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Windows XP/Computer crashes randomly (possible memory problem)
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Deznaj
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13. March 2009 @ 08:48 |
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Since about two weeks, my computer (running Windows XP) crashes randomly in a very peciliar manor. I wonder if anybody can provide me with their ideas on what's wrong with my system with the information provided below. Thanks in advance.
At a certain point, my mouse cursor doesn't change anymore. For instance, the hourglass cursor stays the same and doesn't change back to the arrow. The screen still goes, and I can still move and click with the mouse. After about a minute, the entire screen freezes, and after a few seconds will turn to black EXCEPT for the inmovable mouse cursor which stays visible. The system just hangs, although there is still HD activity and sometimes even sound (if I was playing a video). Nothing short of a reset will fix the crash.
These crashes are quite rare, but seem to focus at points when the computer has been running for a while (over a day), and when I open programs like IExplorer, Azureus or Explorer for file-transfer. The crash happens usualy when I've transfered a few Gb's of data, but not always.
I've monitores my systems temperatures, and they remain well into the safe zones (GPU 55 degrees C, CPU and System between 30 and 40 degrees C), so I think overheating is out of the question. I'm thinking about a memory problem, since I've just added an extra 1 Gb of RAM one month ago along with a replacement video card and new mouse. However, the problems started weeks after that, and I've been using my computer all that time.
I feel like I'm close to the answer, but would like a few experts opinions.
System Specs:
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Corsair 2048MB DDR PC500 (matched pair)
Corsair 1024MB DDR PC400 *
ASUS EN8800 GTS 512MB *
WD 320GB Caviar 7200RPM
WD 750GB Caviar 7200RPM
Logitech MX Revolution mouse *
Logitech G11 keyboard
OS: Windows XP Professional SP3
* = NEW
Greetz Deznaj
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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13. March 2009 @ 12:39 |
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That's usually a chipset crash. You can try updating your chipset drivers and ensure the fan on the chipset cooler on your board is still working (the A8N fans were notorious for stopping and letting the chipset overheat).
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ddp
Moderator
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13. March 2009 @ 13:10 |
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take that new 1gig ram out to see what happens. if still happening put old videocard back in to see if new videocard is the problem.
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Deznaj
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13. March 2009 @ 17:13 |
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Originally posted by sammorris:
That's usually a chipset crash. You can try updating your chipset drivers and ensure the fan on the chipset cooler on your board is still working (the A8N fans were notorious for stopping and letting the chipset overheat).
OK, but I've just looked at the motherboard, and the only thing I see is a metal rectangle (heat sink) over the chipset on which the words "fanless design" are printed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that where the Northbridge cooler should be? This is what I found searching a few sites:
"...We?ll start off with the heat-pipe that takes the heat from the Northbridge and brings it towards the MOSFETs where a heatsink close to the CPU fan dissipates the heat..."
Now I've checked the metal rectangle, and it's very very hot! However, I don't see any fan. Any idea where it is, or should be?
Greetz Deznaj
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AfterDawn Addict
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13. March 2009 @ 17:14 |
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Fair enough, I thought the Premium used a basic fan cooler like the other A8N boards, obviously not, never mind. The new RAM is very likely the problem though, mismatching RAM like that is never a good idea.
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Deznaj
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13. March 2009 @ 17:29 |
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Well, any help is appreciated! At least now I know where my chipset is located, and what that metal heat sink thingy does! ;-)
But yeah, I thought it would be the new RAM. However, I asked the guy in the store if the 400/500 clock speed difference would be of any importance, and he assured me it wouldn't. And it is a pretty good store which knows their stuff! I guess I'll just pull it out and go on with my trusty old 2Gb.
So if I wanted to upgrade to 3Gb, and wanted my system to work flawlessly, I should use PC500 memory? Does the fact that I have a matched pair already in my computer make any difference?
Greetz Deznaj
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 13. March 2009 @ 17:30
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AfterDawn Addict
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13. March 2009 @ 17:37 |
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It's not really the speed difference, it's that you've mixed the sizes up, that's not always guaranteed to work. I suggest you find another identical pair of 2048MB PC500 and use that instead.
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Deznaj
Member
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13. March 2009 @ 18:01 |
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OK thanks! First I've got to say that I really respect what you are doing. Helping people who know not so much about computers in a nice and clear way. I've seen several of your posts on Afterdawn, and they are always usefull to the person they are adressed to. Cudos!!!
I'm still looking into getting more RAM, but since I'm not willing to upgrade my Mobo and such (I want to buy a brand new system this summer) I'm stuck with DDR1. And it's seems pretty hard to find! The store where I usually buy all my hardware has only 3 kinds of DDR available, one of which was installed in my computer. However, they have a set of "Corsair 4 GB XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5" that is listed as DDR (PC800 I believe), which SOUNDS very nice to my not-so-memory-expert ears.
COULD (and should) I replace my old memory with the Corsair 4 GB XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 to gain a perfomance boost (even a ever so slight one)?
My system:
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Corsair 2048MB DDR PC500 (matched pair) *
ASUS EN8800 GTS 512MB
OS: Windows XP Professional SP3
* would be replaced
RAM Information in the Mobo manual:
"Dual-channel memory architecture, 4x184-pin DIMM sockets support ECC/non-ECC unbuffered 400/333/266 Mhz DDR memory modules. Supports up to 4 GB system memory."
Any thoughts?
Greetz Deznaj
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AfterDawn Addict
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13. March 2009 @ 19:11 |
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The memory you mention is DDR2, not DDR1, and therefore incompatible.
To be honest, DDR memory is rare these days as DDR2 replaced it nearly three years ago. You should either live with 2GB until you upgrade, or find 4GB all the same.
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Deznaj
Member
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18. March 2009 @ 07:56 |
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I haven't had a crash since I pulled out the extra memory bank, so that was indeed the problem.
So I could use 4x 1Gb of DDR memory, if it was the same kind/brand/clock speed? I know where to find those, however they all have a clock speed of 400 mhz, while my current memory is 500 mhz.
So 4 Gb of 400 mhz, against 2 Gb of 500 mhz. How will that affect performance?
Greetz Deznaj
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AfterDawn Addict
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18. March 2009 @ 08:02 |
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Assuming you break 2GB memory usage, you'll be much better off with 4GB 400mhz, memory speed doesn't make a huge difference.
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Deznaj
Member
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18. March 2009 @ 09:44 |
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Originally posted by sammorris:
...break 2GB memory usage...
You mean getting past the 2GB Windows XP can use? I already have Physical Adress Extention enabled, so that shouldn't be a problem.
However, I found that DDR memory is quite expensive for OLD memory! So I think I will stick with my 2Gb, unless I run into another 2Gb matched pair to add.
Greetz Deznaj
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AfterDawn Addict
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18. March 2009 @ 09:49 |
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Well no, I just mean using more than 2GB of RAM. With XP it's not too common an occurrence. You are quite right though, DDR is becoming rare now and therefore relatively expensive.
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ddp
Moderator
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18. March 2009 @ 12:41 |
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not only that but you'll not get full use of ram above 3.5gig because xp is 32bit not 64bit.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. March 2009 @ 14:23 |
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True, but don't dismiss it. There have been loads of occasions I've used 3.1-3.3GB of RAM, but very rarely any more.
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