Random lockups when left idle

I'm working on an AMD system, 900Mhz Duron CPU
128MB RAM and Windows 98SE
Every boot I expierence a complete lockup when the system is idle.
A few times it's done it while running a program but it seems to not happen while drive's reading or writting. ALL power management is turned off. RAM tests A-OK! Tried another power supply - same thing. Updated files with SFC - same thing. Scanned the drive, surface scan also, defragged - same problem. Ran Spybot, Adaware, Registry Mechanic - same problem. Norton w/ current updates - same thing.
Just for the sake of trying I tried installing XP on another drive - it hangs EVERY single time at 17% copying files (driver.cab)
MSCONFIG has ALL unchecked and only thing running is Explorer and Systray.
90%+ resources available on boot...
I've tried deleting the swap file by going no virtual memory, defragging, turning virtual back on and rebooting to create a new swap file - still same problem.
I've tried EVERYTHING I know to try.

I started a program called FILEMON (systeminternals.com I think) that lists every files access attempt.
The lockups seem to be related to the accessing of either USER.EXE or SYSTEM.DAT or USER.DAT (registry?) As soon as either of the files is accessed after sitting idle for about 1-2 minutes the system freezes.

Can anybody offer suggestions? I can't afford a clean install.
It's not a matter of saving pictures or anything, it's a matter of not being able to install some software that's on the computer.

I did, however, install 98 over top of itself. That too provided no fix to my problem.

PLEASE, HELP!!!!

 

Couple suggestions ..

Hi Joe...

Here are some things to try ...may not be the problem but may help you find it...

In Bios ...
Turn off
1) Bios Caching
2) Video Caching

Try booting in safe mode ...will tell you if a protected mode driver is at fault..

Try letting Dr Watson run .....it will create a log file

If you have another stick of ram laying around ...swap it out..

if the machine is over 3 years old, might want try another bios battery

Cheers
Jake

 

The BIOS doesn't present any options to turn off cache.

You know I never once tried to boot in Safe Mode! I'll give it a try.
I'll try Dr. Watson.

I've tried lots of different RAM - no luck.

It's holding a good charge (I guess you'd call it) on the BIOS battery.
It doesn't dump the date or any saved information.
I have also tried to clear BIOS - no luck.

Going on vacation for a week - will report back when I get back.

 

This sounds like you just need to do some cleanup.
Restart in Dos Mode and do these commands:
smartdrv
del c:\*.chk
del c:\windows\win386.swp
deltree c:\windows\cookies
deltree c:\windows\history
deltree c:\windows\shelli*
deltree c:\windows\temp
deltree c:\windows\tempor~1
scanreg /opt
scanreg /fix
When you get the message that windows has repaired the registry, reboot.
These commands will get rid of all temp files, the swap file, the shell icon cache file, and repair the registry. All of this will be rebuilt when windows starts up, but be clean.

 

I'm back from vacation!

I will give the above a try - although most of it was done in Windows already.
(I removed virtual mem in reg mode, booted to safe, defragged and rebooted in normal) I deleted all the temps and cookies etc.
I ran RegMechanic.
I will try the scanreg etc and report back.

Just got done doing the instructions in DOS mode only an am rebooting.
I'll have Dr. Watson run...

Will report back.

I have rebooted and ran Dr Watson. It created a snapshot and said it didn't find anything unusual. A minute later it locked up again.
I could almost hear a change in frequentcy of the cpu fan. I have heard this before and thought maybe a power supply problem. But as I said before I switched out power supplies...that doesn't do anything for it either.

I'm going to try a fresh install of 98 on a different HD and see if it locks up...
(This can NOT be my solution though...I can't afford loss of info)
So please, any more ideas?

 

Really getting frustrated!

I've tried everything...
Still - lock ups.

I just popped in another drive and put a fresh copy of 98SE.
Lock up again with standard video driver and modem and audio not installed.

I guess I'm going to end this thread and just write this off as a faulty motherboard or cpu.

I just don't understand what's going on - if the computer is doing something it won't lock up. I can have it transferring files from drive to drive, or moving the cursor drawing something in Paint - it won't lock up. Leave it idle for a few minutes...boom!

ANY ideas out there?

 

It may be possible you have a bad CPU, but they usually create random BSOD's, divide by 0 errors, and sporatic rebooting. I am going to move this over to Hardware, and see if you get any suggestions there.

 

Hi

Suggest you remove the video card and clean the connectors with a soft pencil eraser. Pull and reseat the drive connections and double check the jumper settings on the drives.

Matt

 

hello idk if this is old or any thing so sorry if this is.

i too have the same problem. i had bought this computer off an infomerceral. the case says VVTV on it. it has the following spects.
----------------------------------------------
900mhz Duron AMD
first 128mb of ram upgraded to 512mb
first had Gforce 2 then upgraded to Gforce 3
40gb seagate harddrive
----------------------------------------------
i have tryed the following to fix the problem:
switch grapics cards
new power supply
switching ram
resetting the bios
fresh install of win XP and even reinstalled
cleaned mother board and all parts.
ect.

still no luck. could this be a faulty processor?

it appears that this happens on random to me and stays stuck for 20 sec each time and keeps happening. also my processor resorces jump to 100% after the problem and my hardrive loading light stays on.

Please help!

 

Joe Locke,

I've found norton's (now symantec's) Ghost to be the best backup in your situation. You can get it with system works 2003 for around $10 on the net, and it will make an image of c: on d: (or on CDs of DVDs) and you can extract individual files from the image just like from a zip file.

I note you're memory is tight (128mb is very minimum for windows); suggest you try an improvement there. You haven't mentioned your HDD size, and that determines the pagefile size, which can be too small.

It sounds like a driver problem, though.