you said that once the OS does load, it is stable.

You mentioned that you had a 300W PS, but didn't mention the brand name. Many POST related problems can be attributed to a faulty or low quality (inadequate) PS.

Also, I'd check to make sure that all cables/connectors are secure, and that all cards are secure in the slots.

Check Abits site for any BIOS updates.

Finally, do you receive any "beep" error codes when you start up? If you do, make note of it to check its meaning. Your Abit mobo has an Award BIOS, so it should be fairly easy to track down the meaning of any error codes.

Music Pirate · 11-10-2002, 07:02 PM

I definely go to the maker, unless you build it yourself, and find the new BIOS update. I had to update some older computers before due to the fact that some older BIOS version can have a conflict with the OS. And that goes with Mandrake too.

11-11-2002, 01:42 AM

Re-formatting the drive should take care of all software problems when you have a fresh install of any OS, regardless of new, or old.............

Your Bios is stored in your mobo's onboard memory (me thinks) so that could, and usually does, cause syntax errors if you have had other problems running OS's..........recently that is.........

Did you have any problems running your previous OS before installing XP? or Mandrake????

Also, if you have a version of XP that was downloaded, you might also have corrupt software due to a firewall, or a prolonged download........(56ker's get this problem on large file types sometimes)

You might also want to visit "techtv" and see if they have any answers for your specific problem........

11-11-2002, 05:56 AM

the psu isnt the best..it came with a cheap case, the first one i had from there blew up (like BANG) so it could have spiked the ram, before i had xp i was using 98, it was ok but still had the odd problem (well that could have just been 98)

Ive tried 3 different copies of xp

gbread49 · 11-11-2002, 10:34 AM

Ouch, hopefully when it blew it didn't cause any damage to your mobo or other components.

What brand, wattage, PS did you replace it with??????? (if it was one from a generic case I'd consider getting a good one.) Your problems might just disappear....

11-11-2002, 12:31 PM

i had the case replaced..it was a task 3003 screwless one

11-12-2002, 09:50 AM

You can test all your hardware (if you know or have the manuals that have the specs) with a program called SisSift Sandra.

It tells you everything about you PC, and benchmarks everything that could be possibly benchmarked.

Hope you didn't spike that ram............!

yousuf · 11-12-2002, 11:10 AM

if u have the same stop error no (u know those numbers on the bottom of the screen) over and over again its definitly faulty ram.

(speaking as an A+ certified Technician)

11-10-2002, 10:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ryanmt Guest Posts: n/a	Hardware problems Ok this is driving my crazy... i have xp on my pc and when i reboot..i have to reload about 5-20 times before it loads and works...all kinds of bsod saying weird things, it seems to be pretty random (but ones its loaded its solid as a rock) ive formatted about 5times and used different copies and ive updated xp totally (no sp1 tho) and still the same errors come back. So i installed mandrake, but when i come to install the **** for my modem it gets read error and cant install it (corrupt) and the mandrake control center crashes sometimes and if i close the window it logs me off straight away :s. When i try to reinstall linux (using the same cd again) it wont even load the gui installer gets some error. So im guessing its some hardware error, but i cant afford to go out buy a new pc so i need to know exacly what it is so i can go replace it... Here is my system specs 1.4 amd tbird mobo abit kg7- lite sound card - sb live video card - abit siluro gf2 64 2x sticks of 256 ram (dont know what spec) other specs 512 adsl usb modem - did it before i got that 20gb maxtor hdd hapungeeeee tv card - did it before i got that 300w psu cpu temp is @ 45 now... 49 at load i have all the latest drivers for everything..sometimes they fix it for a while but it comes back.

11-10-2002, 06:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
gbread49 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 744	Hi Ryanmt.... Seeing that you are having problems with two different OS's, I'd say your probably right that it is a hardware related problem. Probably one of three things, either the BIOS, the mobo or the powersupply, I'd say the latter most likely. I doubt if its a memory problem, because you said that once the OS does load, it is stable. You mentioned that you had a 300W PS, but didn't mention the brand name. Many POST related problems can be attributed to a faulty or low quality (inadequate) PS. Also, I'd check to make sure that all cables/connectors are secure, and that all cards are secure in the slots. Check Abits site for any BIOS updates. Finally, do you receive any "beep" error codes when you start up? If you do, make note of it to check its meaning. Your Abit mobo has an Award BIOS, so it should be fairly easy to track down the meaning of any error codes. __________________

11-11-2002, 10:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
gbread49 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 744	Ouch, hopefully when it blew it didn't cause any damage to your mobo or other components. What brand, wattage, PS did you replace it with??????? (if it was one from a generic case I'd consider getting a good one.) Your problems might just disappear.... __________________

11-12-2002, 11:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
yousuf Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 457	if u have the same stop error no (u know those numbers on the bottom of the screen) over and over again its definitly faulty ram. (speaking as an A+ certified Technician) __________________ http://artekpro.com

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11-10-2002, 07:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Music Pirate Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 452	I definely go to the maker, unless you build it yourself, and find the new BIOS update. I had to update some older computers before due to the fact that some older BIOS version can have a conflict with the OS. And that goes with Mandrake too.

11-11-2002, 01:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Gunny_Snipes Guest Posts: n/a	Re-formatting the drive should take care of all software problems when you have a fresh install of any OS, regardless of new, or old............. Your Bios is stored in your mobo's onboard memory (me thinks) so that could, and usually does, cause syntax errors if you have had other problems running OS's..........recently that is......... Did you have any problems running your previous OS before installing XP? or Mandrake???? Also, if you have a version of XP that was downloaded, you might also have corrupt software due to a firewall, or a prolonged download........(56ker's get this problem on large file types sometimes) You might also want to visit "techtv" and see if they have any answers for your specific problem........

11-11-2002, 05:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ryanmt Guest Posts: n/a	the psu isnt the best..it came with a cheap case, the first one i had from there blew up (like BANG) so it could have spiked the ram, before i had xp i was using 98, it was ok but still had the odd problem (well that could have just been 98) Ive tried 3 different copies of xp

11-11-2002, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ryanmt Guest Posts: n/a	i had the case replaced..it was a task 3003 screwless one

11-12-2002, 09:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gunny_Snipes Guest Posts: n/a	You can test all your hardware (if you know or have the manuals that have the specs) with a program called SisSift Sandra. It tells you everything about you PC, and benchmarks everything that could be possibly benchmarked. Hope you didn't spike that ram............!