win2k mysterious crash problem.

[RedStar 0]

Hi. I don't know when this started or why but my system crashes fairly frequently ... seemingly in a random fashion.

 

The problem is there are NO error messages. Nothing is written to the event viewer logs.

 

There is no memory dump file. There is nothing to track down.

 

Symptoms: I will be doing something minor like clicking on a link in internet explorer..or even windows explorer. nothing happens so i click again..and again..then i know the error has occured 'cause i can move my mouse cursor but can no longer activate anything.

 

I could move the mouse cursor around all day..but that is it.

if i now click on a mouse button a few times..i will get the beep and the cursor freezes too. I press the reset button and windows boots up as if nothing has happened. No trace of the error anywhere.

 

I have already updated my microsoft USB mouse driver and liveware.

 

???

 

please help and TIA!

[Catdog02 0]

Try downloading the HCL compatibility utility from the MS website. I suspect it is a hardware problem. When the system freezes, can you use your keys to navigate the computer?

[RedStar 0]

no..keyboard is frozen.

Its a win2000 compatible system.

 

I should also mention that i had to get a new HDD not to long ago.

The people just copied my stuff onto the new drive.

 

So i am thinking maybe a few corrupt files got copied.

But then again..these are random lockups.

 

Just opening my mail browser a min ago cause a lock. Different this time because the computer froze while loading the program.

 

And now, here i am typing away with no problems.

[Catdog02 0]

Maybe you could try running SFC.exe (system file checker) from

 

Start > Run

 

Either that or look at a registry checking utility.

 

You DO have antivirus software don't you?

[RedStar 0]

i have run SFC and it wants my SP 2 disk. Well all i did there was download the SP 2 file and copy it onto a disk. But sfc refuses that one and prompts for the right disk.

 

There does not seem to be a way to exit the darn program...it keeps looping.

 

Is it safe just to end task???

 

 

ACK!

 

i assume its the stisvc.exe process..

also, it wants to restore the files to the original condition. That's not right as some of them have been hotfixed.

 

This version is way less user friendly than win98's version.

 

now, how do i ABORT!?? whaa

 

ok i finally managed to cancel 1/2 way thru.

unfortunately WFP did revert at least 3 files back to their originals

with messages like this:

 

Windows File Protection scan found that the system file c:\winnt\system32\dxmasf.dll has a bad signature. This file was restored to the original version to maintain system stability. The file version of the system file is 6.4.9.1109.

 

Direct X 8.1

 

something is wrong since it wanted to change so many files ..either way.

 

So any ideas?

[Palos 0]

Do you have an Nvidia graphics card? If yes, what drivers are u using?

[RedStar 0]

using a MSI Starforce 831 (geoforce 2 gts/pro - 6.13.10.2311 [the official det 23.11 dwnload]) 64 meg mem.

 

I have: AMD 1.3 ghz (volcano 2 cooling)CPU /350 watt enermax power supply

512 DDr (2.5 latency) sys. ram

MSI 6380 (via kt266 chipset) raid (not using) motherboard

IBM 40 gig deskstar HDD

AMI 1.7 bios

Windows 2000 SP2

USR 56k modem (not a win modem)

Fire wire card

network card (no other system currently attached)

[Palos 0]

Ok I guess you have the same problem I had...try using the 21.81 or 21.83 drivers, leave the >23.xx alone. If you were running XP you would get an infinite loop (manifests itself either locking up the machine like you described, or BSOD-ing around nv4disp.dll). Just give it a try.

 

Also you might try to run your RAM at normal(standard) settings...CAS 2.5 is safe, try also 2T instead of 1T.

 

Are you using any VIA or AMD patches?

[RedStar 0]

my ram is running normal

I am using the 4.37 VIA 4:1 drivers.

I have not had a crash since 3 of those files were reverted. But its too soon to tell.

 

As for my video drivers ...the ones i have, have given me a whopping 10% increase in performance. SO i have to think about reverting to an earlier version of the det drivers.

 

From what i have read, i do not think that is my problem --esp as, for some odd reason, my computer never crashes while i'm playing intensive games like Wolfenstein, MoH, ghost recon and so on.

 

However, i thank you very much for your input.

 

Right now i am very interested in the problems that cropped up using SFC.

Is there an updated version out there..perhaps?