Still trying to figure out what is wrong with my computer

[OmnipotentKiwi]

Alright, I need any FREE software that can do any of the following:
1. Test my computer under EXTREME load by part (processor load, bandwidth load, etc).
2. Diagnosis tools. Currently I am putting my best bet on Processor... maybe Vid card.

I'm running out of ideas. I can't reliably track down the problem or find a failsafe way to cause it to occur, which makes it damn near impossible to diagnosis with any accuracy whatsoever.

[Sentrosi]

Omni, did you get the link to the SiSoft Sandra benchmarking software yet?

If not, here's the link for it: http://www.sisoftware.net/index.html?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_x86&langx=en&a=
Go there and choose what you want to download. It has the option of stressing only your Processor/Vid Card/Northbridge/etc.

Post here for any problems you're having. I'm at work with nothing to do and bored out of my mind :)

Also, I'm just trying to keep you {BOHICA} guys off my back :eek:

[OmnipotentKiwi]

:rofl:

Yeah, I used it, but it isn't exposing the problems.

The two problems that I am currently getting are:
1. Random program crashes
2. Random restarts

Neither are predictable, half the time they don't even seem to be load based. The ONLY thing I can do to even get them to occur more frequently is to run my computer for long periods of time. If this leads you to think it is a heat issue, just know, it isn't.

[Sentrosi]

Bios? Are all your settings correct? When I got my new mobo I had my settings tweeked (accdently) to the max. My multiplier was set at 18 instead of 13.5 (athlon 2200+) and my PC would work great, boot up and everything. But once I started putting massive loads on it, it would CTD first, then reboot itself.

What kind of mobo do you have? Have you Googled it to look for others who may have that problem?

[OmnipotentKiwi]

It is brand new and I had this problem start popping up with my old board. It is a Gigabyte Canterwood (a very nice board, might I add).

[Sentrosi]

What is the Model Number of your board?

:edit: Never mind, i found it on one of the other posts :)

[Sentrosi]

Brainstorming here

Loose ground/connection on your CPU fan. I'm not sure if P4's shut down like AMD's do if the CPU is overheating or not. If its a random thing, perhaps your CPU pins to your fan header are loose or not connected properly. If you can, exchange the fan for another one and see if this solves the problem.

[OmnipotentKiwi]

I don't have an extra fan unfortunately, cables all seem securely connected.

Temp monitoring is on, 45C, shut down is at 60C

[Sentrosi]

Hmmmm....

It's got to be a hardware problem somewhere...you suspect it's the video card or processor. Take the processor out and look at the pins. Are they all lined up or is one slightly bent? If it is try to rebend it, but be careful. You rip that off and it's bye bye processor for sure.

[OmnipotentKiwi]

I'm trying to convince a friend to bring his computer out for part salvage. I just need to find a way to reliably track the problem so I actually can figure out if I fixed the problem or not.

[Sentrosi]

Beer = Friend comes over with PC

[OmnipotentKiwi]

Originally posted by Sentrosi
Beer = Friend comes over with PC
:rofl: He's working 12 hour days (damn farmers)

[Sentrosi]

Exactly. Even more of a reason to get him to come over. A beer (or beers) after a hard day on the farm and he's over there helping you out.


I believe there is a God. Three reasons why:

1) Beer
2) Pig (the whole frickin animal is a walking buffet!)
3) We are attracted to two chicks making out and women are repulsed by two guys making out.

[OmnipotentKiwi]

:rofl: Back to my computer. ;) I need something that gives more stress to my computer. I need to track this down. :)

[Sentrosi]

Perhaps here? http://www.active-hardware.com/english/benchmarks/benchmarks.htm

[OmnipotentKiwi]

Need someone to try this. Need XP as an OS I think to do all this.

Close out all windows/programs except Internet explorer.

Hit Ctr-N multiple times. Each time should bring up a new IE window.

When I do it, I max out at about 65-66 Windows.

The 65th and/or 66th window never fully loads.

I have to close it down to 63-64 windows before I can right click the group and exit all of them.

I want to know if this is normal? If not, it is a good way to test when I switch out parts. If you want my specs, it's somewhere in one of my threads :lol:

[Squeeky]

Tried it, Could close all at the max

[OmnipotentKiwi]

What was the max for you?

[Sentrosi]

I'm running Win2K here at work, so it may not be of much use to you.

[Squeeky]

66