Must be a day for computer problems

[TrogL]

• homebrew computer
  
• 750 Mhz AMD processor
  
• 9 Gb boot drive, 36 Gb secondary, both about half full
  
• 650 Mb RAM
  
• Windows 2000
  

I blew a fan a few weeks ago but replaced it right away, but the stupid thing hasn't been right since. When it boots it passes its memory test but when it starts to boot, it freezes up. If I press reset it tries again and gets a bit further. Once it comes up, it's OK, but I've gotten the blue-screen-of-death a couple of times.

The last time it booted, it claimed to be out of virtual memory, but I hadn't even loaded any aps yet.

I'm wondering if I've got bad RAM. Question is, why would it pass its memory tests?

[necso]

1. Post tests are weak,

Try

http://www.memtest86.com/

What fan?

If the CPU fan, the processor may be screwed up. I recently had a fan come loose on a video card and the GPU started acting up --- it was toast.

If a case or slot fan then less likely that it is the processor. But if the fan made a power drain and messed up voltages or had the power supply run really hot then it could be most anything... including multiple components.

[TrogL]

5. Memory appears to be fine - ran the test overnight

It was a CPU fan so I'll bet the CPU is toast.

I've been meaning to get a new motherboard anyway just not until my income tax came in.

It's just wierd that it does it primarily on boot, then it's pretty much OK.

[necso]

6. Could well be.

Transient startup effects can make a difference. With that GPU that I was talking about, sometimes it was fine for a long time, sometimes it worked for a little while and sometimes it erred on POST or the windows splash screen. I know it was the GPU, but boy it was not consistently reproducible.

AMD CPU's run hot and I would suspect it (only suspect), but if the fan caused a power drain then you can't be certain. Since you probably have SDR memory then you will have to make some major choices about your repair/upgrade.

http://www.computergeeks.com usually has a good selection of older motherboards for cheap to allow you to continue to use your old memory. Their tech support has gotten sort of crappy but I am hanging with them as they used to one of the best in this regard and I am hoping that they will return to being so.

I wouldn't even rule out the power supply, if you upgrade to more modern technology you will probably need to upgrade it anyway.

The fact that the memory test ran fine also seems to say that the processor and some elements of the MBD were ok for that long at least. You might try disconnecting some of the attached devices and see if this clears up the problem. If so it is either these devices or the PS. Keep in mind that with an intermittent error, even the most rigorous tests may be passed. I would think about repeating the test if the problem continues/gets worse.

If you do upgrade, feel free to PM me for ideas about what and where to buy. I suspect that you are knowledgeable about these things yourself, but I do this sort of thing all the time and if you wish another opinion feel free.

Best.

[Andy_Stephenson]

2. "Question is, why would it pass its memory tests?"

Hmmm...it studied perhaps...

[jayfish]

3. Prolly A Heat Issue.

Did you replace the heatsink at the same time you replaced the fan? Is your new fan rated at the same RPM or CFM as your old one? You might want to take a look at this too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=831577#832584

Jay

[AntiCoup2K4]

4. Try increasing your pagefile size.

That's where the virtual memory would be determined. This is on your harddrive and has nothing to do with your RAM. If your RAM was bad, chances are you couldn't boot at all.