Computer unstable with 98se...

[OuTpaTienT]

I've been having some major stability problems lately. Didn't know why, and still not 100% sure as to the root of the problems. The most recent incident had Explorer.exe causing an error right when Windows starts, even in Safe Mode!

So I nuked my Windows directory and reinstalled the OS, but instead of 98se I installed plain ol 98. Been a few days now, and I just have two words: rock stable.

Now I'm not saying the "se" stands for Sucks Eggs, but it's something to think about.

[NDD]

Had exactly the same story once, when tryed to upgrade from Win95 to Win98. After the neverending install was completed, and computer booted to normal desktop for the first time, BSOD or even plain "Warning" window containing Explorer.exe rubbish was appearing. Did few installs, then just pulled one of memory modules off and ... everything went fine. More than this - when I installed the Windows with only stick and then put another - it booted, gave me error, and refused to boot properly again even after I pulled the defective stick out (until I restored the previous copy of registry). Later, I was able to finally fail the module while running old Norton Utilitys' NDIAGS ...
Hope it's your case too, so you won't suffer too much headache http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Best Regards ...

[OuTpaTienT]

It's funny you say that ND, because I have a stick of pc133 that I'm kinda supiscious of. In fact I'm so supiscious that I took 2 sticks of higher quality pc133 from work just to test on my machine this weekend.

It would be nice to finally pinpoint the problem but it's gonna suck if my 256mb pc133 ram module is bad or flakey.

[araaraara]

I had the same problem last year. My winchip used to be running on an Abit PT-5 with 48mb of EDO ram. I started getting the same kind of problem you are having. At first the problems were occasional, and then it got so bad I couldn't use my computer, because I couldn't get into windows 98se. I can't tell you how many hours I spent up at night while the installer was running. I put 95a on it the week before it 'died'. I took it to a repair shop. They put the simms in a simm tester. 3 of the 4 failed! Since the board was old and EDO costs a fortune(and my dad ws paying) we got a new board and SDRAM. I hasn't happened since. You should get your ram checked out, as the problem will only get worse if it is the ram. It would really suck to lose 256mb of ram http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[OuTpaTienT]

Well, first I should apologize to "se" because it seems that is not the problem. Errors started to crop up again.

I pulled my ram and put one of the good sticks that I brought from work. Initially nothing changed...still getting all kinds of random errors. Then decided to change ram slots on the motherboard. So far, so good.

If it is the motherboard then that's too bad because I really liked Abit. I'm running out of motherboard manufacturers that I can trust.

btw, this is an Abit KA7 (that I've been extremely happy with up till now.)

[OuTpaTienT]

Been runnin' all kinds of diagnostics for the last hour with no crashes yet. I think I may have finally nailed this sucker down.

[Richard_Cranium72]

tHAT's oDD fUr sUrE

Do ya think the SE disc might have a scratch in a vital spot causing a corrupted install ?

I'm sure this is NOT the first 95SE that you've used, is it ?

[OuTpaTienT]

It certainly seems that my first DIMM slot is the culprit. I have 4 DIMM slots and I've tested using a single RAM module in each of the 3 other slots with no problem. I even completely filled all 3 slots (w/512MB PC133) with no problems. But if I put any module into that first slot (DIMM 0) then errors galore.

Good to finally get the source of the problem figured out, but it also kinda sucks because now I'm wondering...how long before the other slots start to fail?

[NDD]

Told ya http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

And don't you worry about the other slots might become defective too ... I had Asus A7V with first slot won't accept anything and keeps beeping, so I just used the other two, and it ran for a year, 'till I burned it during bad watercooling project http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Best Regards ...