About DaZ FiZzle Expertise I can assist you with common problems and over-looks when assembling your pc. I can also assist with basic and advanced OS errors (XP & XP Pro Corporate are my specialty). My main weakness is Mac, and any other non-windows based operating systems. I'm also really rusty on anything prior to 98SE. I can offer advice on a range of software, codec, and driver needs. If you need help finding the right software for a job chances are I can point you toward it.
Experience 18 years total experience. About 2 years of that is from formal training in a classroom setting, the rest is through my own trial and error and of course from the very helpful tutorials found on the internet.
Organizations TCDE Tech Office
Education/Credentials 2 years at college and am currently working as a technician for the local department of education
Awards and Honors T.A.G. (Talented And Gifted),
Century 21 sponsored office award for exceeding 100WPM typing speed
Question I am sending this query on my wife's PDA, so please be patient ...
Here is my system's vitals:
Asus A7N8X Motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 2400+ processor
1024 DDR 400 memory
Back Story: My computer started running slow, so I purchased a gig of memory to try and get it back up to speed. I also replaced the BIOS battery. Once both were installed, I had to get the BIOS to recognize the chip again (cause the BIOS reset). I thought it might be a virus. After some long sessions on the internet, I thought it might be the fact that I had RAM modules installed from two different companies. So I pulled the old 512 out and left the gig in. The computer worked for a while but then went back to producing application and system errors.
I have done a memtest on the gig module and it passed. So, I am guessing that it should be something in Windows that keeps triggering the errors.
After not getting very far with that topic, I thought I would just bite the bullet and just reformat the hard drive. After spending an entire day reformatting my Seagate hard drive, I began to load Win XP Pro. Once the install CD had copied its files, it did its usual restart. Here's where the fun begins...
Once the restart finished, it moved to continue the installation on the Windows completion screen, then it began repeatedly restarting the computer on that page. I then tried to get some use out of the install CD, but the computer would restart immediately on the "CHECKING SYSTEM'S HARDWARE" page. I even tried the Seagate diagnostic CD but once I get into one of the menu items, the program crashes.
I took the case to a local shop, and, after a power supply swap, I was back at the beginning. Now, I have a computer down to the barebones (video card, mb, memory, hd, cd-rom). I did manage to partially load XP. It loaded all the way to the final restart screen. After restart, I can't get past a stop error screen:
I can't get very far without hitting this screen. I can't even get my hd diagnostic cd to run before it crashes. Most of the time, any action I take results in fatal errors.
I have flashed the BIOS, switched things around till I am seeing cables in my nightmares, checked the new memory stick (MEMTEST says its fine), and replaced the power supply (the old one died while trying to solve the problem).
I could really use some help. I can't comprehend what the problem is: mobo, memory, vid card??????
Answer hey greg,
first off sorry for the delay man. i didn't even see the notice of a new question come to my inbox until today; my bad.
it's hard to say the exact cause for errors like these so you just have to go by process of elimination. you've replaced the RAM, and the PSU so it's probably safe to say that you can rule those out as the culprit. however i would try it with the old 512mb stick in just to see what happens. it's more likely to be your mobo or your HDD at this point though. if you have a buddy that you could borrow a HDD from i would try that, worst case scenario go pick up a low capacity inexpensive one so you're not taking too big of a gamble with buying an expensive one. and just buy a decent sized one later on as you need it. also when you test the new HDD, or retest with old HDD and old RAM, disconnect every unnecessary peripheral. any LAN cards, sound cards, optical drives (other than the one needed for the install disc), and your video card if your mobo has onboard video. if after all of that you still are getting nowhere with that system then i'd say it's time to call it dead and move on before you dump too much money into an old socket A system.
good luck,
-DaZ
