COMPTER FREEZES/CRASHES in minutes IF TOO MUCH USE

USING: ABIT BH6 motherboard with 1.3GHz Intel Tualatin processor using
an adaptor. WD 250GB & WD 200GB harddrives connected to motherboard
with Promise Ultra 100 IDE controller card that came with the WD 200GB
Hardrive. Video Card - Ati AIW 128 PCI 16MB.

BEFO Windows 98(not SE) was loaded onto WD 8GB hardrive, attached
directly to the motherboard, no Promise Controller card needed.
Everything worked great. The larger harddrives did have to be attached
thru the Promise controller to be recognized by the older motherboard,
and they were used for storage backup only. Was a perfect setup, worked
flawlessly

NEXT: Wanted to get rid of old WD8GB harddrive, so loaded new
Windows98SE onto larger 200GB harddrive, which has to be attached to
motherboard with Promise ATA controller to be recognized.

NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately. Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.
If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more. Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

WORK-AROUND: The only way I'm able to get anything done is to manually
restart the computer before I "feel" it's about to freeze/crash. This
"buys" me more computer use. If I do this every 10-20minutes or so,
depending on usage, I can use the computer all day or forever without
crashes. This is EXTREMELY annoying to have to do -close all apps, save
everything, then restart, open apps, continue working, REPEAT IN
10-20MIN. PLEASE HELP.

Hard to diagnose remotely, but you might like to think about these
possibilities:

1) Memory problem? Download and create a "memtest" CD:
http://www.memtest86.com/

2) Drivers not optimal? Run a scan on:
www.driveragent.com (paid service, but scan is free). DriverAgent will
always alert you to a more recent driver, but these don't always work
better!

3) Consider PowerSupply - could it be failing? Often overlooked. The only
reliable way to diagnose this is by substitution.
--
PH, London
===========


"John" wrote in message
oups.com...
USING: ABIT BH6 motherboard with 1.3GHz Intel Tualatin processor using
an adaptor. WD 250GB & WD 200GB harddrives connected to motherboard
with Promise Ultra 100 IDE controller card that came with the WD 200GB
Hardrive. Video Card - Ati AIW 128 PCI 16MB.

BEFO Windows 98(not SE) was loaded onto WD 8GB hardrive, attached
directly to the motherboard, no Promise Controller card needed.
Everything worked great. The larger harddrives did have to be attached
thru the Promise controller to be recognized by the older motherboard,
and they were used for storage backup only. Was a perfect setup, worked
flawlessly

NEXT: Wanted to get rid of old WD8GB harddrive, so loaded new
Windows98SE onto larger 200GB harddrive, which has to be attached to
motherboard with Promise ATA controller to be recognized.

NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately. Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.
If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more. Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

WORK-AROUND: The only way I'm able to get anything done is to manually
restart the computer before I "feel" it's about to freeze/crash. This
"buys" me more computer use. If I do this every 10-20minutes or so,
depending on usage, I can use the computer all day or forever without
crashes. This is EXTREMELY annoying to have to do -close all apps, save
everything, then restart, open apps, continue working, REPEAT IN
10-20MIN. PLEASE HELP.

John writes:

NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately. Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.
If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more. Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

Check the CPU temperature first, and make sure the CPU fan is running.
If both are okay, test all configured RAM exhaustively.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

On 23 Jul 2006 23:52:34 -0700, "John"
wrote:

USING: ABIT BH6 motherboard with 1.3GHz Intel Tualatin processor using
an adaptor.

Check the capacitors on the motherboard, they have a
tendency to pop after awhile of running a Tualatin unless
you have an adapter with onboard regulator.




WD 250GB & WD 200GB harddrives connected to motherboard
with Promise Ultra 100 IDE controller card that came with the WD 200GB
Hardrive. Video Card - Ati AIW 128 PCI 16MB.

BEFO Windows 98(not SE) was loaded onto WD 8GB hardrive, attached
directly to the motherboard, no Promise Controller card needed.
Everything worked great. The larger harddrives did have to be attached
thru the Promise controller to be recognized by the older motherboard,
and they were used for storage backup only. Was a perfect setup, worked
flawlessly

NEXT: Wanted to get rid of old WD8GB harddrive, so loaded new
Windows98SE onto larger 200GB harddrive, which has to be attached to
motherboard with Promise ATA controller to be recognized.


Did it IMMEDIATELY start freezing after the drive swap?
Does it do it if you don't boot into windows?



NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately.

Sounds like a windows resource problem, or possibly
spyware/viri/etc.


Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.

Could be your IDE cable needs reseated or replaced.



If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more.

Why are you running the system at all in this state?
You may now need completely reinstall windows, but while
you're at it, it would make more sense to use Win2k or XP.
Win98 is fine for older systems but having upgraded the
hardware, it starts to limit what the higher performance
hardware can do. Regardless, if w9x resources aren't
depleted, it should do the things you've described.

Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

WORK-AROUND: The only way I'm able to get anything done is to manually
restart the computer before I "feel" it's about to freeze/crash. This
"buys" me more computer use. If I do this every 10-20minutes or so,
depending on usage, I can use the computer all day or forever without
crashes. This is EXTREMELY annoying to have to do -close all apps, save
everything, then restart, open apps, continue working, REPEAT IN
10-20MIN. PLEASE HELP.

Try a clean Windows installation, see if the problem
persists. Ideally you'd keep everything else static,
installating to a drive on the promise card, not that old
8GB drive.

Yes, but it worked "Before" I switched harddrives. Could it be the an
ATA problem? Old harddrive is ATA33, new is ATA100 (or at least ATA66)
Mxsmanic wrote:
John writes:

NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately. Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.
If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more. Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

Check the CPU temperature first, and make sure the CPU fan is running.
If both are okay, test all configured RAM exhaustively.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

"John" wrote in message
oups.com...
USING: ABIT BH6 motherboard with 1.3GHz Intel Tualatin processor using
an adaptor.

ZIF adapter? you bump around in there while installing the harddrive?
Check the adapter and HS/ fan.




WD 250GB & WD 200GB harddrives connected to motherboard
with Promise Ultra 100 IDE controller card that came with the WD 200GB
Hardrive. Video Card - Ati AIW 128 PCI 16MB.

BEFO Windows 98(not SE) was loaded onto WD 8GB hardrive, attached
directly to the motherboard, no Promise Controller card needed.
Everything worked great. The larger harddrives did have to be attached
thru the Promise controller to be recognized by the older motherboard,
and they were used for storage backup only. Was a perfect setup, worked
flawlessly

NEXT: Wanted to get rid of old WD8GB harddrive, so loaded new
Windows98SE onto larger 200GB harddrive, which has to be attached to
motherboard with Promise ATA controller to be recognized.

NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately. Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.
If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more. Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

WORK-AROUND: The only way I'm able to get anything done is to manually
restart the computer before I "feel" it's about to freeze/crash. This
"buys" me more computer use. If I do this every 10-20minutes or so,
depending on usage, I can use the computer all day or forever without
crashes. This is EXTREMELY annoying to have to do -close all apps, save
everything, then restart, open apps, continue working, REPEAT IN
10-20MIN. PLEASE HELP.

I'll second the "check the CPU temperature" recommendation.
Mine freezes after too much hard use (i.e., game playing) on a
warm day. My board checks CPU temperature and closes
down before the CPU fries.

Everest Home Edition provides good system status including
hard disk temperature and other parameters the devices
provide.

Gary

And yes, the problem was immediately after switching the OS to the
larger harddrive. And though not sure, I believe the problem persists
even if not in windows.

kony wrote:
On 23 Jul 2006 23:52:34 -0700, "John"
wrote:

USING: ABIT BH6 motherboard with 1.3GHz Intel Tualatin processor using
an adaptor.

Check the capacitors on the motherboard, they have a
tendency to pop after awhile of running a Tualatin unless
you have an adapter with onboard regulator.




WD 250GB & WD 200GB harddrives connected to motherboard
with Promise Ultra 100 IDE controller card that came with the WD 200GB
Hardrive. Video Card - Ati AIW 128 PCI 16MB.

BEFO Windows 98(not SE) was loaded onto WD 8GB hardrive, attached
directly to the motherboard, no Promise Controller card needed.
Everything worked great. The larger harddrives did have to be attached
thru the Promise controller to be recognized by the older motherboard,
and they were used for storage backup only. Was a perfect setup, worked
flawlessly

NEXT: Wanted to get rid of old WD8GB harddrive, so loaded new
Windows98SE onto larger 200GB harddrive, which has to be attached to
motherboard with Promise ATA controller to be recognized.


Did it IMMEDIATELY start freezing after the drive swap?
Does it do it if you don't boot into windows?



NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately.

Sounds like a windows resource problem, or possibly
spyware/viri/etc.


Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.

Could be your IDE cable needs reseated or replaced.



If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more.

Why are you running the system at all in this state?
You may now need completely reinstall windows, but while
you're at it, it would make more sense to use Win2k or XP.
Win98 is fine for older systems but having upgraded the
hardware, it starts to limit what the higher performance
hardware can do. Regardless, if w9x resources aren't
depleted, it should do the things you've described.

Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

WORK-AROUND: The only way I'm able to get anything done is to manually
restart the computer before I "feel" it's about to freeze/crash. This
"buys" me more computer use. If I do this every 10-20minutes or so,
depending on usage, I can use the computer all day or forever without
crashes. This is EXTREMELY annoying to have to do -close all apps, save
everything, then restart, open apps, continue working, REPEAT IN
10-20MIN. PLEASE HELP.

Try a clean Windows installation, see if the problem
persists. Ideally you'd keep everything else static,
installating to a drive on the promise card, not that old
8GB drive.

On 23 Jul 2006 23:52:34 -0700, "John" wrote:

snip
NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately.

snip

Almost certainly you have an over heating problem.

Suggest you open the case and check fans all working. They probably
are. Next inspect the CPU heat sink, it is most likely blocked with
dust/fluff. You can sight this through the blades of the fan usually.
Get a child's paint brush and clean the heat sink through the blades
of the fan. I need to do this about every six months.

Hope this fixes your problem

"kony" wrote in message
...
On 23 Jul 2006 23:52:34 -0700, "John"
wrote:

USING: ABIT BH6 motherboard with 1.3GHz Intel Tualatin processor using
an adaptor.

Check the capacitors on the motherboard, they have a
tendency to pop after awhile of running a Tualatin unless
you have an adapter with onboard regulator.




WD 250GB & WD 200GB harddrives connected to motherboard
with Promise Ultra 100 IDE controller card that came with the WD 200GB
Hardrive. Video Card - Ati AIW 128 PCI 16MB.

BEFO Windows 98(not SE) was loaded onto WD 8GB hardrive, attached
directly to the motherboard, no Promise Controller card needed.
Everything worked great. The larger harddrives did have to be attached
thru the Promise controller to be recognized by the older motherboard,
and they were used for storage backup only. Was a perfect setup, worked
flawlessly

NEXT: Wanted to get rid of old WD8GB harddrive, so loaded new
Windows98SE onto larger 200GB harddrive, which has to be attached to
motherboard with Promise ATA controller to be recognized.


Did it IMMEDIATELY start freezing after the drive swap?
Does it do it if you don't boot into windows?



NOW -Problem: computer freezes/crashes, blue screens, or green screens
when using any application too long (within the hr), or worse if using
many applications at once -multitasking (within minutes). If have too
many IE windows open will crash immediately.

Sounds like a windows resource problem, or possibly
spyware/viri/etc.


Also if trying to download
something too large (10-50MB, depending) will freeze before completion.

Could be your IDE cable needs reseated or replaced.



If downloading attachment from Outlook Express will usually crash if
attachment is 3MB or more.

Why are you running the system at all in this state?
You may now need completely reinstall windows, but while
you're at it, it would make more sense to use Win2k or XP.
Win98 is fine for older systems but having upgraded the
hardware, it starts to limit what the higher performance
hardware can do. Regardless, if w9x resources aren't
depleted, it should do the things you've described.

Sometimes less. Also crashing is never the
same. Sometimes can squeek more usage out of computer, other times
crashes quickly. Also if trying to transfer/move any large file (100MB,
sometimes only 50MB, sometimes 200MB) from one location to another in
Windows Explorer, will freeze/crash computer. Then when restarting
computer after the crash, Scandisk (i use Norton Disk Doctor) always
says some files or structures are in error and I end up having major
problems, like apps not starting, or email completely deleted, then
have to use Go-Back to recover, then start over. What a pain in the
butt. NOTE: NONE of this EVER happened "before"(see top -"BEFORE").

WORK-AROUND: The only way I'm able to get anything done is to manually
restart the computer before I "feel" it's about to freeze/crash. This
"buys" me more computer use. If I do this every 10-20minutes or so,
depending on usage, I can use the computer all day or forever without
crashes. This is EXTREMELY annoying to have to do -close all apps, save
everything, then restart, open apps, continue working, REPEAT IN
10-20MIN. PLEASE HELP.

Try a clean Windows installation, see if the problem
persists. Ideally you'd keep everything else static,
installating to a drive on the promise card, not that old
8GB drive.
I agree with Kony. Check caps also for bulging tops(supposed to be
flat) and for leakage of (brown) liquid around bottoms. Quite common with
the BH & BX boards, esp. when adapting faster cpu's, such as tualatins.
They both had a 'run' of faulty caps which would not take the heat, so to
speak. I've 'ruined' 2 BH/BX's with such. Nice while they did work, tho'.
And, I didn't think it cost-effective to send them & have new caps soldered
in place.
Also, are you using 80-conductor ide cables? I've seen bad ide
cables(40-cond. when it needed 80-conductor) cause similar bsod-problems.
HTH & good luck. s