PC Freezes & Sound Loops

[davuswho]

Dell Dimension 8300
P4 3.0GHz CPU
2GB RAM
ATI 9800xt 256mb
SB Audigy 2 Plat ZS
DVD+/-RW (pioneer DL replaced the factory one from dell)
DVD-ROM
250gb SATA HDD
300gb IDE HDD (not dell installed)
Wireless Optical mouse using a usb connection to the PC
SB 6.1 Sourround Sound speakers (with a usb volume control)
USB Keyboard
WinXP Home
Dell Media Experience

Ok.. PLEASE HELP.. I've listed my system above

My computer randomly freezes and if any sound is playing.. the sound loops.
This problem started around July 1st. I play EverQuest2,
and the game would completey freeze for about 30seconds..the sound would loops..
and I would get a VPU Error. Then the game would continue as normal.

Then the game freezing and I had to power off the system.
The system is still under warranty.. they have replaced everything but the
ugly plastic CASE and the little sound connecter and usb/headphone connecters
that are fixed to the power button on the front of the case.

I have formatted the hard drive.. both the old one.. and the one they replaced.\
I tried using just the dell default drivers, and the problem still exists.
I tried dell defaults. + windows updates.. same problems
Tried.. windows updates.. dell sound.. and ati video drivers
tried windows updates.. dell video.. and sound blaster sound drivers
tried windows updates.. ati drivers and sb drivers..

All of these still give me the same errors.

About one in 15 crashes.. I get random STOP ERRORS.
IRQ IS NOT LESS OR EQUAL
BAD PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA

I've tried disabling the swapfile on both drives.
Disabling AGP Fast write on the card
Disabling my Serial and parallel ports that I'm not using.
Changed AGP Aperature to 128 instead of 256
Tried turning off Hyper Threading.

I'm at a total loss here.. I do notice I get the lockups more frequently
when playing a DVD or DVD Virtual Image and playing media files.

The only IRQ's being are shared are either with my USB & Sound .. OR my USB & Video.. it just depends on which PCI Slot my sound card is in.
No IRQs are "Conflicting" but i think it is either 16 or 18 that is shared

Please Assist if you can

Signed,
Desperate Dave

 

[howard_hopkinso]

The fact that your system is till under warranty, I suggest you take it back, and insist that it is sorted out to your satisfaction.

The problems sounds like, either your psu is not up to the job(Dells psu`s are not known to be that reliable, or powerful enough), or some of your ram is faulty.

Regards Howard

 

[davuswho]

they wont take it back

well.. that is part of the problem.. all they do is replace the hardware.. they won't do a system exchange.

I've insisted it's a hardware conflict with ati 9800xt and the SB Audigy2 ZS
like every other person ive spoken with who owns a 8300 with the same audio/video combo that I have. I will try to push em some more.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

You could try temporarily disabling your soundcard in device manager, just to check whether it is part of some kind of conflict.

If this does happens to solve the problem, then you have your evidence.

I`d be telling them that unless they sort it out quickly, I`d want a refund.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards Howard :suspiciou