Strange Computer Problem
GOC
14 Aug 2003
OK a friend of mine sent me an E-mail detailing the following problem.
I have never heard of anything like it.
I have never heard of anything like it.
Quote
Over the years I’ve resolved many computer problems, but never have I had one more baffling than the one I’m about to describe. I’ve contacted numerous experts, and not one has yet been able to resolve it. In fact, it’ s so baffling that I’m not sure I even know how to describe it ? But here goes…..
What I experience is TOTAL SYSTEM LOCKUP every time I hook this computer up to a cable modem. But what’s really confusing, is that the problem doesn’t start showing up until I’ve actually used the cable modem for 2 months or more. Then all of a sudden, BINGO ! And it’s totally random. Sometimes the system locks up during boot-up, but other times it can run a solid 10 hours before it locks up. It doesn’t seem to matter how many programs I have open; what type of application I’m performing; or even whether or not I ’m doing anything on the internet. In fact, it’s locked up when nothing was
running on the system other than the firewall and antivirus programs ! All
that seems to matter, is that the Ethernet cable is plugged in !! But what’ s really stifling, is why did the computer run so perfectly in each incident for over two months before it started locking up ? (I didn’t change anything hardware wise.)
For the record, this system is a 5 year old, home built ASUS based / PIII-450 / 256-MB / 80-GB / Win98Se (XP won’t run on this system) / 8-MB ATI All-In-Wonder video / 3Comm 10-100 Ethernet card. It’s also running Norton Anti-Virus 2003 along with MacAffee Firewall 3.0. In all instances the latest patches and updates have always been applied. I'm also very religious about system maintenance, and I run the full gamut of Norton Utilities no less than once a week.
Now here’s the kicker. In this computers life time I’ve moved 3 times. Each time, I eventually signed up for cable modem, just like I eventually did here in Farmington. And each time, this system ran just perfectly for about 2 months before this lock up problem reared it’s ugly head. It happened the same way with Charter Cable modem in Tullahoma, TN back in the late 90’s. It happened the same way with Charter Cable modem in Jackson, TN in 2001. And now with Cox cable modem here in Arkansas in 2003. In each case, the cable modem ran perfectly for two months… them BAM !! It happens the same way whether the cable modem was from Motorola, Sanyo or Toshiba.
I realize that system 'lock ups' can be caused by any number of things. There may be a driver conflict that windows is not detecting with my Network card, or a bad sector on my hard drive, even a failing memory chip could all be causes. It’s the total randomness that baffles me. Nothing I can specifically target for further investigation. Why does the problem always begin after 2 months of cable service when the system worked so perfectly up until that point ??
Any ideas ??
What I experience is TOTAL SYSTEM LOCKUP every time I hook this computer up to a cable modem. But what’s really confusing, is that the problem doesn’t start showing up until I’ve actually used the cable modem for 2 months or more. Then all of a sudden, BINGO ! And it’s totally random. Sometimes the system locks up during boot-up, but other times it can run a solid 10 hours before it locks up. It doesn’t seem to matter how many programs I have open; what type of application I’m performing; or even whether or not I ’m doing anything on the internet. In fact, it’s locked up when nothing was
running on the system other than the firewall and antivirus programs ! All
that seems to matter, is that the Ethernet cable is plugged in !! But what’ s really stifling, is why did the computer run so perfectly in each incident for over two months before it started locking up ? (I didn’t change anything hardware wise.)
For the record, this system is a 5 year old, home built ASUS based / PIII-450 / 256-MB / 80-GB / Win98Se (XP won’t run on this system) / 8-MB ATI All-In-Wonder video / 3Comm 10-100 Ethernet card. It’s also running Norton Anti-Virus 2003 along with MacAffee Firewall 3.0. In all instances the latest patches and updates have always been applied. I'm also very religious about system maintenance, and I run the full gamut of Norton Utilities no less than once a week.
Now here’s the kicker. In this computers life time I’ve moved 3 times. Each time, I eventually signed up for cable modem, just like I eventually did here in Farmington. And each time, this system ran just perfectly for about 2 months before this lock up problem reared it’s ugly head. It happened the same way with Charter Cable modem in Tullahoma, TN back in the late 90’s. It happened the same way with Charter Cable modem in Jackson, TN in 2001. And now with Cox cable modem here in Arkansas in 2003. In each case, the cable modem ran perfectly for two months… them BAM !! It happens the same way whether the cable modem was from Motorola, Sanyo or Toshiba.
I realize that system 'lock ups' can be caused by any number of things. There may be a driver conflict that windows is not detecting with my Network card, or a bad sector on my hard drive, even a failing memory chip could all be causes. It’s the total randomness that baffles me. Nothing I can specifically target for further investigation. Why does the problem always begin after 2 months of cable service when the system worked so perfectly up until that point ??
Any ideas ??
virtualraider
14 Aug 2003
Check your network card, Make sure the operating system is recogizning the right network card.
In other words, If your networkcard is a linksys, make sure that the linksys drivers are loaded. I have seen a similar problem where a network card has been installed and the system see's it as another brand and loads the wrong drivers. ;)
In other words, If your networkcard is a linksys, make sure that the linksys drivers are loaded. I have seen a similar problem where a network card has been installed and the system see's it as another brand and loads the wrong drivers. ;)
Pzaga
14 Aug 2003
Unbelieveable.
Never before have I seen such a thing...
Perhaps it's a problem in the Windows kernel/core?
Edited by Pzaga, 14 August 2003 - 08:31 PM.
Never before have I seen such a thing...
Perhaps it's a problem in the Windows kernel/core?
Edited by Pzaga, 14 August 2003 - 08:31 PM.
GOC
14 Aug 2003
Pzaga, on Aug 14 2003, 13:30, said:
Perhaps it's a problem in the Windows kernel/core?
trminatr
17 Aug 2003
I dont understand why XP would not run on that machine. If it was my machine i would dump 98se and go either xp or 2000.
As for why the problem is occuring... thats anyones guess. I would suspect the operating system is breaking down over time. (win98 does do that)
Or maybe the computer is filling with dust and dirt, causing overheating over time?
As for why the problem is occuring... thats anyones guess. I would suspect the operating system is breaking down over time. (win98 does do that)
Or maybe the computer is filling with dust and dirt, causing overheating over time?
Scott
17 Aug 2003
The problem with Windows XP not running on it, is most likely the video card not letting you install the OS, it probably locks up during install or boot, right? Anyways... I don't see why it would be locking up, and one more thing, why is he running windows 98se on it? Christ, at least spring for 2000...it's a p3 450 with 256mb ram, surley it can run something better...lol.
Edit: Also, Windows 98 doesn't like anymore than 128mb ram, this could cause some problems... Try removing 128mb of ram or more, and see if it still locks up...
Edited by pimpinhondacivic, 17 August 2003 - 09:54 PM.
Edit: Also, Windows 98 doesn't like anymore than 128mb ram, this could cause some problems... Try removing 128mb of ram or more, and see if it still locks up...
Edited by pimpinhondacivic, 17 August 2003 - 09:54 PM.
myckee
19 Aug 2003
I have a P II 233 with 256 ram and it runs XP just fine. It is also my ftp server, file server and dedicated BF1942 server (hehe can only handle 14 players, not enough cpu power for anymore).
Scott
19 Aug 2003
myckee, on Aug 19 2003, 09:35, said:
I have a P II 233 with 256 ram and it runs XP just fine. It is also my ftp server, file server and dedicated BF1942 server (hehe can only handle 14 players, not enough cpu power for anymore).
GOC
19 Aug 2003
I talked to the guy who owns this computer sunday.
He said that pimpinhondacivic was right about the video card being the problem.
Also he said he will try removing 128 megs of ram and if that doesn't work he will try installing 2000.
So we will see how it goes.
He said that pimpinhondacivic was right about the video card being the problem.
Also he said he will try removing 128 megs of ram and if that doesn't work he will try installing 2000.
So we will see how it goes.
Scott
19 Aug 2003
Cool stuff, yeah i've only had this problem when installing Windows XP on old ATi card, it just fucks up for some reason. Hope he can solve the problem.
enriqjames
29 Jul 2011
Things need to do is clean out the computer's registry, which is no doubt that the computer's registry will pack a lot of waste, invalid or damaged entries, or prolonged use. This is the main cause of slow computer problems, the same number of spy ware hidden in the registry.
nells james
27 Aug 2011
If this is your problem you have seen a growing number of nasty little pop-up window. Or your home page is hijacked, and replace some strange websites, now you see a strange "icon" sitting on your desktop, to tell you, do not activate your virus protection! Yes, you have hit the heavy dose of spy ware.
