1. The temp3 is rather high and temp2 is -55?, but sometimes with speedfan it will not utilize the temp3, and start reading funny things. Is quite common, but just to check that. I'll get you to go into the BIOS and just monitor the hardware, it will tell you what temperatures they are running at You want to be looking at the CPU temperature especially. Leave it for a good 15-20 minutes or so and see what temperature it gets up to. If all looks okay then its probably speedfan playing up. When you go into the computer BIOS you should see a section called 'Hardware' or 'Performance' it does vary on the computer. Have a look, note down the temperatures you don't need to change anything.

Your pagefile is fine for the amount of RAM.

Have a read of this article here (scroll down to 'checking the PSU') about testing your PSU with a multimeter/voltmeter. Its fairly simple and rather easy to diagnose if the PSU needs to be binned.

BIOS Readings

Hi Snowchick
I tested the PSU and the voltages were close to the required levels - generally a bit over apart from - 12v which was reading -11.8V.
I ran the BIOS (Amibios) Hardware Monitor for 20mins or so and Ive summarised the readings below. CPU temp fluctuated between 40C and 42C.
I also inspected the capacitors on the board, and they dont show any leakage or noticeable swelling although one near the CPU wasnt upright (leaning at about 75') eg 15' from upright.

Readings
CPU Temp 40-42C
System Temp 40C
CPU Fan 5000RPM
System Fan 2265RPM
VCore 1.696V
Vtt 1.216V
+ 3.300V 3.216V
+ 5.000V 4.865V
+12.000V 11.776V
5VSB 4.972V

I dont know about you, but Im running out of ideas. I tried to send this reply on the ailing machine, and it blue screened me again 0xD1.
The only reasons Im still trying is my wifes got a family tree on it with 5000 entries and it wont work on our new vista machine. Ive also spent abit on replacement parts (CPU and hard drive)

Hm, it is an interesting one indeed. I wouldn't rule out the PSU totally at this point, they should be fairly bang on when it comes to voltages, but it would be a bit of a long shot to say its the cause of all this (only had one computer where this actually was the problem).

Just moving in a different direction towards software (your CPU readings are rather normal). Have you run any malware scans at all?

If not, then give the 8 steps a go and see what that pulls up. I may be missing something here, so I'll get a friend to have a lookie over this and see if he can suggest anything else

Stop Errors

Hello SnowChick
I tried to follow your malware instructions, but I was unable to run a full system
scan using my Norton Security 2009. After a short period the computer froze up
and wouldnt continue.
I contacted Norton technical support and they tried to remotely reinstall NIS 2009
but the computer froze again, and even gave a blue screen while trying to
install in safe mode.
At this point their technical support gave up, telling me that there must be a
problem with the system files and I would need to reinstall Windows.
I already tried reinstalling Windows from my CD and after its loaded all the
initial files, you get an option to repair or do a new install. At this point it
freezes and you cant go any further.

I dont know about you but I think Im flogging a dead horse. I think that there must
be some hardware damage on the mainboard or something like that. I wanted to try
and pinpoint the problem and rebuild the system to get some use out of the good
components, and carry on using some of the stuff that doesn't work on my new
Vista 64 box.

This seems like a waste of time now. What do you think?

Hercules

Stop Error

Forgot to add -- thanks a lot for being so helpful.
regards
Hercules

VISTA 64 is a different kind of cat, and I don't think Norton/Symantec work properly on it.

I would temporarily uninstall or disable Norton, then download and run Avira Antivir or Avast, and two or more antispyware programs such as MalwareBytes, SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor, SuperAntispyware and so on...

55c is not high... and 42c is downright cool 55 is not, but within normal ranges... and I not worth a lot of worry if you have a good cpu fan and a decent case fan.

Stop Errors

Hi Raybay
The machine that was giving me problems is running on XP Home not Vista. After talking with an upgrade company, they told me that they could supply a new mainboard that was compatible with the gigabyte GA-7VRXP so I ordered it.
I fitted it, along with new memory and an empty formated hard drive to re-install XP.
Is that the end of my problems ? sadly ... no.

When I press power on, it starts up normally for about 5 - 6 seconds and then powers off. This is too quick for anything to appear on the monitor. Ive checked and rechecked the front panel connectors which are mostly plugged into one 9 pin panel and I can't find the cause.

Do you have any idea what might be causing this ?
The new board is an ASRock K7S41GX.

Im really depressed about this. Ive built 3 computers before without any problems.

Hercules

Stop Errors

Hello
I decided to check the voltages on my power supply and I got some degree of variation. I was wondering if these are within tolerance or would be enough to disrupt normal operation. My readings are in brackets:

3.3V (3.4V) ; -12V (-11.09V) ; -5V (-4.96V) ; 5V (5.21V) ;12V (12.32V

Stop Errors

Hello Folks
Just thought Id let you know the latest. Id almost got to the point of giving up, and I was browsing posts about my motherboard and guess what ? Someone had experienced the same problems and heard that the board was particularly fussy about core voltages. He set the BIOS to + 5% core voltage, and all the problems went away!
Ive just done the same, and I havent had any problems since. Ill give it a bit of time before I start celebrating, but its very encouraging.

Hercules

Thanks for getting back to us. That is important information... and will likely help others.

Glad to hear you got it work.

Its always good to know the resolution

Stop Error

Hi Folks
No problem - and thanks again for you help and support. Its still working fine. I using it to post this message.

Hercules