Computer Locks-up

[Kh_JayPea]

I am running windows ME and when I run some high end computer games the system locks up. The only way to unlock the computer is to power down. Ctrl-Alt-del does not work.


Here are my system specifications -

Intel P4 1.8 ghz
Asus Tek P4T Socket 423
512 MB RAMBUS 800mhz ECC
Asus V8200 T5 Pure Geforce3 Ti 500 64mb
Soundblast live 5.1
PCI Firewire IE1394 Card (use this for digital video)
Asus 50X CD-Rom
Creative 12-10-32X CD-writer
Floppy

I have downloaded all the latest versions and drivers for all hardware.

Somethings that I have tried -

1) Wiped hard drive and reloaded windows. Plus all other software I run. Microsoft Office, Adobe photoshop, Quark + games mostly.

2) Set hardware acceleration to "none" in the windows display properties advanced settings. This seemed to help for a short time but the problem is back again.

I guess thats it. I appreciate anyones help!

Thanks
JP

[kazuza]

Top games consume a large amount of resources from your memory!
Before playing, disable any software not related to the applications you won't use when playing (except explorer).
That will give you more resources p to play.
You can even shut down the applications one by one, to see which one is pranking jokes on you...
Be shure to have the latest drivers and the latest version of Direct X

[Kh_JayPea]

Have latest drivers, Directx and reduced all programs runningin background. Still Locks up.

Please let me know what else I should try.

Thanks
KH_JP

[kazuza]

Is it just one game that's doing this?
If so, do a fresh install of the bugger.
You should also, try to update your games, patch the son of a ***** .I'm sure that will do the trick

[kazuza]

Wait a minute!
P4 1.8GHz in a 423 socket?
Are you sure?

[Kh_JayPea]

Oops! SOrry - I got P4T-E with 478 pin socket.

Also, it happens on (2) games which are both new high-end, heavy use programs. I am sure its not the games.

One other piece of info. I had a similar problem on my previous system PII-733 (with different software). I read on the forums (this is about 2 yrs ago) that if I moved my memory chip from slot 1 to any other slot then the problem would go away. I did that and never had the problem again. Now I have a new system and **** if I dont have a similar problem. Unfortunately, moving the memory didn't help on the new set-up.

More idea are welcome!

Thanks
JP

[kazuza]

Have you checked your hard drive for errors?
Once installed a game that occupied a defective area of the hard drive.
Check your drive for errors.
Other possible causes:
CPU overheating
Graphics board overheating
Change memory sticks location, or
If you have more than one stick of memory try removing them and test them in the game one by one, can be a bad stick

[Philip1952]

Rdram is used in pairs only. Kazuza

I had the same problem on my computer when I built it. It was a bad stick of memory. If you have Kingston ram. Send them an e-mail. Be sure to include your phone number. They will call you in a few days to talk about your problem. If they think it is a memory problem they will arrange to send you new ram.
I was pleased with the service I recieved with my problem.

[bushmaster]

Had this happen one time and the only way I could un-lock was to re-boot the system I re-seated ram, agp vid card, cpu, modem, etc; did several fresh re-loads of the os, changed every cable possible, tried different HDD's, different CPU's, different ram, etc;.
I finally removed the board from the case and ran it that way.. presto-chango it ran flawlessly. loaded proggies at blink of an eye speeds. I then checked to make sure nothing from the case was touching the board, couldnt find a thing. I then took a straight edge and checked the board, there it was, minor warpage, just enough so that when you screwed it down to the posts in the case it straightened out the board to where I guess it was no longer in the position it was built in and would stress the soldering points. sent the board to soyo and they sent me a new one gratis.
Another time one of the pressure clips on the plate for the ps/2.usb, and other connectors on the back of the case was touching the board and caused freeze up's.
Lot's of lil things to look for.
Keep on truckin.

[Imperion1]

What kind of internal cooling do you have for the case and the video card? A video card that starts running too hot will give you the same kind of lockup.
Been there, done that.

[smily_03]

the thing that worked good for me when I started experiencing things like that: I dumped windows 98 and bought windows 2000 pro. (windows ME is bad software....) But I had had problems in the past with my sound card not fully seating (the tab on the bottom was too wide and wouldn't let the card seat in fully. Also, make sure your video card and nic/sound card aren't sharing IRQ's, as this can cause weird lockups. If you don't know how to do this, just ask us and we'll help you out:)

[Kh_JayPea]

Wow -

Lots of great things to try. I am gonna make a list and try them all one at a time. Thanks for the great ideas.

I will let you knowif anything works.

Thanks
KH_JP

[HRM]

I vote heat. take the side off and run a fan at it. It still might freeze, but if it does not then it is getting too hot.