similar problem
I have had almost the exact problem with my PC. Here are my specs:
ABIT VT7 mobo
Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
ddr 400 512 MB RAM x2 for a total of 1 GB
nVidia 5200
Maxtor SATA 150 HDD
I was playing World of Warcraft, and at first I thought it was the game. It would freeze and hard lock, or sometimes reboot altogether. Even if I changed the setting telling it not to reboot, it would still do so. So I added RAM, upgraded to a nVidia 6600 and changed to the Maxtor drive (as stated above. Originally I was using a Western Digital 40 GB IDE drive, and only 512 MB RAM)
The lockups continued. It began to lock during Windows as well. So I repartioned and reinstalled WinXP, and did all the updates. I also got the lastest BIOS, chipset drivers, and video card drivers. Still had the lockups. My thermostat was showing around 30 degrees. Just in case, I took the sides off the case, and blew a fan into it. Still locked. Then I read on a WoW tech forum about the PSU. First I tried unplugging everything save the mobo, HDD, and video card. It didn't work, so I removed all the nVidia drivers, and replaced my original 5200 video card, since it didn't require additional power. Still locked up. My original PSU is 440w, but its a no name brand. I purchased a 420W Antec, but it still locked.
I even went out and replaced the mobo with another VT7. And it STILL locks. The only piece of hardware I haven't replaced is the CPU. I have run the microsoft memory tester, using the extended testing, and came up ok. I ran the CheckIt hardware diagnostics, which was provided with my Norton package, and it says my processor is fine.
I am to the point that I am willing to bet a switch failure on my case. Then I read this post, and noticed the comment about the increase in voltage. 2 questions:
1 - Has the fix continued to work?
2 - Would anyone recommend such a procedure with my processor?
I have had almost the exact problem with my PC. Here are my specs:
ABIT VT7 mobo
Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
ddr 400 512 MB RAM x2 for a total of 1 GB
nVidia 5200
Maxtor SATA 150 HDD
I was playing World of Warcraft, and at first I thought it was the game. It would freeze and hard lock, or sometimes reboot altogether. Even if I changed the setting telling it not to reboot, it would still do so. So I added RAM, upgraded to a nVidia 6600 and changed to the Maxtor drive (as stated above. Originally I was using a Western Digital 40 GB IDE drive, and only 512 MB RAM)
The lockups continued. It began to lock during Windows as well. So I repartioned and reinstalled WinXP, and did all the updates. I also got the lastest BIOS, chipset drivers, and video card drivers. Still had the lockups. My thermostat was showing around 30 degrees. Just in case, I took the sides off the case, and blew a fan into it. Still locked. Then I read on a WoW tech forum about the PSU. First I tried unplugging everything save the mobo, HDD, and video card. It didn't work, so I removed all the nVidia drivers, and replaced my original 5200 video card, since it didn't require additional power. Still locked up. My original PSU is 440w, but its a no name brand. I purchased a 420W Antec, but it still locked.
I even went out and replaced the mobo with another VT7. And it STILL locks. The only piece of hardware I haven't replaced is the CPU. I have run the microsoft memory tester, using the extended testing, and came up ok. I ran the CheckIt hardware diagnostics, which was provided with my Norton package, and it says my processor is fine.
I am to the point that I am willing to bet a switch failure on my case. Then I read this post, and noticed the comment about the increase in voltage. 2 questions:
1 - Has the fix continued to work?
2 - Would anyone recommend such a procedure with my processor?