win98se system freezes

[dragonB]

Hey all,
Got to go check on a computer tomorrow that keeps freezing up under win98se. The mouse still moves, but everything else is frozen(incl. ctrl-alt-del)
It seems to happen doing just about anything, surfing the web, playing solitaire, etc..
Happens after anywhere from 15 mins to an hour.

Any ideas that I could take with me would be greatly appreciated.

System specs.
epox 8kta2l mobo(i think same as 8kta2 -pci slot)
duron 800(not oc'ed)
128 mb (cheapo ram)----there's a possibility
maxtor 30gb 5400
ati xpert2000 32mb
pctel modem.
250w ps.
12x10 cd-re


thanks all,
dragonb


typos

[This message has been edited by dragonB (edited 06-19-2001).]

[randy48]

There's a slim chance it's the RAM, I would guess either heat or 250w ps AMD chips require a lot of power and there are not many 250 watt PSUs up to the job!

Carefully reach your finger down to the base of the heat sink after the machine has been running for a little while. If you can't touch the base of the heat sink and leave your finger there for 30 seconds, it's too hot!

Another possibliity are corrupt system files, run the System File Checker and see what happens. I have never once installed Win98se and had a perfect install, there was always at least one file that came up corrupt!

[Philip1952]

It might be a heat problem. Do you have any extra fans installed. The AMD chips run hotter than intel do.
Like randy said. The power supply is on the small side to. My first bet is the heat. Need more air flow thru the case.

[surrealchereal]

Go check out the drivers for the PCtel modem, look in the system info. Also check the video drivers. If anything is blue, and not installed, delete the whole device and use windows to install it when you reboot and the hardware is detected... Good luck.
Surreal http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[dragonB]

All drivers fine, nothing wrong in the system/devices.

Ahhh, heat the old archenemy. Could be...I think it's a generic fan and no case fans.(yes I know...) Or the PS...
thanks guys, great ideas!
I'll let you know how it turns out tomorrow.
dragonB

[Gutter Ball]

As weird as it sounds, I had the exact same problem and it turned out to be my Optical Mouse!!! I ran all the ram tests etc etc, On a hunch, I took the same mouse from my laptop, switched them and NO locks up since!