Computer problem...

[hyiu]

Hi All:

I have computer problem... I think this is hardware problem but I'm not sure.... (sorry for posing on main forum cos most people visit here....)

I have a mame computer....
AMD 1.2 GHz
Motherboard with DDR Ram 256M (only DDR ram slot)
a 40G HD
wireless network card,
sound card
GeForce4 video card

it was running Windows Me fine for about 6 months or so... but as I install more and more programs.... ME starts crapping out.... it freezes... blue screen of death... and so on...

so.... I was thinking... let me buy another HD (got a 100G)... then install XP Professional on it.... and add back the other HD as a slave... and reinstall all those programs... and waaa laaa..... it should be perfect...

now... I've got the XP professional disk... (real thing...not copy or illegal)

but when I tries to install... when its copying files over... it fails on reading files..... (around 4-10 files.... cannot copy... have to bypass by hitting escape...) random... different files fail each time... different number of files failed each time...

I tried escaping those files... so installation will go on, but without those files, I cannot complete my install.... (later it'll freeze or again... blue screen of death...)

I've tried 3 different CD drives... (1 cd drive... 1 cd burner drive.. 1 dvd drive)... same result....

I've tried with 2 different HD... same result...

I've tried pulling all unnecessary cards out... sound / network card... same result....

I really don't know what is wrong on this....

it doesn't fail on the same file everytime.... it fails on different files.... (sometimes, it fails on same files...)

I really don't know what is wrong....
is it memory ?? CPU ?? motherboard ?? what else ??
or the XP disk ?? (I have tried 3 different XP disk...) same result.... (so, I don't think its the CD itself...)

before I start buying stuffs and replace.... what else can I try ??  Any one had similar problems ??  Any suggestions ??..

Thanks for any help..... This is bugging me badly....
my Mame machine is down for 1 month.... I'm dying here....

I don't mind replacing parts.... but I want to pin-point the problem so that I buy parts that I need... but not all over the place.....

Thank you thank you thank you for any help....
 

[RandyT]

...it was running Windows Me fine for about 6 months or so... but as I install more and more programs.... ME starts crapping out.... it freezes... blue screen of death... and so on...

This might be coincidental.

...but when I tries to install... when its copying files over... it fails on reading files..... (around 4-10 files.... cannot copy... have to bypass by hitting escape...) random... different files fail each time... different number of files failed each time...

Here are some things to check.

1: Try different IDE cables if you haven't already

2: Make sure the clock settings for the system bus didn't get changed in your BIOS.  If you are overclocking, it's time to give up .

3: Make sure the fan is still moving on your CPU and that the heatsink isn't full of crud.  An overheated CPU can cause weird things to happen.

4: Make sure you still have the slave and master settings configured properly after all the swapping of IDE hardware you did.

5: Try installing with ONE memory board in place.  If it fails, try a different one.

6: Take the disk to a friend's house or to work and see if it's a bad CD.

7: Start saving for a new motherboard......
*edit* can't count

Good Luck,
RandyT

[shmokes]

I'm thinking it's the motherboard.  There is, perhaps, a component (say, the IDE controller) that is not compatible with Windows XP.  I've had a few machines that couldn't get through an XP or 2000 install, but would work fine every time if I tried to install 98 or ME.  My problems were exactly the same, random blue screens (sometimes even during formatting the hard disk).  I'd find out what motherboard you have and see if you can find a BIOS update for it.  If it was a popular motherboard made by a major manufacturer there's a pretty good chance that a BIOS update will correct your problem.  Just out of curiosity, is your motherboard an Iwill KA266?  

[hyiu]

thx for the suggestions... RandyT

up to my knowledge, I'm not overclocking anything at all...

the heatsink is clean and cpu should be cool...
I've used those air cleaner and cleaned it and at 1 point, suspecting it to be a heat problem, so, I put a massive fan on the open case... and blow it to keep it supercool while doing installing.... no effect....

I'll try to get another set of IDE cable.... and re-try...

most times, I have 1 cd drive and 1 HD plugged.... only... and both of them are "cable select".....
maybe I should set them as master/slave instead...
(will try that also....)

I will try that asap..... will get back and let you know.....

Thank you for the suggestions....

if there are other things that I should try... plz let me know...

thanks... I'll keep my fingers crossed....

[BobA]

I had a similar problem with my computer degrading over a period of time.   I tried an OS reinstall and started having problems getting trough the install.  It turned out to be a combination of problems.

1.  The CPU was probably getting hot as it was fairly dusty inside the cab. Cleaned out dust and reseated all cables.

2.  The PS was very dirty and also getty really hot as the fan did not seem to be pulling much air.  I replaced the PS fan.

3. The CDRW was extremely dusty inside where it could not be seen.  It had tamper proof screws so I used a CD cleaning disk and air bottle several times until no dust could be seen when sparyed.

Ended up cleaning whole computer and replacing the fan on the PS unit.  With normal temps and a clean cdrw everything insalled ok.


BobA

Seemed to be posting this just as you were posting that everything was clean and cool.  Anyway maybe try master/slave for the drives.  It is the more common setup to use.

[hyiu]

I'll find out the brand/model of my motherboard tonight and will let you guys know....when I get home.... hopefully that is the case....

thanks again.....

[Odonadon]

Did you check the WCL (Windows Compatibility List) at all?  That'd be the first thing to check.  Make sure all your hardware is compatible with WinXP (even though almost everything is anyway).

Odonadon

EDIT: Re-reading the posts, I noticed that Shmokes already suggested checking your motherboard compatibility.  Make sure to check HD and CD-ROM Compatibility as well.

[Odonadon]

it was running Windows Me fine for about 6 months or so... but as I install more and more programs.... ME starts crapping out.... it freezes... blue screen of death... and so on...

WinME is notorious for this.  Don't worry, it's a junk OS.  Not your fault.

Odonadon

[hyiu]

okie.... I've checked my motherboard...
its

ASUS A7N266-C

http://www.asus.com/support/download/selectftp.aspx?l1_id=1&l2_id=10&l3_id=16&m_id=3&f_name=a7nc1004.zip

I'm now looking at a new version BIOS...
a7nc1004.zip
from the asus site...
its only a zip file.... unzipped and its a file called...
A7NC1004.AWD
its not even a exe file... can anyone give me a hand on how to update my bios ??... or I didn't get the right thing

Sorry for my ignorance... but can someone give me a hint ??....
I checked Microsoft... I found my motherboard...
they said its compatible with XP home edition...
they didn't say compatible for XP professional edition...

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/default.aspx?subid=22&xslt=detail&pgn=3d48244d-6a1d-ec7c-0e83-d68e3c533dd4

does this means I'm screwed      

I'll try with another IDE cable tonight.....

will let you guys know tomorrow...

*** sigh ***... this is sad.....

if anyone has any other suggestions.... plz let me know... thx....

[hyiu]

ohhh... I've read from the asus site...
now I got the aflash.exe...

I think I know how to update the bios...
wish me luck....
going to do it now...
will let everyone knows later...
(hope I have some good news...)
 

[shmokes]

I'm pretty sure that what you need to do is put both aflash.exe and A7NC1004.AWD into a folder (make the folder directly off the root and name it something with no spaces and less than 8 characters (e.g. C:\BIOS).  Boot to a Win98

* shmokes startup disk and type:

CD C:\BIOS <press enter>

Then type:

AFLASH A7NC1004.AWD  <press enter>

You may want to double-check all that at the Asus website.  I really don't want to be at fault for screwing up your motherboard.

[cdbrown]

hyiu,

Did you try to copy the entire CD to the hard drive and install from there?  This has helped me before.  Also make sure you have the bare minimum components in your system before installing, this will help reducing the hardware conflicts.

I would only have the new hd, the newer of the cd drives, graphics card (if not onboard) and a floppy installed.  Get out a floppy boot disk.  Start the pc and select to load the cd drivers, copy the cd across to the hd making sure to create a directory for it to go into.  Make sure hd is master on ide controller 1 and cd is master on ide controller 2.  Make sure you have any ata controller drivers - I remember when installing 2000 I had to have a floppy disk that contained the promise ata controller drivers before it would install properly (but XP might already have this).

You should be able to copy files across from the dos prompt.  Just some ideas you can try before going out and buying new components.

Good luck
-cdbrown

[Amra]

I know exactly what your problem is.

Windows ME has something called System Restore, what this is, is a secret directory that everything you access, everything you copy, everything you do, gets copied to this directory.  Its a great Idea in Theory, but in practise its the absolute worst resource hog ever invented.  The more you install on the computer, the worse it will get, within six months, it goes form only taking 90 seconds to boot up, to almost 5 minutes.  Your programs no longer load within 20 seconds, its more like 2 minutes.  

The first thing to do, is disable System Restore, since I Got rid of Windows ME for that and a few other reasons, I cant tell you exactly where its at, but im pretty sure its in preformance, right click my computer, goto properties, choose performance, and then troubleshooting or somewhere around there.  Anyhow, check off the "Disable System Restore" box.  Then you need to restart in safe mode.

If you dont know how to show hidden/system files, then just open explorer and type C:\_RESTORE\ and press enter.  Delete EVERYTHING in there!@

Now, you might need to delete only a portion at a time to keep it from locking up, but after you finish deleting everything, delete the folder as well.

Now, you need to make a new text file, name it _RESTORE and remove the .txt extension, this will prevent windows from somehow re-starting System Restore, right click your new empty folder and click properties, check off Hidden System and Read Only.

Now, restart your computer one more time, and be amazed that Windows ME no longers sucks as bad as it did.  It still sucks, but at least not as bad as it did!

P.S. If this doesnt solve your problem, then you need to Install a new OS, Win98SE is a solid OS, as is WinXP.  Those two would be your best bets.

If you do that and STILL have problems, THEN maby, just maby, you have a hardware problem, but im almost posative that you are simply victim of the infamous System Restore Slowdown Syndrome, or SRSS for short.

[CitznFish]

I've had similar problems twice. both times it was bad RAM. there are free DOS util RAM tests out there . Grab one and use it.

[hyiu]

Thank you everyone for throwing me new ideas...

I've updated the bios.... still no good.... same problem...

I tried another ide cables... but somehow it didn't work...
(might need to buy a new ide cable...)
it seems like 1 of the cables has 1 less hole in the middle...
that one works better... the others doesn't work....
not sure for now....

as for restoring ME... I guess its too late....
I might just have to reinstall....
now... should I install 98 ?? or XP ??.. I think I'll keep trying XP...
(since it's going to be a computer and Mame machine....)

I'm thinking bring the whole freaking machine to my friend's place over the wkend... his knowledge of fixing computer is far better than mine...
hope he can help solve the problem....

I'm thinking it might be the DDR RAM.....
(let me see if I can get another DDR Ram to switch....)

if I found out what's wrong... I'll let everyone knows...

Thanks....

for now... I cannot play any Mame..... (for a month already...)
*** sigh ***

[Kitbasher]

I had a simular problem with an XP install that came down to the video card.  Now the video card never showed up on the compatibility test as a problem, and it works in a win XP system that is running.  (if you pull the current card and replace it with this Geforce 2 MX400, no problems.)  But if you tried to do the XP install with that specific card in the system it would go all the way through the copying of files, and hang on the first startup of XP.  If you installed 98se and tried to upgrade it would get all the way through the install and then when the logon screen came up it crashed hard.  All the other hardware including this video card were working fine on a XP system for almost a year, had a hard drive problem caused by a bad ribbon cable, and then had to reinstall.  Gave the card to my wife, she uses 98se and bought me a geforce 3 and have not had a problem since.  
Sometimes it does not make logical sense what is wrong.

I am suggesting that you follow everyone else's
suggestions, but if you have extra parts that you can substitute, try it to narrow down what the issue is.  
Good luck.

[hyiu]

thanks... Kitbasher.....

video card....

I do have an extra video card... will try that tonight before I give it up to my friend....

also.... I'll look for a ram tester....

Thank you Thank you for all the help guys....

[Elkor]

Look at the board carefully.  Many motherboards of this vintage are failing now due to leaky capacitors (long story, look on google or slashdot)
the capacitors are the little can-like things on the board and one of the first signs of failure can be that the tops appear "puffed out".  after this they often leak from underneath and degrade the board circuitry.
I myself have had 2 boards fail recently due to this (abit vp6, asus p3somethingorother).
give it a looksee....  it usually produces unpridictable results like you are describing.

[hyiu]

Hi All:

Just want to let everyone know....
my computer is FINALLY fixed !!  YEAH !!!  

it turns out the memory (DDR RAM) is BAD !!!
Took me soooooo long to figure out...
(I finally borrowed another friend's ram and put it on and try to install and it worked !!....)  

I've now got new RAM... this time... no cheapy ones...
I got 2 x 512M Kingston RAM.... went to googelgear.com
pretty good... they have free 2 day delivery....

installed XP and now starting to copy back all the files...
yeah !!!....

I guess in a week or so.... it'll be completely back online with all the needed programs and so on....

Thanks for all the advise.......