deadlaw

Little bit of history (some of it might be irrelevant, but I don't know which)
I recently installed a Dynex USB 2.0 card, discovered my video card or my RAM chip or something is loose because when I barely touch the back panel to plug anything in, or tip my tower up, I lose the display and have to restart. That's not really bothering me immediately though.
I hooked up the little speaker inside that gives the bios beeps, I guess it was never hooked up when my computer was built. I think (I saw that the cable was loose, not sure if I knocked it loose dusting the inside or if it was never hooked up before) I also hooked up the 2 front usb ports that I didn't realize I had (duh, I know) because even though I never plugged anything in to test them, in the device manager there were always only 2 (the back ones) listed, and now there are 4 plus the 2.0 ones.
Then I installed a 500GB Seagate external HD, and after a couple days of using it, my computer started freezing up at seemingly random times while browsing the web, whether or not the EHD is turned on so I don't think that's it.
I formatted an unallocated partition on my main Western Digital HD, either before or after the first freeze, I really can't remember.
I've been using a Microsoft wireless mouse for about 5 years, which maybe 10% of the time doesn't work on start-up and I have to use my keyboard to restart.
SandraLite scan says "Warning 2533 -Disabled host controllers are present. Check BIOS settings", and "Warning 100 -Large memory sizes should be made of Registered/Buffered memory" (I don't know what either of these really mean or if it's a new or old condition as I just got the Sandra tool a couple weeks ago.)
When I restart the computer after a freeze, all my cookies seem to be gone. I use Firefox most of the time, I just found this in IE downloaded program files {D9EA64B2-B966-E177-332C-78B69886526D} Status: Damaged, Size: None, Creation Date: None, Last Accessed: None, Version 1.0.0.171 Code base: http://download.newaol.com/bkpromo/d...ormerSetup.cab, I don't know if that's anything or just because I deleted the AOL trial? All of my IE cookies are there, but I haven't had it freeze while using IE because I rarely do.
I use a linksys wireless usb network adapter and used to occasionally get an error on startup about access violation at address...(I'll screenie it next time, sorry) but I just click 'ok' and everything works anyway. Now I get that error every time I startup, sometimes in duplicate.
When I plugged my camera into the 2.0 usb today, I didn't lose the display, instead the computer froze. I have 16K in bad sectors when the file system is checked, but it's been that way since I can't remember when. (I'm finally going to run the utility that tries to fix it after next restart.)
Let's see, I have XP SP2, 512 MB RAM, I can't think of what else is important to list. Is there a way to tell what is causing the freeze, it's getting really annoying and I'm afraid of it damaging files having to restart manually. I'm sorry this is so long and hard to read, I do tend to ramble and get sidetracked, but if anyone can understand this, please help?

Deleted090308

Hi

What else do you have in the computer - video, PSU etc?

Attach a few mini dumps in zip format to your post.
The dump files are located in \Windows\Minidump.

If there are no minidumps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
4. In the Write debugging information list, click Small memory dump (64k).

How to post an attachment.

deadlaw

The disk check took about 100 minutes, still 16K in bad sectors, but said everything is fine. lol, Sandra says Tip 201-System BIOS is old. Check for an update. Not mincing words there. Video is NVidia GeForce4 MX 4000 (AGP 3.00), Tip 314-Video BIOS is too old. Ouch. It said for the monitor at least 75Hz is recommended, but in the control panel it was set to 60Hz and only options were 70Hz & 72Hz because the box was checked to hide other frequencies the monitor cannot display, when I unchecked that and chose 75Hz it didn't flicker and still looks ok, I don't understand that, probably has nothing to do with nothing, but I thought it was odd. I've been looking for info on the power supply, that's what PSU is right? I don't know where to look? I hope I attatched the minidumps properly. Ok, I'm going to get some sleep, thanks again!

Attached Files

	Mini042108-01.zip (21.1 KB, 2 views)
	Mini011407-01.zip (35.5 KB, 1 views)

Deleted090308

You'll find the power supply info on a sticker inside the computer case.
I'll have a look at the crash dumps later.

deadlaw

*sigh* I knew you would say that, but I was hoping for another way. I copied everything down off the sticker, and removed the blanket of fluff covering the vents. I don't know which it is that's important, and I couldn't find a company website to get a picture of the label (it's sort of in a chart) so here goes:
L&C Computer Co. Ltd
Model: LCB350ATX
AC 115/230V~ | 8/4A | 60/50Hz
I/P
DC +3.3V | +5V | +12V | -12V |-5V | +5VSB
O/P 28A | 30A | 15A | 0.8A | 0.3A | 2A
+5V & +3.3V combined load 200W
+5V & +3.3V & +12V combined load 330W
Total output is 350W Max
I dusted off a part of the RAM chip also, and made sure it was seated properly. Something is still lose, but a light rap to the back fixes that. I forgot I also asked the last guy that fixed my computer why, since I bought an AMD athlon XP 2100+, it says it's a 1500+ on the startup screen and in all the other scans. The guy who built it told me the best the motherboard would support was 2100+. I'm going to look around and see if I can confirm this, but if you know a way I can check that would be great.

Deleted090308

The first dump is incomplete.
The second points at the video driver and WUSB54GV4.EXE (linksys). Could be a conflict.

Reinstall the video driver:
Remove the current nVidia driver in Control panel >> Add or remove programs.
Restart the computer in VGA mode (tap F8 during boot).
Disable your anti-virus program and install this driver: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_84.21.html

The parts that are most important to keep dust free is the heatsinks/fans on the processor and the video card.

The CPU not being detected correctly could be incorrect settings in BIOS.
We'll get to that later - first we need more facts:

Download and run Everest.
That program will produce a list of what's inside your computer.
In Everest press Computer - then Summary. Save the report as plain text. Please post back, with that report as an attachment.

deadlaw

You wrote: Disable your anti-virus program and this driver: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_84.21.html

Do you mean disable that driver or that's the driver I should download?

I forgot to post the error with the USB adapter, It's from Linksys Wireless Network Monitor and reads "Access violation at address 00427441 in module 'WUSB54Gv4.exe'. Read of address 00000368" and the second one that comes up says the same thing except it's 'Access violation at address 004075E5' It doesn't come up every time, but much more frequently than it used to.
I was reading reviews of my motherboard, and several posters mentioned having problems with the battery, and also possibly a hairline crack in the motherboard could explain why it's so touchy?
I'm going to guess you meant download that driver, so I'm going to try that now.

deadlaw

ok, i uninstalled the driver, got into vga, tried to connect to the internet and I can't. (i'm on a laptop now) Should I have downloaded the new driver first?

deadlaw

I totally forgot about system restore, I actually made a restore point last night, so I went back to that. But this time when I tried to uninstall the driver, it said 'failed to uninstall the device, the device may be required to boot up the computer' so I rolled it back, then installed the one you specified, it told me several of the files already existed and were newer than the source? But I replaced them anyway. While Everest was downloading, I noticed my download speed is between like 68-83 KB/s, it seems a lot slower than normal the last few days, is that slow for a cable modem? Here's the everest report :D

Attached Files

Report.txt (226.6 KB, 3 views)

Deleted090308

Sorry, I forgot to type one lousy, but important word. It should be:

The 84.21 version of the video driver is pretty old, but it's known to be stable.

And, yes, your computer is getting "old".
That doesn't have to be a problem - but how old is the Windows installation?
If you have never reinstalled XP on the machine (5+ years???), I think it's time to do so now.

The download speed sounds slow, but let's concentrate on 1 problem at a time.

deadlaw

I could swear the thing was rebuilt in spring of 2003, which would be the last xp install, but according to everest the ram module was built in 2004?
I need to go to sleep, but if you could tell me my next step I will do it in the morning, I still have my XP cd if that's what I need to do. Night night.

Deleted090308

It looks like the RAM and the video card were upgraded in 2004.

If the CPU is an Athlon XP 2100+ it's running with the wrong FSB (front side bus) - 100MHz instead of 133MHz. This can be changed in BIOS.
Press the <Del> key when the computer starts to enter BIOS.
In BIOS >> CPU PnP Setup >> change "CPU frequency" to 133MHz >> save and exit BIOS.

Before you reinstall Windows:
Move your data, drivers and software installation files to another HDD/partition.
What kind of XP disc do you have?
Is it a recovery disc from the company that built the computer or a retail version?

deadlaw

OK, I think maybe when the computer refused to boot and the video card was replaced, he replaced the RAM too, in Fall 2004.
The BIOS wouldn't let me choose CPU frequency, it let me change CPU speed which also changed the CPU frequency and the DRAM frequency all to 133MHz, so now it says it's a 2100+
I have a retail version of the XP cd, my computer originally was a 1999 Compaq that came with Windows 98, I have a recovery disc for that.
Can you tell me what method I should use to move the files on my hard drive so that I don't miss any, I'm really not very familiar with moving files. I told the external drive to back up everything from C: but it supposedly doesn't back up program files or hidden files and maybe other types, so I'm not sure what all is missing from the back-up?

Deleted090308

Good to hear the CPU is running like it should.

It's very hard to say what you should move/save and what not to.
How many GBs do you have on the C: drive?
To be on the safe side you could copy/save everything, except the "Windows" and "Program Files" folders.

deadlaw

15.5G used space, it seems I can manually copy the program files to the external drive, would that be a good thing to do?

Deleted090308

When you reinstall Windows you will also have to reinstall all programs.
That is - you need the installation files/CDs.
So, copying the "Program Files" folder won't help (unless you've saved documents there).

deadlaw

In the program files there are all kinds of folders of things that have come from the internet and possibly my old compaq that will be really painstaking and confusing to replace. I have a 1 year old and basically I'm terrified of how many hours and hours and hours it's going to take in between taking care of him. What will reinstalling Windows actually accomplish, doesn't it fall into the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" category? I moved last year and I'd have to make sure I have all of the installation discs together, make a list of all programs I've downloaded (I purchased my anti-spyware from the internet, I have a license key but I don't know if that would allow me to download the program again?) Would updating the video BIOS and system BIOS like the scans suggested be very difficult or ill-advised? I haven't had a freeze up since right before I made this thread, however I did get a black screen after the initial boot after changing the processor frequency, but got a normal start up the next time. I'm sorry I'm coming across as so difficult and probably argumentative, I just really want to be sure this is the course I need to take? Need to get to sleep tonight though, I'm on Pacific time btw so usually not on 1am-8am, but have my computer on the rest of the time, and check back when I can. Thanks for your patience and guidance.

Deleted090308

If you have the time (and hard drive space) >> copy the Program Files folder.
Updating BIOS won't help, IMHO.
There are good, free anti-malware programs, so don't worry about that.
Windows (and the programs) get corrupt - your XP installation has "survived" for a long time.
I reinstall XP every month to get rid of things slowing the computer down.
But... I have a backup, so it only takes 4 minutes.

deadlaw

I'm going to have to do this later tonight, so let me make sure I have everything straight. I need to make a list of all the programs I want to reinstall, make sure I have the ones that need discs, and uninstall windows xp. Then reinstall wxp, and do I have to go download all the updates and sp2, or will automatic updates give me a list of the ones I need again? Then reinstall all of my hardware, then the software, and get my programs back. Did I miss anything? I got the black screen after initial boot again today, but restarted and it was fine. Still getting that access violation warning.

Deleted090308

Yes, make sure you have the installation files/CDs for your programs.
When you reinstall XP - choose to format the partition first.
XP should recognize (most of) your hardware - if there are devices not working after the reinstallation, we'll fix that.
If your installation disc is very old - then yes, you have a lot of updates and 2 (maybe 3) service packs to install. Windows update should take care of that.
When you have a fresh installation of Windows + updates I think it would be a good idea to talk about backup.