Computer freezes up randomly

[viking]

I have done almost everything I can think of for this problem. When the system is idle for a period of time it locks up and all I can do is reset it. I have redone programs and reloaded Win98, plus fdisk my hardrive. I am wondering if it has something to do with my motherboard "Gigabyte TX3". Maybe voltage or something. Anybody have any ideas????

[jokostel]

more details of the computer ...... cpu,memory,video card,........

[diggersdad]

I had the same problem on one of my other computers. It turned out to be a memory module going bad. I used RamExam to test it, but there may be other software available. I learned a valuable lesson: "buy memory with a lifetime warranty." This module set me back $185, and the warranty had expired.
Hope this helps. Bill

[Steve R Jones]

You might try disableing Power Managerment in the bios and or control panel.

[Zyplex]

I'm having a similar problem with a PC and I've norrowed it down to RAM or MB. I'm more inclined to RAM. You might want to try adding \himem.sys testmem=on

Hopefully I will change the DIMM today and see what occurs. But random lock-ups are a pain because its a bit tricky to debug.

I'll be back next time with my results.

LOL!

[Zyplex]

I swapped memory modules and problem vanished.

[magk9]

If it does it mainly after being on for a while, it could also be heat. Make sure the voltage jumper setting is right, also that the fan isn't full of "dust bunnies" , get thermal paste on the cpu/heatsink too. Overheated CPU's get REALLY goofy. Lockups, crashes, etc.

[viking]

Thanks for all the input you have given me. I have had problems with ram in the past and warrentied it, but maybe a more thourough test might reveal other problems with it. I have disabled all my standby otions even the screensaver. I don't think it is the heat with the processor, since sometimes it can lock up soon after I boot. Is there a site out there that explains all the different options for the bios, and where I can find a software program to test my dimms?
Here are my specs:
GA-586tx3 motherboard
atx power
intel p233
98 megs ram (3 dimms)
4 gig HD quantum fireball
viper 330 4meg pci video card
zip drive
32x cdrom
cooler fan for video card