MDG Computer Freezes Up

HarvMan · 03-02-2009, 06:29 AM

I would appreciate some help to try and resolve this issue.

The computer O/S is Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 3:
- Board: Intel Corporation D101GGC AAD35788-305
- 3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium D
- BIOS: Award BIOS for Intel GC11010N.86A.0307.2006.0316.2038 03/16/2006
- ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series [Display adapter]
- 1 GB memory

The original power supply on this computer was dead and I had to replace. The computer now starts and Windows loads. However, the system locks up about 30 - 60 seconds thereafter. It occurs on the Welcome screen or shortly after selecting a user account.

Here's some observations:
- BIOS and hardware drivers are current, according to Intel
- boot in Safe Mode, the computer functions properly
- used msconfig to turn off all startup items, then start Windows
normally, but it then again will freeze as described above

I believe there must be a driver, or a component, causing this problem. Other than trying to decipher and compare Boot logs, is there a technique to help isolate the problem.

Thanks!

dai · 03-02-2009, 09:28 AM

what was the original psu
brand
wattage
what have you replaced it with
brand
wattage

if it was a driver you should receive a bsod message indicating it

HarvMan · 03-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Original psu: Turbolink ATX 350W (model: WIN-350PS Pentium 4)

New psu: Cooler Master ATX 460W

Agree with you if it was a driver, system is set to show BSOD, but has not yet occurred and no dumps. I did locate a dump from late-January which complained about intelppm.sys, but there are no recent dumps.

Note: The System Restore utility does not offer the option to create a restore point. I believe Windows has some corrupted info. I am unable to run sfc /scannow in safe mode, therefore, is it recommended that I try to perform a System Restore from back to the beginning of January.

**wrench97** · 03-02-2009, 04:59 PM

Check to make sure all 4 legs of the CPU cooler are still tight to the motherboard, Not uncommon with the Intel coolers to come loose when inadvertently bumped while working inside the pc.

dai · 03-02-2009, 10:02 PM

run driver verifier

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617

HarvMan · 03-03-2009, 08:30 AM

wrench97 ... all is tight. Thanks!

HarvMan · 03-03-2009, 08:38 AM

dai ...

Used verifier /standard /all and rebooted.
Did not notice any substantial activity during startup.
Used verifier /query and it states "No drivers are currently verified".

I have performed System Restore back to Jan-15, same issue occurs.

I am presently running memtest86, so far no errors.

??

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 08:18 AM

The saga continues ...

a) I tried to perform a fresh install of Windows XP, however, toward the latter part of the process, the install freezes. A review of the log file indicates hardware problems.

b) Returned motherboard to Intel for replacement, installed the new board and it tests fine.

c) Started Windows reinstall using the MDG recovery CDs (2 Cds): During the reinstallation process, I am eventually prompted to insert disk2 and continue. There is significant CD and hard drive activity for several minutes. I am then prompted to reinsert disk1. This is done and in about a minute prompted again for disk2. This process repeats itself, over and over. So far, the reinstallation has been running about 6 hours, and still the same behaviour about inserting disks.

d) If I choose to Cancel at the insert disk prompt, the Windows installation continues at the point where it says 18 minutes remaining, I believe it is creating desktop icons and performing some final tasks?? The net result is the OS is still flakey, such as System Restore points cannot be created, etc.

** Oh sigh ... this is really no joy!

**wrench97** · 03-29-2009, 08:34 AM

What is an MGD Recovery Disk. is that an OEM system reinstall disk?
If so it it is probably installing the wrong drivers as Windows XP is only 1 Cd.

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 08:41 AM

Yes, the disks are to restore the computer back to the state when it was purchased, i.e. reinstall Windows, as well as the software applications delivered on that computer.

**wrench97** · 03-29-2009, 08:42 AM

Is the motherboard the same exact model including the Bios?

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 08:50 AM

The motherboard is exact model, do not have the BIOS specifics for new board. Would Intel ship replacements with a more up-to-date BIOS?

BIOS for the old board is:
BIOS: Award BIOS for Intel GC11010N.86A.0307.2006.0316.2038 03/16/2006

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 09:06 AM

I plan to re-do a fresh install, this time will keep a close eye on the CD path for the files it is looking for on disk2.

If it repeats with the same path, then it's in a loop. I will report back.

**wrench97** · 03-29-2009, 09:12 AM

IF it's OEM MGD could have put their own Bios on it, there is however a good chance it's just a stock Intel board, I'm not sure how MGD builds theirs.

Just a thought check in the Bios to see if you can set the Sata hard drive to IDE mode, the reinstall disks may not have Sata drivers on them if MGD used IDE mode for the drives.

dai · 03-29-2009, 10:56 AM

d/load and run the h/drive makers diognostic utility on the h/d

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 11:23 AM

The prompt for disk2 continually shows this path:
D:\cmpnents\mediactr\i386

I have attached a jpg of the CD folder content.

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 11:27 AM

dai,

Thanks ... I had already run the WDC Data Lifeguard tool, all is good.

dai · 03-29-2009, 11:45 AM

your m/b is pcie you need to be up here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...air%2b550w

run
chkdsk /r

HarvMan · 03-29-2009, 12:03 PM

The replacement PSU is 460W. And I have already run chkdsk.

** Note:
The title of this topic originally started as "... Freezes ...". Now that the PSU and motherboard are replace, no further freeze-ups.

The present issue is now a long drawn out MDG Windows reinstall.

HarvMan · 03-31-2009, 06:50 AM

Re MDG Windows install problems ...

I examined the setuplog.txt and found entries such as: "03/29/2009 10:51:40.281, d:\xpsprtm\base\ntsetup\syssetup\log.c,133,,Setup could not copy one or more files. The specific error code is 0x45d."

This means the CD is defective. I will contact MDG for replacements.

It would be helpful if the Windows install procedure provided some kind of visual notification of this form of error!

Thank you all for your assistance.

Recommend this post be closed.

03-02-2009, 06:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	MDG Computer Freezes Up I would appreciate some help to try and resolve this issue. The computer O/S is Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 3: - Board: Intel Corporation D101GGC AAD35788-305 - 3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium D - BIOS: Award BIOS for Intel GC11010N.86A.0307.2006.0316.2038 03/16/2006 - ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series [Display adapter] - 1 GB memory The original power supply on this computer was dead and I had to replace. The computer now starts and Windows loads. However, the system locks up about 30 - 60 seconds thereafter. It occurs on the Welcome screen or shortly after selecting a user account. Here's some observations: - BIOS and hardware drivers are current, according to Intel - boot in Safe Mode, the computer functions properly - used msconfig to turn off all startup items, then start Windows normally, but it then again will freeze as described above I believe there must be a driver, or a component, causing this problem. Other than trying to decipher and compare Boot logs, is there a technique to help isolate the problem. Thanks!

03-02-2009, 09:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,551 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up what was the original psu brand wattage what have you replaced it with brand wattage if it was a driver you should receive a bsod message indicating it __________________

03-02-2009, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up Original psu: Turbolink ATX 350W (model: WIN-350PS Pentium 4) New psu: Cooler Master ATX 460W Agree with you if it was a driver, system is set to show BSOD, but has not yet occurred and no dumps. I did locate a dump from late-January which complained about intelppm.sys, but there are no recent dumps. Note: The System Restore utility does not offer the option to create a restore point. I believe Windows has some corrupted info. I am unable to run sfc /scannow in safe mode, therefore, is it recommended that I try to perform a System Restore from back to the beginning of January.

03-02-2009, 04:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,451 OS: Win7	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up Check to make sure all 4 legs of the CPU cooler are still tight to the motherboard, Not uncommon with the Intel coolers to come loose when inadvertently bumped while working inside the pc. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

03-02-2009, 10:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,551 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up run driver verifier http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617 __________________

03-03-2009, 08:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up wrench97 ... all is tight. Thanks!

03-03-2009, 08:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up dai ... Used verifier /standard /all and rebooted. Did not notice any substantial activity during startup. Used verifier /query and it states "No drivers are currently verified". I have performed System Restore back to Jan-15, same issue occurs. I am presently running memtest86, so far no errors. ??

03-29-2009, 08:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up The saga continues ... a) I tried to perform a fresh install of Windows XP, however, toward the latter part of the process, the install freezes. A review of the log file indicates hardware problems. b) Returned motherboard to Intel for replacement, installed the new board and it tests fine. c) Started Windows reinstall using the MDG recovery CDs (2 Cds): During the reinstallation process, I am eventually prompted to insert disk2 and continue. There is significant CD and hard drive activity for several minutes. I am then prompted to reinsert disk1. This is done and in about a minute prompted again for disk2. This process repeats itself, over and over. So far, the reinstallation has been running about 6 hours, and still the same behaviour about inserting disks. d) If I choose to Cancel at the insert disk prompt, the Windows installation continues at the point where it says 18 minutes remaining, I believe it is creating desktop icons and performing some final tasks?? The net result is the OS is still flakey, such as System Restore points cannot be created, etc. ** Oh sigh ... this is really no joy!

03-29-2009, 08:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,451 OS: Win7	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up What is an MGD Recovery Disk. is that an OEM system reinstall disk? If so it it is probably installing the wrong drivers as Windows XP is only 1 Cd. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

03-29-2009, 08:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up Yes, the disks are to restore the computer back to the state when it was purchased, i.e. reinstall Windows, as well as the software applications delivered on that computer.

03-29-2009, 08:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,451 OS: Win7	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up Is the motherboard the same exact model including the Bios? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

03-29-2009, 08:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up The motherboard is exact model, do not have the BIOS specifics for new board. Would Intel ship replacements with a more up-to-date BIOS? BIOS for the old board is: BIOS: Award BIOS for Intel GC11010N.86A.0307.2006.0316.2038 03/16/2006

03-29-2009, 09:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up I plan to re-do a fresh install, this time will keep a close eye on the CD path for the files it is looking for on disk2. If it repeats with the same path, then it's in a loop. I will report back.

03-29-2009, 09:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,451 OS: Win7	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up IF it's OEM MGD could have put their own Bios on it, there is however a good chance it's just a stock Intel board, I'm not sure how MGD builds theirs. Just a thought check in the Bios to see if you can set the Sata hard drive to IDE mode, the reinstall disks may not have Sata drivers on them if MGD used IDE mode for the drives. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

03-29-2009, 10:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,551 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up d/load and run the h/drive makers diognostic utility on the h/d http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 __________________

03-29-2009, 11:27 AM	#17 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up dai, Thanks ... I had already run the WDC Data Lifeguard tool, all is good.

03-29-2009, 11:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,551 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up your m/b is pcie you need to be up here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...air%2b550w run chkdsk /r __________________

03-29-2009, 12:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up The replacement PSU is 460W. And I have already run chkdsk. ** Note: The title of this topic originally started as "... Freezes ...". Now that the PSU and motherboard are replace, no further freeze-ups. The present issue is now a long drawn out MDG Windows reinstall.

03-31-2009, 06:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
HarvMan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 108 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: MDG Computer Freezes Up Re MDG Windows install problems ... I examined the setuplog.txt and found entries such as: "03/29/2009 10:51:40.281, d:\xpsprtm\base\ntsetup\syssetup\log.c,133,,Setup could not copy one or more files. The specific error code is 0x45d." This means the CD is defective. I will contact MDG for replacements. It would be helpful if the Windows install procedure provided some kind of visual notification of this form of error! Thank you all for your assistance. Recommend this post be closed.